# Clipping Mask in Illustrator?

**URL:** <https://forum.kirupa.com/t/clipping-mask-in-illustrator/18559>\
**Category:** design\
**Created:** [April 18, 2003, 12:53am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/clipping-mask-in-illustrator/18559 "2003-04-18T00:53:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Quattro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/a6a055/32.png) [@Quattro](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Quattro)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 12:53am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/clipping-mask-in-illustrator/18559/1 "2003-04-18T00:53:28Z")

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Hey all,

I have an Illustrator file (.ai) that I want to cut some ‘holes’ in. Basically, it’s a filled in pen-tool path, and there are some places in the middle that I want cut out, since the fill doesn’t apply in those spots. So, I created another layer that has filled pen-tool paths in the shapes of the ‘holes’ I want put in the main layer. Problem is, when I put the main on top of the ‘holes’ layer, and go to create clipping mask, it does not work. All I get is the ‘holes’ layer, and they have lost their fill and line colors. I want just the opposite…I want the main layer intact, but the shapes in the ‘holes’ layer to be cut out of it. Got me?

Why isn’t this working?

I’ve tried every possible combination of layer on top, layer on bottom, etc…nothing works. Basically, how can I make these holes appear in that main layer?

TIA,  
Q:angry:

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**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 1:08am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/clipping-mask-in-illustrator/18559/2 "2003-04-18T01:08:32Z")

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Hi, do you have any examples of what you trying to do? By seen the effect may be I can help.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 3:36am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/clipping-mask-in-illustrator/18559/3 "2003-04-18T03:36:01Z")

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Have you used the pathfinder?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 3:40am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/clipping-mask-in-illustrator/18559/4 "2003-04-18T03:40:29Z")

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Select the top shape (the one you want to cut into the other shape) first , then select the shape where the top shape is getting cut into . go to windows show pathfinder. On the pathfinder menu go to the second button in the shape modes.  
Its called “subtract from shape” . Click that and your set.

:::soulty::😏::

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 1:09pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/clipping-mask-in-illustrator/18559/5 "2003-04-18T13:09:28Z")

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THAT’S IT!

Thanks a million Soulty!  
I love this place!

Q

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/kirupa/original/3X/6/2/621e5c11736f46532526e61be85940af4230f3e5.png) [@system](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2003, 1:22pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/clipping-mask-in-illustrator/18559/6 "2003-04-18T13:22:15Z")

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No probs dude , Glad to help :beam:

::Soulty:😏::