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Question

Direct selection not working in compound path-clipping mask

Forum|Forum|8 years ago
March 7, 2018
2 replies
1668 views

Hi there folks,

I have a weird problem with the direct selection tool; it behaves differently on objects in a compound path-mask than on objects within a normal path mask.

In the included picture (sorry, Dutch version) you see an 'A' and a 'T'. In the T, it is no problem to use the direct selection tool, click within the blue area, and have the blue rectangle selected. In the A-mask however, clicking on the magenta rectangle results in the mask (compound path) being selected, not the rectangle.

Making it even more annoying, my colleague with the same Illustrator-version doesn't have the issue. We can't figure out if the difference has something to do with our preferences.

All help is very much appreciated!

Bart

File: https://nofile.io/f/x6uDcc9qhbf/T+and+A+masks.ai

masking bug

This topic has been closed for replies.

Mario Arizmendi

Legend

I could replicate the issue here, and I think is not a bug at all, simply is the way that the mask was created

the letter, A, is acting as a mask, a compound path, and the black fill all at the same time because it was created possibly using the drawing mode "Draw inside" as you can see in the picture attached

So if you don't want to this happens, just make a copy of the letter A and use it as a mask, as you can see in the file attached,

https://nofile.io/f/44phX2Vz5P5/T+and+A+masks2.ai

B

BJD infographicsAuthor

Participating Frequently

@ Bill: I tried exactly this, and that works - see answer below: it doesn't really solve my issue.

@ Mario, so it seems that I cán use the direct selection on a compound path-masked object, but only if the compound mask has no flll of its own. That's somewhat good news, but it does seem strange that a normal path-mask doesn't have this limitation.

By the way, I did not create the masks using the Draw Inside-function; I just used Ctrl 7 / Make Mask in the Draw Normal mode and gave the mask a color afterwards.

So would you say that this is normal behaviour, and I simply should refrain from giving the cp-mask object it's own color?

B

BJD infographicsAuthor

Participating Frequently

Have you ever thought about other ways of selecting/editing the contents:

- isolation mode

- the editing buttons in the top left corner of the screen.

@ Bill: That is certainly a good workaround but I hope to avoid it. I like coloring my masks .

@ Mario: Yes, that's the goal. Editing paths, moving points around from the masked items etc.

@ Monika: Ha, didn't realise that those buttons were there to help in this case. The fact that they're there makes me believe my problem is not a bug, but a feature!

Still, am I the only one who thinks its weird that a compound path-mask (with color) behaves different than a non-compound path-mask (with color)? Given the options provided here, I'm willing to let it rest...

So thanks to everybody chipping in!

Bill Silbert

Community Expert

I tested your file and found that when I tried using the direct selection tool with your art that I could not select just the pink shape. However, while still in your file, when I made a compound path both from just two random shapes and also from a type character converted to outlines that I could easily select the shape with the direct selection tool. Somehow the problem seems like it lies in the way that you made your compound path. I could not duplicate the problem.

B

BJD infographicsAuthor

Participating Frequently

Hi Bill, thank you for testing the file.

If I understand correctly you could not duplicate the problem, but did have the same problem with 'my' shapes? Could you perhaps post the file with your paths? It would be interesting to see if I can select 'your' masked shapes too.

Come to think of it, my colleague has the English version of Illustrator - not the Dutch version. Could be a Dutch bug?

Bill Silbert

Community Expert

Unfortunately, I deleted the files. However, I would suggest trying to take two circles, one larger than the other and putting the smaller one on top and making a compound path (command (Mac)/Control (PC)-8). Then put a square underneath the new compound path, select all and make a clipping mask (command (Mac)/Control (PC)-7) and see if you can now select the visible part of the square with the direct selection tool.

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