To create a clipping mask in AutoCAD, you use the "Create Mask" command primarily found when working with raster images.
Follow these steps to create an image mask that acts as a clip, based on the provided reference:
- Navigate to the Raster Tools tab.
- Locate the Manage & View panel.
- Expand the drop-down menu within this panel.
- From the options, select Create Mask.
- In the New Image Mask dialog box that appears, you can typically leave the default settings, such as Enable mask and Hide image(s), selected for basic masking operations.
What is a Clipping Mask in AutoCAD?
As mentioned in the reference, a clipping mask in this context is essentially a clip that can affect more than one image at a time. It allows you to hide or display specific portions of inserted raster images without modifying the original image file. This is useful for cleaning up drawings, focusing on relevant areas, or creating complex layouts with multiple images.
Using the "Create Mask" command provides a way to define an area (often a polygon) that determines which parts of the selected images are visible. The parts of the image outside the defined boundary are hidden, effectively "clipped" away.
This technique helps in keeping your AutoCAD drawings clean and efficient, especially when dealing with scanned maps, aerial photos, or other raster data.
