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C
cilupercio
Participating Frequently
February 17, 2017
Answered

Can I delete everything outside of a clipping mask?

  • February 17, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 73905 views

Please refer to image attached. It doesn't have to be a clipping mask, but it's the easiest way to explain what I need. I can use that rectable and make a clipping mask no problem, but what I want to do is delete everything else. I've tried to use the all the pathfinder tools without success, both before and after making the clipping mask. The contour lines are just paths. I've tried grouping them, making a compound shape but I am just not getting the result I am looking for.

    Correct answer Kurt Gold

    I suspected that you don't want to outline your strokes. That's why I suggested using the Shape Builder tool. Haven't you tried it?

    The Eraser tool is another option, but keep in mind that it will alter almost all open stroked paths, potentially destroying your entire composition.

    3 replies

    R
    richardbenish
    Inspiring
    August 30, 2023

    The steps I can make sense of (e.g., Eraser Tool, but not Shap Builder Tool) sort of work in a very cumbersome sort of way. Have I missed something, or is the answer NO, there is no convenient, intuitive, one step way to delete all points beyond a clipping Mask that leaves everything inside the Clipping Mask intact?

     

    I'm using Illustrator 26.1 on a 2021 MacBook Pro.

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 30, 2023

    The answer is generally no, but in some cases there might be ways. WIthout seeing your artwork, the answer is no.

    John Mensinger
    Community Expert
    John MensingerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 17, 2017

    Without knowing the exact construct of what you're showing, it's hard to know whether this will work as desired, but it's worth trying on a copy of the file.

    1. Make the Clipping Mask: With the rectangle top-most, select all and choose Object > Clipping Mask > Make...
    2. With it still selected, choose Object > Expand... (click OK in the Expand dialog to accept whatever it presents)
    3. Again, leaving it all selected, click the Crop button in the Pathfinder panel.
      macpawel
      macpawel
      Participating Frequently
      February 17, 2017

      Crop after Expand it's nice solution. But you can also use Eraser Tool (Shift+E) and delete unwanted areas of your image. It works nice but after Expand command. To remove/delete stright lines you can use Shift kay with dragging  over areas you want to delete

      Pawel

      Kurt Gold
      Community Expert
      Kurt GoldCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      February 17, 2017

      Which version of Illustrator are you using?

      C
      cilupercioAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      February 17, 2017

      CC, 21.0.0 to be exact.

      Kurt Gold
      Community Expert
      Kurt GoldCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      February 17, 2017

      Some weeks ago my suggestion regarding a similar question was this:

      You can draw a path on top of all objects/layers (a rectangle, a circle or any other path). That path defines the crop area.

      You can then select all, take the Shape Builder tool and Alt drag or Alt-Shift drag across the unwanted paths to remove the parts outside the crop area.

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