Clipping Mask Issues

[cardinal]

For whatever reason, i cannot get my mind around the concept of clipping masks.

Goal: I have a picture of a landscape that i want to appear inside the rectangular shape in the middle (i.e. the deep blue color that has a gradient fill applied to it). Because of size constraints, I have replaced the image with a yellow box.

What I have tried: Regardless of where I place my picture and create a clipping mask, I cannot get the image to appear within the boundaries of the middle shape (dark blue).

Can anyone please provide any insight as to how I can best accomplish this. This is an effect that I want to incorporate often, but have been unable to pull off. Your help is greatly appreciated.

You can also access the .psd at governor.utah.gov/test/clippingmask.psd

 

[MindBender]

It's because of the layer effects that you're using. Just us a mask instead. Place "layer 1" above "middle". Cmd+click on the thumbnail for "middle" to make a selection. Then with that as a marquee but "layer 1" selected as the active layer, click the "add layer mask" button at the bottom of the layers palette.

 

[Gaussian]

- Clip Layer 1 to layer middle (screenshot 1)
- In the blending options for layer middle check Blend Interior Effects As Group and uncheck Blend Clipped Layers As Group (screenshot 2)
- Click OK

 

[MindBender]

Ah, forgot about that. Good call.

 

[cardinal]

Thank you!

both options work great! again, thank you.

i appreciate the detail of your posts. in addition, as someone who learns more by viewing visual representations and instructions, i greatly appreciate the detailed images that you prepared gaussian. it expedites the learning process for me.

have a great day,
cardinal

 

[Gaussian]

You're welcome. 8))