XP/CS3 - Clip a photo in the shape of puzzle pieces?

[L***@adobeforums.com]

I am making a brochure in which I'd like to make each topic a piece of a puzzle. I have drawn puzzle lines across the photo I want to use using the paint tool, but now I need to crop out individual puzzle pieces...
I haven't used Illustrator before, and I don't have photoshop. I am not that familiar with clipping masks etc., but it is not allowing me to use the eraser tool over the photo, or any of the other cutting tools.
Any suggestions?

[J***@adobeforums.com]

Laura,

You also need a path rectangle or whatever to enclose the (used part of) the photo.

When/if you have that, you can:

1. Lock the photo,
2. Select all your paths,
3. Pathfinder>Divide,
4. Ungroup.

Now your puzzle cutting lines form closed paths, one for each piece. After unlocking the photo, you can (for each piece):

5. Select path and photo,
6. Object>Clipping Mask>Make,

and, if you want to be able to handle each piece easily (without having the piece selectable when clicking outside the mask):

7. Select anything but Normal in the Transparency palette,
8. Object>Flatten Transparency (just leave the slider at 100% Vector).

[L***@adobeforums.com]

Jacob,

Thanks for the advice. I created a path rectangle enclosing the photo, divided the paths and ungrouped. I then had all separate puzzle pieces of the rectangle.

I was then able to select path and photo, make clipping mask for one puzzle piece and it clipped to that piece only. The photo disappeared from it's layer, and all of the rest of the puzzle pieces disappeared.

Do you know why it is doing this? Do you know what I am doing wrong? What do you suggest I do...

Thank you,

Laura

[J***@adobeforums.com]

Laura,

Sorry,

I forgot to mention that you should use one copy of the photo for each puzzle piece, so step 4½ is:

4½. Unlock the photo, create copies (Ctrl+C will place them underneath the masks to be) so the total number equals the number of pieces, and unlock them one at a time as you procede.

The reason is that you cut out a part of the photo and throw the rest away.

[L***@adobeforums.com]

Jacob,

Thanks so much for the advice, I did what you recommended, and it looks great!

-Laura

[J***@adobeforums.com]

You are welcome, Laura.