How to Crop Shape in Illustrator?

To crop a shape in Adobe Illustrator, you'll use the Pathfinder panel. Here's how:

Steps to Crop a Shape in Illustrator

Create your shapes: Use the Rectangle Tool, Ellipse Tool, or any other shape tool to create the shape you want to use as a "cookie cutter" and the object you want to crop.
Arrange Layers: Ensure that the shape you want to use for cropping (the "cookie cutter") is on top of the object you wish to crop. This is crucial for the Pathfinder tool to work correctly. You can use Object > Arrange > Bring to Front to bring the shape forward.
Select Both Objects: Use the Selection Tool (V) to select both the "cookie cutter" shape and the object you want to crop.
Open the Pathfinder Panel: Go to Window > Pathfinder to open the Pathfinder panel.
Click "Crop": In the Pathfinder panel, click the "Crop" button (it's usually the fourth icon in the second row).
Result: The parts of the underlying object that fall outside of the top shape will be permanently deleted (cropped). You'll be left with the cropped shape.

Destructive Editing: The Crop function in Pathfinder is destructive. This means it permanently deletes the parts of the object outside the cropping shape. If you want to preserve the original object, consider making a copy before cropping.
Compound Paths: If you are working with complex shapes, consider converting them to compound paths (Object > Compound Path > Make) before using the Pathfinder tool to ensure consistent results.
Alternative: Clipping Masks: If you prefer a non-destructive method, use a clipping mask instead. Place the shape you want to use as the mask on top of the object you want to crop, select both, and then choose Object > Clipping Mask > Make. This hides the portions outside the shape, but they are still there, allowing you to adjust the mask or the object later.