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illustrator clipping mask not working

HeyBraza diagnoses why your mask came out empty - usually stacking order - and points right at the fix.

you select everything, hit make clipping mask, and end up with an empty transparent shape or the wrong half hidden. it's almost always the stacking order or a multi-piece mask, not a bug. here's how to spot the cause fast.

or do it yourself

  1. 1check what's on top - the mask shape must be the topmost object; select it and use object > arrange > bring to front, then remask.
  2. 2if you got an empty shape, your mask had a fill but the art was above it - undo (ctrl/cmd+z) and fix the order first.
  3. 3using several shapes as the mask? select them and run object > compound path > make so they act as one mask.
  4. 4masking text? keep the text object on top - don't outline it unless you need to, and never send it behind the art.
  5. 5still failing? release with object > clipping mask > release, regroup the right pieces, and make the mask again.

let HeyBraza do this with you

HeyBraza is a tiny on-screen guide that points at the right buttons and talks you through it, on windows and mac.

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common questions

why does my clipping mask just leave an empty shape?

the shape you used as the mask was below the artwork - the topmost object always becomes the mask, so fix the stacking order.

why won't ctrl+7 do anything?

you likely have only one object selected, or the mask shape isn't a single path - select both layers, or make a compound path first.

more fixes