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Map Resources FAQs

Question:

How do I crop a map with Adobe Illustrator?

Answer:

You can create a Clipping Mask, which does not cut the features, but hides portions of the linework from view. This is the method we recommend, as it is a relatively fast and simple task while still achieving the desired appearance of "cropping" the map to a custom area.

Illustrator does not have an actual cropping function, but the clipping mask is the best alternative we've found.

To Crop a Map Using a Mask:

This process creates a window (or "mask") that only allows a portion of the map to be seen. It does not alter the existing map artwork. This method wil leave the masked-out linework in the file which will not reduce the file size of your map. If you are placing the finished map into a page layout application such as Quark, try saving your masked map as an EPS file. The EPS file will only contain the artwork shown through the mask.

1) Create a new layer on top of all other map feature layers. (Your new layer should be positioned above all the other layers in the Layers Palette.)

2) Make an object on this new layer that defines the map area you want to use. (The attributes of your object, e.g. stoke & fill, are unimportant. Making your object into a mask will change it to no stoke or fill.)

3) Choose menu option Select>All. (You can find this command under Edit>Select All in Illustrator 9 and older.) Then choose menu option Object>Clipping Mask>Make.

4) Now choose menu option Select>Deselect. (You can find this command under Edit>Deselect in Illustrator 9 and older.)

The map now shows only your defined area.