Using "transform-effect copies" as a clipping mask

1. I have a box shape, with a transform effect applied on it that copies the box 5 times horizontally.
2. I want to use these 6 boxes as a clipping mask.
3. How do I:
a) Directly use this object as a clipping mask? Doesn't look like it's possible. When I try it only uses the original single box as the mask. The other 5 boxes disappear.
b) "Break" the box shape object into 6 separate boxes so that they're no longer "phantom copies" but individual objects that I can then group to form a real clipping mask.

Thank you, that worked (at least for B).
Since Expand Appearance permanently breaks the object, does that mean that A isn't possible? (where I can keep the original object intact as 1 box with 5 copies and still act as a clipping mask)

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How do I crop an image with a Clipping Mask using a circle instead of a rectangle?

I watched Adobe TV Illustrator's tutorial about cropping images with a clipping mask. In the video, the presenter uses the rectangle tool with the clipping mask, and makes a reference that the circle or vector shape could be used, but I cannot figure out how to get the circle.
http://tv.adobe.com/watch/learn-illustrator-cs6/cropping-images-with-clipping-masks/
I'm new to Illustrator and need step by step instructions!
Thanks!

Christine,
As Larry said, and as I said in the first post:
For a Clipping Mask, you just create a path, in this case a circle, and place it on top of the image, then select both and Object>Clipping Mask>Make.
You can see the shortcut when you use the dropdown; it is Ctrl+7 for Windows.
At least in the old days, you could also use Alt/Option+O+M+M (easy to remember, Object>Mask>Make).
It is easy to skip/overlook the exact steps.

FYI regarding Transform Effect dialog box

Just noticed that Illustrator (CS4) has 2 variations of the Transform Effect dialog box. The difference appears to be the number of copies one is allowed to generate.
1. Object > Transform > Transform Each > Transform Effect (Copy)
2. Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform > Transform Effect (Copies)
Eddie

Not clear what's being said here. On the Mac, the Object>Transform Each is not an effect at all. There's nothing live about it. Furthermore, it has the power to transform multiple, selected objects around their own axes. The transform effect has no such capability.
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Help with Illustrator Clipping Mask!

Hi,
I am trying to make a clipping mask over a alot of vectors (to be specific, have made an envelope design so am trying to use the template/evenlope outline as the clipping path) however when ever I try to create the clipping mask - command 7 - all the vectors inside are deleted mostly or half dissapear.
I have tried;
Making sure the clipping path is the top layer in the layers panel
Ungrouping the vectors and selecting individually to mask all together
Putting all into a new document and clipping
Seperating the clipping path and what I want to clip into differnt layers
None of the above has worked as yet, I have done this plenty of times before but am not sure what I am over looking. I am using CS5 on a mac.
Thanks for anyones help!
here is what I am trying to do; I need all of the vecotrs to be masked by the envelope outline.

I you are using a template in AI CS 4 or 5 then it is possible thgat the template is an artboard which you cannot use as a clipping mask.
You would have to draw a rectaangle to the size of the enevelope template and use that rectangle path as a clipping mask.
Ok! Besides from that possibility if yiou are printing an envelope withy objects that have to be clipped to the edge of the front of the enevelope that is not a very good idea.
Even if you are printing and then converting the envelope it is a bad idea as you8 would definitely need a bleed and that would wrap around to the back of the envelope and in a nott so pretty way.
OK so say you are using an inkjet that can print on an envelope and it can even successfu8lly print it with a bleed feature the way thoise bleed features have to work is that they enlarge the art slightly and so whyat every you design and create will be enlarge and trying to figure that out is not going to be very easy.

How to Create a Clipping Mask with LIVE TEXT?

Please, please, pease...there's has to be a way to do this.
I'm currently working on a project in which I have a background that has a large text layer above it. What I want to do is create a sort of "dynamic" clipping mask that essentially subtracts the shape of the text from the background yet remains editable as text in case I need to change the word or font.
However every way I've tried so far as been met with the backgrouns instead being constrained inside of the shape of the text...which is NOT what I want.
How can I do this while still having the text able to be edited?

An Opacity mask will work, but it will also move artwork from various layers to one layer.
You can get the same effect with a Layer Clipping mask and keep objects on their layers.
In this example only one layer is clipped, but you can drag as may as you want below the clipping layer.

