If you do not want to use a complete image and only a part of it then ‘clipping path’ is the right option for you. With the help of image editing software, you can clip out any part of the image which you do not require till you are left only with the one which is needed. Clipping path is basically a closed vector path which is used to cut out the unwanted part in an image.  The part which is inside this closed vector will remain while remaining part outside is omitted.

Once a clipping path is applied, what is left may have anti-aliased/ soft edges or aliased/hard edges, depending completely upon the editing software capabilities. Not only does it help you in hiding the background but with the help of clipping path you can also change the boundary into a shape of your own choice.

There are three different kinds of path:

• Inclusive path: What is ‘inside’ the clipping path is preserved.
• Exclusive path: What is ‘outside’ the clipping path is preserved.
• Compound path: Path which is combination of both exclusive and inclusive path.

In order to create a clipping path there are two common methods:

• Embedded paths
• Alpha Channels

Alpha channels are basically the bitmap masks which have transparency. Both opaque and transparent areas are present. There are many programs which uses the information stored in the alpha channel of image to create the clipping path. Alpha channels are typically used in composition of video or in photos.

The embedded paths are basically the vector outlines having hard edges. The objects are separate from the image. With embedded path you can isolate the part of the images which you do not require. One very common usage of the embedded path is to omit the background by illusion of transparency. Not only this, but one can also use it to create various shapes or extract individual objects. By saving embedded path as clipping path, it can be used in page layout applications.

There are different formats which support embedded paths, alpha channels or both. For instance, images with TIFF format are known to support alpha channels while images with EPS format are known to support embedded path. Make sure to check with you application to know which format it supports.

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