How do I clip pixel layers to vector layers for shading

[Herbert123]

I believe my version is still the simplest one?

I think so. Shijans version looks more complicated, because he's experimenting with combining 2 vectors into 1 shape for clipping.

True. To expand my version, group the Circle layer, add addition al layers. Create a virtual copy of that group and use it to replace the current mask.

My version also demonstrates why an option to link layers is sort-of essential to have: if I move the circle layer the mask doesn't move with it.

[Vivi_Ram]

All of these proposed solutions might work for simple scenarios but begin to break down as soon you have objects in double digits. Therefore a simple pass through is the most elegant solution in this scenario. I went back to several different programs to check how it works. They all work uniformly in this way. Programs tested include, PS, illustrator, affinity, painstorm studio, and finally, Xara. Interestingly, Xara allows to clip objects successively without touching the layers panel or even opening the clipped group. Select the object and clip shape, clip by pressing Q. Now, you can even select the clipped object, select a second object completely outside and use the clipped object as a clip. You can do this repeatedly. Elegantly. Quickly. And blends work as they should. But you cannot isolate the blends in Xara. In all other programs you can.

[Herbert123]

All of these proposed solutions might work for simple scenarios but begin to break down as soon you have objects in double digits. Therefore a simple pass through is the most elegant solution in this scenario. I went back to several different programs to check how it works. They all work uniformly in this way. Programs tested include, PS, illustrator, affinity, painstorm studio, and finally, Xara. Interestingly, Xara allows to clip objects successively without touching the layers panel or even opening the clipped group. Select the object and clip shape, clip by pressing Q. Now, you can even select the clipped object, select a second object completely outside and use the clipped object as a clip. You can do this repeatedly. Elegantly. Quickly. And blends work as they should. But you cannot isolate the blends in Xara. In all other programs you can.

But I wonder - PhotoLine DOES have a pass through option for groups. That is actually the default.

The problem is a missing feature to allow the masking/clipping to work similar to Photoshop's clipping without the need for a mask.

Or am I missing something here?

[Vivi_Ram]

It does. You're not missing anything. I wrote wrong. What we need is a simple clipping option that's akin to what's present in other software.

[Herbert123]

And to be more precise:

A Show & Clip option that allows the content to remain visible of the clip/mask object (vector or bitmap) that allows the user to paint/comp op TOP of that content.

Because, from my experimentation, that is not possible in PhotoLine without an extra virtual layer of that original layer that is used as a mask.

Furthermore, (my addition) even that virtual layer option is semi-workable only, because there is no option to link the original object layer with the virtual layer. So when the user moves the original object, the mask doesn't move along with it.

[Vivi_Ram]

@Gerhard & @Martin: Want to add a few notes to this for your reference. Herbert123 is right. Linked layers are essential and quite useful in many scenarios. But PS never went the full length of the logic. In PS, linked layers transform together; but barring that, nothing else is linked. Opacity, blend modes, layer styles, colour filters and pixel content are not linked, and can neither be linked nor unlinked. Affinity Photo got this right. See the screenshot to see what I mean. In AfPhoto, you can link and unlink any of the properties for any number of linked layers, allowing for simple really elegant and economic operation. In the attached image, transform and opacity & visibility are linked, but not any other attribute. This is likewise true for EVEN adjustment layers. As I said, this is is extremely useful, as you can link several different adjustments, link their adjustment parameters, unlink their opacity, link their colour filters, and unlink their pixel content and so on. This opens up infinite possibilities. Combined with actions, there are no limits to what can be done!

Furthermore, not only is the dialogue box non modal, it allows the user to even drag objects from the layers panel into the link panel to create links directly.

Linked Layers.jpg