Opacity Masks removed?

I am working with Adobe Illustrator CC - I created an opacity mask two weeks ago and went back to edit the file and the options panel for transparency isn't showing any of the options?
Anyone else come across this?
How to use Opacity masks | Adobe Illustrator CC tutorials

terrimac,
If the options are simply gone, you may try the list (skipping 5) if you get that far).
The following is a general list of things you may try when the issue is not in a specific file (you may have tried/done some of them already); 1) and 2) are the easy ones for temporary strangenesses, and 3) and 4) are specifically aimed at possibly corrupt preferences); 5) is a list in itself, and 6) is the last resort.
If possible/applicable, you should save curent artwork first, of course.
1) Close down Illy and open again;
2) Restart the computer (you may do that up to 3 times);
3) Close down Illy and press Ctrl+Alt+Shift/Cmd+Option+Shift during startup (easy but irreversible);
4) Move the folder (follow the link with that name) with Illy closed (more tedious but also more thorough and reversible);
5) Look through and try out the relevant among the Other options (follow the link with that name, Item 7) is a list of usual suspects among other applications that may disturb and confuse Illy, Item 15) applies to CC, CS6, and maybe CS5);
Even more seriously, you may:
6) Uninstall, run the Cleaner Tool (if you have CS3/CS4/CS5/CS6/CC), and reinstall.
http://www.adobe.com/support/contact/cscleanertool.html

Similar Messages

  • Opacity mask - never goes to completely 0%

    HI, I struggle with the opacity mask - it always leaves an edge. I can't make it go from truly invisible.
    Say I have a solid square.
    I add an opacity mask.
    I put in a white to black gradient.
    The edge doesn't fade out completely to nothing. It starts at maybe 5% even though I shift the black half way across.
    It does my head in - anyone know how to get round it?

    Try this:
    Place two photographs so that one covers the other. Pictures of brightly coloured food work well for this trick.
    Make an opacity mask over the upper one using a CMYK black-to-white linear gradient.
    Now it looks as if one photo is merging into the other one.
    Now alter the colours of the opacity mask, maybe for example removing the magenta component.
    See what happens to the merge between the 2 pictures.
    Do some more experimenting. Have fun .
    The thing here is that 100% of all 4 CMYK colours is considerably denser that just 100% K. This obviously means that it masks better.
    It's a bit like printing over a colour photo with 100% black. The photo will show through. But if you use a 4-colour black the photo will be completely hidden. Simple as that.

  • Problem Saving PDF with Opacity Masks in Illustrator CS3

    I'm having trouble exporting an Illlustrator CS3 file to PDF. I have two layers in the the .ai file that have opacity masks applied. When I save the file as a PDF, the two layers with opacity masks seem to disappear (or they are flattened down to white/100% transparency.) They do not show on screen nor when printing. I've tried opening the saved PDF in Illustrator to investigate, and the layers are still there, but with no opacity mask. Where am I going wrong? I've tried a new file with a simple shape and a simple opacity mask, and it exports fine to PDF. So something is wrong with my file set up, but I can't pinpoint what! I have also tried exporting to various versions of PDF, and nothing works. Help!
    Screen cap from Illustrator:
    Screen cap of PDF:
    Correct (Illustrator) with subtle starburst effect:
    Wrong (Acrobat PDf), no starburst!
    Thanks for looking!

    Not sure what's going on in your file, but it's definately having a problem with the Steaks layer. Trying to release the clipping mask and ungrouping all the layers is having a problem so it might have something to do with the way the streaks layer was built.
    Using your file I replaced the streaks layer and put a starburst that's clipped to the icon shape. I've attached two files. One is for Illustrator CC so you can retain the gradient fill on the stroke which is only available in newer versions of Illustrator. The other has the starburst I created expanded so that you can open the file and retain the startburst look.
    CC
    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/37256756/Go-IconCC.ai
    CS3
    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/37256756/Go-IconCS3.ai

  • Cropping Images with Opacity Masks | Learn Illustrator CS6 | Adobe TV

    In this video you will learn a versatile method for cropping images in Adobe Illustrator CS6 and CS5. Using opacity masks allows you to retain the area of the image you cropped out, modify the clipping path later, and use complex blending modes, transparencies, and knockout groups.
    http://adobe.ly/V8tTZD

