Select Window > Layers.
Last updated on
Sep 11, 2025
Learn to manage objects with clipping masks to control which parts are visible in your artwork.
Clipping masks in Adobe Illustrator hide parts of artwork and show only what fits inside a vector shape called the clipping path. The clipping path and the masked objects form a clipping set, which you can edit by adding, removing, or releasing objects.
In the Layers panel, locate the group or layer that contains the clipping path.
Choose one of the options:
- Add an object to the clipping mask: Drag the object into the group or layer that contains the clipping path.
- Remove an object from the clipping mask: Drag the object out of the group or layer that contains the clipping path.
- Release objects from a clipping mask: Select the group that contains the clipping mask and then select Object > Clipping Mask > Release.
Note
After you release a clipping mask, the clipping path stays in your document but isn’t visible because it has no fill or stroke. Select it and add color or an outline to make it visible again.
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