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Clipping Mask/Compound Path not working properly

Forum|Forum|9 years ago
December 26, 2016
3 replies
15581 views

I'm trying to turn the artwork in the attached image into a clipping mask, therfore filled with the image below.

The artwork is probably too complex (they are expanded image trace and expanded typeface) so i'm either getting errors from Illustrator that I cannot make the mask, or else am getting unwanted results such as everything dissappearing.

I tried turning the artwork into a compound path before making it a clipping mask, but I get the 'All objects in a compund path must be paths...' error.

artwork is on the 'logo' layer, and image on the 'gold' layer.

any ideas how I can fix this?

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Correct answer Jacob Bugge

Julia,

The complication with Clipping Masks is that you can only use one path as the Clipping Path.

Therefore, with multiple paths you need to unite them into one (Pathfinder>Unite or something).

Or you need to turn them into a Compound Path (which may give complications with overlapping parts becoming holes, which then have to be dealt with).

That is the reason for the use of an Opacity Mask, which is all about appearance, and where you can have multiple paths which are just Grouped.

In this case of black paths you may click Make Opacity Mask in the Transparency palette flyout, with both Clip and Invert Mask ticked in the main Transparency palette window.

The last bit is opposite to the way with the white path(s).

Jacob Bugge

Community Expert

For my part you are welcome, starjay.

J

Jonby

Participant

I am bring a photoshop image to Illustrator. The letters ATM need to show w no background. I cannot for the life of me get this to work. A is compound. I get the M masked and the others vanish, or the center of the A as the only mask. Making me crazy!

Jacob Bugge

Community Expert

Jonby,

As I (mis)understand it, you have ATM as live Type or Outlined Type.

You ought to be able to get it to work with a Clipping Mask, the safest/simplest way being to keep ATM as live Type on top of the image.

Or turn the outlined Type into one Compound Path.

Logotology

Participant

OMG this is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for answering this one. 🙂

Jacob Bugge

Correct answer

Community Expert

Julia,

The complication with Clipping Masks is that you can only use one path as the Clipping Path.

Therefore, with multiple paths you need to unite them into one (Pathfinder>Unite or something).

Or you need to turn them into a Compound Path (which may give complications with overlapping parts becoming holes, which then have to be dealt with).

That is the reason for the use of an Opacity Mask, which is all about appearance, and where you can have multiple paths which are just Grouped.

In this case of black paths you may click Make Opacity Mask in the Transparency palette flyout, with both Clip and Invert Mask ticked in the main Transparency palette window.

The last bit is opposite to the way with the white path(s).

D

defaultpnti89v3cxf8

Participant

Oh my lanta this just saved my butt. Thanks so much!!! The Opacity Mask worked great!

Jacob Bugge

Community Expert

You are welcome, defaultp.

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