You will notice that everything disappears except what is inside of the clipping path (Job’s name).Ĭool and easy, huh? Using Two or More Clipping Paths Once the images are properly arranged, click on Object > Clipping Mask > Make. You can expand the layer view to see the text and object image separately: In one layer, I have put Job’s name on top of his swimming photo. Right click: highlight all objects and select Make Clipping Mask.Layer Panel: Make/Release Clipping Mask icon at the bottom.Drop down Menu: Object > Clipping Mask > Make.
To start, we will do a clipping mask for Job.Ī clipping mask can be made in a few different ways: The objects we are going to clip will be images of them swimming. In this demo, the clipping path will be the text of their names, Lily and Job. Clipped objects must be in the same layer or group.īy now you might be thinking… “What? I’m a visual learner.” Well I am too… so let’s demonstrate.However, one or more objects can be clipped.The clipping path must always be on top of the object you’d like to clip.However, the object below it can be anything – a raster photo, vector drawing, etc.Ī few things to note about clipping masks: A clipping path can only be a vector object, not a photo. What is a Clipping Mask?Ī clipping mask is a shape (called a clipping path) that masks any object below it, so only what’s inside of the clipping path is visible.
Job and Lily have a love for professional swimming and we are going to use one of Illustrator’s brilliant design tools to show off their skills - the clipping mask.
Before you attempt to modify the mask or the artwork it’s linked with, be sure you have the right thing selected by clicking the appropriate thumbnail in the Transparency panel.You can turn this off, while retaining the opacity effects. The Clip option in the panel is turned on by default so the shape also acts as a clipping mask. Open the Transparency panel by choosing Window > Transparency, then click the Make Mask button in the panel. Next, place the gradient-filled shape on top of your artwork and select both items. You can do this in one step by typing the period (.) on your keyboard with the object selected. To make an opacity mask, first create a shape and fill it with the default black-to-white gradient. In this way, you can create smooth transitions from opaque to transparent. They enable you to selectively hide and show artwork inside their boundaries using shades of gray, from black to white. Opacity masks offer a more sophisticated an alternative to the all-or-nothing approach of a clipping mask.
Read on to learn how to change this.įigure 3: With the clipping mask selected in the Layers panel, you can modify its fill and stroke. Notice that any fills or strokes applied to the mask are reset to none. Magic! Your artwork is now showing through the top shape. Next, make the mask shape the topmost object by choosing Object > Arrange > Bring to Front from the menu or use Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+] keyboard shortcut.įinally, select everything and choose Object > Clipping Mask > Make or press Command/Ctrl+7. When drawing your mask with the Pen or Pencil tools, be sure to close the path. You can mask anything that’s visible on an artboard including paths, text, and raster images. Any shape will work – including live text – and you can set the fill to none to see the artwork underneath as you create and position the mask. You will need some artwork and a shape to use as a mask. Here are some basics to get you started masking art in Illustrator with clipping masks and opacity masks.
I use masks in Illustrator anytime I need to fill a shape with something other than a color, pattern, or gradient. You’ll be able to see what’s inside the mask’s boundary, while everything outside its edges is hidden. Applying a mask is like placing a frame with a matte over your artwork. Masks are an essential tool in Illustrator because they enable you to conceal parts of your artwork, which opens up all kinds of creative possibilities.