Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Magical clipping path
Once an object is a clipping path, move it anywhere
within
its layer or group in the
Layers panel—it still maintains its masking effect!
Draw Inside (fast masks)
See the
Rethinking Construction
chapter for details on the super quick way to make a
clipping mask: using the Draw Inside mode.
Pasting objects into a mask
To paste cut or copied objects into a clipping mask, make sure Paste Re members
Layers is off (in the Layers panel menu), then select an object within the mask and
use Paste in Front or Back to place the copied object within the mask. You can also
create or paste objects while in isolation mode.
Clipping Mask icon disabled
In the Layers panel, you must select the
container
(layer, sublayer, or group) that
holds your intended clipping object before you can apply a clipping mask. Also, in
order for the icon in the Layers panel to be enabled, the top item inside the
highlighted container must be something that can be turned into a clipping path.
Selecting clipping masks
To select all of your currently unlocked clipping masks at once, choose Select>
Object> Clipping Masks.
Masking technique #1: The Object command
The simplest way to create masks for objects is using the Object menu command (
-7/Ctrl-7). Use this method when you want to confine the clipping mask to a specific
object or group of objects that need to be easily duplicated or relocated, or when you
have more than one clipping mask per layer. Since this method modifies your layer
structure, don't use it if you need to maintain objects on specific layers.
At left the clipping mask (outlined in blue) above the floral illustra-
tion was created as 7 separate objects (6
petals and 1 center circle) and then united
into a single compound path (using
Object> Compound Path); at right after
positioning this compound path on top of
other objects, then using it as a clipping
mask
