Using the new Frame Tool in Photoshop and how it compares to Clipping Masks

 

 

In Photoshop CC 2019, among the new features Adobe added is a new Frame Tool. This tool promises to make masking easier and simpler. In the video below, Aaron Nace of Phlearn takes a closer look at the new tool and sees if it is better for masking than Clipping Masks.

Essentially, the tool allows you to make a selection and then drop in an image inside of the frame. The shapes are rectangular or circular by default and do a nice job for simple applications. Once you have created your initial frame, Photoshop creates a new frame layer and you can augment your selection as you see fit. The frame tool works with smart objects, allowing intelligent scaling of any image you drop into your frame. As you can see in the video below, the Frame Tool does a good job for simple tasks, but what if you wanted to drop an image into a complex mask? Nace then shows us how to use clipping masks to make much more sophisticated image placements in Photoshop.

(Via Phlearn)