    Firstly great tutorial.
    Anyway I initially started a thread in the forums which lead me here regarding the use of opacity masks, I'm having real problems finding a solution to my specific problem.
    I've got 2 issues I'm trying to solve, the first is how do I show just a portion an object above another even though it sits in a layer behind.
    The second is I have an object with a linear gradient applied and I want to add yet another gradient just to a certain part of that object in order to make it fade out in a certain way.
    I've spent hours pouring through the help topics but nothing seems to fit my exact problem, sorry for asking questions here but I'm really stumped and I think an opacity mask would do the trick, I'm just not sure how to execute it.
    Thanks heaps.
    http://forums.adobe.com/message/5125695#5125695

  • Opacity Masks in cs4 can't find layers with main objects on it.

    I created image with flag and did clipping mask with some text. Now when I do a opacity mask my other layers disappear and i can't seem to bring them back. I use the transparency to mask and clip. After that my layers with the first original items I can't find them or get back to them. Can someone tell how I can resolve this problem.
    Thank you!

    Once you start editing your opacity mask, you have to go back into normal editing mode by clicking on the object on the left side in the transparency panel.  Click on the right to edit the mask, click on the left to get back out of that to editing the rest of your document.  It's a bit confusing the way it's set up - there's no obvious indication that you're editing your mask and are isolated from the rest of your document...

  • How do I import an image with an opacity mask from AI into FW

    I have created a graphic in AI which contains several images with associated opacity masks. The mask use a radial gradient to achieve the desired effect. I am unable to import these images into FW with the mask effects intact even though the layers appear to be there. What am I doing wrong? I don't see away to do it in FW directly. If there's a work-around that would be appreciated too.

    Fireworks' masking is pretty good. If you have your object and your mask in FW, arrange the objects so that the mask is above the object, select both, then click on
    Modify > Mask > Group as Mask
    Where the mask is white, your object will be fully opaque. Where the mask is black or 100% transparent, your object will be fully transparent. Where the mask is grey or partially transparent, your object will be, as well, proportionally to the grey level/transparency level in the mask.
    Fireworks also has some built-in masks to fade objects radially or linearly. In CS3, these are under
    Commands > Creative > Fade Image
    but they got moved someplace else for CS4. I can't find the info on that in the help, though, sorry. Oh wait. It might be the Auto Vector Masks:
    http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Fireworks/10.0_Using/WS29D46793-C43E-4941-960E-F238FB1977C8.ht ml
    Mask info here:
    CS3: http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Fireworks/9.0/help.html?content=frw_layers_la_19.html
    CS4: http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Fireworks/10.0_Using/WS4c25cfbb1410b0021e63e3d1152b00d169-8000 .html

  • PDF and Illustrator CC opacity mask.  The opacity mask displays perfectly in the print preview, and in the pdf document when viewed on my computer, but when printed the gradient opacity mask doesn't work.  Any suggestions?  Have not had this problem in ot

    Never had this issues in previous versions.  This IS a black/white gradient opacity mask over a black and white photo, but still don't think that is the problem.

    You may try the forum LiveCycle Designer.

  • Resizing or moving an opacity mask along with the items inside it

    I'm trying to resize a opacity mask by doing
    transMaskItem.resize(
      10, //scaleX,
      10, //scaleY,
      true, //[,changePositions]
      true, //[,changeFillPatterns]
      true, //[,changeFillGradients]
      true, //[,changeStrokePattern]
      0.1, //[,changeLineWidths]
    This resizes the item, but it does not resize the item inside it. I tried similar command with the translation command
    transMaskItem.translate(
    100, //([deltaX]
    100. //[,deltaY]
    True, //[,transformObjects]
    True, //[,transformFillPatterns]
    True, //[,transformFillGradients]
    True, //[,transformStrokePatterns])
    and similar thing happened. The item gets moved, but the object inside it doesn't.
    How do I resize or translate an opacity mask along with the items inside it?

