10 Replies Latest reply: Nov 22, 2014 12:19 PM by Del_Boy RSS

    Trimming multiple objects?

    Meeyo Community Member

      Capture.JPG

       

      Hello! I need to cut the part above the red line and place it on another spot. Thing is that there are multiple objects, probably around 5-6 of them. It is a package design that someone else created. So how can I do that?

        • 1. Re: Trimming multiple objects?
          dougofakkad Community Member

          copy the whole lot, paste on a new layer and draw a clipping mask for it. clip the remainder with an inverse of that mask.

          • 2. Re: Trimming multiple objects?
            Jacob Bugge CommunityMVP

            Meeyo,

             

            As I (mis)understand it (presuming multiple linked (hopefully) raster images), you may:

             

            1) Select all images and Ctrl/Cmd+G to Group them, then Ctrl/Cmd+C+F to copy them and Hide the copy Group;

            2) Complete the red path so that it emcompasses everything that is to be moved as a closed path, then copy it and hide the copy path;

            3) Select the original path from 2) and give it a black fill and no stroke;

            4) Select the black path from 3) and the original Group from 1) (or just Ctrl/Cmd+A), then in the Transparency palette flyout click Make Opacity Mask with both Clip and Invert Mask unticked;

             

            This should hide everything above the red path;

             

            5) Show (Unhide) the copies from 1) and 2), select them, and Object>Clipping Mask>Make;

             

            this should show the parts above the red paths;

             

            6) Move the Clipping Mask from 5) about as desired.

             

            Edit: Hi Doug.

            • 3. Re: Trimming multiple objects?
              Del_Boy Community Member

              I can't believe this clipping mask's behaviour. I made a simple oval for the path and applied it to a layer full of shapes and sub-layers, when Illustrator created the 'clipping group' these shape sub-layers were stacked in the wrong order!!

               

              I don't see why we can't just use the layer-mask method in Photoshop (can be vector too). Sorry if you love it, but I think this program is just over-complicated for NO good reason.

               

              Plus, Photoshop's masks can me any opacity you want and even gradient from 100% - 0% in any shape or form.

              • 4. Re: Trimming multiple objects?
                dougofakkad Community Member

                you can use opacity masks in illustrator too.

                • 5. Re: Trimming multiple objects?
                  rcraighead Community Member

                  Convert the "multiple objects" to a symbol and place the symbol as many times as needed, using a clipping mask to hide certain areas. This way you just need to update the symbol to update the entire design.

                  • 6. Re: Trimming multiple objects?
                    Del_Boy Community Member

                    With gradient opacity, as simple as this? It's the simplicity which makes it so flexible

                    gradient.jpg

                     

                    Don't get me wrong, I'm not fishing for an argument, I'm just really frustrated with this program. After 14yrs of photoshopping I'm finaly tucking in to Illustrator (months now) and it is one big dissapointment.

                    • 7. Re: Trimming multiple objects?
                      Meeyo Community Member

                      I kinda share Del Boys frustration with Illustrator, I'm a CorelDraw guy, but had to deal with Illustrator and I find the way everything works very complicated. But I guess it's matter of habit. I managed to do what I need, just to inform you guys

                      • 8. Re: Trimming multiple objects?
                        rcraighead Community Member

                        Del_Boy, You do know mask channels are available in AI, right? The dual icons look very similar as well. It's just that you assign the mask in the "Transparency" panel, not the Layers panel.

                        • 9. Re: Trimming multiple objects?
                          rcraighead Community Member

                          You are not limited to clipping masks in AI. Search "Opacity Mask" in Illustrator help files to learn all about them. They are assigned in the Transparency Panel instead of the Layers Panel. The Layer, group or object containing an Opacity Mask will be underlined with a dashed line in the Layers Panel.

                          • 10. Re: Trimming multiple objects?
                            Del_Boy Community Member

                            Thanks, I'll try that in the week