Clipping Mask issues

I'm trying to create a clipping mask with a few things i made in autocad and brought into illustrator (copy/pasted or done as an eps, same results).
the bottom layer is a pattern i created, again, in autocad and live paint bucketed to give it color.
the top layer is a shape i created in autocad. and my shape, it's really just a bunch of lines.
ctrl+7, and it all just disappears. i know it's not the bottom layer, i've already clip masked with that pattern with numbers.
the only thing i can think of is that illustrator isn't as precise as autocad and the place where two lines come together to make a point, well they actually don't in illustrator.
any tips/tricks i should know to solve my issue? i can send the .ai file to whoever if they think they have the magic touch.

Adam,
Who can clip with a bunch of lines, even after grouping them?
What happens if you join the lines into a closed shape and Ctrl+7?

Similar Messages

Illustrator - Pattern Swatch / Clipping mask issue

I'm currently working in Illustrator CS6. I'm creating pattern swatches and have successfully created 20 - but 4 are giving me the following issue.
When I drag the perfect swatch tile into swatches it appears as so instead of the perfect tile:
"New pattern swatch 3" has a white space on the right. Which sometimes when I create the swatch takes up half of the 'swatch.'
When I go to create a shape and apply the pattern, I am left with an empty box.
When I double click to adjust the pattern I get this dialog box:
When I go to adjust the bounding box, to see where my pattern is - this crazy mess happens:
Further investigation and deleting items to see whats happening:
Bits of my pattern appear, but not sure why the other bars are there.
I'm having this issue with four very different patterns. But I have also succesfully created more complicated ones. Not sure why this is happening.
Any help is greatly appreciated!

Hey everyone,
I am in the same version, same file. I have also tried starting from scratch in another file just to make sure. Same issue.
I have templates of what i want my patterns to be, so I have tried to make the patterns both ways. Starting from my original art - expanding all shapes and making them so they will tile perfectly.
1. with clipping mask. 2. released mask, and expanded shape. 3. perfect tile.
from scratch, made to tile perfectly.
Same issue for both:
To make sure it wasn't only this one I tried a different pattern that was giving me the same error before hand.
I tried with original art which didn't work, so I quickly recreated with squares. Same tile, one time it was empty producing same issue as above. And second time it did this:
1. What tile is supposed to look like 2. Tile applied to shape - but the pattern swatch icon is empty?
Maybe this is a program bug?

[CS4] Clipping Mask issue (bug?) - Beachball when I try to select masked group

I have a somewhat complex compound path (1400 points) that I've duplicated several times and clipped. I want to make a second copy of this clipped set of objects. When I try to select the group that contains the clipping mask (with the selection tool or in the layers palette) illustrator chugs for over a minute. Once it's done chugging and I have my group selected I hit copy and paste. It chugs for another minute and then does nothing but deselect my group.
I saved the file down into CS3 format and opened it in CS3. I have no trouble with copy, paste, select, scale, or anything when I'm in CS3 - no slowdown at all. I saved the file in CS3 and opened the CS3 format file in CS4 and I still have the beachball/chug problem.
I'd like to note that the trouble begins only when I apply the clipping mask. I can select all those objects and copy/paste/rotate/scale/whatever until I apply a mask and then I can't do anything to them. The clipping mask itself is rather simple - only 26 points.
I'm on a G5 with 8gigs of RAM and over 30gigs of available space in my scratch disc. Any advice or any other users who've had this problem?