    I see...it seems to be a bug, the actual mask gets ignored. Probably to be consistent with the user interface, you can not select the mask with the mouse either.
    maybe someone else has found a way to work with Opacity Masks, I haven't.
    as a side note, there's no need to select the objects in order to size them or move them, you can just reference them. Also, there's no "Selected" object, change that to "selection".

  • Adding layers with opacity masks

    I wanna use a opacity mask for multiple layers and different designes, but everytime I make a mask with the transparency panel it locks my layers to one layer and does not let me add any new ones or go back to my other stroke designes on other layers, so I do a mask in new artbourds on a new tab for each designe to get the textures I want, how do I combine them for one big design?

    Before I make the mask
    and After

  • Opacity mask is also knocking out drop shadow. Grrr.

    Hi everyone,
    I'm having a problem with Illustrator CS6 that's really bugging me and there must be a simple fix that I'm missing.
    I have editable text with a linked opacity mask. The opacity mask contains strokes with an art brush applied to 'scratch' out parts of the text.
    See below for example:
    I don't want the opacity mask to knock out the drop shadow (much like how "Layer Knocks Out Drop Shadow" works in Photoshop), but just knock out the text only. See below for an example of what I want the end result to be:
    BUT, and here's the problem, I want the text to remain editable.
    I know one workaround is that I could convert the text to outlines, make it a compound path, expand the strokes on the opacity mask, make those a compound path too, and then Subtract/Minus Front the scratches from the text object and then reapply the drop shadow, BUT, this renders the text uneditable.
    I've tried playing with the options in the Transparency panel, ie: Opacity & Mask Define Knockout Shape but nothing has worked.
    What am I missing??
    Thanks so much in advance for your help!!
    Cheryl

    Hi Jacob,
    Thanks so much for the detailed instructions. I get through step 4 no problems but I run into problems with the way I try to select the items for step 5.
    Let's say I have completed step 4 and am ready to begin step 5. When I am in my Layers panel, I select the scratches that are now masked by the non-drop shadowed text:
    I then click into the the Opacity Mask editing mode [per your instructions "5) Select the Opacity Mask from 4)"] and now the mask is selected:
    The problem begins when I have to effectively shift-select the mask and the live text from 1 (the original text with the drop shadow).
    To begin, I still have the opacity mask selected (as shown above) and then when I click the left object preview box (as circled below)
    to get back into the full Layers panel (to select the live text), now the mask becomes DEselected and the object becomes selected. How do I keep a mask selected and yet go back to in the Layers panel to select other items from there?
    Thanks!
    Cheryl

  • Problems saving/exporting with Opacity Mask in Illustrator CS6

    Hi, I'm very new to illustrator and self taught. I'm having issues exporting a file with opacity masks to PDF. I have a file with three layers, each with a opacity mask. When I save the file as a PDF, the opacity masks seem to disappear (or they are flattened). I've tried creating a new document and creating it again with no luck. Where am I going wrong? I just want it to look like it does in Illustrator when its exported! Heres the file: Dropbox - BB Logo.ai
    Ideally I'd like to export it to a JPEG or PNG whilst maintaining the opacity masks to give the logo texture. Any suggestions?
    I appreciate any help! Thanks
    Its a little hard to see but heres an Illustrator screenshot:
    PDF screenshot:
    Thanks for looking!!

    You'll need to outline the text and provide the mask image.
    Apart from that: looks to me like a problem with resolution. There's a structure in your exported file, but it's smoothed.
    Without knowing what exactly you did step by step it's difficult to solve this problem.

  • How can we transform opacity mask of an art?

    Hello All,
    I have created one triangle and created one opacity mask for that traingle. Look into the opacityMask.jpg file
    Now I have used AITransfromSuite::Transfrom( ) function to transfrom the traingle art. Traingle is transformed to a new location but the opacity mask is not transfromed? Look into the transfromedTriangle.jpg file.
    So, could you please tell me how can we transfrom opacity mask so that both inputTriangle and transformedTriangle are same??

