Hey, not sure if you found the solution to this yet, but here's the way I do it.
Step 1 - Create your file
Step 2 - Have a background that your pictures will be on top of (like the frame for the image)
Step 3 - Create the path that you want to be masked, if it's a simple rectangle or elipse, then there are the preset tools to allow that, otherwise use the lasso (yeehaa!)- FILL this shape with a solid colour
Note at this point - you would expect that you turn this into a mask... you don't....
Step 4 - Bring in the image you want to mask (your beautiful photo etc), ensure it is on a layer above the shape you want masking.
Step 5 - Right click (I'm on PC - not sure on mac) the image layer (from step 4) and select "create clipping mask". You will notice that the layer now gets indented and the mask is applied.
You can now move the image which is masked around and see it in action. Adding new images is as easy as putting their layers between your masked image and shape layers - just remember to hide the top one when you have the new in.
I've got a couple of quick tester psd's I just created to make sure I write the correct steps, if you want me to email them to you (or anyone else) just let me know. File size is about 7mb so I won't post a download link in case i get hit with the popularity of Obama.
Hope this helps.
Nik
Just thought I'd mention I'm using PS CS2, not sure if the steps may be slightly different with CS3... would be handy to know if it works. I'm looking at windows screencasting software at the moment, if I can find something that works well I'll post a few quick photoshop tuts up.
Here is a video tutorial on how to do masks. I use paint shop pro 11 and never used photoshop, but I would love to use adobe photoshop oneday. I just don't do a lot of design work and can't see myself putting out $350.00+ for it :-( . Anyways, here is a video tutorial that might get ya on the right path. God bless!
I've been using Photoshop CS3 for a while but only used masks sparingly...now I need one for a specific project and I'm stumped.
I've created a photo album template page. On this page is a grey boxe, a shape. I want this grey boxe to be a mask (showing only the area inside the grey box.)
What I want to do is this:
Layer A - that is just a mask
Layer B - A shape, same size as the mask and the layers name is "place your photo above this layer"
The final result I want is that when someone drops an image layer between layer A and layer B it is masked, showing only what is inside the mask area for layer A.
I hope that makes sense...and I hope its possible. :-)
-Chris
Chris Cummings
Integrity Web Development
Chattanooga Web Service