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J
Justin Bosco
Participant
April 21, 2015
Answered

Apply transparency to letters in Illustrator

  • April 21, 2015
  • 3 replies
  • 50066 views

I'm trying to apply transparency to items on a logo I created. Right now, I've got lettering on a layer above an opaque circle. I'd like the lettering to show through to a transparent background rather than display as a separate color. It might help to think of the logo as an adhesive logo to be attached to a storefront window. Anything in white on the logo should be cut out and show through to the transparent glass behind it.

I tried using a clipping mask, but the circle disappears and its color is applied to the lettering.

Here's the logo. Help much appreciated.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Jacob Bugge

    JCBOSCO,

    You may use an Opacity Mask as follows:

    1) Select the letters, which may be live Type or outlined letters, grouped if more than one object, along with the object to make it transparent through;

    2) In the Transparency palette flyout click Make Opacity Mask with Clip unticked and Invert Mask ticked.

    If you wish the two white circles at the sides and/or the white central parts transparent too, you may just group them with the letters (whish may still be live Type) so they are also selected in 1).

    You may release the Opacity Mask and edit whatever you like, then reapply.

    Keeping the wording as live Type gives you the opportunity to change your mind about it without having to start over.

    3 replies

    S
    Snaptrap
    Participant
    November 22, 2018

    This did not work for me. The text still comes out white when I export as PNG. I still have to clear the text using wand in PS.

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 22, 2018

      schrieb

    This did not work for me. The text still comes out white when I export as PNG. I still have to clear the text using wand in PS.

    Please show your artwork and the layer panel (opened, so paths are visible)

    And then describe what you have done and what you expect to work. We can't read your mind or see what's on your screen.

    S
    Snaptrap
    Participant
    November 22, 2018

    I just used an alternative program with a simple tool to knockout the text.

    J
    josepha36674955
    Participant
    August 21, 2018

    Jacob,

    I am attempting to follow your instruction here... You will notice the "P" in Group is the only one that has become transparent.. why is this?

    I want the inside of the "A", "O", "e" and so on to be transparent.

    Let me know what I am doing wrong..

    Thanks!

    - Joey

    Jacob Bugge
    Community Expert
    Jacob BuggeCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    April 21, 2015

    JCBOSCO,

    You may use an Opacity Mask as follows:

    1) Select the letters, which may be live Type or outlined letters, grouped if more than one object, along with the object to make it transparent through;

    2) In the Transparency palette flyout click Make Opacity Mask with Clip unticked and Invert Mask ticked.

    If you wish the two white circles at the sides and/or the white central parts transparent too, you may just group them with the letters (whish may still be live Type) so they are also selected in 1).

    You may release the Opacity Mask and edit whatever you like, then reapply.

    Keeping the wording as live Type gives you the opportunity to change your mind about it without having to start over.

      J
      Justin BoscoAuthor
      Participant
      April 21, 2015

      Hey Jacob,

      Thanks for your quick reply. This may be a stupid question, but earlier I had access to the transparency flyout on my side panel. Now its gone. How do I go about getting it back to follow your attached directions?

      Justin

      J
      josepha36674955
      Participant
      August 21, 2018

      Justin,

      There may be some corruption or something. You may try the list (you may skip 5) in this connexion, I believe).

      The following is a general list of things you may try when the issue is not in a specific file, and when it is not caused by issues with opening a file from external media. You may have tried/done some of them already; 1) and 2) are the easy ones for temporary strangenesses, and 3) and 4) are specifically aimed at possibly corrupt preferences); 5) is a list in itself, and 6) is the last resort.

      If possible/applicable, you should save current artwork first, of course.

      1) Close down Illy and open again;

      2) Restart the computer (you may do that up to at least 5 times);

      3) Close down Illy and press Ctrl+Alt+Shift/Cmd+Option+Shift during startup (easy but irreversible);

      4) Move the folder (follow the link with that name) with Illy closed (more tedious but also more thorough and reversible), for CS3 - CC you may find the folder here:

      https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/kb/preference-file-location-illustrator.html

      5) Look through and try out the relevant among the Other options (follow the link with that name, Item 7) is a list of usual suspects among other applications that may disturb and confuse Illy, Item 15) applies to CC, CS6, and maybe CS5);

      Even more seriously, you may:

      6) Uninstall (ticking the box to delete the preferences), run the Cleaner Tool (if you have CS3/CS4/CS5/CS6/CC), and reinstall.

      http://www.adobe.com/support/contact/cscleanertool.html


      Jacob,

      I am attempting to follow your instruction here... You will notice the "P" in Group is the only one that has become transparent.. why is this?

      I want the inside of the "A", "O", "e" and so on to be transparent.

      Let me know what I am doing wrong..

      Thanks!

      - Joey

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