In some design projects, you may need to define specific areas where elements can be placed while ensuring that anything outside those boundaries remains hidden. This is known as a hard boundary, which helps maintain precise design control by masking unwanted areas and keeping compositions structured.
Why Use a Hard Boundary?
A hard boundary restricts visibility to a designated area, preventing elements from appearing beyond it, even if they are moved or placed outside. This is useful for:
- Ensuring that designs fit within a particular shape or template.
- Hiding areas where assets should not be placed.
- Creating precise design restrictions for better composition and layout control.
- Custom-Shaped Panels – Designing templates where only certain areas should be visible while keeping excess elements hidden.
- Cornhole Boards – Ensuring that the design stays within the playable area and doesn’t extend beyond the board’s edges.
- Stickers & Labels – Keeping artwork within a defined boundary so that unnecessary elements don’t appear when printed.
- Product Packaging – Creating masked areas to align with die-cut packaging templates, ensuring designs fit perfectly.
- Photo Frames & Cutouts – Allowing only certain parts of an image to be visible while keeping other sections masked.
To create a hard boundary, follow these steps:
- Create a new layer for the boundary area
- Open the right menu
- Select the Locking button
- Verify you are on Configuration Mode and select the element you want to force to front
- Check the Force to Front checkbox
- Click the Back button and Save your Locking configuration
Once these steps are complete, any assets placed on the canvas, except within the designated boundary area, will remain behind the hard boundary. This method ensures your design remains clean, structured, and properly aligned to your project specifications.