How do i clip multiple objects in one round? Everything dissapears. 1

[GrapefruitMonkey]

I have a complex pattern I am trying to make in-repeat.

The clipping mask (hexagon) makes everything disappear into an outline when I apply it. My guess is that there is a limit to the number of objects a clipping mask can be applied to. Is there some other way around this? All the objects I am trying to clip are grouped.
This is too many objects to clip each on separately... it would be easier to block the excess out with white solids.

Thanks for the help.

 

[apepp]

...clipping mask are pretty versatile, so without seeing your project it is difficult to see where you might be going wrong...

...are you using the "object > clipping mask > make" command or one of the pathfinder options to actually trim the objects physically?

...trimming them physically does pose problems...

...ensure your hexagon is the very topmost object, select all then use "object > clipping mask > make"...

Andrew

 

[GrapefruitMonkey]

It is definitely a clipping mask, not the pathfinder functions. Yes, it is the topmost. And the layers I am clipping are grouped.

I wonder if it could be an illustrator glitch? This happened on another project too..

If I clip a simple object, everything is fine.

Thanks for your help.

 

[apepp]

...without seeing it i can't really comment too much further...

...have you tried to select everything, then group into one single group, then try clipping again?

...although a bit more involved, a possible workaround is to place the problem .ai file in indesign, clip it there inside an indesign container or a pasted object from illustrator, then export to pdf, open pdf in illustrator, clean it up a bit if needed, and carry on with your work in illustrator...

...if there is a lot of points it might also be worth cleaning up any stray points (object > select > stray points, and delete)...

Andrew

 

[GrapefruitMonkey]

I got it to work.
I re-created the clipping mask shape. (I guess I should have of thought to that earlier on.)

Im not sure what the issue was with my original mask - I had created it from two objects, then combined, cleaning away any stray points. The new one I made was from a single shape that was then manipulated.

They look identical. I dont really understand why Illustrator would have an issue with the joined shape.

Maybe that wasn't the issue at all...


I was on my way to import into Indesign. The Indesign thing is a good idea.

Thanks!