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Illustrator Tools
Illustrator Transform
Clipping Masks
Pathfinder
Shapes
100

Selects and moves entire objects

Selection Tool

100

Makes objects bigger or smaller

Scale

100

The mask must be on top

Only vector shapes or text can be masks

Masks do not remove strokes/fills

Important Rules

100
  • Merge multiple shapes into one
  • Cut one shape out of another
  • Divide shapes into pieces

What Pathfinder Does

100
  • Rectangle Tool  → squares & rectangles
  • Ellipse Tool → circles & ovals
  • Polygon Tool → triangles, hexagons, etc.
  • Star Tool → stars and bursts

The Basic Shapes

200

Creates precise paths and curves (essential for vector work)

Pen Too

200

Spins an object around a point

Rotate

200
  • Double-click (Isolation Mode) to edit contents
  • Move or scale image inside the mask
  • Adjust the mask shape separately

Editing a Clipping Mask

200

Combines all selected shapes into one single shape

Unite

200
  • Click + drag on the artboard

  • Hold:
    • Shift = perfect proportions (circle, square)
    • Alt/Option = draw from center

Creating a Shape

300

Circles and ovals

Rectangles and squares  

 Shape Tools


300

Flips objects horizontally or vertically

Reflect

300
  • Place the object you want to mask (image/artwork)
  • Draw a shape on top (this will be the mask)
  • Select both objects
  • Go to: Object → Clipping Mask → Make

Method to Create a Clipping Mask

300

Cuts the top shape out of the shape behind it

Minus Front

300
  • Use the Selection Tool 
  • Drag to move
  • Pull corner handles to scale

Move & Resize 

400
  • Scissors Tool 
  • Knife Tool 
  • Eraser Tool
  • Rotate Tool 
  • Scale Tool 

Editing & Transform Tools

400

Combines scale, rotate, distort, and perspective  

Free Transform  

400

Use text as a clipping mask to fill letters with images or patterns

Text Masking

400

Keeps only the overlapping area of shapes

Intersect

400

Resize, rotate, reflect, or skew

Transform Shapes

500

Pathfinder Panel

Combines or subtracts shapes  

500

Moves objects by exact measurements

Move

500

A clipping path (or clipping mask) uses a top object (the mask) to hide parts of objects underneath it.

What a Clipping Path Does

500

Removes the overlapping area and keeps the rest

Exclude

500

__________Preserves only the overlapping areas between shapes/objects.

Intersect Function