Other types of useful paths you may want to create, at this point, include clipping masks and compound paths. You can use your basic shapes to hide and show parts of infographics. With a clipping mask, for example, if you create a shape and then overlap it with another shape and then use the Selection tool, drag a marquee around both shapes, while both are selected, then choose Object ➤ Clipping Mask ➤ Make. The uppermost path becomes the invisible mask that hides parts of the lower shape. Refer to Figure 7-49.
Figure 7-49. Use a shape to create a clipping mask and edit with the Swatches panel
You can with the Direct Selection tool select the mask and then use the Swatches panel to apply a color to the stroke. From the main menu, you can release the path using Object>Clipping Mask ➤ Release. Note that the Control panel and Properties panel will allow you to edit the content of the clipping mask. While selected with the Selection tool, use the toggle icons of Edit Clipping path and Edit Contents. Refer to Figure 7-50.
Figure 7-50. Selected Clipping Groups can be edited with either the Control or Properties panel
The compound path is similar to the compound shape, and you can use it to create a hole or holes in the lower shape using the upper shape or shapes. When you have selected all shapes or closed paths, including the overlapping ones, choose Object ➤ Compound Path ➤ Make. The upper shapes create a hole, and now anything later placed behind the compound path will show through. You can release the path by choosing Object ➤ Compound Path ➤ Release. Refer to Figure 7-51.
Figure 7-51. Create a compound path and edit the color using the Direct Selection tool
Tip The parts of a compound path shape can have a stroke added when you select the edge with the Direct Selection tool and use the Swatches panel to select a swatch. Refer to file clipping_mask_compound_path.ai for examples.
Summary
In this chapter, we reviewed the following topics regarding drawing with the pen tool, moving, selecting, and arranging paths on the artboard. As you edited the custom shapes with other tools and panels, you looked at how to combine shapes using the Pathfinder panel as well as how to create clipping masks and compound paths.
In the next chapter, you will be focusing on how to work with the Layers panel and other coloring tools as well as type tools and symbols.