How to Cut a Picture Into a Shape With Photoshop CC
Open the picture you want to cut into a shape and perform the following steps: The picture layer is cropped to the shape below it. The Layers palette shows the clipped layer indented with an arrow pointing down at the shape layer to show they are joined in a clipping group. Both layers are independent, so you can select the move tool and adjust the size and position of the picture or the shape.
How to Cut a Picture Into a Shape With Photoshop Elements
The process for cutting images into shapes with Photoshop Elements in basically the same, but the interface is a little different:
Saving and Using the Picture Cut-out
If you want to use the transparent image elsewhere, you need to save it in a format that supports transparency such as PNG. You also need to ensure that the source program supports your chosen format with transparency. If you want to preserve the layers for possible editing later, save a copy in the PSD format. If you want to use the cutout in another Photoshop project right away, press Ctrl + A (for Windows) or Command + A (for Mac) to select all and then go to Edit > Copy Merged. You can then paste your cutout into another document. To keep the layers editable as a smart object In Photoshop, select both layers, then right-click in the Layers palette and choose Convert to Smart Object. You can then drag the smart object into another Photoshop document.
How to Make Clipping Masks With Graduated Transparency
A clipping mask works with text or pixel layers as well, so you aren’t confined to using the shape tool. Areas that are transparent in the clipping mask layer make those areas transparent in the layer above. If your clipping mask layer contains graduated transparency, then the layer above also has graduated transparency. To add graduated transparency to your cutout in Photoshop CC or Photoshop Elements:
How to Add Layer Effects to Cutouts
In Photoshop CC, select the shape layer and go to Layer > Layer Style to add effects to the shape layer. For example, you can add a drop shadow, and then add a pattern fill layer below everything for the background. In Photoshop Elements, select Layer > Layer Style > Style Settings to open a dialog where you can add a drop shadow and adjust the stroke settings.