No that is not true and you know CS 3 does not come close to CS4 in performance and if I were you I would download the trial, although I have feeling you do not have the resources to to actually run the program and that has you quite miffed,
Perhaps the next release will finally release you, so long!
Tracy I found that there s a setting that is on by default in CS 4 that would make things go a bit slow and always has if selected by the user.
Clearly a mistake I would think but for some reason the default settings for the raster effects is 300 ppi as opposed to 72 ppi which really many times will eat up the memory no matter how much you have, and Illustrator can only use a limited amount of RAM something like 2GB, so that the amount of RAM is not the issue and the scratch could be as wide open as possible but it still will choke.
It may not have the resource to as in your case make a review. So I would try setting the document raster image effects setting to 72 ppi and then when outputting it change it to 300ppi or tell the printer to do so.
Hans I am sure you will now be relieved to find out that CS4 is behaving as it should with the right setting.
Enjoy the trial it is free. You are going to love CS 4.
I am mistaken Tracy and Hans CS 3 also has the default setting at 300 ppi I should have checked first.
Yes Hans this might be an issue that is a strike against CS4 on large complex projects
I am certain it was good idea to change the clipping path behavior. The question is how big or complex does the file have to be before this happens.
Hans you should still try the trial and see for yourself. Of course if you don't have the resources it might be difficult to load the trial.
I would still try changing the setting to 722 ppi and changing it for output after the work has been completed.
Yes I think you found and important bug.

CS6 actions batch saving images to a clipping mask issue

Hey all,
Been at this for quite some while now and searched the www thin for suggestion - so really hope someone can help me out here.
Objective:
- Target a folder with xxx .gif patterns (in the same size)
- Setup actions to batch open each image from the folder, copy the pattern image individually over to a .PSD file that have a silhouette of the sleeve.
- Apply the individual pattern to the clipping mask
- Save it out as .png
Issue:
So far ive only had the automate > batch process to save out one .png with the pattern correctly applied to the silhouette.
What I experince is that, if I close down everything and initiate automate > batch process then Photoshop will complain about not being able to locate the clipping mask.
In my action setup I first open my .psd containing my sleeve shape, then open an actual pattern image and then all other steps ending up with saving the .psd with pattern clipping mask to .png.
Just to give a simple idea about my setup take a look here:
http://i.imgur.com/FE8mSEU.png
In this one below, ive closed everything and run the automate > batch process, which gives me the error you can see here:
http://i.imgur.com/7Cvj26D.png
Any suggestions on what I could be doing wrong OR if I am doing anything wrong?

Hi Mack,
Thanks a lot for your throughout response - really appreciate it!
I do acknowledge that im new to batch in Photoshop and could possibly why this is not working for me - although in not quite sure why and what I would need to make as a programmed script - would you by any chance try to give me an idea on what specific step needs to be programmed?
My actions are very few and quite simple, and seemed to fit in very nicely in how ive understood the actions feature would work - in any case of not being precise enough here's my exact steps.
1. I open up Photoshop - No documents or anything are open at current point. I click "Record" in actions
2. I open my sleeve_layer.PSD file (which opens up in a tab) -> File -> Open -> PSD
3. I open one of the pattern .gif files (which opens up in a tab) - which are all located in the same folder with the same size -> File -> Open -> .gif
4. In my pattern tab window (from nr 3) I select all (ctrl-a) -> copy (ctrl-c)
5. I then click over to my sleeve_layer.PSD window tab and paste (ctrl-v) my copied pattern image into a layer above my sleeve layer.
6. I then right-click with my mouse on the pattern.gif layer -> click "Create clipping mask" (the pattern is now only shown within the sleeve layer shape)
7. I save the work done in the .psd to web -> File -> Save for web -> .png
8. I then close my sleeve_layer.PSD - without saving it (since I dont want to have clipping masks for each pattern stacking up from the batch)
9. Recording ends
If I now run the batch all actions are done fine until it reaches the action with the clipping mask - where I get "The command "Create clipping mask" is not currently available" - I can see that when this error appears, im not seeing any open sleeve_layer.PSD tab - so not sure if the psd file is actually getting opened (and this might be the error for the reference error of the clipping mask to appear).
If I try to manually RUN the actions set in the actions panel, I notice though that the sleeve_layer.PSD tab is getting opened.
When running automate -> batch -> I point "source" to my folder of all patterns (only .gif files appear in this folder)
"Destination" folder is set to some other folder.

Clipping mask issue.. simple one but I can't see it.

I want to fill the pattern into the shield.
Tried everything on this, it's so simple that I can not even see it.
Maybe it's the double lines on outline view?
Please help. Multi million dollar idea going to waste.

