Reply to thread

No, actually there was no artboard used in this file. Refer to post #10.

In the new (2nd) file example, the dot pattern was added in the group and the vector mask was used to constrain the dots to the yellow (rectangle) graphic.

[ATTACH=full]106741[/ATTACH]

It really doesn't make any sense as a layer mask could have been added directly to the dot layer. There was no need to create a group unless more effects were going to be added to the yellow rectangle.

[ATTACH=full]106742[/ATTACH]

This bb.psd file serves as a good example of a non-editable file because the ovals are not editable at all.

I'm not at all sure if I have answered your original question. Vector versus Raster layer masks is barely debatable. It's purely a matter of preference. For me it's situational.