Use masks to crop content

Hide parts of artwork, images, and other content with masks in Adobe Illustrator.

Published December 10, 2025

00:01

Introduction

A mask in its simplest form is a vector shape that you use to hide parts of other content.

In this example, there's a shape that will become a mask which is also known as a clipping pad.

It's on top of content that will be masked or hidden.

When you turn this top shape into a clipping mask everything beneath it that's outside the edges of the shape are hidden.

The green shape in this case is still there, and you can edit the mask or that green shape.

In this video, you're going to learn how to mask content.

So, with the latest version of Illustrator CC open, open this file from the practice files for this tutorial if you want to follow along.

And to make sure that you see all of the artwork out here, choose View, Fit All in Window.

00:43

Creating a basic clipping mask

Now, you'll start by taking this shape and masking it with this shap of this flask to make it look like there's liquid in the flask.

So, with this Selection tool selected, drag this green shape into position like you see here.

Now, the content you want to mask or hide parts of this green shape needs to be behind the shape that will become the mask.

So, with the green shapes selected, click Arrange button in the Properties panel and choose Send to Back to put it behind the flask shape.

Now, to select the flask shape as well, shift click the edge of the shape.

To create a mask with both objects selected, choose Object, Clipping Mask, Make.

The parts of the green shape that are outside of the mask, - this shape - are hidden.

The flask shape and the green shape are now part of a special group called a Clip Group.

You can see that at the top of the Properties panel on the right.

You should also see two buttons up there as well.

01:43

Editing mask and masked content

They’ll allow you to select either the mask which is that flask shape or the content that is being masked, the green shape in this case.

Click the Edit Content's button, to select the green shape and drag it up a little.

Then, click the Edit Clipping Path button here to edit the mask.

In the Properties panel, change the Stroke rate to 3 pt and click the Stroke color selecting a grey.

Click away from the artwork to deselect it and to finish the project, you'll show some artwork that was hidden. so choose Object, Show All.

In the other practice file from this tutorial,

02:25

Masking grouped artwork with a shape

you'll mask all of this content using this simple shape.

So, first, drag across this content to select it.

To keep the content together and make it easier to select later on, you'll group it.

So, click the Group button in the Properties panel.

This rectangle shape will be the mask, so drag it on top of the group.

Now, to mask the group with the rectangle, select all the artwork by dragging across it.

Once again, the object that will become the mask, this rectangle needs to be on top.

To mask the artwork, click the Make Clipping Mask button in the Properties panel on the right.

Clicking that button is the same thing as choosing Object, Clipping Mask, Make, like you did earlier.

To zoom into the artwork, press Command + on Mac OS or Control + on Windows a few times.

Now, in order to edit the mask or the content it is being masked, this group with the bird artwork, you’ll learn another method which you could have used on a mask in a previous project.

03:28

Editing clipping masks using isolation mode

Double click the Clip group to enter isolation mode.

Now, you can select the mask by clicking on its edge or the masked artwork.

So, click in the masked artwork, maybe this bird to select it.

And drag the group with the bird down a little bit.

To stop editing the mask or the content, press the Escape key to exit isolation mode.

To make sure nothing is selected, you can click in a blank area.

To see all of the artwork again, choose View, Fit All in Window.

And to finish up, drag this mask content into the final design over here.

There we go.

Being able to mask all types of content will really open up a lot of doors for you to be more creative in your designs.

So, try experimenting with your own artwork to see what you come up with.

What you learned: How to crop content by applying a mask

A mask is a vector shape that you use to hide parts of other content. The shape that is to become the mask must be on top of the content that you mask.

Mask the content

Ensure that the vector shape to be the mask is in front of the content to be masked.
Select the vector shape and the content to be masked.
Choose Object > Clipping Mask > Make. The selected content becomes a clip group.

Edit the mask or content

There are a couple different ways to edit a mask or the content being masked.

With the clip group selected, click the Edit Clipping Path button at the top of the Properties panel to select and edit the mask, or click the Edit Contents button to select and edit the masked content.

Double-click the clip group with the Selection tool selected to enter Isolation mode. Then select the mask and the content separately.

Presenter: Brian Wood

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