Select Window > Layers.
Last updated on
Sep 11, 2025
Learn how to create clipping masks to show only parts of your artwork within a specific shape, without deleting the hidden content.
Before you begin
Ensure you have at least two objects in your Illustrator document, one to use as the mask, and one or more to be masked. Only vector objects can be used as clipping paths.
Create the objects you want to mask.
Place the objects behind the shape you want to use as the mask. Ensure the mask shape, also known as the clipping path, is stacked higher than the other objects in the Layers panel. If needed, drag layers up or down to reorder.
Select the clipping path and the objects you want to mask.
Right-click and select Group from the context menu.
In the Layers panel, select the layer or group’s name, and then select Make/Release Clipping Mask. All the parts of the image outside the mask are hidden, but they are not deleted.
Apply a clipping mask in the Layers panel to show only selected artwork within a shape.
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