Expert: Amy - 1/27/2008

Question
I have a rectangle vector image from istockphoto (#3808211)....I want to
place it into a circle, centering the image in the middle of the circle.  The
edges will bleed outside the circle.  The circle I have has a blue interior line
and and outside edge of black.  I might need to add a 2 pt white line between
the blue interior line and the vector image.  But how do I place this vector
rectangle into my Illustrator circle (or is this a PS technique?)

Answer
Hi Randy.

You'll want to make a clipping mask.

Copy the circle (Ctrl+C) and paste in front (Ctrl+F).
Select the rectangle vector image and the circle and create a clipping mask (Ctrl + 7).

Now you can make and use three copies of the original circle to create the blue and black and white stroke effects you want... all copies should be in front of the clipped artwork. Just vary the width of the stroke and where it falls on the path (stroke align:inside/center/outside). That's all controlled in the Stroke Window (Crtl+F10).

It might help if you move the original circle to a new, higher layer in the layers window. Just because it's difficult to work with multiple paths when they are right on top of each other - personally, I rarely work with layers. I simply lock or hide the artwork that's in my way!

Good luck,

Amy