Quick links to procedures on this page:

 
 
 
 
 
 


Defining editable areas

There are a number of ways to define an editable area in an image without using color information from the image.


Rectangular or elliptical editable areas

You can define rectangular or elliptical editable areas in an image.

Photo Paint mask sel circle Defining editable areas

A circular area defined with the Ellipse mask tool


Editable areas defined by using text, objects, or the Clipboard contents

You can define an editable area by using objects. When you create an editable area that has the shape of one or more objects, you have to move the objects away from the editable area before editing it.

You can define an editable area by using text. The editable area created when you type has the font and style characteristics you specify. You can also create an editable area from existing text.

You can define an editable area by pasting information from the Clipboard into the image window as an editable area. The area you create is a floating editable area, which you can edit and move without changing the underlying image pixels.


Editable areas defined by using the Freehand mask tool

You can define an editable area by outlining the image area as you would with a pencil and paper, or by clicking at different points on the image to anchor straight line segments.

You can also define an editable area by painting over it with a brush.


Border-shaped editable areas

You can define a border-shaped editable area from the edges of an existing editable area to frame parts of an image with a color, texture, or special effect. A new mask marquee is placed on either side of an existing mask marquee to define a border-shaped editable area.


Editable areas consisting of the entire image

You can also define the entire image as an editable area. This feature is very useful when you want to apply a special effect requiring a mask to the entire image. For information about special effects, see “Applying special effects.”


To define a rectangular or elliptical editable area

Photo Paint btnbacktotop Defining editable areas
1.
 
In the toolbox, click one of the following:
Rectangle mask tool Photo Paint pgx rectangle mask tool Defining editable areas
Ellipse mask tool Photo Paint pgx ellipse mask tool Defining editable areas
2.
 
Click the Normal button Photo Paint pgx normal mode Defining editable areas on the property bar.
3.
 
On the property bar, choose one of the following from the Mask style list box:
Normal — lets you manually define a rectangular or elliptical editable area
Fixed size — lets you specify the width and height of a rectangular or elliptical editable area
Row(s) — lets you define a rectangular editable area across the width of the image. You can specify the height of the row and a value to round the rectangle’s corners.
Column(s) — lets you define a rectangular editable area along the height of the image. You can specify the width of the column and a value to round the rectangle’s corners.
4.
 
Drag in the image window to define the editable area manually, or click to position an editable area of a specified size or orientation.

Photo Paint tip Defining editable areas

 
Using the Normal mask style, you can define a square or circular editable area by holding down Ctrl after you begin to drag in the image window.
 
Using the Normal mask style, you can define an editable area from its center by holding down Shift after you begin to drag in the image window.

To define an editable area by using text, objects, or the Clipboard contents

Photo Paint btnbacktotop Defining editable areas

To
Do the following
Define an area by using text
Click the Text tool Photo Paint loc pgx text tool Defining editable areas, and specify the text attributes on the property bar. Click the Create text mask button Photo Paint loc pgx create text mask Defining editable areas on the property bar, type the text, and click anywhere in the toolbox to apply the changes.
Define an area by using objects
Select one or more objects, and click Mask Photo Paint onestep Defining editable areas Create Photo Paint onestep Defining editable areas Mask from object(s).
Define an area by using the Clipboard contents
Click Edit Photo Paint onestep Defining editable areas Paste Photo Paint onestep Defining editable areas Paste as new selection.

Photo Paint tip Defining editable areas

 
You can also click the Create mask button on the Mask/object toolbar to define an editable area with one or more selected objects. If the Mask/object toolbar is not displayed, click Window Photo Paint onestep Defining editable areas Toolbars Photo Paint onestep Defining editable areas Mask/object.

To define an editable area by using the Freehand mask tool

Photo Paint btnbacktotop Defining editable areas
1.
 
In the toolbox, click the Freehand mask tool Photo Paint pgx freehand mask tool Defining editable areas.
2.
 
Click the Normal button Photo Paint pgx normal mode Defining editable areas on the property bar.
3.
 
Click where you want to start and end each line segment in the image window.
4.
 
Double-click to complete the outline.

Photo Paint tip Defining editable areas

 
You can also define an editable area by dragging the Freehand mask tool in the image window and double-clicking to complete the outline.

Photo Paint mask sel freehand Defining editable areas

An editable area created with the Freehand mask tool


To define an editable area by painting

Photo Paint btnbacktotop Defining editable areas
1.
 
In the toolbox, click the Brush mask tool Photo Paint pgx mask brush tool Defining editable areas.
2.
 
Specify the tool’s attributes on the property bar.
3.
 
Click the Normal button Photo Paint pgx normal mode Defining editable areas on the property bar.
4.
 
Drag in the image window.

Photo Paint tip Defining editable areas

 
You can change the size of the brush nib of the Brush mask tool by holding down Alt and dragging in the image window until the nib is the size you want.
 
You can apply a straight brushstroke with the Brush mask tool by holding down Ctrl after you begin to drag in the image window. While still holding down Ctrl, you can press and release Shift to switch between horizontal and vertical brushstrokes.

To define a border-shaped editable area

Photo Paint btnbacktotop Defining editable areas
1.
 
In the toolbox, click a mask tool.
2.
 
Define an editable area.
3.
 
Click Mask Photo Paint onestep Defining editable areas Mask outline Photo Paint onestep Defining editable areas Border.
4.
 
Type a value in the Width box.
5.
 
Choose an edge type from the Edges list box.

Photo Paint note Defining editable areas

 
A soft edge produces a more gradual blend with the background image than a hard edge does.

To define the entire image as an editable area

Photo Paint btnbacktotop Defining editable areas
 
Click Mask Photo Paint onestep Defining editable areas Select all.

Photo Paint note Defining editable areas

 
If the mask overlay is enabled, the mask marquee does not appear.

Defining editable areas