How To Convert Clipping Paths In Illustrator

A clipping path is a powerful tool that lets you isolate any object or shape from its background. This tool is specifically a Photoshop tool that makes a designer’s work easier in numerous ways. If you use Adobe Illustrator, this tool can help. How do you convert clipping paths? Is it possible? Yes, you can make a clipping path object or shape in Illustrator, and it’s relatively straightforward. The main idea of a clipping path is to separate a selected portion of a picture so it can be used as an independent object or shape. However, in Illustrator, there is no single specific tool for this, so you will need to combine a few tools. We’ve prepared a step-by-step guide so you can do it easily. To start, let’s dive right in.

Necessary Tools for Clipping Path in Illustrator

So, let’s be clear about what a clipping path in illustrator; and what tools you’ll need for it. The basics and goals are the same for both Photoshop and Illustrator; it’s just the way this action is done is different.

You’ll need to use the pen and clipping mask tools to isolate the portion you want from a picture or object. Here, the pen tool’s job is to help you affirm the desired shape to create a clipping path.

However, the pen tool’s performance depends on your precision, so the better you are with it, the more precise your shape will be. You can also use any pre-customized body, like a block of text, a rectangle, or a circle.

Understanding the Clipping Mask Tool in Illustrator

The object clipping mask, or simply clipping mask in Illustrator, is a tool that masks any object below a defined shape. Only the contents within the shape will remain visible. Using a clipping mask always produces vector objects, not photos. But you can use the tool on an image or vector art.

Also, you can’t create multiple clipping paths on one picture. The paths must be joined to form a compound path in such a case.

How to Convert Clipping Path in Illustrator – Step by Step

Let’s look at how you can form a single path or shape on a picture or vector image and convert it into a clipping path in Illustrator. You can convert using the clipping mask tool.

We will discuss compound paths in a later section.

Set the Background

First, launch Illustrator and create a new project with your desired settings. Then you’ll need to import the image you want to work on into the running project file.

Make sure you embed the picture. This makes a permanent copy of the picture file inside the project. If you want to clip a part of a vector image, you can open the file directly with Illustrator.

Create the Shape

Once you’re done setting the background layer, it’s time to define the clipping shape. The pen tool will be your go-to for creating shapes, as it lets you precisely achieve your desired outcome.

As we mentioned before, if you want to use a simple shape like a polygon, rectangle, or circle, just create one using the corresponding shape tool. You can also use a block of text as your desired shape.

Convert It Into a Clipping Path

After you have your background and desired path ready, it’s time to mask the rest of the background. Place the shape at your desired position. Make sure you’ve selected both the path/shape and the background using the selection tool before moving to the next step.

Now, locate the ‘Object’ menu in the toolbar and go to Clipping Mask > Make. That’s it; your clipping path vector object is ready.

Alternative Ways of Masking Objects

There are three more ways to access the clipping mask option:

Keyboard Shortcut

Press Command+7 while the background image and the clipping shape are selected. This will do the job.

Right Click

Select the to-be clipping path and the background, and right-click on the path. Choose clipping mask from the drop-down menu, and you’re good to go.

Layer Panel

In the newer versions of Illustrator, you’ll always find a layer panel on the right side of your screen. This panel is a collection of the most essential and frequently used options you’ll come across while working in Illustrator.

After selecting the path and background, the ‘Make Clipping Mask’ option should appear. Click it, and you’re done!

Compound Path

Sometimes you might need to create multiple clipping paths on one background. For this, you’ll need to select all the individual paths and turn them into a compound path. After selection, go to Object > Compound Path > Make, and your compound path will be ready.

Creating a compound path makes all individual paths act as a clipping group. Once the path is set, use the clipping mask command as in the prior section.

Conclusion

Congratulations on learning how to convert clipping paths in Illustrator! This is an exceptionally effective tool both in Photoshop and Illustrator. While Photoshop has a direct tool for it, Illustrator just combines several tools to achieve the same result. Also, remember that masking doesn’t remove part of the image; it just keeps it hidden. This tool is great for creating custom shapes, cropping specific portions of images, creating multi-layer images, and many other design activities.