Clipping Mask
Placing the Image
- File>Place> Select image from file
- Use the any shape tool like the Rectangle tool and place it over the image.
- Usually set stroke to none since it leaves a border.
- Set fill to any color.
- From the top toolbar, located the Object tab>Clipping Mask>Make (ctrl 7)
- Edit the scale of the image by double clicking group to get into “Isolation Mode”
Note: There is a difference between the clipping mask (above) and the opacity mask (listed below)!
Opacity Mask
Placing the Image and Making the Mask
- File>Place> Select image from file
- Select image (dragging over selection or clicking)
- Open the Transparency Window located on the tool bar located on the right of the screen (It can also be accessed from top toolbar through Window>Transparency.)
- A new window will pop up with three tabs in the top labeled, “ Stroke, Gradient, Transparency” You also should see a preview of your image.
- Click on the triangular icon located in the top right of the window. A drop down menu should appear. Click “Make Opacity Mask.”
- Click the link icon between the two boxes to unlink the mask and image.
- Select the mask (black box preview) and select the basic shape tool such as Rectangle or Circle tools, or custom shape tool such as the Pen tool, setting the stroke to none, and fill to WHITE. You should see part of your image depending on your shape.
- Select the image (left icon) to return to the image.
- Change the opacity to 50% in the transparency tab
Note: Your image appears to disappear from the main paper space, however you can still see the outline of it by hovering your mouse over it. Also note the preview in the window now shows an extra black box to the right of your image. This is your mask and it currently is completely covering your image.
Gradient Mask
To create a gradient mask set the fill of the shape you draw to a linear gradient from the Gradient Tab’s “Type” drop down menu.
Change the angle to any desired direction of gradient.
In gradients, black means 0% opaque, white means 100% opaque. Adjusting the two slider allows to control the range of the opacity.
Other Line Work (dwg)
You can also import your own line work into illustrator from CAD or Rhino and use it an opacity mask as long it is a closed shape. YOU CAN ONLY MAKE MASKS WITH SOLID SHAPES.
Command: Default Shortcut
These are some of the commands covered:
Place: ctrl shift P
Zoom: ctrl +/-
Pan: hold space bar
Rulers: ctrl R
Pen: P
Type (Text): T
Paint Bucket: K
Refer to the adobe “cheat sheet” for others: https://helpx.adobe.com/content/dam/help/en/illustrator/pdf/illustrator_cheat-sheet.pdf
Refer to Adobe TV for additional tutorials: http://tv.adobe.com/product/illustrator/
