Transforming and Distorting Objects > Working with clipping paths

 

Working with clipping paths

You can fill a closed path with other objects: vector graphics, text, or bitmap images. These paths are called clipping paths, and the items they contain are called contents or paste insides. Contents extending beyond the clipping path are hidden, not deleted, and you can edit, move, and transform them.

Note: You can use a composite path as a clipping path only if you create the composite path before pasting objects inside.

When transforming a clipping path, you can choose whether the transformation affects the contents.

To create a clipping path:

1

Select one or more objects to use as the contents.

2

Position the objects as you want them to appear in the clipping path.

3

Choose Edit > Cut.

4

Select a closed path to use as the clipping path.

5

Choose Edit > Paste Inside.

6

Use the paste inside handle to move the contents.

Repeat the procedure to add additional contents to the clipping path.

To set transformation options for a selected clipping path:

1

Choose Windows > Panels > Transform.

2

In the Transform panel, do one of the following:

Select Contents if you want transformations applied to the clipping path to apply to the contents.

Deselect Contents if you don't want transformations applied to the clipping path to apply to the contents.

To edit the contents of a selected clipping path:

1

Select the clipping path.

2

Subselect the contents you want to edit. To select all of the clipping path's contents, double-click the paste inside handle.

3

Edit the contents.

To remove contents from a clipping path:

1

Select the clipping path.

2

Choose Edit > Cut Contents.