Kanokane,
I tried to just give a detailed list of things to do, with no explanation.
Fundamentally, you use a single path (which may be a Compound Path) as the Clipping Path of the Clipping Mask, and you select both that and whatever you have beneath it that you wish to clip.
When you apply the Clipping Mask, everything covered by the Clipping Path remains visible, and everything else becomes invisible; and the Clipping Path also becomes invisible, losing its Stroke and/or Fill (Fill in this case).
So when your shield is a rather thin Compound Path formed by the outer and the inner path, only the parts between those become visible, instead of filling the space inside.
1) is meant to keep the visible black outline formed by the Compound Path on top of everything else, and to bring a copy of either the outer or the inner path down beneath it; this is to serve as the Clipping Path; Alt/OptionClicking is to select the whole path, not just an Anchor Point or a segment.
2) is meant to bring the pattern down beneath the Clipping Path.
3) is meant to preserve the visible black outline formed by the Compound Path (by locking it) and to select the Clipping Path and the pattern (when the Compound Path is locked, you can just ClickDrag over everything and avoid selecting it), then apply the Clipping Mask.
4) is meant to have everything as a Group (consisting of the Compound Path and the Clipping Mask).
Whether you use the inner or outer path as the Clipping Path matters little; in the former case only the space inside the black rim is visible, in the latter case, the outermost part of it is hidden be the rim.

Clipping mask issue

I have a series of circles that I wish to clip with a shape on the layer above. All of the circles and joined lines are all joined paths, and can be clipped using a simple square shape. But when the shape becomes more complex they won't clip, and the layers dissappear. When checked the complex shape is also a good joined path and filled shape. See images below: A Square works, but not the next shape. The next shape produces no clipping and basically deletes the contents of both layers. Why?

The second is a compound path… much more complex. Have you tried a transparency mask? I don't know if you run into similar problems.
Another question: Could the circle pattern be designed as an effect, instead of actuall lines? I wonder if this would simplify the file and allow the compound mask to work?
Perhaps you are doing this already, but if you assign a "Transform" effect to one circle, you can create the pattern you have. Then it can be changed easily.

Issue with Clipping Mask when scrubbing timeline

Has anyone encountered an issue with editing a clipping mask or repositioning it on the timeline only to see that nothing moves on the timeline when scrubbing the playhead?
This has occurred multiple times on different Edge Animate projects.
So far this has happened on SVGs, pngs, basic shapes, etc.
I posted a video in my adobe cc folder to view as a reference.
I'm using OS X 10.10.3 and Edge Animate 2014.1.1

I right click on the clip in Timeline, choose Effects Mask > Apply
The rectangular mask appears on the screen, I drag one corner in to make it smaller - what the exact dimensions are I know not. The logo I need covered happens to be almost at the exact center of the screen.
I choose the EDIT Tab > Brightness/Contrast > Set the levels so the mask is perfectly white (thus, covering up the logo) > Apply > Done
The preview works. When I output as AVI, MOV, MPG, MP4, etc., the mask that I placed over the logo has now moved either above where I originally placed it or above and to the left.
I have no idea how to answer the second part of your question.

Does a Clipping Mask effect just one layer?

Hello everyone ... Level: Newbie OS: Win7 64bit Ia: Cs6
Once I use a Clipping Mask on a layer is the entire document covered in a mask?
And/or is all the artwork from then on inside the mask?
I've read about how to add and how to remove art from a mask. I've read about how to make and release and lots of other things.
So, then I went and found a lesson that contained the use of a Clipping Mask.
But I'm stuck... again.
I am suppose to Select the main shape and "just" copy it and move it down (doesn't say rather to Paste in front or back but I assumed in back ~ not that it has mattered thus far)
However, while making the main shape I used Gradient Mesh and used an Offset to create a "replica" and so when I go to Select the main shape the mesh is selected and so when I Paste (in back ~ seems most logical) and then move it down the details such as the colors of the Gradient and other such things are visible in front ~ ??
So, I have been trying to abate my problem in lots of different ways.
I have tried using the Pen tool to draw behind the main shape, I've tried making a New Layer and placing it above and below and inbetween the main shape layer, I've tried adding the artwork to the Mask ... I've tried everything I can think of and I've been through many an article in the manual and FAQ's to no avail.
I suppose, what I think I need to know ... is, how ... how on earth do I draw behind this main shape? Am I not able to do it becuase I am not getting behind the Mask?
(Let me apologise to those that HATE it when Newbies follow lessons/tuts and who HATE it when we come here to ask for help. I'm doing my best to learn and to find answers on my own before heading here for help)
Please lmk if you would be better able to help me with pictures of my layers and the art. Thanx so much for your time!!