Disabling "auto" clipping masks in layers

Currently on my home mac - if I 'create a new fill or adjusment layer' it automatically selects 'use previous layer to create a clipping mask'
The only way I can stop this is by alt clicking on 'create a new fill or adjusment layer' which brings up the 'New Layer' dialogue box' and unticking the 'use previous layer to create a clipping mask' box. I have to do this everytime which is very annoying
I seem to have set this as the default. How can I set it back to it's normal default of not using the previous layer as a clipping mask (as it used to be and as my work version does as standard)
Thanks

»Clip to Layer« in the Adjustments Panel’s fly-out-menu?
And please read
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/375816?tstart=0

Is there a fix for the slow processing yet? Clipping mask slows down Illustrator CS4 to the point it can't be used

I've seen a few older posts regarding CS4's bug with applying a clipping mask to any image that is somewhat complex, but have yet to find an answer.
The problem is, any time a clipping mask is applied to a semi-complex shape, Illustrator CS4 slows almost to a halt. We're talking 10 minutes of the beach ball to apply the mask and then another few minutes to do anything else with the document. This is unacceptable. My system is loaded (Dual 1.8 GHz G5, 1.25 GB of memory). The exact same files process fine in CS3. Many of our other designers are running iMacs and cannot work on the files at all using CS4. There has to be an answer to this problem.
Prefs have been deleted, Document Raster Effects has been lowered. Any other suggestions?
Your help is greatly appreciated.

My system is loaded (Dual 1.8 GHz G5, 1.25 GB of memory).
Uhm.. that's "loaded"? That's like the slowest G5 made with almost the minimum amount of RAM.
But.. I agree with you. Clipping masks seems to drastically slow CS4 down. Even if an object isn't really complex, but included many objects. I'm running a much faster system than you are and I have to wait around 3 to 10 seconds after any operation for some files. It's annoying. So far, I've not found any solution other than to expand and clip the masks.

Help Recreating Drop Shadow Effect from Clipping Mask

A few months ago I created the image attached. Today for the life of me I cannot create a similar effect, where the drop shadow of the text comes from the clipping mask. Everytime I try to follow the same steps and layer styles I keep getting a normal black drop shadow not a drop shadow that comes from the clipping mask like in my example. Help please I am driving myself crazy!!!

Thanks JJMack and PCTGraphic !
PCTGraphic converting the text layer to a smart object is what I seemed to be missing (and what I believe I did in the attached picture as well). Thanks for the reminder!
JJMack I really appreciate your answer as well (there's always more than way of doing things), but I know I didn't use a vector mask originally. Unfortunately, I do not know how to add text to a vector mask. I would like to learn how to do it your way, I will work on that (the screen shot will help, thank you)!

Using the effect/distort&transform/transform... menu

Mac 10.7.4//Illustrator CS5.1 (15.1.0)
1) I had group consisting of several objects
2) I used the subject effect to create two copies spaced horizontally apart
3) Now I need one more copy of the original further yet horizonally, selecting the original group and using the subject menu, or option dragging I get three copies, I just need one.
4) If I option drag to make a new copy (and two extras) and then in the appreaance dialog I edit the the transform fx to 0 copies, I end up with one copy appearing where the first copy was, but selecting shows all the selection blue outlines where the copied original should be (i.e. where I want this 3rd copy to be)   So I have ann object with blue selection anchor points but the object shows up far away horizontally.
I sure hope I have described this well enough for people to comment or help.
screen shot below
Selecting the isolated image on the right and the blue anchors show up to the left, The place where the blue anchors are are the place I dragged the original group to. The isolated image to the right is where the first copy from the subject command. Editing the blue achor points does cause the 'image' to the right to change.   I've tried quiting Illustrator and reoppening the file

I AM duplicating an object that already has the effect/distort&tranform/transform effect applied.   Problem is I want want the first two copies spaced 1" apart, then the third copy like 4" away from the original.
I can duplicate this on a new file, just using a square and circle grouped together.   Use effect/distort&tranform/transform effect to make two copies. Then option drag the original some where. In the appearnce window edit the transform effect to change to 0 copies. In this second group, is there anyway to eliminate the transform effect? (deleting removes the whole object)
(I did find you can click the eyeball and not see the effect, i.e. the copies).
In my simple file I could use the white arrow and click on the copies and delete them, but not in my work in progress.
So is there a way to remove an effect after its been applied?

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

Filling text/using a clipping mask, then using the knife tool

Hey, new to the forums here, and I have a problem....
I'm digitizing my notes for an earth science class and I'm using Illustrator CS5.
I'm attempting to make a simple text effect which is leaving me baffled.
The text says "Earthquakes" (in Impact, 24pt.)
I wish to texture the text with a photo of sandstone. I can do this.
I wish to cleave the text in twain with the knife tool. I can do this, too.
What I cannot do for the life of me is to cut the text in half after applying the clipping mask.
Nor can I apply the texture (via clipping mask) after cutting the text in half.
I've tried all manner of different combinations, including doing some of the work in Photoshop, and still nothing works.
I tried to create an outline (apparently essential for using the knife tool on text), cut the text in half, and then make the clipping mask, but that only gives me hollow, invisible letters which I can't seem to fill with the appropriate image.
Does anyone out there have any ideas?
In case it's not clear, I want my text to be filled by an image, then I'd like to cut the text approximately in half (I would prefer to use the knife tool, as it looks better with a curved cut)
It's that simple, but I haven't been able to stumble upon a solution on my own.
On a side note, I've also happened upon some tutorials for "cutting text" that involves drawing a line across it, then using Divide from the Pathfinder toolbox, but this keeps giving me errors. Thoughts?

