: Trim a Clipping Mask in Illustrator? Is it possible to trim a clipping mask in Illustrator? I have an image that I created a mask for, but the entire image is so much larger than the space

@Looi7658678

Apparently, it is doable with a raster image!

via: design.tutsplus.com/articles/quick-tip-how-to-crop-raster-image-in-adobe-illustrator--vector-4989
Involves setting a blend mode other than "normal" and then using flatten transparency.

Select the clipping mask group, then set any Blending Mode for that group.


With the same group still selected, select Object > Flatten Transparency with preserve alpha transparency selected:


That's pretty much it. It creates multiple nested clipping groups, but the raster image within is now trimmed to the clipping path.

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@Caterina889

Assuming all artwork is vector and not placed raster images...


Select the image with the mask
Choose Object > Expand Appearance if Expand Appearance is available
Choose Object > Expand
Click the Crop button on the Pathfinder Panel


This should trim the artwork to the boundaries of the clipping mask shape. It will leave unfilled objects in some cases, so to clean up I also generally...


Draw and unfilled, unstroked rectangle
Choose Select > Same > Fill & Stroke
Hit the delete key.


Or you can deselect everything and use Object > Path > Clean Up. Just be aware of the clean up settings. If you have other objects with masks, the Clean Up command may cause issues.

Additional based on sample image....

(Image was added after I typed the above, so I left it.)

You've got a raster image there. There's no way for Illustrator to crop a raster image. None. However, you can use the Rasterino plug in from astutegraphics.com to crop raster images within Illustrator.

(the astute web site seems to be very, very slow at the moment)

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