Need assistance for using a clipping mask on a gif for Photoshop CS6

[Llust]

I used to work with signatures and gfx all the time, but I've only used paint.net. The program is really basic and simple to use, but it doesn't have the options for the affects I intend to work with, so I'm switching over to Photoshop. I've had photoshop longer than I've had paint.net, but I could never understand the program despite all the tutorials I look through so I've just been letting it rot with a few attempts at using it every now and then

 

[DarkDesertFox]

I'm pretty handy with CS5, but the only way to import a gif on there is if you have Quicktime I believe and the layer limit is 500.

EDIT: I also feel stupid though for not knowing about clipping masks. I looked up a tutorial on YouTube and it's pretty straightforward. I took some screenshots so hopefully my three step version will help. CS5 and CS6 shouldn't be too different from each other.

Spoiler: Three Step Tutorial

 

[lizzy541]

i attempted to make my sig last night and it came out alright imo..
i do understand clipping masks well though so i can help you with those. the one use that i know is to put a picture into a shape ex: fit a picture of someone into a heart without the excess outside the heart.
i don't really know any terminology or whatever so bare with me c:
what you need to do is open a new file and put in the photo you want to use. usually i just drag and drop from my downloads (i have a mac so this may not be the same for you) typically you need to press enter when you put in a new image to save it.
this layer should be called 'background' or something else. next, you are going to duplicate the layer. do this by right clicking the layer and selecting 'duplicate layer'. another layer should appear with the same name as the previous, except with copy afterwards.. ex: 'background copy'.
next, you are going to select the shape tool in your toolbox. it is below the cursor tool i believe. (if you right click, it gives you a few shapes to choose from but you probably want custom. choose the splat icon) when you click it, the top bar should change to the shape option. on the far right of this bar should be 'Shape:' then a random shape. you can select whatever shape you choose. if you click on the little arrow, more will come up. in that option box there should be a setting icon to the right. click that and at the bottom of the selection there should be another list of shape groups. if you click one, it will ask you something about changing the current shapes blah blah blah, click OK.
after you find the shape you want, create it on top of your image (do this on your copy layer). a new layer should appear called 'shape'. move this underneath your copy layer. then right click your copy layer and choose to create a clipping mask. once that is done, make your 'background' layer invisible by clicking the little eye next to it.
there you go!!
i have no idea if any of that made sense, but hopefully it helped. i may have missed a step so i'm going to test it out really quick to make sure.

 

[Llust]

i attempted to make my sig last night and it came out alright imo..
i do understand clipping masks well though so i can help you with those. the one use that i know is to put a picture into a shape ex: fit a picture of someone into a heart without the excess outside the heart.
i don't really know any terminology or whatever so bare with me c:
what you need to do is open a new file and put in the photo you want to use. usually i just drag and drop from my downloads (i have a mac so this may not be the same for you) typically you need to press enter when you put in a new image to save it.
this layer should be called 'background' or something else. next, you are going to duplicate the layer. do this by right clicking the layer and selecting 'duplicate layer'. another layer should appear with the same name as the previous, except with copy afterwards.. ex: 'background copy'.
next, you are going to select the shape tool in your toolbox. it is below the cursor tool i believe. (if you right click, it gives you a few shapes to choose from but you probably want custom. choose the splat icon) when you click it, the top bar should change to the shape option. on the far right of this bar should be 'Shape:' then a random shape. you can select whatever shape you choose. if you click on the little arrow, more will come up. in that option box there should be a setting icon to the right. click that and at the bottom of the selection there should be another list of shape groups. if you click one, it will ask you something about changing the current shapes blah blah blah, click OK.
after you find the shape you want, create it on top of your image (do this on your copy layer). a new layer should appear called 'shape'. move this underneath your copy layer. then right click your copy layer and choose to create a clipping mask. once that is done, make your 'background' layer invisible by clicking the little eye next to it.
there you go!!
i have no idea if any of that made sense, but hopefully it helped. i may have missed a step so i'm going to test it out really quick to make sure.

thank you c: this really helped
i tried adding a dotted border, but the solid outline of the shape wouldn't disappear and the dotted parts wouldn't i guess..appear the way i wanted them to, is there any way around that ?

 

[crystalmilktea]

thank you c: this really helped
i tried adding a dotted border, but the solid outline of the shape wouldn't disappear and the dotted parts wouldn't i guess..appear the way i wanted them to, is there any way around that ?

Is it a premade shape or something you created? You can choose no border/dotted border in the line style drop-down

 

[Llust]

Is it a premade shape or something you created? You can choose no border/dotted border in the line style drop-down

premade, the dotted border didnt turn out the way i expected though--like it's too thick, too far apart, etc & i couldnt seem to adjust it

 

[Llust]

bump--i dont have an issue with anything related to borders anymore, but if someone could explain how to use a clipping mask on a gif it would be much appreciated..and that's just about it for the things i need help on for photoshop

 

[Llust]

bump