Select>Inverse -or- Shift+Command+i

I think you will have to convert the path to a selection first though.

Control+Click inside the selection and choose Make Selection.

Once you have made the change then you can use the same command to change the selection back into a Path.

Select the path with the path selection tool (solid arrow). Then click on the Add icon (1st of 4) in the options bar at the top. Let me know if that doesn't work.

Ann - yes you've been misadvised a little in this thread. Printer Rick has your correct answer. Whether paths include, exclude or intersect is controlled with these buttons …

Window: Options.

Then select the Path Selection tool (solid black arrow)

You should see 4 path options near the left.

If you have sub paths, sometimes combinations of the options produces the correct result.

Something else to consider: you can choose to use shape layers instead of paths. But to get vector output using shape layers, you have to save the image as a PDF. The advantage with shape layers is that you can see the clipped result in Photoshop, and everything outside the path is transparent.

The 2nd icon (subtract) would be an inverse of the first (add).

Normally to create a compound path (like a donut), you can select the entire path, then the 4th icon (exclude) so that the inner sub paths are knocked out of the outside path.

Hi RTC Ann

I don't know if you ever solved this problem but I just came across it myself and found a (clumsy?) solution:

1.     Make sure the 'Add to shape area (+)' button is selected in the options bar.

2.     Draw a small, closed path, i.e. a triangle, inside your original path.

3.     Select both paths.

4.     Click the 'Combine' button in the options bar.

5.     The path will now switch to masking the background instead of the contents.