How do you choose between masks and clipping paths in vector art?

1 What are masks and clipping paths?

Masks and clipping paths are both methods of controlling the visibility of a vector object or a group of objects. A mask is a separate object that covers another object and determines how much of it is visible. The mask can have any shape, color, opacity, or gradient. A clipping path is a shape that cuts out a portion of another object or a group of objects. The clipping path acts like a cookie cutter, and only the area inside the path is visible. The clipping path can be a simple or a complex shape, but it cannot have any fill or stroke attributes.

2 When to use masks

Masks are useful when you want to create smooth transitions, gradients, or patterns on your vector artwork. For example, you can use a mask to fade out the edges of an image, to add a textured effect to a shape, or to create a vignette around a scene. Masks are also helpful when you want to hide or show parts of an object without altering its original shape. For example, you can use a mask to make a shape appear as if it is behind another shape, or to create holes or gaps in a shape.

3 When to use clipping paths

Clipping paths are useful when you want to create crisp and clean edges, or when you want to crop or trim your vector artwork. For example, you can use a clipping path to cut out a silhouette from a photo, to remove unwanted parts of an image, or to fit your artwork into a specific shape or frame. Clipping paths are also helpful when you want to simplify or optimize your vector artwork. For example, you can use a clipping path to reduce the number of anchor points or paths in your artwork, or to merge multiple objects into one.

4 How to create masks

To create a mask in most vector illustration software, you need to select the object or the group of objects that you want to mask, and then place another object on top of them. The top object will be the mask, and it should cover the area that you want to be visible. Then, you need to apply the mask command from the menu or the toolbar. This will create a mask group that contains the masked object and the mask object. You can edit the mask group by double-clicking on it, or by using the layers panel. You can also adjust the opacity and the blending mode of the mask object to change the effect of the mask.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?