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InDesign:Masking Photos With “Knockout Groups” as Alpha Masks

June 5, 2015
AdobeInDesign
Masking a photo with a complex shape is a bit tricky in InDesign, but it is possible.
Table of Contents

Intro​

Knockout Groups are very useful to add complexity and style to your InDesign layouts. By combining vectors with photos you can more seamlessly blend your photos into the background, or add extra creativity. Here are some samples of what “Knockout Groups” can do, the transition on this photo is made with a grunge vector and a knockout group.

knockout group transition sample

Select Background Layer​

You’ll start by placing whatever you want to show underneath the photo you are “Knocking Out”. In this case a 3 color gradient. Making gradients in InDesign can be a pain, so I would recommend making the gradient in Illustrator and then copy and pasting it over to InDesign. If you want to show white underneath the knockout (as shown in sample 1 above) then you can ignore this step.

background gradient

Place Photo On Top​

Place whatever photo you are trying to knockout(mask) on top. In this case, a photo of a skate park.

photo to be masked on top

Select Vector That Will Create Mask​

Now we need to get the vector that we will be using to knockout the photo. In sample 1 the vector is a grungy ink smear. In sample 2 we will be using the floral pattern shown here. Open your vector in Illustrator and copy it.

vector that will make mask

Then go back to InDesign and paste the vector on top of your photo. Resize and position the vector however you want.

place vector on top of photo

Vector Opacity to 0%​

Turn the opacity on your vector layer down to 0%

vector is invisible

Group Vector and Photo​

Group the vector layer and photo layer together. Even though the vector is now invisible, it can still be selected and grouped.

grouping vector and photo

Select Knockout Group​

Time to knockout! With the grouped vector and photo selected, open the Effects panel and check the “Knockout Group” box.

knockout group checkbox

You should now be able to see the gradient (or whatever you had underneath).

gradient is visible underneath photo

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