Option
Last updated on
Oct 27, 2025
Learn about the options in the Transparency panel and their functions.
Use the Transparency panel to adjust the opacity and blending mode of objects, create opacity masks, and apply knockout effects in groups based on an object’s transparency.
Transparency panel
Select Window > Transparency to open the Transparency panel.
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Function |
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Opacity |
Controls the opacity level of the selected object. An Opacity of 0% is fully transparent and 100% is fully opaque. |
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Blending Mode |
Alters how the colors of an object interact with those beneath it. |
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Make Mask or Release |
Make Mask creates an opacity mask for controlling object transparency. Release removes the mask. |
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Clip |
Restricts the masked object’s visibility to the shape of the masking object. |
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Invert Mask |
Swaps the light and dark areas of the opacity mask. |
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Isolate Blending |
Limits blending effects to objects within the same group. |
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Knockout Group |
Prevents objects within a group from blending with each other. |
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Opacity & Mask Define Knockout Shape |
Controls how grouped objects reveal underlying artwork by preventing them from blending with each other. |
Transparency panel menu
Select the Transparency panel menu to access more options.
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Option |
Function |
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Show Thumbnails or Hide Thumbnails |
Shows or hides the thumbnails of the masked object and the masking object. |
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Show Options or Hide Options |
Shows or hides additional controls including knockout settings. |
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Disable Opacity Mask |
Turns off the opacity mask temporarily without releasing it, allowing you to see the masked object in full. |
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Unlink Opacity Mask or Link Opacity Mask |
Unlink Opacity Mask detaches the masked object from the masking object so that you can move or transform them independently. Link Opacity Mask links them back. |
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New Opacity Masks Are Clipping |
Restricts the masked object’s visibility to the shape of the masking object for all new opacity masks. |
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New Opacity Masks Are Inverted |
Swaps the light and dark areas of the opacity mask for all new opacity masks. |
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Page Isolated Blending |
Applies Isolate Blending to all selected groups or layers, restricting blending mode effects within each group or layer. |
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Page Knockout Group |
Applies Knockout Group across selected groups or layers, preventing objects within them from blending and allowing them to reveal the background independently. |
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