![illustrator clipping mask illustrator clipping mask](https://i0.wp.com/www.newdesignfile.com/postpic/2012/07/flame-clip-art-black-and-white_380068.jpg)
I have pre-press experience enough to say this.
![illustrator clipping mask illustrator clipping mask](https://i0.wp.com/gdj.graphicdesignjunction.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/text_effect_tutorials_7.jpg)
don’t try to use pathfinder on a complex group of objects, will get you in trouble Ĭlipping path do not generate errors, that is wrong and is the first time i hear this. they are clipping masks for a reason, to make everything faster and safer on use ģ. use shortcuts, its way faster to make a clipping mask Ģ. Questions or comments about using clipping masks in Illustrator? Post below!ġ. This tutorial shows just how easy it is to overcome those problems while maintaining and exploring all the creative possibilities that clipping masks provide. The inherent issues that clipping masks have in print environments should not deter anyone from using them. The beauty of a final design outlined in literal vector paths is unrivaled. Note that this can be done as one of the last steps before a handover as to preserve the clipping masks as long as possible.Īll clipping mask elements must be expanded before continuing! Once all elements, including type are expanded, simply select them all and hit “Crop” in the pathfinder window. The solution is simple – the visible shapes need to be “flattened” into literal vector shapes.
Illustrator clipping mask mac#
Mac users can get a taste of this by previewing an Illustrator file with a clipping mask: Not what one would expect! In other words in the example above, the word “CLIPPING” might get printed with a big black square over it. The real issue with clipping masks is that vector programs used in production environments might not “see” the clipping masks. It is also worth emphasizing the non destructive nature – words or shapes can be edited as if they were complete and unaltered despite their “clipped” appearance. Upon imagining the possibilities with typographic or geometric clipping paths, one can begin to see the power of clipping paths in the creative workflow.
![illustrator clipping mask illustrator clipping mask](https://www2.shutterstock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2008/08/clipping-mask-illustrator.jpg)
![illustrator clipping mask illustrator clipping mask](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/41/d3/e1/41d3e18569e6d957cbcb5b59b6cb1b78.jpg)
Also note in the layers panel, the clipping path is identified with an underline. The transparency is important to note, as in alternate solutions where a white cover-up box might be used, the final result is not as “clean”. The final result, of course, “clips” off the top of the word, leaving a completely transparent space. Alternatively the shortcuts Cmd+7(Mac) or Ctrl+7(Windows) can be used. With both the clipping path and the word “CLIPPING” selected, the drop down menu presents the option “Make clipping mask”. The goal will be to “clip” off the top edge of the word.Ī clipping path (at this point it can be considered just a regular path) is drawn over the section of the word that needs to be be visible in the final result. This example begins with a simple word, “CLIPPING”.
Illustrator clipping mask how to#
This guide shows how to use clipping masks and how to safely prepare them for print environments. Unfortunately, the way clipping masks get translated to print can be unexpected due to the fact that the vector programs or interpreters used in production environments might not “see” the clipping masks. Clipping masks can be extremely useful in the Illustrator workflow – enabling rapid exploration of cut shapes, complex crops, and unique letterforms in a non destructive way.