Masking and Clipping in Figma
Key Concepts
- Masking
- Clipping
- Masking vs. Clipping
Masking
Masking in Figma allows you to hide parts of an element based on the shape of another element. This is particularly useful for creating complex shapes or revealing specific areas of an image. To apply a mask, select the element you want to mask and the mask element, then right-click and choose "Use as Mask." The mask element will define the visible area of the masked element.
Think of masking as using a stencil to paint a design. The stencil (mask) determines the shape and area of the design, while the paint (masked element) fills in the visible parts.
Clipping
Clipping in Figma is similar to masking but with a key difference: it only affects the edges of the element being clipped. Clipping is useful for creating clean, precise edges without altering the internal content. To clip an element, select the element and the clipping element, then right-click and choose "Use as Clip Path." The clipped element will be constrained by the shape of the clipping element.
Imagine clipping as using a cookie cutter to shape dough. The cookie cutter (clipping element) defines the outer edges of the cookie (clipped element), but the inside remains unchanged.
Masking vs. Clipping
While both masking and clipping are used to control the visibility of elements, they serve different purposes. Masking affects both the visible area and the internal content, while clipping only affects the edges. Understanding when to use each technique is crucial for achieving the desired design effect.
Consider a logo design. If you want to create a circular logo with a gradient background, you would use clipping to ensure the gradient only fills the circle. If you want to reveal part of an image through a text shape, you would use masking to show the image content within the text shape.
Examples and Analogies
For instance, you might use masking to create a circular profile picture with a gradient border. The mask would be a circle, and the masked element would be the image and gradient border combined. Clipping, on the other hand, could be used to create a rectangular thumbnail with rounded corners. The clipping element would be a rectangle with rounded corners, and the clipped element would be the thumbnail image.
Think of a photo frame. Masking would be like placing a photo inside a shaped frame where only the parts of the photo within the frame are visible. Clipping would be like placing a photo inside a rectangular frame with rounded corners, where the photo is cut to fit the frame's shape but the content inside remains unchanged.