About layer clipping groups

A clipping group is a group of layers to which a mask is applied. The bottommost layer, or base layer, defines the visible boundaries of the entire group. For example, you might have a shape on the base layer, a photograph on the layer above it, and text on the topmost layer. If you create a clipping group, the photograph and text appear only through the shape outline on the base layer; they also take on the opacity of the base layer.
You can group only successive layers. The name of the base layer in the group is underlined, and the thumbnails for the overlying layers are indented. Additionally, the overlying layers display the clipping group icon .
The shape on the bottom layer of the clipping group determines what area of the photo layer above shows through.

Note: You can link the layers in a clipping group so that they move together.

To create a clipping group

In the Editor, do one of the following:

• Hold down Alt, position the pointer over the line dividing two layers in the Layers palette (the pointer changes to two overlapping circles ), and then click.
• In the Layers palette, select the top layer of a pair of layers you want to group, and choose Layer > Group with Previous.
• When making a clipping group from an existing layer and one you are about to create, first select the existing layer in the Layers palette. Then choose New Layer from the Layer menu or the Layers palette More menu. In the New Layer dialog box, select Group with Previous Layer, and click OK.
• The layers in the clipping group have the opacity and mode attributes of the bottommost base layer in the group.

To remove a layer from a clipping group

Ungrouping the base layer from the layer above it ungroups all layers in the clipping group.

In the Editor, do one of the following:

• Hold down Alt, position the pointer over the line separating two grouped layers in the Layers palette (the pointer changes to two overlapping circles ), and click.
• In the Layers palette, select a layer in the clipping group, and choose Layer > Ungroup. This command removes the selected layer and any layers above it from the clipping group.
• In the Layers palette, select any layer in the group besides the base layer, and either drag the layer below the base layer, or drag it between two ungrouped layers in the image.