How to Use Artboard As a Mask in Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a graphics application used to create and edit vector artwork. You can hide portions of an image when editing vector graphics by using clipping masks. A clipping mask is a shape that is defined by the user and acts as a window, revealing only a portion of the underlying artwork. You can use the entire artboard (the main area of an Illustrator file where you create vector objects) as a clipping mask to obscure art outside of the artboard.

Instructions

1. Launch Adobe Illustrator. Click "File," "Open," then click to select your file. Click "Open."

2. Click "File," "Save for Web & Devices."

3. Click the "Image Size" tab on the right side of the "Save for Web & Devices" window.

4. Click to place a check in the "Clip to Artboard" button to create a clipping mask in the dimensions of the artboard. Any objects positioned outside of the artboard area will be cut off or hidden from view in the final image.

5. Click to select the image format, transparency, interlaced and matte save options. Click "Save."

6. Type a filename and select a save location on your computer. Click "Save" to save the file with the artboard mask.

References

• Adobe: Resize Artwork While Optimizing