Learn how a clipping mask can help you mask parts of an object or a group of objects.
A clipping mask is an object whose shape masks other artwork so that only areas that lie within the shape are visible, in effect, clipping the artwork to the shape of the mask. The clipping mask and the objects that are masked are called a clipping set. You can make a clipping set from a selection of two or more objects or from all objects in a group or layer.
Practice and learn how to use a clipping mask with a hands-on tutorial in the Discover panel, without leaving the app.
The following guidelines apply to creating clipping masks:
The objects that you mask are moved into the clipping mask’s group in the Layers panel if they don’t already reside there.
Only vector objects can be clipping masks; however, any artwork can be masked.
If you use a layer or group to create a clipping mask, the first object in the layer or group masks everything that is a subset of the layer or group.
Regardless of its previous attributes, a clipping mask changes to an object with no fill or stroke.
Tip: Use Make Opacity Mask in the Transparency panel to create unique, see-through masks.
This object is called the clipping path. Only vector objects can be clipping paths.
To create a clipping path from the area where two or more objects overlap, group the objects first.
This object is called the clipping path. Only vector objects can be clipping paths.
To select all clipping paths in a document, deselect all artwork. Then choose Select > Object > Clipping Masks.
To edit portions of a path that fall outside of the clipping mask, you must first select the specific path within in the clipping mask boundary, and then edit the path.
To select a clipped path by clicking it, you must click the portion of it that appears inside the mask.
To add or remove an object from a masked artwork, in the Layers panel, drag the object into or out of the group or layer that contains the clipping path.
Because the clipping mask was assigned a fill and stroke value of None, it is now not visible unless you select it or assign it new paint attributes.
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