To change the shape of an image in Adobe Illustrator, you'll need to use a clipping mask. This involves placing the image inside of a selected shape. Here’s how to do it:
Steps to Change Image Shape
- Prepare your Image and Shape:
- First, you need to have both the image you want to reshape and the shape you want to use. Ensure both are on the same artboard in your Illustrator document.
- Select Both Elements:
- Use the Selection Tool (V) to click and drag a box around both the image and the shape. Both should now be selected.
- Apply the Clipping Mask:
- Access the Object Menu: Bring your cursor to the top menu bar and click on "Object".
- Choose Clipping Mask: In the dropdown menu, go to "Clipping Mask" and select "Make."
- Result:
- The image is now contained within the shape. You've effectively changed the image’s visible shape using the mask.
Key Considerations:
- Shape Placement: The shape you select determines the area of the image that will be visible. The shape should be on top of the image in your layers panel.
- Editing the Clipping Mask: You can edit the shape or image separately. To do this, you can double click on the object to isolate its components or use the layers panel to select the image or mask for specific adjustments.
- Regular and Irregular Shapes: This method works with both regular shapes (like circles, squares) and irregular shapes (any custom path you create with the pen tool, for example).
Example Scenario:
Let's say you want to make a photograph circular. You would:
- Import the photograph into Illustrator.
- Draw a circle over the photograph using the Ellipse Tool.
- Select both the photograph and the circle.
- Navigate to Object > Clipping Mask > Make.
Now, the photograph appears as a circle.
This method is a quick and versatile way to adjust the visual presentation of images in your design work using Adobe Illustrator.
