Trouble with Clipping Mask

[johnm82806023]

I have three vector files I created in AI:

• one is a gradient box 

• the other a redraw of a client supplied photo of their rough logo

  (I removed the client image Layer from Layers after redraw)

I am trying to fill the logo with the gradient.

I am receiving the following message:

"Can't make clipping mask. A path used as a clipping mask must contain at least two connected anchor points"

I have searched solutions for this, none have worked.

Yes, my redrawn logo is on top in the same group.

I am unable to create a compound path of all pieces of redrawn logo... compound path option does not show.

I can make compound path of each individual piece of the overall logo.

Images attached.

I would greatly appreciate any help.

Thank you

 

[Myra Ferguson]

Try making a opacity mask. Here's how:

1. Select both the text/icon group and the gradient
2. In the Transparency panel (Window > Transparency), click Make Mask

[johnm82806023]

Thank you, that partially worked.

If I selected all 3, only the owl shows. If I select the text and gradient, the owl is hidden.

 

  

[Myra Ferguson · Accepted solution]

Try grouping your text shapes and the owl. Then select that group and the gradient to make the opacity map.

[johnm82806023]

That worked!  Thank you Thank you 🙂

Curious, why did Transpareny Mask work the other didn't?

[Monika Gause]

To analyze that, you would need to show the layers panel and all the things that belong to the owl visible  in it.

[Jacob Bugge]

John,

The opacity/transparency mask is much more forgiving, because it is all about appearance, so anything can work as the mask, group with multiple paths, and consist of live type and/or (other) vector artwork and/or and raster image(s). The clipping mask requires a single instance of live Type or a single (possibly compound) path of vector artwork (which can be made by multiple independent paths).

Is the type live? If it is, you cannot use for a clipping mask together with the owl vector artwork because they cannot be turned into a compound path..

[johnm82806023]

Hi Jacob,

Thank you for your reply. 

ALL of the art is a redraw I did in AI, no live text. The "text" and owl were done separately.

Once I grouped the "text" and owl I brought it back in on top of the gradient and the Transparency Mask worked perfectly.

[Monika Gause]

Clipping masks don't work with grouped objects when there is more than one path in the mask. They need to be compound paths. But also: there should not be effects or live objects or strokes.