I like your answer because it showcases things I had never thought of. As it happens, minutes after posting this I decided to reverse the workflow from Illustrator into PS and then back.
Essentially, I converted my text via "outlines", used the knife tool, then cut and pasted it into PS. Then I added the stone texture into a new layer and applied a mask. I cropped it and imported it back into Illustrator.
Of course, that's a lot of steps, so as soon as I get back, I'm going to try the way you just described as I think it will come in very handy in the future.
Thank you.
Message was edited by: MercuryCrest

CS4 Clipping Mask vignette effect

Not being able to use AI CS4 enough as I ran into a problem. I had to recreate a logo and add a clipping mask in AI. I know how to do this in Photoshop but I must keep the file in vector format. I finally found a good tutorial on this and was able to create the mask in AI which is now a circle but I need to give the circle a vignette effect. I'm going to try messing with the filters to acheive this but would like to know the correct way to do.
Anyone?
RD

In the gradient panel, you see a radial gradient that would also work, set it to multiply for best results.
if you have created a clipping mask around your image, you should be looking at some variation of this:
Put your vignette in that same group either by isolation mode or by selecting it and dragging it's little dot (shown blue in my screenshot) into that group. You want it above the image.

Clipping Mask: "Group" Transform Controls

I'm using a clipping mask to size a pictures in a collage, and after I have positioned my photo in the mask (both the photo and the mask are in a "group"), I would like to resize the "group", but the transform controls (and associated information in the "Info" tab) default to the underlying picture, not the mask.
Is there a way to make the group controls default to the mask, not the photo? (Note: If I select the mask within the group, I can then move and resize, but it only moves and resizes the mask, not the combined mask/photo.)
Thanks in advance!
Brian

Maybe i'm not reading your question right, but anyway if your clipped
layers are the only ones in the group, then make the group active in the
layers panel and press Ctrl+T to transform the whole group.
(the shape 1 layer is the mask layer in this example)
If you have more than just the clipped layers in the group, select only the clipped
layers and then Ctrl+T (Edit>Free Transform).
If your using the move tool to select the layers, then options you have set
in the tool options bar have to do with how layers or groups are selected
when clicking in the document area.
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/photoshop/cs/using/WSfd1234e1c4b69f30ea53e41001031ab64-78d1a.h tml
MTSTUNER

Do clipping masks spoil transform commands?

Please tell me there's a better way of doing this:
I began with a picture and a box on the page. The box was centred. I then positioned the picture over the box so that the right hand side of picture covered the box. I then used the clipping mask command to paste the picture into the box. Then I rotated the box 180° using the 'Transform Each' Panel. Result: the upside down box box was no longer centred - but pushed over to the left.
Clearly its because the Transform command aligns to the picture in the clipping mask as well as the box. Align commands seem to work the same way.
Is there a way to tell these commands to ignore elements hidden behind the clipping mask?
Cheers
Nick

Regardless which version of Illustrator you are using, this is better done by using the Rotate tool setting the appropriate centre of rotation.
Turning on smart guides does help you to find the exact position of that centre.

P.S.Elements. How do i use the clipping mask for painting? I can't quite apply it for anything.

I'm wondering if the clipping mask can be used for painting on layers. I can't get it to do anything. I'm rendering race car paint schemes. Elements doesn't have paths. I have Gimp but I want to stick with photoshop. Something about Gimp I just didn't feel it

Could you give an example of what you are trying to do ?
The concept of clipping mask is not intuitive at all. Besides 'normal' layer masks associated with their layer, the clipping mask is a 'normal' layer having transparency. It has a what was called a 'linked layer' in older version. The 'clipping mask' layer determines transparency of the linked layer (which is shown offset to the right in the layers panel) to show that the effect of the clipping mask is limited to the above linked layer(s). Instead of having one layer with a mask, you have a mask targetting the 'above' layer.
The difference is that the normal mask uses greyscale values to represent transparency while the clipping mask has real transparency.
So, the purpose being masking, I don't see how you could use it to paint ?

Using "transform-effect copies" as a clipping mask

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