Removing solid area from a clipped image

[defaultv3e0n2r0bxk3]

Hi guys.

I've been learning to use illustrator for about 4 and half months now and I cant seem to figure out this problem...

So I've clipped the outside edge of this image but now I would like to remove the white space between the branches.  When i draw  polygon of that shap, place it over and click the "minus front" option it essentially removes the clipping on th eouter edge.  Any advice on how to remove that white space between all the branches.  Thanks guys

[ZooN_]

Can you upload the Illustrator file in your reply so I can have a look at it?

[defaultv3e0n2r0bxk3]

Hi Zoon

Sure. I attempted attaching the .ai file first and it keeps telling me theres an  issue with the "postscript".  I have saved it as a cloud doc so I could invite you to edit if you can't do anything with it in either of these formats.  Thanks for taking a look.

[ZooN_ · Accepted solution]

Thanks, the PDF seems to work fine. You select the tree in the drawing first, then go to Object -> Flatten Transparency and that will "expand" the internal bits in the tree, so they essentially become editable curves. You then need to do what Grant recommended and at the end basically creating a compound path that is also a clipping mask. Hopefully this makes sense?

[ZooN_]

There is also a typo in SECURITY, might wanna fix that 😉

[defaultv3e0n2r0bxk3]

Oh snap.  Good looking out.  Much appreciated haha

[Grant H · Accepted solution]

hi, you need to create a complex path. In other words the outside of the tree as one shape, the white pieces of the tree as one shape on top of that, you then minus the top shape to form a complex shape in Pathfinder. And then use it as a clipping mask.

/G

[defaultv3e0n2r0bxk3]

Thanks for the response Grant. 

I'll look up a tutorial on complex pathing and give it a bash.  

[Grant H · Accepted solution]

here is a quick video to give you a basic idea of creating a complex path to minus from another path and to create a clipping path from that final shape.