<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<title>CSS Clip-Path: Shaping Web Elements</title>
<style>
body {
font-family: sans-serif;
}
.container {
display: flex;
justify-content: center;
align-items: center;
min-height: 100vh;
}
.intro-image {
width: 500px;
height: auto;
}
.section-title {
font-size: 1.5em;
font-weight: bold;
margin-bottom: 1em;
}
.code-example {
background-color: #f0f0f0;
padding: 1em;
border-radius: 5px;
margin-bottom: 1em;
overflow-x: auto; /* Add horizontal scroll if needed */
}
.code-example pre {
margin: 0;
}
.image-example {
display: flex;
justify-content: center;
align-items: center;
margin-bottom: 2em;
}
.image-example img {
max-width: 100%;
height: auto;
}
.key-takeaway {
margin-bottom: 2em;
}
.key-takeaway ul {
list-style-type: disc;
padding-left: 20px;
}
.faq-section {
margin-top: 3em;
}
.faq-section h2 {
font-size: 1.8em;
font-weight: bold;
margin-bottom: 1em;
}
.faq-section .faq-item {
margin-bottom: 1em;
}
.faq-section .faq-item h3 {
font-weight: bold;
margin-bottom: 0.5em;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div class="container">
<img src="/static/imghw/default1.png" data-src="https://img.php.cn/upload/article/000/000/000/174009775169997.jpg" class="lazy" alt="Introducing the CSS clip-path Property " />
</div>
<p>The web's predominantly rectangular layout contrasts with print media's diverse shapes. This difference stems partly from a lack of suitable tools. This tutorial introduces <code>clip-path</code>, a CSS property offering the design flexibility of print.</p>
<div class="key-takeaway">
<h2>Key Takeaways</h2>
<ul>
<li><code>clip-path</code> masks parts of an element, exceeding the limitations of the deprecated <code>clip</code> property (rectangular clipping only).</li>
<li>It supports basic shapes, geometry boxes, or SVG <code><clippath></code> URLs for complex shapes and animations.</li>
<li>Animating <code>clip-path</code> requires matching vertex counts in initial and final shapes for smooth transitions.</li>
<li>While not universally supported, major modern browsers (Chrome, Safari, Opera) support <code>clip-path</code> (often with prefixes). Firefox support is partial.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2>The Basics</h2>
<p>Clipping trims parts of an element, partially or fully hiding it. The <i>clipping path</i> defines the visible region, whether a simple shape or a complex polygon. The <i>clipping region</i> is the area within this path. Anything outside is hidden, including backgrounds, borders, shadows, and events.</p>
<p>Even with non-rectangular elements, surrounding content flows naturally. For shape-aware content flow, use the <code>shape-outside</code> property (see related SitePoint tutorial).</p>
<p>Remember: <code>clip-path</code> differs from the limited, deprecated <code>clip</code> property.</p>
<h2>Syntax and Usage</h2>
<p>The syntax is: <code>clip-path: <clip-source> | [<basic-shape> || <geometry-box>] | none</code></p>
<ul>
<li><code><clip-source></code>: An SVG <code><clippath></code> URL.</li>
<li><code><basic-shape></code>: Basic shape functions (CSS Shapes spec).</li>
<li><code><geometry-box></code>: (Optional) Reference box for <code><basic-shape></code>, or defines the clipping shape itself (e.g., <code>margin-box</code>).</li>
</ul>
<div class="code-example">
<pre class="brush:php;toolbar:false"><code>img {
clip-path: polygon(50% 0%, 100% 50%, 50% 100%, 0% 50%);
}
This creates a rhombus. Vertex coordinates (x, y) are clockwise, relative to the element's box.
geometry-box<code>.clip-me {
clip-path: polygon(10% 20%, 20% 30%, 50% 80%) margin-box;
margin: 10%;
}
</code>Here, margin-box is the reference. SVG elements use fill-box, stroke-box, or view-box.
clip-pathclip-path enhances text and images. Complex shapes are easily achievable.
<code>.p-msg {
clip-path: polygon(0% 0%, 100% 0%, 100% 75%, 75% 85%, 75% 100%, 50% 80%, 0% 75%);
}
</code>Image galleries and avatars benefit from non-rectangular shapes.
<code>.right {
clip-path: polygon(50% 0%, 100% 50%, 50% 100%, 0% 50%);
position: relative;
top: -352px;
left: 256px;
}
</code>Animate clip-path, but maintain consistent vertex counts for smooth transitions.
<code>@keyframes polygons {
25% {
clip-path: polygon(20% 0%, 100% 38%, 70% 90%, 0% 100%);
}
50% {
clip-path: polygon(0 46%, 100% 15%, 55% 74%, 0 100%);
}
70% {
clip-path: polygon(100% 38%, 100% 38%, 66% 100%, 0 53%);
}
}
</code>IE and Edge lack support. Firefox has partial support (url() syntax, potentially enabled via a flag). Chrome, Safari, and Opera require -webkit- prefixes. Check Can I Use for the latest information.
clip-path offers significant design possibilities. Tools like clippy and CSS Plant's clip path generator simplify complex polygon creation.
clip-path cuts away parts of an element, defining a display region. It accepts basic shapes, geometry boxes, or SVG paths, enabling complex shapes and animations.
The polygon() function uses (x, y) coordinate pairs to define a polygon's vertices. For example, clip-path: polygon(50% 0%, 100% 50%, 50% 100%, 0% 50%) creates a diamond.
Yes, use percentages in shape parameters for scaling with the element's size.
Yes, using keyframes and the animation property. Keep vertex counts consistent for smooth transitions.
Most modern browsers support it (check Can I Use for updates).
circle(radius at position) creates a circle. For example, clip-path: circle(50% at 50% 50%) centers a circle within the element.
Yes, using the url() function to reference an SVG <clippath> element.
clip is deprecated and only supports rectangular clipping. clip-path is far more versatile.
inset(top right bottom left [round border-radius]) creates a rectangle with optional rounded corners.
Yes, using the path() function with SVG path syntax.