The shortcut for creating a clipping mask in Adobe Illustrator is ⌘ + 7 on Mac or Ctrl + 7 on Windows.
This shortcut provides a quick and efficient way to create clipping masks, a fundamental technique for controlling the visibility of artwork in Illustrator. Here's a breakdown:
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What is a Clipping Mask? A clipping mask is an object whose shape masks other artwork so that only areas that lie within the shape are visible. In essence, it's a stencil.
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How to Use the Shortcut:
- Select the object you want to use as the clipping mask (this shape will define the visible area).
- Select the artwork you want to mask. Make sure the clipping mask object is above the artwork you want to mask in the stacking order. You can arrange this by right-clicking the clipping mask object and choosing "Arrange" > "Bring to Front."
- Hold down Shift and click on both the clipping mask object and the artwork to select them.
- Press ⌘ + 7 (Mac) or Ctrl + 7 (Windows).
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Alternative Method: You can also create a clipping mask by going to
Object > Clipping Mask > Makein the menu bar. However, the shortcut is much faster. -
Releasing a Clipping Mask: To release a clipping mask (separate the mask from the artwork), select the masked object and press ⌘ + Option + 7 (Mac) or Ctrl + Alt + 7 (Windows), or go to
Object > Clipping Mask > Release.
Mastering this shortcut can significantly improve your workflow efficiency when working with Adobe Illustrator.
