How to Create a Clipping Group in Photoshop

A clipping group in Adobe Photoshop CS3 can be created so that layers in the group take on the shape of the base layer in the group. This is a quick way to put any sort of object inside another object. Follow the steps below to find out how you can create a clipping group in Adobe Photoshop.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adobe Photoshop CS3

1. Start Adobe Photoshop CS3, and open an existing document from your files that contains at least two layers that you want to group together to form a clipping group.

2. Move the layer that you want to be the base layer for the clipping group by clicking and dragging it under the other layers in the Layers Palette. The layer that is the base layer will control the shape of the other layers in the clipping group.

3. Hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard and click any other layers in the Layers Palette that you want to be included in the clipping group. All the layers that you want to be in the clipping group should now be highlighted in a dark gray color.

4. Click the "Link Layers" button at the bottom of the Layers Palette to link the layers together. This is the first button from the left.

5. Hold down the "Alt" key on your keyboard and click the dark gray line that is in between the layers you have linked. Notice that the base layer now has an underline beneath the name of the layer. These layers are now a clipping group. Notice that in your document, the base layer has formed the shape that the other layers now take on.