Create a text object mask

Using text to mask an image

Software: Canvas 5
Platform: Mac OS and Windows

This example shows how to use text as a mask. When using text as a mask we recommend that you use extra large and heavy type, such as Futura Extra Bold or Helvetica Black.

Masking with text, unique in Canvas 5

To showcase how you can use text to as a mask, we developed this travel poster document while demonstrating Canvas 5 at one of the recent trade shows.

You'll find the steps easy to follow, and you'll soon be able to develop your own stunning effects using Canvas 5' s unique text mask feature. Unlike other graphic software packages, Canvas 5 allows text to be edited even though it's being used as a mask.

Create and adjust your type

First type your text

To begin masking an image choose the Text tool to type the text. We used "Vacation in Paradise." With the Text tool, click once in your document and type the text. To change the default font to a heavier typeface, click once with the Text I-beam inside the text object and choose Edit > Select All (Command A, Mac or Ctrl A, Windows) to highlight all the text.

Open the Type palette (Command T, Mac or Ctrl T, Windows) and choose the Character tab to change the typeface to Futura Condensed Extra Bold (or some other heavy font), then click Apply. Notice in our example that the words "Vacation in" and "Paradise" aren't the same point size. To change the point size, we highlight with the I-beam pointer the words "Vacation in," enter 90 points in the size field, and then click Apply.

Again with the I-beam pointer, highlight the word "Paradise," enter 114 point size in the Character tab and click Apply. To separate the top line of text to the bottom line of text we added leading. To add leading, in the Paragraph tab enter 110 points leading and click Apply.

Center the text object and the image.

Align the text object with the image

Once you have the text looking the way you want, choose an image for the mask. For the Travel poster we chose the bird's-eye view of a beach, which we placed just below the text object. To align both objects Shift > Select each object and choose Object > Align (Command Y, Mac or Ctrl Y, Windows) and the Align palette appears on screen. Align to: "Each other," then center Vertical and Horizontal options and click Apply.

Once your objects are aligned

Make your mask!

Putting it all together

Now with both objects selected, we create a mask. Be sure the text (or path) object is in front of the image object. To bring the text to the front, click the text object once and choose Object > Arrange > Send to Front (Command F, Mac, or Ctrl F, Windows). Then create the mask; choose Object > Mask > Make.

With Canvas 5, it's not necessary to convert text to a path before using it as a mask. This means you can edit text used in a mask by clicking on it with the Text I-beam. Try it! Click on your mask text with the Text I-beam, highlight it, you can now retype the text or change its attributes.

You can use these steps with a vector or text object on any image. We recommend that you Group (Command G, Mac or Ctrl G, Windows) the mask objects together when rendered, to safeguard it from accidental shifting.

Finished text masked document

The final touches...

To complete the artwork place a background image behind the masked object. For a final touch, add more impact to the letters by applying a colored stroke around them. Copy the original text object (Command C, Mac, or Ctrl C Windows), then paste (Command V, Mac, or Ctrl V, Windows). With the Text I-beam, double-click the new text object, Edit > Select All (Command A, Mac or Ctrl A, Windows) to highlight the entire text object. In the Fill Inks palette, color the background to None, making it appear hollow. Apply a 4-point standard line stroke to the letters by using the Pen Strokes Palette. In the Stroke Inks palette, select a color or gradient and apply it to the stroke. Place the new text object directly over the masked object.