Add and edit vector masks in Pixelmator Pro on Mac
Vector masks allow you to apply infinitely scalable masks of specific shapes. They instantly hide or reveal parts of layers based on the shape boundaries, making the areas inside visible and the outside hidden. To apply a vector mask, you can select a shape from the Mask menu, create one with Pen tools, or choose from various shapes in the Shape browser.
Add a vector mask to a layer
In Pixelmator Pro on Mac, select a layer in the Layers sidebar.
Click
at the top of the Layers sidebar, then choose any of the following:
Rectangle, Rounded Rectangle, Oval, Polygon, Star: The chosen shape is added to the layer.
Custom Shape: Choose a custom shape from the shapes browser. The shape is added to the layer.
Draw with Pen: Draw vector mask in the canvas using the Pen tool.
Draw with Freeform Pen: Draw a vector mask in the canvas using the Freeform Pen tool.
Areas of the image inside the shape are visible in the canvas. Areas outside the shape are transparent.
Edit a vector mask
Vector masks can be edited just like any vector shape. Like all vectors, vector masks are infinitely scalable.
In Pixelmator Pro on Mac, select a vector mask layer in the Layer sidebar.
When you select a vector mask, adjustment handles appear in the canvas.
In the toolbar at the bottom of the canvas, do any of the following:
Change the mask shape: Click
then choose a new shape from the shapes browser.
Change the mask fill type: Click
, then click the pop-up menu and choose Color Mask or Gradient Mask.
If you choose Gradient Mask, Pixelmator Pro converts the mask to a black and white gradient. You can edit the style and angle of the gradient as you would any other gradient in Pixelmator Pro.
Adjust mask settings: Click
, then drag any of the following sliders:
Opacity: Drag to control the transparency of the mask.
Density: Drag to control the strength of the masking effect.
Feather: Drag to control edge softness of the mask.
Invert the mask: Click Invert Mask to make transparent areas opaque, and vice versa.
Refine a vector mask
After making basic adjustments to a mask, you can further refine it using the Refine Mask controls.
When you edit a vector mask with the Refine Mask controls, it’s automatically converted to a bitmap mask.
In Pixelmator Pro on Mac, Control-click a mask layer in the Layers sidebar, then choose Refine Mask.
Refine the mask using the Refine Mask controls.