Expert: Nick Putthoff - 2/9/2010

Question
Hi Nick,
   I put a clipping mask on a photo in a newsletter. I know I've saved it because I opened and redid the clipping mask 3 times.  Every time I open the document the clipping mask is no longer on the photo (the other photo still has it)  Any ideas? Thanks!

Kelly

Answer
Kelly,

Here is what I would try:

Select the shape that you are using for a clipping mask with the Direct Selection tool (the hollow arrow) then go to Object/Clipping Mask and select Release if it is an option. Repeat this until Release is grayed out. If it is already grayed out go to the next step. Here I am just trying to make sure that the Clipping Mask is not already active.

With the shape still selected choose Unite from the Pathfinder palette. I just want to make sure the path is closed. If you are sure the path is closed go to the next step.

Go to the Layer panel fly-out menu and uncheck Paste Remember Layers.

With the shape selected hit Command x to cut the shape from the art and onto the clipboard.

Now select the image that will be clipped and hit Command f to paste the shape immediately in front of the image.

Now Shift select the image so that the clipping shape and the path are both selected.

Now hit Command 7 or go to the Object/Clipping Mask/Make

If the mask was successful then Group the items.

This should work, but it also may generate an error dialog somewhere along the way that may point you to an underlying cause. Clipping masks can be finicky.

If I am off the mark and your clipping mask is in a Photoshop image make sure you have the image saved as a Photoshop file. Previous versions of Illustrator did not support Clipping Paths from Photoshop unless the files were saved as either EPS or PSD but not TIFF.

Hope this helps.

Good Luck

Nick