Thanks as well for your patience with me! It can be difficult to communicate this way, but all we can do is try our best.
As for the issue regarding the author's "main shape"...
Here I have an object with a gradient mesh:
If you follow the directions in step 3 of the tutorial, the author creates a duplicate by going to Object > Path > Offset Path.
And then inputs "0" for the offset value.
I shifted my original gradient-meshed object down a little bit, and there you can see is the simple shape that you were seeing in the author's image. Then they just filled it with that gold gradient and scaled it down.
And as for clipping masks...
As I mentioned before, a clipping mask will only affect the objects and groups you had selected when you created it. For exhaustive information about clipping masks, see this link: http://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/clipping-masks.html
I hope this was helpful! Good luck!

Photoshop elements 6 help with making a clipping mask

I have a button template (for a pinback) I put into elements. What I would like to do is make a country flag button. Right now the flag image is sitting ontop of the template. I would like to make a clipping mask (I think that's what's it's called) so that the image covers the entire part of the button that will be seen when it is printed. Here is a link to a button. This is what I am trying to do, but am not having any luck. I would a appreciate a step by step guide. I am using photoshop elements 6 on a mac OSX (ver. 10.5.8
any help would be great
http://www.petergreenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/canadian_flag.jpg

This is user to user tech support for folks having issues with Intel-based iMacs. This is not any kind of Adobe product support. If you need help with an Adobe product I suggest that you look for that help at the Adobe website.
Dah•veed

I can't get clipping mask to work

I'm adding stars to the sky. I did this by making a custom brush and painting on a blank layer above my image layer. To make it look more realistic I want to add a bit of color. So I add a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer and colorize to get the desired hue. This is where I run into trouble. I only want the adjustment layer to affect the stars I painted on and not the rest of the image so I apply a clipping mask to the Hue/Saturation layer (which is directly above my stars layer.) When I do this the color disappears completely and does not affect any part of the image. Any ideas why this isn't working? I also had the same problem when I applied a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer. I have Photoshop CC (same issue is present in both the 2014 and previous versions) for Mac.

This is my desired end effect. I worked around it by creating a layer mask from the stars layer but the clipping mask not working is still an issue.
I created new Hue/Saturation layers and put them above the stars layer. The adjustment layer changes the color of the entire image including the stars.
Once I clip the layers none of the image is affected, not even the stars, when it should be affecting only the stars.

ArcGIS 10.0 to Illustrator (CS5).... Edit, Save, Reopen, Clipping masks are all gone....

I am working from ArcGIS 10.0 to Illustrator CS5.
I make my map in ArcGIS. The layers are in four groups (VECTORS: top, middle, bottom + RASTER). I export the map from layout view to an .ai file. I open the .ai file in illustrator. Edit a couple things. Save the document. Seems simple enough... when I open it it should look just like it did when I just saved it two seconds ago, right?
Nope.
After saving, closing, and reopening all my clipping masks are gone. They have disappeared/ automatically released. I have tried this same process on my personal computer (this issue is happening on a work computer) and I am not having an issue (GIS layers are in groups, I export, open, edit, save, close, reopen... still all clipped and the way I want it). I'm not sure if it is the settings on the work computer that are causing the clipping masks to automatically release on their own or what. When I look through the layers in my .ai file (post save, reopened file) the former clipping masks are now just 'paths.' but if I reclip them they mess up my layers and it seems like a tedious and unnecessary process (especially if the whole thing is working out correctly on my personal computer).
Does anyone have any idea why illustrator is automatically releasing my clipping masks upon saving?
Is it a GIS issue? Or an Illustrator issue? Are my settings wrong? Help!

