Adobe Illustrator CS3 - Manual (Page 244)

ILLUSTRATOR CS3
User Guide
238
• Regardless of its previous attributes, a clipping mask changes to an object with no fill or stroke.
To create a semitransparent mask, use the Transparency panel to create an opacity mask.
For more information on using masks and transparency, see www.adobe.com/go/learn_ai_tutorials_mask .
See also
“Methods for cutting, dividing, and trimming objects” on page 235
“Use opacity masks to create transparency” on page 175
Hide parts of objects with a clipping mask
1 Create the object you want to use as the mask.
This object is called the clipping path. Only vector objects can be clipping paths.
2 Move the clipping path above the objects you want to mask in the stacking order.
3 Select the clipping path and the objects you want to mask.
4 Choose Object > Clipping Mask > Make.
To create a clipping path from the area where two or more objects overlap, group the objects first.
See also
“Stacking objects” on page 216
Create a clipping mask for a group or layer
1 Create the object you want to use as the mask.
This object is called the clipping path. Only vector objects can be clipping paths.
2 Move the clipping path and the objects you want to mask into a layer or group.
3 In the Layers panel, make sure that the masking object is at the top of the group or layer, and then click the name
of the layer or group.
4 Click the Make/Release Clipping Masks button at the bottom of the Layers panel or select Make Clipping Mask
from the Layers panel menu.
See also
“Layers panel overview” on page 211
“Stacking objects” on page 216
Edit a clipping mask
1 In the Layers panel, select the clipping path.
2 Do any of the following
• Move the clipping path by dragging the object’s center reference point with the Direct Selection tool.