How to Create a Clipping Path Element in 6 Steps

Photoshop can be excruciating to navigate, but with Elements, even simple tasks such as creating a clipping path element can be done in mere minutes. But what if you’re completely new to editing? To sum up, all you need to do is find the pen tool, make the outline, close the clipping path, toggle the layers, and create the clipping mask. This may seem simple, but there is more to do than just pressing a few buttons. Don’t fret! Our guide carefully walks you through each step. But before we get into our guide to the clipping path element, let’s discuss what we’re working with.

What Is Clipping Path in Photoshop Elements? 

A clipping path is a result of using the pen tool in Photoshop to create a ‘Clipping’ from an image. Just like you would use a pair of scissors to make a cutout of an object from a photograph, a clipping path is a trace of an object, which forms a cutout or ‘Clip.’

However, when an image is clipped, the background is removed right away. So, only the object that was traced by the clipping path is left, creating a ‘Clipping.’ 

Why Are Clipping Paths Important in Photoshop?

Clipping paths come in handy for a number of reasons in Photoshop. Most of the time, it isn’t just to simply make a collage or remove an unwanted object from the background.

Rather, clipping paths are very useful when it comes to editing complex and multicolored images.

Here are a few instances of how important clipping paths are in Photoshop −

• Clippings of objects are needed to create stickers, which are images that come with a transparent background.
• When an object has to be pasted onto a solid color background, like black or white, it has to be clipped to fully remove the background.
• In composite photography, clippings of objects are vital so that they can be presented together in the same photo.
• When a photo has too many objects or an overwhelming amount of colors, clippings are used to isolate the wanted objects.
• When a part of the image has some unwanted features, such as odd shading or color, clippings are used to edit out these flaws.

How to Make a Clipping Path in Photoshop Elements

One of the most basic skills of photo editing is knowing how to create a clipping path and a clipping mask. Whether it be Photoshop CC or Photoshop Elements, both software are easy to toggle when it comes to simple clipping and readjusting.

Here is a short guide to creating a clipping path in Photoshop Elements –

Step 1 − Find the Pen Tool

A clipping path can only be created using the Pen tool. This is a common tool found in all editing software, whether it be Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop CC, or Photoshop Elements.

The icon is a small pen, but if you cannot spot it, you can simply search for the tool using the search bar.

Depending on the software you’re using, this tool can also have different titles or come with similar tools, such as the Curvature Pen tool, Freeform Pen tool, Convert Point tool, etc.

It should also be noted that you need to make sure the graphic you’re using is compatible.

This means that it should be able to form a clipping path, and the pen tool should not be grayed out.

Step 2 − Make Your Outline

Now, use your pen tool to make an outline of the object you want to clip. Simply click once on the starting point of your outline and click again once you start to draw over another curve.

Basically, you are going to have many small and interconnected straight lines that form an outline around your object.

This is the clipping path. You should only release your mouse button when you have sufficiently covered each curve of the object properly.

Step 3 − Close the Path

Once you’ve covered the entire outline of the object with your clipping path, you need to join the line so that the cut-out can form.

To do this, move your cursor to the starting point of your outline. You will see a circle appear, signaling to close the clipping path.

Simply click on this point to close the outline. Ensure that you are satisfied with the path you’ve made and make any adjustments before proceeding to the next step.

Step 4 − Save the Clipping Path

Now go to the Paths panel. If you cannot locate it, you can search for it or click ‘Windows’ and then ‘Paths.’

From here, you need to click ‘Work Path’ and then go to the panel’s menu and click ‘Save Path.’

You might want to title these paths if you’re going to make many layer masks with multiple clipping paths.

Step 5 − Create New Layer

The image you used to create the clipping path was the bottom layer. Next, upload another image, such as a pastel background or a patterned image, to layer on top of the first.

Go to the layers panel and select the first layer. Drag the selected layer down so that the new layer is on top of it.

Step 6 – Create the Clipping Mask

Then, select the top layer and press CTRL+G, or click ‘layer’ and then ‘create clipping mask.’ Now you’re all done with the clipping path and mask.

If you want to follow along with a visual tutorial of this guide, we recommend watching this video.

Read more: Clipping Path Reverse Guide.

Conclusion

That brings us to the end of our guide on creating a clipping path element. We hope we’ve made the process clear and resolved any confusion you might have had. Clipping masks, clipping path elements, and layer toggling are very simple to learn compared to more complex software such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop CC. So, you can rest assured that there will be minimal mistakes.