How do you crop an image inside a shape in Illustrator?

To crop an image inside a shape in Illustrator, you use a feature called a Clipping Mask. This is the standard and most effective method.

Using a Clipping Mask (The Primary Method)

A clipping mask uses the top object (your shape) to define the visible area of the object or objects beneath it (your image). Only the parts of the image that fall within the boundaries of the shape will be visible.

Here are the steps to create a clipping mask:

1. Prepare Your Objects: Make sure you have both your image placed in Illustrator and the shape you want to use for cropping drawn on your artboard. The shape should be placed on top of the image you want to crop. If it's not on top, you can right-click the shape, go to Arrange, and select Bring to Front.
2. Select Both Objects: Use the Selection Tool (V) to select both the image and the shape simultaneously. You can do this by dragging a marquee selection around both or by holding down the Shift key and clicking on each object.
3. Apply the Clipping Mask: With both objects selected, go to the top menu bar and click on Object, then navigate to Clipping Mask, and finally select Make.
   • Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcuts:
     • Ctrl+7 on Windows
     • Command+7 on Mac
4. Result: After applying the clipping mask, the image will be "cropped" to fit within the shape. You will only see the section of the image that was inside the boundaries of the shape when you applied the mask.

The shape acts like a window revealing only the part of the image underneath it.

Key Points for Success

• Shape on Top: The shape must be the topmost object in the stacking order for the clipping mask to work correctly.
• Select Both: Ensure both the shape and the image are selected before making the mask.
• Non-Destructive: Clipping masks are non-destructive. This means the original image is still fully intact underneath the mask. You can easily release the mask later if needed (Object > Clipping Mask > Release).

Editing Your Clipping Mask

After creating the clipping mask, you can still edit the image or the mask shape independently:

• Edit Mask Shape: Select the clipping mask group, then use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to click and edit the anchor points or paths of the mask shape.
• Move/Scale Image Inside Mask: With the clipping mask group selected, double-click on the image. This will isolate the content (the image) allowing you to move, scale, or rotate it within the fixed mask shape. Double-click outside the object to exit isolation mode.
• Move/Scale Both: Select the clipping mask group with the Selection Tool (V) to move or scale the entire masked object (both the shape and the visible part of the image) together.

This method provides flexibility, allowing you to refine both the cropping shape and the position of the image within it even after the mask has been applied.