Select Window > Layers.
Last updated on
Oct 27, 2025
Learn how to deactivate, reactivate, or remove opacity masks from your artwork
When you deactivate an opacity mask, the transparency effect in your artwork is temporarily turned off, allowing you to see the unmasked objects with full opacity. To restore the mask’s effects, reactivate it.
In the Layers panel, target the masked object labelled with a dashed underline.
Select Window > Transparency.
In the Transparency panel, do either of the following:
- To deactivate an opacity mask, Shift – click the masking object’s thumbnail. When the opacity mask is deactivated, a red X appears over the thumbnail.
- To reactivate an opacity mask, Shift – click the masking object’s thumbnail. When the opacity mask is reactivated, the red X disappears.
Tip
You can also disable or enable an opacity mask by selecting Disable Opacity Mask or Enable Opacity Mask in the Transparency panel menu.
Remove opacity masks
In the Layers panel, target the masked object labelled with a dashed underline.
Select Window > Transparency, then choose Release from the panel.
Tip
You can also select Release Opacity Mask in the Transparency panel menu to remove an opacity mask.
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