Tutorial How to create a clipping mask in Illustrator

[Greater Gattsby]

Why do I need a clipping mask?

• To restrict paths within the template
• To make a design much cleaner and less work for the designer - You don't have to replicate edges of the template, go way over them, it doesn't matter
• Handy for sashes, stripes, hoops, larger logos and designs

1. Notice how I've got my layers set out - this is important. Always name your layers so that you know what is going on at all times, this is essential because it can get confusing. So you've opened your template and I've made some basic stripes to fit on the BLK template for this Sandringham Zebras VFL jumper. I want these stripes to be restricted to the boundary of the template, how do I do that? Very good question - this is how.



2. Go into the layers and select the base of the jumper. Click to the right of the circle next to the layer to select the 'Base' path.



3. Copy this path (CTRL + C), click into the same group with all of the stripes and paste it (CTRL + F).



4. The selected copy of the base MUST be on top of the stripes in the group. With this in mind, select the copy of the base, hold shift and select the other stripes that will be in the same mask.



5. Now create the clipping mask. Go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make or use the shortcut (CTRL + 7).



6. Congrats you've just made a clipping mask!



If you've got a stroke on your template, find out how to clean it up a bit more:

Spoiler

It's time to do a bit of tidying up to add a bit of professionalism. You'll notice the design slightly overlaps the template due to there being no stroke on the clipping path of the jumper outline.



To fix this add, select the clipping path and add a stroke of the same colour and width as the base of the jumper.



And it's done!

You're now done! I hope this was simple to follow - If there are any questions or issues, let me know and I'll sort them out ASAP!!

 

[NM_Mitchell]

what if said template has no stroke?

 

[Greater Gattsby]

what if said template has no stroke?

Then don't worry about cleaning it up

EDIT: NM_Mitchell I've cleaned up the tutorial a bit to allow for templates that don't have a stroke

 

[Matele]

Chucked it in the Megathread Greater Gattsby. Awesome job.

 

[Fizzler]

Link to template?

 

[Greater Gattsby]

Link to template?

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threa...hread-discussion.889120/page-31#post-38241882

 

[Fizzler]

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threa...hread-discussion.889120/page-31#post-38241882

Cheers mate

 

[Dylan8]

FYI ctrl F pastes the object in exactly the same place it was copied from so no need to fret about lining it up.

 

[Andonis1997]

FYI ctrl F pastes the object in exactly the same place it was copied from so no need to fret about lining it up.

Greater Gattsby please add this into the tutorial!
Great stuff, mate. Really well explained.

 

[Greater Gattsby]

FYI ctrl F pastes the object in exactly the same place it was copied from so no need to fret about lining it up.

Thank you so much, never knew this. I can't wait to use it

 

[Fizzler]

I have an alternative method

1. Start the same way as the previous method



2. Go into the layers and turn off the visibilty on the layers Collar, Cuffs, Stitching and Logos. Do this by clicking the eye



3. Click the base of the jumper then click Edit then Copy



4. Now click the layer "Front Jumper" then go to Edit and click Paste in Front or on your keyboard, hit Ctrl+F



5. Click and drag around the Jumper and Stripes then release. You should have selected the Jumper and Stripes



6. Right-Click the jumper and click Make Clipping Mask



7. Your clipping mask is complete!


8. Turn on the visiblity of the layers Collar, Cuffs, Stitching and Logos by clicking where the eye was.


9. Drag the layer <Clip Group> underneath the layers Collar, Cuffs, Stitching and Logos and then you are done!

 

[Greater Gattsby]

I have an alternative method

1. Start the same way as the previous method

View attachment 129097

2. Go into the layers and turn off the visibilty on the layers Collar, Cuffs, Stitching and Logos. Do this by clicking the eye

View attachment 129098

3. Click the base of the jumper then click Edit then Copy

View attachment 129099

4. Now click the layer "Front Jumper" then go to Edit and click Paste in Front or on your keyboard, hit Ctrl+F

View attachment 129101View attachment 129100

5. Click and drag around the Jumper and Stripes then release. You should have selected the Jumper and Stripes

View attachment 129103

6. Right-Click the jumper and click Make Clipping Mask

View attachment 129104

7. Your clipping mask is complete!
View attachment 129105

8. Turn on the visiblity of the layers Collar, Cuffs, Stitching and Logos by clicking where the eye was.
View attachment 129106

9. Drag the layer <Clip Group> underneath the layers Collar, Cuffs, Stitching and Logos and then you are done!
View attachment 129107

It's good that you've found a method that you're comfortable with Fizzler! It's essentially the same as mine except, I've got to ask, why do you turn all of the collars, cuffs, logos etc. off? It seems a bit unnecessary and to me would complicate the process.

