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M
markb84738493
Participant
January 16, 2021
Answered

Opacity mask problems in latest 2021 version

  • January 16, 2021
  • 4 replies
  • 1239 views

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.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Monika Gause

Please upload a test file.

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

4 replies

J
John24472726qybf
Known Participant
December 29, 2022

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
Community Expert
Monika GauseCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
December 29, 2022

Please upload a test file.

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

    J
    John24472726qybf
    Known Participant
    December 29, 2022

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

     

      Kurt Gold
      Community Expert
      Kurt GoldCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      January 16, 2021

      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. 🙂

       

        Jeff Witchel, ACI
        Community Expert
        Jeff Witchel, ACICommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        January 16, 2021

        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.

          L
          ludovicallo
          Participating Frequently
          January 18, 2021

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

          Jeff Witchel, ACI
          Community Expert
          Jeff Witchel, ACICommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          January 18, 2021

          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.

            Ton Frederiks
            Community Expert
            Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            January 16, 2021

            Please vote here:

            https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447-illustrator-desktop-bugs/suggestions/42412372-opacity-mask-does-not-redraw-in-real-time

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