    Hi,
    I'm not sure having totally understood your request.
    Do you want to apply a translation matrix to an art or to its opacity mask?
    Do you want to make a copy of an existing art and translate this copy?
    Anyway, even if you make a copy of an existing art and translate it, the copy should have the same aspect!
    Then, you have the stuff to complete your task:
    reply for a question you posted days ago:
    http://forums.adobe.com/message/2410622#2410622
    should be ok.
    Best regards,
    Thomas.

  • Appearances and opacity masks

    this is a little something I've been trying to work out. under each fill or stroke in the appearance panel you've got your opacity options that appear to be exactly the same as you'd get for an individual object, like so:
    this includes being able to (ostensibly) make an opacity mask. but what exactly does this do? i thought it might make that appearance act as a mask for the ones below it, but that doesn't seem to be the case. checking it seems to act as if i'd just checked it for the whole object, with nothing else selected. it appears to be a mirror of the option for the object itself. but you can alter other opacity options for individual appearances, so why not this? if i wanted one appearance to act as an opacity mask for the rest, is this even possible?

    yeah I know how they work normally. what i'm asking is why it appears as if you can check it for individual appearances when you can't.

  • Gradient opacity mask logo-import into InDesign?

    Hi all,
    I have a quick question—I am using CS4 (illustrator & InDesign) on a Mac OSX platform.
    QUESTION: I have a one-colour logotype (just text) that fades into transparency (a gradient opacity mask applied to the type in Illustrator). I would like to verify how I should properly prepare and import this logo into InDesign—to be sure I do not lose the actual transparency effect on various pages when applied in my InDesign book.
    Thanks kindly,
    Chemol 

    The idea that eps is not transparent never actually coinsided with my experience, I admit I do not have lot of experience using eps  but whenever I have for the most part I used the eps art with transparent background like this file the signature and the cyan arectangle and the image of the ESB are composed in Illustrator and save as one eps file placed in ID.
    As you can clearly see it has a transparent back ground.
    I have save eps logos and palce it in QuarkXpress as well with the same result?
    If you save the eps with a white background then it willhave a white background.
    Here see for yourself.
    I meant as an opaque preview then you would have a white background.

  • Advanced opacity mask issue in illustrator?

    Occasionally I find that when I option click on my opacity mask in illustrator, although it enters the opacity mask editing mode and I can highlight the paths etc, I cannot see a preview of the opacity mask or view in key line mode. I am still stuck seeing my artwork.This is very frustrating and have to edit the opacity mask almost blind, using just the preview of the layers in the opacity mask sub layers. It does this in CS5 through to CC and I cannot find a solution. It's driving me crazy.
    Is there an solution? And low behold I thought I would take a screen grab to show the problem and now its working after working blind for a good hour!
    If anyone else has experienced this problem it would be good to know. If it does it again I'll take a screen grab.
    Message was edited by: MINI_MO

    I use this feature and have never had the issue you describe. I HAVE been known to accidentally hold down the wrong key when clicking the Mask Thumbnail. Not sure what a screen grab would show, since there is no way of validating which key is being held.

Maybe you are looking for

  • Report Builder - Trying to find data in a second Dataset based off of two items in the current dataset

    The situation: I have two datasets for collecting meter reads. One is for the last Raw read, the other is for the last Billed read. Each table has the reads for machines based on the serial number and meter type. For example: Raw -  SN: ABC123456 Rea

  • Crossgrade to FCP Universal

    Getting an Intel Mac Pro, so we need the Final Cut Studio crossgrade - we have to return the original FCP install disks; will the replacement universal FCP install ok on a Dual 2.7GHz PowerPC G5, our current Mac, if we ever need to reinstall?

  • Mass printing of archivelinks

    What is it possible to mass print acrhivelinks ? Do you a MF (standard) ? Best regards and thanks in advance !

  • How to use BundleTransformer in Console Application?

    Hi, I have a scss file (style.scss) and I want to transformer it to CSS using BundleTransformer. How to do it in a Console Application? I'm looking for example code or something like that :)

  • Problem seeing the flv player control

    Hope someone can help me on this. 1. encoded a video with Flash 8 2. selected SteelExternalPlaySeekMute as skin for player 3. resized the canvas to be about 10% larger than the actual video+player 4. centered the video+player 5. generated the swf, pl