What is the purpose of the Clipping Mask feature in Adobe Illustrator?

The Clipping Mask feature in Adobe Illustrator is primarily used to restrict the visibility of artwork to the shape of another object. When a clipping mask is applied, the top object or shape acts as a mask that allows only the portions of the underlying artwork within its boundaries to be visible. This is particularly useful for creating complex designs where you want to show only specific parts of your artwork.

For instance, if you have a photograph and you want to display only a portion of it in the shape of a circle, you can create a circle shape and use it as a clipping mask over the photograph. This allows you to create visually appealing compositions without permanently altering the original artwork beneath.

The other options listed do not accurately describe the primary function of Clipping Masks. Creating a temporary view or visibility could imply other methods like using layers or different previews, combining objects would typically refer to grouping or merging techniques rather than clipping, and adjusting opacity of multiple items at once relates more to transparency settings than to the purpose of a clipping mask. Thus, the clarity of the Clipping Mask functionality makes it a valuable tool for designers working within Illustrator.