How to cut the center out of an image

Forum|Forum|8 years ago
June 28, 2017
4 replies
13750 views

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.

transparent issue

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Correct answer Bill Silbert

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.

dimples2000

Participant

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

Bill Silbert

Correct answer

Community Expert

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.

jessicaf58753267Author

Participant

Thanks! Bill and Doug - those both works perfectly

rcraighead

Legend

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.

E

edgrimley

Participating Frequently

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

Community Expert

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'

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