Can I do this in Illustrator??

[Soccer37]

Hello. I have a question. I am wondering if there is any way that I can crop images in illustrator.

What I am trying to do is set some files up to print, I have a leaflett that has bleeds on all sides, but, I also have a clipping mask on it to have it only show the bleeds. I want to print this out for my portfolio, but would like to take off the bleeds, and chop the excess off, not just have it concealed by a clipping mask. (I am adding a hairline border and possibly a light small dropshadow.) I am also wanting to use these files to create a portfolio on the web, so I dont just want a clipping mask, I want to chop off the excess.

Does this even make sense??

[SharkFinStudios]

Can't you go into Photoshop to crop it and replace it in Illy?

Cropping like you want is a personal preference. I like using clipping masks and then duplicating my mask and adding a stroke for a border. As far as the drop shadow... I'll leave that alone. :eek:

As far as a portfolio on the web, you can open the Illy file in Photoshop and save it as a jpg to show it online.

Long story short, you can't 'crop' like you can in a raster program.

[Riya]

You can use the pathfinder to divide anything that overlaps with a white box that you put where you want it "cropped", then delete all the extra bits.... This may or may not be easier than what Shark Fin said, depending on the image.

[Soccer37]

Thats what I thought Shark, thanks. Riya, the pathfinder option would be too time consuming. I'll just use the mask, thanks though. I might post a page and see what you guys think. I haven't done a portfolio before and besides setting it up to print, I am having a tough time finding an actual portfolio. I am thinking just a small 8.5x11 is this an ok size? Nothing in there is very large anyway.

[WannaBrie]

I'm not sure I understand what you've got and what u r trying to do, but why not try laying it out in indesign or quark? that way, when u pdf, you can choose to show your bleeds or not? 8.5x11 is ok for US sizing, that is standard inkjet paper size (I think) and I have laid out my digital portfolio to that size. (Each page- 8.5x11-showcasing one project on each page-plus a small description) easy to print or burn to dvd, cd, etc also easy to put on the web.