# How to use masks in adobe illustrator ?

I have seen there in a way to use masks in Illustrator, such as in Photoshop, but I've never found how.

##### Post Metadata
- Posted at: over 5 years ago
- Net upvotes: 1


## Comments
### Comment 1

Hi. 
Making a mask in Adobe Illustrator is quick and easy.
You can use this option on images, text and vector elements.
Follow these steps:
1- Pick an image and place it on your artboard.
2- Draw the figure or place a geometric shape * above the image. * This figure is the mask.
3- Select both: Mask and Image.
4- Go to Object> Clipping Mask> Make 
5- Ready :-)

##### Comment Metadata
- Posted at: over 5 years ago
- Author title: Art Director and Creative in 305 Creativity Group Llc
- Net upvotes: 1


### Comment 2

You choose the image or whatever you’d like to make a mask out of, and then place a shape over it. For example if you’d like to use a picture and want to make a circle shaped mask out of it, you draw and place a circle over the picture. It’s important that the circle’s layer is overlapping the picture’s layer. Then with both selected at the same time, you click “Object” from the menu, click “clipping mask”, and then “make”. 

##### Comment Metadata
- Posted at: over 5 years ago
- Net upvotes: 1

#### Reply 1

Agreed. I've found it's also important to make sure what you want to be a mask be on the top part of the mask before you make the mask.

##### Reply Metadata
- Posted at: over 5 years ago
- Author title: Principal Owner at Visibly Media LLC | Public Relations Manager at District 3, Toastmasters International


### Comment 3

Hello -

Here is the tutorial from Adobe on how to create a clipping mask in Illustrator.

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/how-to/illustrator-creating-basic-clipping-mask.html

-Melanie

##### Comment Metadata
- Posted at: over 5 years ago
- Author title: Marketing and Publishing
- Net upvotes: 1


### Comment 4

The equivalent of Photoshop's Pixel Layer Masks are called OPACITY MASKS in Illustrator. In Photoshop,  the layer mask affects an entire layer. Whereas, in Illustrator, Opacity Masks work with one or more objects. You can access Illustrator Opacity Masks  in the TRANSPARENCY PALLETTE> Press MAKE MASK button. (first must select 2 objects). To edit, you will click on the 2 thumbnails created in the transparency pallette. 
The SECOND MASK available in Illustrator is the Clipping Mask. This is what you'd use to, say, fill a vector object with a photographic image. To activate, simply select 2 objects, placing the shape object on TOP. Got to OBJECT>MAKE CLIPPING MASK. That's it! You can release the mask by revisiting OBJECT>RELEASE CLIPPING MASK.
The power of all masks in Illustrator is the access to control over vectors as well as pixel images.

##### Comment Metadata
- Posted at: over 5 years ago
- Author title: Graphic Designer, Brand Builder, Social Media Content Provider, Design Educator. Likes to collaborate on projects.



### Comment 5

Clipping mask! Shape over what you want. 

##### Comment Metadata
- Posted at: over 5 years ago
- Author title: Love working in production art




## Related Product
[Adobe Illustrator](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-illustrator/reviews)

## Related Category
[Vector Graphics](https://www.g2.com/categories/vector-graphics)

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