illustrator · HeyBraza shows you
how to make a clipping mask in illustrator
HeyBraza points at the shape that has to sit on top and the exact make-clipping-mask menu so the mask works first try.
a clipping mask hides everything outside a shape - perfect for cropping a photo into a circle or any vector form. it only works if the mask shape is on top of what it's clipping, which is the one rule that trips everyone up. here's the right order.
short answer
put the shape you want to crop into on top of the artwork, select both, and press ctrl/cmd+7. the mask shape must be the topmost object - that single rule is what makes or breaks it.
or do it yourself
- 1draw the shape you want to crop into (circle, rectangle, custom path) and place it over the image or art.
- 2make sure the mask shape is on top - right-click it and choose arrange > bring to front if it isn't.
- 3select both the shape and the artwork underneath (drag a marquee or shift-click both).
- 4right-click and choose 'make clipping mask', or go object > clipping mask > make (ctrl/cmd+7).
- 5double-click into the group to reposition the image inside the mask, then click outside to finish.
steps last checked
let HeyBraza do this with you
HeyBraza teaches you software while you're using it. hold a key and ask out loud - an ai tutor that sees your screen walks you through every step in real time, pointing and highlighting on your real work, talking you through it as it goes - not someone else's tutorial.
downloadcommon questions
do i need to outline text before using it as a clipping mask?
no - a live text object can be the mask shape; just keep it on top of the image when you make the mask.
can the mask shape be more than one object?
yes, but select all the pieces and make them a compound path (object > compound path > make) first, or only the top object will clip.
