Hi all
Is it possible to have the reverse of Mask image. That is…To have the image around the outside of a doughnut shape but not inside the doughnut or the centre circle.
I keep getting the image inside.
Masking in LightBurn can behave a little differently depending on how the shapes are set up.
If you group two circles into a doughnut and use that as the mask, the image will appear in the band of the doughnut (like this).
If you only select the inner circle as the mask, the image will appear in the hole instead (like this).
Could you share a screenshot of your layout (no phone pics please) → https://www.take-a-screenshot.org/ — that way we can see exactly which shapes you’re using for the mask.
With that, we’ll be able to confirm whether the result you’re after is closer to my first or second images… or if I have it entirely wrong!
Hi Dominic
Thanks for your reply. I’ve got two funerals to attend today so wont see the workshop or laptop till tomorrow…at the least..Irish funerals!!
Thanks for the examples but neither is the intended outcome. Im trying to keep both the doughnut and the inner circle blank so I can fill them.
Im wondering if it is even possible because everything I tried with offset shapes fails to work and the ai search kept repeating the same technique you have shown.
The doughnut example was a more simple way of describing Jake and Elwood (The blues brothers) in silhouette, with their blues-mobile as an image behind them (black and white image..but very pixelated).
The image keeps apearing either in their black suits or in the white area of shirt and face.
Ive tried outside boundaries/frames and offset shapes and grouping..combinations.
Just a skills increasing task that I have never done before.
Can you do it “reverse” so that the image outside the doughnut (and inside) remains?
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Hey @Pete.IRL
Don’t worry about replying until you’re ready and can share screenshots — I just need to understand exactly what you’re aiming for before suggesting a workaround.
From your description it sounds like you want the photo to show through only in certain areas (like the white shirt/face parts of a silhouette), while the black suit/hat areas stay solid. LightBurn’s masking works on filled vector shapes, so which parts show the image depends on how those shapes are set up.
Could you share:
- A screenshot of your layout so far (no phone pics please)
- A quick annotation (arrows / circles) showing where you want the photo to appear, and where you want it to stay solid.
On your HP (Windows) you can use the built-in Snip & Sketch tool — just capture the screen, then use the pen or highlighter to mark it before uploading.
You could also attach the .lbrn2 project file if that’s easier.
@Dominic , it was meant as a serious question, I couldn’t find a solution to it, can you?
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I might not be fully catching your question, but is this the effect you mean?
That’s done by drawing a rectangle the size of the photo, then drawing your doughnut shape on top. Select all vectors to use as “frame” that’s everything, square and the 2 rings. Put that shape over the photo and do Tools → Apply Mask to Image.
That leaves the image showing outside the doughnut (and in the hole), with the ring itself blank.
(sorry for all the edits, trying to get my wording clear).
Nice!, thinking outside the box, that’s what was needed. Thanks
ha ha well, literally INSIDE the box @bernd.dk
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Is this closer to what you’re aiming for?
In this example I traced a silhouette of Jake & Elwood (Tools → Trace Image), then drew a rectangle to cover the background photo. I grouped the rectangle and the traced vectors, placed them on top of the image, and used Tools → Apply Mask to Image.
That way the photo only shows through the background, while the traced shapes themselves stay blank (ready to be filled however you like).
Hi Dominic
JakeElwood.lbrn2 (685.7 KB)
Its what you have done but I did an offset shape outward by 1 or 2 mm which closes the gap between the neck area and the head.
I then make another offset shape on that one and reduce it by the same amount so there is now a solid line with no gap all round the shape. The first outward offset shape is deleted…leaving the shape closed all the way round and back to its original dimensions
Hoping that would allow the internal areas (layers) to be filled…One fill at zero power, so its blank and one to represent the dark areas
Either way, the intension is to Not have the background image anywhere within the outermost boundary of each shape.
Just an exercise in whats doable!
Exactly! Bernd, that’s the intention.
Yes Dominic, although the center would be blank also.
Thank you.
Welcome back @Pete.IRL
before i go into the labour of explaining all the things I needed to change on your project file… is this what you are going for?
Using my image and explaining carefully (sorry I’m British) tell me specifically what needs to change to get to where you are trying to get to?
Or the above… I get the feeling it’s neither of those things.
..alright as soon as I posted (which I’ll leave up to show my working out) I thought I’d probably got it wrong what you are after… is it more like this?
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Yes in deed, As you can see we now have their black suits, hats and glasses which will be black and the shirts and facial area will be white (Silhouette) and the image background can be whatever looks most Arty!
Well done.
I shall elucidate the method! The key point is to separate out the operations. Think of it like making a cookie-cutter — we want a Jake & Elwood shaped cutter with a frame around them.
- Separate out the Jake & Elwood vectors.
- Run Offset Shapes outward a small amount (this closes any little gaps in the trace — which you’ve already tried).
- Group those offset outlines together.
- Draw a rectangle the size of your photo and group it with the offsets.
- Place that group over your photo → Tools → Apply Mask to Image.
That way the photo only shows in the background, and the silhouettes stay blank. You can then drop your original Jake & Elwood vectors back in and give them whatever fills or engraving you want.
Hope that helps!
Many thanks Dominic.
I clued in by your comment about tidying up the file and after zoooming in to investigate I found the large amount of remnants from previous offsets and deletions, what a mess!
I learned a more methodical aproach using lock-shapes and more careful mouse use while clicking and dragging lines and nodes etc turns a three day headwreck into a five minute..Job done.
Your breakdown “How to” was impeccable and LB is usably brilliant.
Kind regards to all.
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Well that looks great!
After LBX in 2023 I drove from Peoria to Chicago, stopping at Joliet prison on the way! (Big fan of that movie). This is me at the (side) gate from the opening scene where Jake and Elwood re-unite (it was cold).
We like these sort of challenges in Support, makes a change from the usual connection issues on diodes.
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