Replacing, disabling, and deleting masks
You can replace a mask with a new mask object. You can also disable or delete a mask. Disabling a mask temporarily hides it. Deleting a mask permanently removes it.
To replace a mask:
- Select Edit > Cut to cut the selected object or objects you want to use as the mask.
- Select the thumbnail of the masked object in the Layers panel and select Edit > Paste as Mask.
- Click Replace when asked whether to replace the existing mask or add to it.
The existing mask object is replaced with the new one.
To disable or enable a selected mask, do one of the following:
- Select Disable Mask or Enable Mask from the Layers panel Options menu.
- Select Modify > Mask > Disable Mask or Modify > Mask > Enable Mask.
A red X appears on the mask thumbnail when it is disabled. Clicking the X enables the mask.
To delete a selected mask:
- Do one of the following to delete the mask:
- Select Delete Mask from the Layers panel Options menu.
- Select Modify > Mask > Delete Mask.
- Drag the mask thumbnail to the trash can icon in the Layers panel.
- Choose whether you want to apply or discard the effect of the mask on the masked objects before deleting the mask:
Apply keeps the changes you have made to the object, but the mask is no longer editable. If the object being masked is a vector object, the mask and vector object are converted into a single bitmap image.
Discard gets rid of the changes you have made and restores the object to its original form.
Cancel stops the delete operation and leaves the mask intact.