How to Crop Images in Illustrator

This article offers a guide on cropping images using Adobe Illustrator. In Adobe Illustrator 2017 or newer, you can crop images using the new cropping tool. Both raster and vector images will be cropped using the clipping mask in Illustrator.

Open or create a file in Adobe Illustrator. To do this, click on the yellow and brown application with the word Ai on it.

Click on the New (New) or Open (Open). To create a new Illustrator file, click on New from the main screen. To open an existing Illustrator file, click on Open on the main screen, navigate to the Illustrator file (.ai), and double-click to open it.

• You can also find the New and Open options in the "File" menu at the top right of the open Illustrator file.

Place an image in Illustrator. Here are the steps to place an image in Illustrator.

• Click on File in the menu bar at the top.
• Select Place from the dropdown menu under "File".
• Choose the image and click Place.
• Click and drag to place the image where you want it.

Click on the Selection Tool. This is the black arrow located near the top of the toolbar on the left side of the screen.

Click on the image you want to crop. This is the action to select the image. The crop tool will not appear unless the image is selected.

Click on Crop Image (Crop Image). This option is found in the Control Panel at the top of the screen right below the menu bar.

• You can also find the "Crop Image" button in the Properties window displayed in the menu bar on the right. If you don’t see the Properties window, click on Window in the menu bar above and then click on Properties.
• If the screen shows a message about linked images, simply click OK.
• The "Crop Image" tool is only available in Illustrator 2017 or newer.

Click and drag the crop icon at the corner of the image. The crop icon appears at the corners and edges of the image. Dragging it inward will create a rectangular area with dotted lines inside the image. The brighter area outside the rectangle will be discarded when you choose to crop the image. Position the rectangle over the part of the image you wish to keep.

Click on OK. This option can be found in the Control Panel at the top of the screen or in Properties. This is the action to crop the image.

Open or create a file in Adobe Illustrator. To do this, click on the yellow and brown application icon with the Ai label. In vector graphics, a clipping mask uses an object or shape above to cut off the image and objects beneath it.

Click on the New (New) or Open (Open). To create a new Illustrator file, click on New on the main screen. To open an existing Illustrator file, click on Open on the main screen, find the Illustrator file (.ai), and double-click it.

• You can also find the New and Open options under the "File" menu at the top right of the open Illustrator file.

Create or place an image. You can use a clipping mask for raster images or vector graphics created in Illustrator. Use the art tools to create graphics or follow these steps to place an image:

• Click on File in the menu bar at the top.
• Select Place from the dropdown list under 'File'.
• Choose the image and click Place.
• Click and drag the mouse to position the image where you want it.

Draw a clipping mask on the image. You can create a clipping mask with any shape. Use the rectangle or oval tool to create a rectangular or oval clipping mask, or use the Pen tool to create a custom-shaped mask. Position the shape over the image or graphic you wish to keep.

• For better visibility, disable the fill effect for the clipping mask and choose a clear color for the stroke.
• You can apply a clipping mask to multiple objects, but the mask shape must be placed on top. To bring the mask shape to the front, simply click on it with the selection tool, then go to Object in the menu bar. Next, click Arrange and select Bring to Front.

Click on the Selection tool. This tool has a black arrow icon and is located at the top of the toolbar on the left side.

Select everything you want to cut. To select everything, click and drag over the entire object you want to cut. This will select the entire object, including the clipping mask shape.

Click on Object. This option is found in the menu bar at the top of Illustrator. A list of options will appear immediately on screen.

Click on Clipping Mask. This option is located at the bottom of the selection list under 'Object'. A submenu will appear on the left side of the screen.

Click on Make (Create). This is the action for creating a clipping mask. The mask uses the object on top to cut through all objects beneath it.