If you add a shape like a rectangle, square, star, or any other shape to the background image, it hides the design of the image. But you don’t want it. You want to create a more impressive design. Adding shapes can make design a bit cool, But sometimes it becomes too boring.
So to change the game we can make the shapes transparent. Transparent shapes will not hide the background image and they will fulfill the need for a shape.
Transparency can be changed for any object by the Transparency panel that has the option of Opacity. The opacity for every object by default is given in that panel. It’s up to you how much transparency you want to make for any shape.
You can also learn:
If you don’t have an idea about how to make a shape transparent in Illustrator then you are at the right place. This tutorial will give you a step-by-step guide to making a shape transparent in Illustrator.
Let’s Start.
First of all, open the design that you want to use to make the shape transparent.
Table of Contents
(Quick & Easy) 2 Ways to Make a Shape Transparent in Illustrator
Making a shape Transparent in Illustrator is an easy task. You have to change the Opacity to make a shape transparent. We will tell you two methods if you can’t follow the first way then the second way will surely help you.
1st Method: Make Shape Transparent by Opacity
The easiest and quick method to make the shape transparent is by using the Properties panel Opacity option. The opacity of every shape is 100%.
Let’s change the opacity to make our shape transparent to make the background image visible through the shape. Here is the rectangle, you can see it hiding the background image, and it’s looking a bit odd.

How to Change Layer Opacity in Illustrator
Step 1: Grab the Selection Tool from the left toolbar.

Step 2: To make a shape transparent or change its opacity, select the shape by the Selection tool, as you select the shape, the Appearance panel appears in the Properties panel.

Step 3: Go to Properties > Appearance > Opacity.

Step 4: Click on the arrow to change the opacity.
You can also add the value to change the opacity and make a shape transparent. We have added the value 67% in the Opacity box.

Now you can see the shape is transparent and the background image can be seen through the shape.

That’s the easiest and fast method to make the shape transparent. Any shape can be transparent using these given steps.
2nd Method: Make Shape Transparent by Transparency Blending Mode
A shape can be easily made transparent by using the Transparency panel. If you want to select the default option of transparency of any shape then here are the best options available in the Transparency panel. You can choose from the Blending Mode, Normal to Luminosity.
There are two ways to access the Transparency panel.
Step 1: Grab the Selection Tool from the left toolbar.

Step 2: Select the Shape that you want to make Transparent.

Step 3: As you select the shape, in the Properties > Appearance > Click on the Opacity.
Step 4: After clicking on the Opacity, Transparency panel will appear.

Another way to access the Transparency panel is through Window > Transparency.

The short key for the Transparency panel in Adobe Illustrator is Shift+Ctrl+F10.
Where is Blending Mode in Illustrator
Step 5: Click on the Blending Mode.

Step 6: Different Blending Modes will appear in the form of a list.

Step 7: You can select some options to make the shape Transparent.
Step 8: Here we have used Screen, as you can see the background image is now Transparent.

Note: You can also see that we have not to change the Opacity, the shape is transparent due to Blending Mode only.
From the Blending Mode, you can choose any mode, you can explore all the modes, and select that you like most or suits your project or design.
It’s Easy to Learn How to Make a Shape Transparent in Illustrator.
The easiest way to make a shape transparent in Illustrator is by using the Properties > Appearncy > Opacity. You can change the opacity according to your need. But if you want to use the Blending Mode, you can also use it. It’s all up to you and according to the requirements of the design that you are creating.
How to Make an Image Background Transparent in Illustrator?
If you want to make an image background transparent then the easiest and quick way is to select the image, and go to Properties > Appearance > Opacity. Change the opacity from 100% to any value. It’s all up to you. This will make the image background transparent in Illustrator.
Adobe Illustrator Opacity Shortcut
You can add the Opacity shortcut in Illustrator according to your choice by Edit > keyboard shortcuts.

Change Tool to Menu Commands, search Opacity, and the shortcut for Opacity.

Opacity Mask Illustrator
In Adobe Illustrator Opacity Mask can be made by selecting the image and the shape, and the image, going to Opacity, and from the transparency panel selecting Make Mask. It will print all the designs of the image to the shape.
Knockout Group Illustrator
Knockout Group can be found in the Transparency panel. Go to Window > Transparency. From the Transparency panel, click on the hidden menu and select Show Option. After that 4 options will appear one of them will be Knockout Group in Illustrator.
All Done! Enjoy.
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