Mask Tools
Choose a mask tool from the pop-up menu to hide portions of a selected layer. Mask
tools can only be accessed when a layer (a visible object in the Canvas, such as an image,
replicator, or flattened text) or 2D group is selected. By default, the area inside the mask
remains visible. For more information about masks, see
Using Shapes, Masks, and Paint
Strokes
.
Description
Keyboard
shortcut
Name
Icon
Creates a rectangular mask (by dragging in the
Canvas). Pressing the Shift key while you drag
constrains the mask to a square.
Option-R
Rectangle
Mask tool
Creates a circular mask (by dragging in the
Canvas). Pressing the Shift key while dragging
constrains the mask to a circle.
Option-C
Circle Mask
tool
Creates a freeform mask in the shape you draw in
the Canvas. The shape closes the mask between
the first and last points.
None
Freehand Mask
tool
Creates a freeform mask with Bezier point vertices.
Click repeatedly in the Canvas to create a mask
shape. To close the mask, click the first point of
the mask or press C. To create an open-ended
mask, double-click the last point.
Option-B
(switches
Bezier/B-Spline
Mask tools)
Bezier Mask
tool
Creates a freeform mask with B-Spline vertices.
Click repeatedly in the Canvas to create a mask
shape. To close the mask, click the first point of
the shape or press C. To create an open-ended
shape, double-click the last point.
Option-B
(switches
Bezier/B-Spline
Mask tools)
B-Spline Mask
tool