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How do I add clipping masks to Aseprite artwork in Resprite?

Import the Aseprite artwork into Resprite, add a layer above your base artwork and enable Clipping Mask on the new layer. You can paint shadows, highlights or texture on that separate layer without changing the base layer's pixels. Save a .resprite copy to retain the editable clipping relationship.

Add a clipping layer​

  1. Import the .ase or .aseprite file and check the imported layers and appearance.
  2. Choose a visible layer with the shape you want to shade as the base. Add a new layer immediately above it, in the same group if you are using groups.
  3. Open the new layer's menu and enable Clipping Mask. You can also change this setting in layer properties.
  4. Paint on the new layer. Its visible content follows the base layer's alpha; the underlying artwork stays on its own layer.

If you stack several clipping layers, they use the base layer below the clipping stack, rather than treating each adjacent clipping layer as a new base. Keep the base visible and make sure it contains pixels in the selected frame.

See Layer management for the layer menu and properties.

How is this different from Lock Alpha?​

Aseprite's Lock Alpha keeps the current layer's alpha values while changing its pixel colors. A separate clipping layer holds your new colors independently, using another layer as the visible boundary. Choose according to whether you want to recolor existing pixels or keep shading separately editable. See Aseprite's ink modes.

Aseprite's native layer-mask feature request remained open when checked on September 7, 2026.

Which format keeps the clipping relationship?​

  • .resprite: Keep this as your editable working copy.
  • .ase / .aseprite: Resprite's export does not retain an equivalent editable clipping-mask relationship. Do not assume it will look or behave the same after reopening in Aseprite.
  • PSD: Resprite exports image-layer clipping masks, but not group clipping masks, and only the selected frame. Check clipping and blending in the destination app.

For details, see Aseprite conversion limits and Export a layered PSD.