Abstract: A plurality of noncontiguous polygonal regions of phase-shifting material have edges spaced apart less than the distance at which images of said edges would separate. The edges of the regions of phase-shifting material have differing arbitrarily selectable angular orientations (nonparallel as well as parallel) on a nonphase-shifting material. The noncontiguous phase-shifting regions may be arranged in a matrix of parallel columns and rows to facilitate fabrication and facilitate writing of the phase-shifting regions in any arbitrary pattern on an image plane. At least one of the phase-shifting regions constitutes a connective phase-shifting region with edges spaced from edges of adjacent ones of the phase-shifting regions to create a pattern with a continuous body of photoresist covering areas corresponding to the phase-shifting regions upon exposure of the mask.