Creating paths to clip a layer

As you’ve learned in other lessons in this book, you can use a vector path to clip a layer, creating a sharp-edged mask on that layer. In this part of the lesson, you’ll draw a circle and use it to knock out the holes in the metal grille image. This will let you see through the holes to the layers below.

Drawing the vector work path

You’ll begin by drawing the basic path on the Metal Grille layer.

1.	Click the Metal Grille layer in the Layers palette to select it.
2.	Select the ellipse tool (), hidden behind the rectangle tool (). Then, on the tool options bar, click the Paths option () (the second of three options on the left side).
3.	Move the pointer to the center of one of the holes in the metal grille and start dragging. Then hold down the Shift+Alt (Windows) or Shift+Option (Mac OS) and continue to drag until the circle is the size of the hole. Carefully release the mouse button first, and then release the keyboard keys. Note If the circle is not exactly centered when you’re done, hold down Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS) and drag the circle path into position. Next you’ll make copies for the rest of the metal grille.
4.	In the toolbox, select the path selection tool (), and click to select the circle you just drew.
5.	Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) so that a small plus sign appears below the pointer icon (), and then drag the circle to place a copy of the path over another hole in the metal grille. Repeat this step to place copies over the remaining holes, including the holes that extend outside the edges of the image.

Creating a layer mask from the work path

You’re ready to use these circles as a layer vector mask.

1.	Shift-click to select all 16 circle paths.
2.	In the tool options bar, click the Subtract From Shape Area option (), or press hyphen (-) to select it with the keyboard shortcut. The subtraction option sets up Photoshop to use the circle shapes to define where it will remove pixels from the layer, so that those areas of the Metal Grille layer become transparent when you apply the path as a vector mask.
3.	Choose Layer > Add Vector Mask> Current Path. The Rust layer appears through the holes you cut in the Metal Grille layer. In the Layers palette, a thumbnail of the vector mask appears in the Metal Grille layer.
4.	Click the Dismiss Target Path button () in the options bar to deselect the multicircle path you created.
5.	Choose File > Save to save your work.