Well, what's a clipping mask? Well, the clipping mask is very helpful. Other kind of features that may not be used all the time, but are super handy is going to be our clipping mask. So can a compound path isn't something that we do very often. We could make a compound path that way, which then allows me to go in and literally create what we call the doughnut feature. We could always go in and take our shapes here. That's a compound path, and we didn't want to go in and we didn't want to go in and use AR. So if we have a couple shapes like this, put them together and we've gone in and we've used our Pathfinder and we've done something like this and we'd like to expand this so that we actually have both of these shapes or we want to go in and make this a compound path in the compound path is going to be when we put one shape over another like this. So the expand feature is when we have multiple shapes put together like this. We could go in and group those together, but we can also group Andan group right here at our contextual menu. Now we've been able to go in, and we've been able tohave shapes here, single shapes here and under the object menu. But they're also super important, and that's going in here under the object menu.
#Clipping mask illustrator download#
Feel free to download them and use it for whatever you want! No credit is required, but is always appreciated.One more thing that I want to talk about here, because there's a couple other little things that go on in here that are kind of miscellaneous. The texture and font that I used to create these examples were created by me and are released to the public domain.
#Clipping mask illustrator how to#
In conclusion I hope this tutorial helped you learn how to make a clipping mask or that you learned something new about the process. There are a ton of reasons why you would use a clipping mask. Even branding can be done with a clipping mask if it is well thought out and done correctly. Wall décor or prints use clipping masks all of the time. You can also use a clipping mask to create mock ups in Illustrator that would otherwise need to be done in Photoshop.Ĭlipping masks are ideal for creating stationary such as postcards, posters, and invitations. Use a clipping mask to keep your art from going on to another artboard. It as also an easy way to finalize a design that may otherwise seem too dull. You would use it to make exact paths such as a round shape. When or why would you use a clipping mask? Use it to create effects such as a texture or image effect. So in this case we can easily release our clipping mask by right clicking and then selecting "Release Clipping Mask." Create a Clipping Mask with Outlined Text by Making Text a Compound Path Create a Clipping Mask from Outlined Text without Making a Compound Path (RESULTS)Īs you can see, this is not the result that we wanted. I can then create a clipping mask with no problem. However, I can make my text a compound path by going to Object > Compound Path > Make or Command 8 on Mac. For instance, if I outline my text my Clipping Mask no longer works (shown below). Sometimes especially when using text or complex shapes you must make your elements a compound path first. Ocassionally you may need to group your elements, unite them through the Pathfinder Tool, or outline your text before a clipping mask will work. Select both the image and your object and then make a clipping mask. You can move the layer to the bottom or Right Click > Arrange > Send to Back.
I usually right click my mouse and select “Make Clipping Mask.” Make sure the image you want is behind your object. You can also use the Command 7 shortcut on the Mac. You will find the option to use a clipping mask under: Object > Clipping Mask > Make. If I wanted to have a texture effect of an glitter image I could use a clipping mask. It is also ideal for masking around exact shapes. Using a clipping mask is great for effects that you want to use in your project. Shapes are an easy way to make use of a clipping mask.
In the end it is sort of like a layering effect that will take place. You would use it to “clip” around a particular area. Today I will talk about what it is, where to find the option, why you would use it, and what sort of projects it is ideal for.įirst a clipping mask is a lot like what it sounds like. Most designers of any kind will need to be able to use a clipping mask at some point. Clipping masks in Adobe Illustrator are something that I use nearly every day.