Issue with clipping mask

[AnneK127]

Hi,

I've just started using illustrator a couple of days ago to work on a logo. I created a clipping mask for the logo but it hasn't filled out the shape properly. I've attached a screenshot showing what happens when I create the clipping mask. I've also added an outline of the shape on top of the clipping mask so that you know what the shape of the logo is supposed to be (since creating the clipping mask erased the stroke). As you can see, only one gap in each 'piece' of DNA (that's what the logo is supposed to be) is transparent, but I want each gap to be transparent. How should I go about in solving this?

[SJRiegel · Accepted solution]

First, ungroup and undo any compound paths to get to back to the beginning on your path. Make sure the main path is in the back. Select all of the segments except the main path and group them. Then select the group and the main path, and use Minus front to create your new compound path.

[AnneK127]

Thank you for your reply! For some reason I can't find Minus Front (it doesn't appear in Pathfinder where I believe it should be)--do you know what might be causing that, or if it goes by a different name? I tried using substract, exclude, and minus back with different arrangements of the groups but I unfortunately haven't found the result I'm looking for (most of time the center of the logo and nothing else ends up being filled in).

[SJRiegel]

It's in the Pathfinder Pallet

[AnneK127]

Ohh I see! I guess I didn't look hard enough silly me

Thanks so much for your help! It worked 🙂

[Ton Frederiks]

I can imagine your confusion.

But it is not in the Pathfinder Effect, there it is called Subtract.

Just like it is after you apply Minus Front from the Pathfinder panel in Edit > Undo Subtract.

Like Pathfinder Panel Unite is Add in the Pathfinder Effect and in Undo.