Struggling with Clipping Mask in an Image

[mllermanda2314626293ib]

I have been struggling to put an effect in my vector image and have been trying to figure out what to do. What the effect is supposed to look like I can do easily in Clip Studio Paint but Adobe Illustrator makes it a nightmare to complete.

This is what the effect is supposed to look like (Clip Studio Paint Version)

Adobe Version:

I am trying to make the clip mask go through it and tried to make it all compand path but it's not working. I know I am doing something wrong in the process of doing so and keep getting errors that explains issues with the paths, compounds or the image disappearing in general, when I do it to the text that has the wrap effect, it removes it or other issues that arises. I know I am doing something wrong but have no idea what it is. I thank you for your time for reading and have a good one.

[Monika Gause]

So you want to make the pink shapes into a compound path?

Then you first have to get rid of the clipping masks. We would need to see how the artwork has been built. Please show us the Layers panel. Make sure that there is not only the Layer itself in it, but all the objects inside the layer. Or upload your AI file to Dropbox or the like and post a link.

[mllermanda2314626293ib]

Yes I do, at least find a way to make the pink paths  blend in similarly to the top image above. I heard within the Adobe Community (though I can be wrong) that this is more tricky to do due to the program itself. I'm not sure how to explain the problem itself but it regardes with blending in and clip masking. 

Though sure I'll post the AI file here to show you what it looks like since that would be the easiest way to show the results. I also would want to know if I would have to restart the image again to get the result I want. Thank you for taking your time to help me out Monika. 

Hereis the dropbox for the AI File in question (Do let me know if it gives you access to the file and if not, when I come back from work, I'll send an updated version)

[mllermanda2314626293ib]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9tdpq5b8hyvjn2o/Everyone%20Loves%20Totoko%21%20Sketch.ai?dl=0

[mllermanda2314626293ib]

Ignore the dropbox link since it doesn't let you download it, the wetransfer file will though

https://we.tl/t-pYNv0T4ysI

[mllermanda2314626293ib]

Not sure if the link got to you so I'll resend the file,

https://wetransfer.com/downloads/56aad853e7fda9fcdace4c5dcae1b41820221006153755/675583

[Monika Gause]

The image still was inside a clipping mask, which was unnecessary.

Here's your file: https://we.tl/t-8QYjHhSfR0 

[mllermanda2314626293ib]

Thank you so much for the help :cañón_de_confeti:So I was curious to know on how the process can work so I can learn this and apply this to my other drawings in the future. I think the main issue based on comparing my old file to the one you made involoves with making the white part here:

Is there a tutorial that can explain how this works or at least the name of the topic so I can gather a better understanding on how to do this myself for future projects? 

[Monika Gause]

This might happen when you copy and paste images from Photoshop (or other) into Illustrator. So to prevent it, save the image file and then place it in Illustrator (File > Place)

To get that image out of the mask you can also in the layers panel just grab it and then drag it out. Afterwards delete the mask using the little trashcan in the panel.

[mllermanda2314626293ib]

Hm that's werid though cause the og image on how I created the compound lines were made in Adobe Illustrator. The only thing (minus the texture) that was not created in the program was the sketch as the top. I traced over the image in question with the pencil tool, punched holes though the process with the Path/Divide Objects Below situation and then just hide the sketch and it was the result. Usually with clip studio paint (will show you an example here:

Components in the image: 

The parts highlighted in this image is the clipping mask situtation that I want to learn in Adobe but struggling on how to do. There's stuff like this link here: https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/clipping-masks.html but it seems like it's mainly with shapes. Would the part to add the shape to mask the item, would the user have to recreate the silhouette to get a perfect copy of the mask?

[Monika Gause]

I'm sorry I don't understand your question.

I was just referring to that Pixel image you highlighted in my screenshot. It has its own unnecessary clipping mask applied. And this clipping mask was probably throwing off Illustrator.

When you open a file from another application or paste something into Illustrator, always first open the layers panel to analyze it and then also get rid off everything that is unnecessary before you proceed.

[mllermanda2314626293ib]

Ah I see, though fair enough. I'm unsure on how to explain my question because for me it's easier to show it. I think part of it too though is just lack of understanding in the program at my end. Regardless though, thank you for your help as I believe my answer as been answered otherwise. 

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

Clipping masks in image editing applications generally work differently. In Photoshop you can declare any layer a mask and let it clip another layer. I don't know about Clip Studio Paint, but assume it's the same.

In Illustrator a clipping mask is strictly based on paths. You need a path to make a clipping mask. Multiple Paths need to be a compound path. Maybe that explains it?

[mllermanda2314626293ib]

Yeah that's pretty much it, I found out a way to make it like that in. I was able to find a way last night to clip the paths together by using the flat color in question as the shape to mask it. It takes way longer to complete artworks cause of this but it's the soultion that works best currently with the situation I am in.