To place one image on top of another in Illustrator, you can essentially copy and paste a selected object from one image onto another, similar to using a "superimpose" technique. Here's how:
Steps for Superimposing Images in Illustrator:
The following steps, drawn from the Adobe Community reference, outline a straightforward approach to achieving this:
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Open the Base Image: Begin by opening the image you want to place under the other image in Illustrator. Let's call this image A.
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Open the Overlay Image: Open the second image, the one you wish to place on top of the first image in Illustrator. This will be image B.
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Select the Object: In image B, use one of Illustrator's selection tools—such as the Selection Tool (V), Direct Selection Tool (A), Lasso Tool (Q), or Selection Brush tool — to select the specific object or area you want to superimpose onto image A.
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Copy the Selection: Once selected, go to the Edit menu and choose Copy. This action puts the selected object onto the clipboard.
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Switch to the Base Image: Return to image A, the base image.
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Paste the Object: Now, go to the Edit menu and choose Paste. The object you copied from image B will now appear on top of image A.
Additional Considerations
- Layer Management: Illustrator uses layers to manage the stacking order of objects. After pasting, the object will typically appear on a new layer above your base image. You can adjust the layer order in the Layers panel to change which object is in front.
- Positioning and Scaling: After pasting, you may need to adjust the position, size, and orientation of the pasted object. Use the Selection Tool (V) to move the object, and use the handles around the bounding box to resize or rotate the object as needed.
- Opacity and Blend Modes: For more advanced effects, consider adjusting the opacity of the overlay object or applying different blending modes via the Transparency panel. This can help the overlay object blend more seamlessly with the base image.
By using the copy and paste method with selection tools, you can effectively place one image on top of another in Illustrator, giving you full control over their placement and interaction.
