Masking, Effects & Patterns in Adobe Illustrator

Author avatar wrote on 17/04/2019

Masking, Effects & Patterns in Adobe Illustrator

With the help of our quick guide, you will learn how to use and properly apply masking, effects and patterns in Adobe Illustrator.

Masking an Image

  1. Create a shape in Adobe Illustrator that you want to mask the image in it
  2. Import an image place and use the drag to place it correctly bigger than the background layer a bit
  3. Send image to the back portieres → arrange → send to back
  4. Select the shape and the image
  5. Then click make clipping mask
  • Using the white arrow you can adjust the image, change size or move it
  • To remove it, select it then → release mask

Masking Image on Many Objects

  1. Select all shapes – let’s say 9 circles
  2. Make a combined object, object → combined path → make
  3. Import an image place and use the drag to place it correctly bigger than the background layer a bit
  4. Select the new object and the image (image must be back) 
  5. Then click make clipping mask

Masking a text

  1. Add text
  2. Import an image place and use the drag to place it correctly bigger than the background layer a bit
  3. Select the textt and the image (image must be back) 
  4. Then click make clipping mask

CC Libraries

You create a library and add all your items, vectors, logos, colors fonts, text and you can access them from anywhere in adobe products.

Liquify & Distort Section

  1. Use it on shapes
  2. Right menu → under the width tool pic the others
  3. Right click on any tool and change width, height and density
  • To make it on text you need to go type→ create outlines

Bend & Warp Shapes and Text

  1. Add text or create shapes and group them
  2. Effects → wrap → arc/wave/flag

Drawing Repeating Shapes

  1. Draw an image
  2. Object → transfer (change size and angle) 
  3. Click copy
  4. Control d for repeating

Repeating Patterns in Adobe Illustrator

  1. Draw any shape or a draw
  2. Select it
  3. Make it very small
  4. Window → pattern options
  5. Click on make pattern

Vectorizing an Image

  1. Import image
  2. Trace → 3 colors
  3. You can change 3 colors to other types
  4. You can click on icon to the right to have more control
  5. When you finish click expand

They will become objects

  1. Select one of them
  2. Select → same → fill color
  3. Change the color

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