The first thing you must do when opening an Arc AI file is to do a Save As and overwrite the original file with a new copy of the file in whatever the version of AI you have. If you just do a Save of the Arc file, it will revert to an AI3 file. Everything will be placed on a single layer.

Clip masked image moves after save- little help please?

Hi, All. I've been working at a printing company for the last 3 years and have seen the issue I'm about to describe only a handful of times. I'd like to understand it more and know if there is a fix that can be utilized before saving the file for production.
So, here's my dilemma.... I've saved Illustrator EPS files that have multiple images that are placed and embedded into the document. All of the images are "cropped" using clipping masks. They have been every common type of image extension (jpg, tif, eps). The issue that I'm seeing is that one or two of the images "jump" from their original placement but we've only caught it during the rip or even after it has been printed (which makes for wasted material). The jump isn't by centimeters either. They always end up off the artboard entirely so the clipping mask shape is the only thing left in place.
So, what's the deal? I've seen this happen in CS3 and CS4. Does anyone have a solution or an inkling of any possible reasoning behind this? I'd appreciate any and all feedback!
Thanks!

The majority of the files we receive are from outside sources. We have in-house preflighting as a courtesy to our clients before we print since our displays range from the very small to the very large. I haven't seen it happen with PSD files but we're too big to convert all the images we receive to PSD files. Who knows if that would even be a fix.
I'm re-enacting the issue for you so you have a visual.
This image is during preflight/before the file has been saved:
This is where the image ends up after saving, closing and reopening:

Edited mesh object--now can't redo clipping mask!!!

I edited the color properties of a mesh object that had a shaped clipping mask. Now I'd like to reapply the mask, but Illustrator, in its uniquely enigmatic fashion, will not allow that option in the layers palette. Any ideas on what could possibly be at issue?

Spoke too soon; had to click on the layer, not mesh... Illustrator is still an enigma, though...

Should I use a clipping mask for this? Am I approaching this the wrong way?

Greetings and Salutations!
I am currently creating some cycling jerseys for my friends and I. Im fairly new to Illustrator, so I created my "Proof" in Photoshop.
This is what it is suppose to look like.
Now that the proof got a thumbs up, i need to vectorize this and get it ready for print.
Though I've run into a small issue. Im not sure exactly how I should proceed in correcting this.
I lay the outline of the Lion down
I then created a "fill" layer with an opacity of 50%
Together they form the feline version of Voltron
Now I need to insert the yellow Lion. Thus I duplicate both layers and change the light blue to a yellow, and this happens due to the opacity of the "fill" layer
You can see the yellow lion in behind the blue lion! Expected since i have the fill layer at 50%!
I dont know how to correct this. I was thinking of making a clipping mask for Lion #2
But wasnt sure if thats what i needed to do. Can anyone give me advice?
I feel like I am toying with unknown technology and ive accidentally created a monster! Halp before it gains consciousness!

add a white shape behind black design.

Clipping mask, object too complex, can't use bitmap either

Hi all,
I'm in Illustrator CS4 trying to make a page that has content that I want to embed within a rounded rectangle. Sounds easy enough.
I've been successful sticking some content into a rounded rectangle, until now. Now I have a page that apparently is "too complex". It has lots of transparencies and gradients and such. Once I try to do the clipping mask thing I am told it's very complex and may not print or work right. I go ahead anyway and it just looks blank/invisible.
Then I thought artboards might be a way to do this, but I couldn't see how you could make an artboard that is a shape other than a rectangle (I'd like a rounded rectangle).
So then I thought if export the image to a bitmap and then repaste it in, maybe I could embed the bitmap into the rounded rectangle. Pain in the butt, but I'm looking for any solution. But that doesn't even work because it says the top selected object must be "a path, a compound shape, a text object, or a group of those". So a bitmap can't be used
Has anyone had more luck with this? In CorelDraw I've always just placed objects, no matter how complex, into a "container" without any issues. Certainly there's a way to do the same here. This drawing isn't *that* complex.
Thanks in advance for your advice!

Check your flattener settings in the prefs, specific flattening options of your object groups and also the raster effects resolution for your document. Reduccing their dpi should make working possible.
Mylenium

Clipping Mask issues

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