Creating clipping masks
A clipping mask is an object or group of objects whose shape masks artwork below it so that only artwork within the shape is visible--in effect, clipping the artwork to the shape of the mask. You can create a clipping mask to control how artwork on a layer is hidden and revealed. A clipping set is a collection of items in the Layers palette consisting of one or more levels (such as a layer and a group), one or more clipping masks, and one or more objects that are masked by the clipping masks. The following guidelines apply to clipping masks: - A clipping mask and the objects to be masked must be in the same layer or group in the Layers palette.
- A top-level layer cannot be a clipping mask. However, you can put a clipping mask inside a top-level layer along with artwork to be masked below it.
- The first object in the layer or group becomes the clipping mask for everything that is a subset of the layer or group the clipping mask is in. For example, if a clipping mask is the first item in Layer 1, all objects in layers and groups within Layer 1 are masked.
- Objects in the clipping path are indicated with a dotted line in the Layers palette.
- Regardless of its previous attributes, a clipping mask object changes to an object with no fill or stroke.
- The clipping mask and the artwork you want to mask must be in the same layer or group in the Layers palette.
- The clipping mask is always at the top of the clipping set. Moving the mask does not change the appearance or masking.
To create a clipping set: - In the Layers palette, select the layer or group that contains the items that you want to become the clipping set. The topmost object will be the clipping mask.
- Click the Make/Release Clipping Masks button
at the bottom of the Layers palette, or choose Make Clipping Mask from the Layers palette menu.
To convert a clipping mask back to an object: - Select the layer or group that contains the clipping mask.
- Click the Make/Release Clipping Masks button
at the bottom of the Layers palette, or choose Release Clipping Mask from the Layers palette menu.
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