Clipping Groups

Clive R. Haynes FRPS
 

Clipping Groups
Having created one or more Adjustment Layer, it may not be convenient for it to cause changes to all the layers beneath. Photoshop will allow you to bind one or more Adjustment Layers to the required image layer by 'clipping' the Adjustment Layer to it.

This is how you do it.

Create your Adjustment Layer and click 'OK'.
Activate either the newly created Adjustment Layer or the layer below, then, whilst holding down the Alt key, move the cursor over the junction between the two Layers ('Adjustment' Layer above and 'image' layer below). As you slowly cross the dividing line, the cursor will change from a that of a 'hand' to small grey/white 'eclipse' symbol
the 'Clipping Group' ('eclipse') symbol
When you see the 'Clipping Group' symbol appear (above), click (mouse) or press (Wacom pen) on the dividing line between the two layers line and the two adjustment layer thumbnails will displace to the right and a downward arrow will appear upon the layer, indicating that it is 'clipped' (associated) to the layer beneath. In earlier versions of Photoshop, the dividing line between the two layers changes from a solid line to a dotted line.
 Left: Clipping Group - the upper layer is 'clipped' to the lower.

The two Layers now form a 'Clipping Group' and adjustments made will only affect the image layer to which it is 'clipped'.

To 'unclip' the two layers, repeat the above procedure and they detach from one another.
 
'Delving Deeper into Layers' Topics
Layer-to-Layer Cloning
Adjustment Layers
Clipping Groups
Layer Masks
Layer Styles and Effects
The Text / Typing Layer (information being prepared)
Moving / Copying an Adjustment Layer to Another Image
Know - How Contents
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