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November 1, 2018
Answered

How do I mask lines so that I can still edit them and retain end caps for the masked drawing?

  • November 1, 2018
  • 6 replies
  • 2611 views

I am trying to mask this drawing, but the lines where the mask is are cut off abruptly. Is there a way to edit a shape created with lines so that the lines still retain properties like end caps?

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    Correct answer Myra Ferguson

    Here's a sample with the Shaper tool

    (it might not be showing in your tools depending on your workspace. If not, click the 3 dots at the bottom of your tools to add it):

    1. Draw 2 lines with the Shaper tool with the stroke set to have end caps and a weight thick enough for them to show up

    2. Draw a line with the Shaper tool that intersects them

    3. Squiggle over the part you don't want still using the Shaper tool

    4. to get this (And you can do the same to remove the intersecting line)

    5. But if you want to go back to what you had, double click on it with the Shaper tool still selected to see all the parts

    6. You can delete that intersecting line to get the rest of your hidden lines back

    6 replies

    Myra Ferguson
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    November 2, 2018

    Here's some more info on the Shaper tool in case that might help Build new shapes with Shaper and Shape Builder tools in Illustrator

    Myra Ferguson
    Community Expert
    Myra FergusonCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    November 2, 2018

    Here's a sample with the Shaper tool

    (it might not be showing in your tools depending on your workspace. If not, click the 3 dots at the bottom of your tools to add it):

    1. Draw 2 lines with the Shaper tool with the stroke set to have end caps and a weight thick enough for them to show up

    2. Draw a line with the Shaper tool that intersects them

    3. Squiggle over the part you don't want still using the Shaper tool

    4. to get this (And you can do the same to remove the intersecting line)

    5. But if you want to go back to what you had, double click on it with the Shaper tool still selected to see all the parts

    6. You can delete that intersecting line to get the rest of your hidden lines back

    sssnoleAuthor
    Known Participant
    November 2, 2018

    Ok, yes, thank you! This does seem to work!

    I am still curious what Monika Gause 's solution was. Now I have to make sure this works with the quite complicated illustrations I need to create. If so it will save me a lot of time. Thank you everyone!

    Myra Ferguson
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    November 1, 2018

    You can do it with the Shaper tool. Draw your lines with it, use a line to cut it off, then squiggle out what you don't want. The shapes are live, so if you want to go back and retrieve your lines, you can.

    maxwithdax
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    November 1, 2018

    I really need to start using the shaper tool more! Nice call Myra!

    sssnoleAuthor
    Known Participant
    November 1, 2018

    I figured it out in photoshop. Just need to merge all the vectors and then you can subtract the mask shape with pathfinder. Works with open paths. I guess the problem now is how do i merge shapes in illustrator.

    chanaart
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    November 1, 2018

    You can merge shapes in AI only if they are connected do you mean make them into one shape?

    Usee the compound path.

    sssnoleAuthor
    Known Participant
    November 1, 2018

    Pathfinder in Illustrator can build compound shapes just like Photoshop can do. Here is the same shape that sssnole has built in Photoshop

    It's completely live.

    But I've cheated. It's not what it seems


    Please talk me through how you did this!

    sssnoleAuthor
    Known Participant
    November 1, 2018

    I have seen it using vectors in photoshop. I cant believe the same functionality doesn't exist in Illustrator.

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    November 1, 2018

    sssnole  schrieb

    I have seen it using vectors in photoshop. I cant believe the same functionality doesn't exist in Illustrator.

    You can of course use pathfinder functions in Illustrator.

    But as in Photoshop you can't use it with open paths.

    So if you want help with pathfinder functions we would need to know what exactly you are doing there step by step and how exactly your artwork is set up.

    sssnoleAuthor
    Known Participant
    November 1, 2018

    Its entirely possible my artwork is set up incorrectly. Its a bunch of lines in a grouped object. I guess what I am looking for is: how do i set up a group of lines so that I can use pathfinder to subtract a shape from them and retain the lines effects.

    Jeff Witchel, ACI
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    November 1, 2018

    If I understand your question correctly, instead of Masking the drawing, just cut the lines with the Scissors tool (C) where you want the lines to end.

    sssnoleAuthor
    Known Participant
    November 1, 2018

    Yes, that would be easy. But I wanted a non-destructive answer, so that after the client comes back and says "actually move the mask over a little bit" I can just move the mask over a little bit without saving a previous version and then cutting it again. I feel like I saw someone do this before. Moving a mask and having the line effects applied to the masked object. I feel like there must be some way to do this.

    Jeff Witchel, ACI
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    November 1, 2018

    That would be nice! But a Cap can only be on the end of the path and you're Masking those ends.