How to apply masks within appearances?

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
February 19, 2020
4 replies
1365 views

I'm trying to create a simple mask to hide parts of a fill gradient within the appearances panel, but I can't figure out how to actually apply it without it effecting the entire object. Am I missing something painfully obvious here?

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S

SJRiegel

Legend

I found another, easier way that does not require a duplicate object.

After applying transparency to the object, select the object and Group it. It won't be actually grouped with anything, but that is OK. You can then use the Appearance panel to add a new stroke to the group that contains your one object.

Much cleaner than having to add a duplicate object.

Sven StoneAuthor

Participating Frequently

Sorry, but I don't fully understand what this is meant to achieve or how it helps here. I followed your instructions and it's still excluding the rest of the object rather than just masking the gradient itself.

Monika Gause

Community Expert

Can you perhaps show what this looks like now and what exactly you want to achieve?

S

SJRiegel

Legend

I can see a couple of ways to do with - one would be the quick-and-easy way of duplicating your object (unmasked) above with just the stroke, not the fill.

Another would be to duplicate your shape and use it as a clipping mask on your gradient - then add a white stroke equal to the size of the dark stroke on your object. Line the clipped gradient up with your shape, and then make your transparency mask.

Sven StoneAuthor

Participating Frequently

I ended up duplicating the object, removing the mask from the original and just hiding everything other than the fill in the duplicate. It's a bit more of a hassle than I'd like but at least it works.