How to cut the center out of an image

[jessicaf58753267]

Hi, I am relatively new to illustrator and I trying to cut out the shape in the center of an image so the background is transparent in the middle (see image with shape to cut out). I have tried the Pathfinder 'Minus Front' and I have tried making a compound path, however neither are working. I am looking to make a shape in the center and a hole so the center is transparent.

When trying compound path, I am getting the message error "Cant make a compound path. All objects in a compound path must be path..."

When trying minus front, it seems like it did something but nothing changed on the image.

[edgrimley]

It appears that you are trying to cut a whole in an image. If so, you would need to use a clipping mask.

[Doug A Roberts]

better off making an opacity mask. make the shape RGB black. select both it and the image. in the transparency palette, click 'Mask' and untick 'Clip'

[jessicaf58753267]

Clipping mask seems to just cut around and leave me with the center. I am trying to do the opposite and remove the center and leave just the outside (so the shape is transparent in the center

[rcraighead]

And the clipping mask would need to be made up of two shapes that are converted to a "Compound Shape", with the outer shape a rectangle at least as large as your image.

Alternatively, you could move the "mask" shape to an "Opacity Mask" by way of the "Transparency" Panel. This method does not require a second shape.

[Bill Silbert · Accepted solution]

You can create a compound path by drawing a box that duplicates the dimensions of your background image and placing your cutout above it in position and pressing Command/Control-8. then place that compound path above your image, in position, and select the compound path and the image and make a Clipping Mask using Command/Control-7.

[jessicaf58753267]

Thanks! Bill and Doug - those both works perfectly

[dimples2000]

thanks, I was on the right path but you made it happen