 

[Fizzler]

It's good that you've found a method that you're comfortable with Fizzler! It's essentially the same as mine except, I've got to ask, why do you turn all of the collars, cuffs, logos etc. off? It seems a bit unnecessary and to me would complicate the process.

I've tried your way and the collar, cuffs etc. go under the clipping mask.

 

[Greater Gattsby]

I've tried your way and the collar, cuffs etc. go under the clipping mask.

That's why you've got to paste it into the layer of the stripes, this will ensure it cannot possible go over the top of everything else in the layers

 

[Stromageddon]

Great job, mate!

I like how you've dumbed it down, it covers all bases so that noone is confused.

It follows Gibbsy 's philosophy on why you should explain everything in tutorials like you're teaching a 5 year old. Not because your audience is stupid, but because it's the best way to effectively convey all necessary information

 

[Greater Gattsby]

Great job, mate!

I like how you've dumbed it down, it covers all bases so that noone is confused.

It follows Gibbsy 's philosophy on why you should explain everything in tutorials like you're teaching a 5 year old. Not because your audience is stupid, but because it's the best way to effectively convey all necessary information

Thanks mate!

Yeah I tried to literally show everything I did to create a clipping mask for that exact reason. It was one of the harder procedures I found to get the hang of in Illustrator, so I understand how tricky it can be for those new to the program.

 

[Dylan8]

Here's one for you Illustrator whizzes at home, how does one make a clipping mask in a layer, but not in a 'clip group', as such making it easier to select objects without selecting the whole group, mask and all?

I've done it on my footy template I just have no idea how I did it and I can't replicate it on other files.

 

[Klim]

Here's one for you Illustrator whizzes at home, how does one make a clipping mask in a layer, but not in a 'clip group', as such making it easier to select objects without selecting the whole group, mask and all?

I've done it on my footy template I just have no idea how I did it and I can't replicate it on other files.

Remove the clipping mask from the group and place it where you want in your files?

 

[Dylan8]

Remove the clipping mask from the group and place it where you want in your files?

I tried that and it turns back into a normal object

But now I've tried it again and moved it into a different layer - presto. So it has the move from out of the group into a different layer rather than just out of the group.

 

[Stiubhart]

Great job, mate!

I like how you've dumbed it down, it covers all bases so that noone is confused.

It follows [B]Gibbsy[/B] 's philosophy on why you should explain everything in tutorials like you're teaching a 5 year old. Not because your audience is stupid , but because it's the best way to effectively convey all necessary information

Also to oldies like me who sometimes are dumber than a 5 year old.

 

[Stiubhart]

I have a question , I have opened the illustrator file but what is coming up on my screen is the (what seems to be) finished Sandringham jumper , yet on Gadsby's and Fizzlers screen shots they both have the black stripes which are hanging over the jumper base , what am I missing...apart from a few chromasones?

 

[Bryce_Jersey17]

I have a question , I have opened the illustrator file but what is coming up on my screen is the (what seems to be) finished Sandringham jumper , yet on Gadsby's and Fizzlers screen shots they both have the black stripes which are hanging over the jumper base , what am I missing...apart from a few chromasones?

It sounds like youve downloaded the template with the clipping mask pre made. Therefore, you dont need to do anything from this tutorial on the template

 

[Stiubhart]

Ok cool , thanks for that Bryce_Jersey17. Yeah I saw what fizzler wrote about the link for the template and followed that , downloaded it , opened it and the finished jumper came up.

 

[Fizzler]

I have a question , I have opened the illustrator file but what is coming up on my screen is the (what seems to be) finished Sandringham jumper , yet on Gadsby's and Fizzlers screen shots they both have the black stripes which are hanging over the jumper base , what am I missing...apart from a few chromasones?

Yeah, I took them out of the clipping mask

 

[Stiubhart]

Yeah, I took them out of the clipping mask

Ah right-o thanks Fizz.