Opacity mask problems in latest 2021 version

[markb84738493]

There is an issue with editing opacity masks in the latest version of Illustrator 2021. There is a serious lag and the effects of editing only show up when you click out of the opacity mask editor and go back into your normal mode of working. It's really annoying and causes many errors and time wasting.

[Ton Frederiks · Accepted solution]

Please vote here:

https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447-illustrator-desktop-bugs/suggestions/42412372-opacit...

[Jeff Witchel, ACI]

In my experience, there have been problems editing Opacity Masks since, well, forever. So much so, I do not use Opacity Masks, ever!

As Ton suggests, vote so the issues get fixed.

[ludovicallo]

Are you serious ? Yhis one of the function I certainly use the most in Illustrator ? Since when did you use Illustrator ? 

[Jeff Witchel, ACI]

Absolutely serious. 

Try editing your Opacity Mask. Do it a couple of times and it will could stop working.

By the way, I've been using Illustrator since 1988.

[Jeff Witchel, ACI]

Also been an Adobe Certified Expert in Illustrator since since Illustrator 9 (two versions before Creative Suite).

[Kurt Gold]

Once upon a time, opacity masks used to be the *only* reliable way to colourise greyscale (raster) images with spot colours in Illustrator.

So, at least now we know that Jeff never used that capability 20 years ago. 🙂

[John24472726qybf]

I'm in Illustrator 2013 (27.1.1). Opacity masks no longer function at all. Period. I have always used it in the past, but now the gradient or other mask you select will NOT paste into the mask area in the transparency panel. When you try to paste in the mask area it goes from solid black to solid white no matter what you are trying to past in it, and the image or art you are trying to mask still remains invisible until you release the mask. Adobe, maybe for one update you could try to fix ALL of the issues rather than add more bells and whistles. 

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

Please upload a test file.

Have you already tried resetting your preferences (this will erase your settings)?

[John24472726qybf]

I just trashed my prefs and restated Illustrator. It's working now! 

[John24472726qybf]

I meant Illustrator 2023.