How do I crop an image with a Clipping Mask using a circle instead of a rectangle?

[senterwife_4]

I watched Adobe TV Illustrator's tutorial about cropping images with a clipping mask. In the video, the presenter uses the rectangle tool with the clipping mask, and makes a reference that the circle or vector shape could be used, but I cannot figure out how to get the circle. 

http://tv.adobe.com/watch/learn-illustrator-cs6/cropping-images-with-clipping-masks/

I'm new to Illustrator and need step by step instructions!

Thanks!

[Jacob Bugge]

senterwife,

For a Clipping Mask, you just create a path, in this case a circle, and place it on top of the image, then select both and Object>Clipping Mask>Make.

To get the circle, ClickHold on top of the Rectangle Tool button, then click the Ellipse Tool in the flyout; you can CldikDrag with Shift held to get a circle, or just click and insert W and H values, then drag into place.

As mentioned by Erica, you may also create another kind of path (with the pen Tool or whatever) and use that.

[senterwife_4]

Jacob,

The ClickHold did the trick!!

Where do I ClickDrag with Shift held to get a circle?

Christine

[Jacob Bugge]

Christine,

Where do I ClickDrag with Shift held to get a circle?

Anywhere on the Artboard/Workspace (once you have selected the Ellipse Tool).

[senterwife_4]

Got it!!

And I have my circle, but when I click on Object/Create Clipping Mask, a popup comes up with "Can't make clipping mask. The selection must contain more than one object."

[Larry G. Schneider]

Select both the circle and the object you want masked and then use Cmd(Ctrl)-7 to create the Clipping Mask. Oh, and the circle has to be in front of the object in the stacking order.

[senterwife_4]

Got it!!

Thanks for the help!! I have successfully performed my first Mask!! 🙂

[dnkalp · Accepted solution]

This is tutorial how to make a clipping mask in illustrator,

[Jacob Bugge]

Christine,

As Larry said, and as I said in the first post:

For a Clipping Mask, you just create a path, in this case a circle, and place it on top of the image, then select both and Object>Clipping Mask>Make.

You can see the shortcut when you use the dropdown; it is Ctrl+7 for Windows.

At least in the old days, you could also use Alt/Option+O+M+M (easy to remember, Object>Mask>Make).

It is easy to skip/overlook the exact steps.