Creating and/or Entering Opacity Mask doesn’t work from Properties / Control panels
When clicking on the Opacity popu-up panel (in Control or Properties) and then clicking on the mask thumbnail to activate that mode, the thumbnail highlights but as soon as I attempt to edit the contents of the mask, it shows that the mode is not activated. Only if I select the 'Clip' checkbox in the Opacity panel will it allow me to edit the mask. But then clicking the 'Object' thumbnail in the Opacity panel, similarly does not exit mask-editing mode. I have to uncheck the 'Clip' checkbox to get back to normal mode. Previously, simply clicking on each thumbnail would easily switch between mask mode and normal editing mode.
MacOS 15.4.1 (24E263)
Illustrator 29.5.1
Laurence
shared this idea
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Here’s a brief demonstration.
The mask is not created at all or kicks you out of it when Properties or Control panels are used.
No problem with the standalone 'true' Transparency panel.
'Dropdown panels' see the mask switching only when we also toggle an option back and forth. -
حسین مظفری commented
The pop-up window in the Properties has a problem with the Transparency panel because it does not exit the mask mode. The panel must be opened separately.
Then, when we are in the mask mode, there is no special mode.I would like to make the Properties panel more free, for example, open the full aperture.
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vpck
commented
Can confirm this is still happening as of 7/4/2025 in Illustrator 29.6.1 for Windows. It only works if I first uncheck and then recheck the Clip option, or if I use the Window > Transparency standalone panel.
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Junior Rocha
commented
I'm facing the same issue. I can go art to mask or mask to art when I click on Opacity
Just the Standalone Transparency Panel is working fine to me.
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Damany Sloley commented
Since updating to Adobe Illustrator version 29.5.1 (64-bit) on Windows 11, there is a critical bug in the Transparency panel’s opacity mask behavior:
When I select the object thumbnail inside the Transparency panel, Illustrator immediately switches the selection to the opacity mask thumbnail when I exit or deselect.
When I select the opacity mask thumbnail, Illustrator switches back to the object thumbnail after I exit the panel or click outside.
The selection keeps flipping back and forth automatically, making it nearly impossible to edit either the object or the mask.
This was not an issue in earlier Illustrator versions. In prior versions, Illustrator would maintain the selected object or mask until I manually changed it. This regression in 29.5.1 breaks normal opacity mask editing workflows.
Expected behavior:
Illustrator should maintain the user’s current thumbnail selection (object or mask) inside the Transparency panel, even after clicking outside or switching focus, until the user manually selects a different thumbnail.
Illustrator version: 29.5.1 (64-bit)
OS version: Windows 11 -
Công Nguyễn commented
I reinstalled my old version of Illustrator and it works perfectly as I always wanted. (Version 29.4) Please check the bug again and I hope it will be fixed in the next update. I am fine with the old version now.
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@Công, I see. You use the dropdown form the Control panel specifically.
I’ve merged your report with an existing one.
1. Does the standalone Opacity panel work fine?
2. Does toggling Clip back and forth helps to enter the opacity mask if you use Control panel’s Opacity? -
Here you are
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@Công, it works when I try... take a look at the GIF attached.
Please record a video or a GIF to show what happens for you when you try. -
Can't create and edit opacity mask in Illustrator. When I click to double click to opacity mask and creat a shape. This function does not work
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Laurence, I confirm this.
It works for me fine when I try to do the same using the standalone Transparency panel — does it work for you too?
