I’ve selected them to show how each graphic isn’t a series of strokes and fills, but instead is 1 entire fill. 😉 The Pathfinder was extremely useful in making these uniform and symmetrical. In this example, I’ve made icons of foods we should consume in moderation. It cuts out the top (not bottom) shape, and only leaves the path where the top shape overlapped the back. Minus Back: Minus Back is the opposite of Minus Front. Outline: Outline turns the edges of the shapes into individual segment of lines with a stroke of 0 points. The top shape will disappear (in color), but show any of the other shapes that overlapped it. Merge: Merge is exactly like Trim in that it separates the selected shapes into parts while preserving the shape on top, except it also unites shapes that are the same color.Ĭrop: Crop uses the top shape like a cookie-cutter to crop away everything outside of it, so that only whatever was inside it remains (kind of like a clipping mask). See how everything is trimmed except the star on top? Trim: Trim separates the selected shapes into parts (just like Divide), but it doesn’t cut the top shape. The overlapping shapes will take on whichever color was on top. Except these are good for when you’d like to work with more than 2 shapes at a time.ĭivide: Divid separates the selected shapes into parts where they are overlapping. These buttons are pretty much different combinations of what the the Shape Modes do. Once you’re happy with where they’re positioned, you can combine them into 1 shape by simply clicking, “Expand.” 3. You can still double click them, and edit them how you’d like. You’ll notice your 2 shapes are now grouped together (not combined into 1). Then, when you’re ready to combine them, click “Expand.”įor example, I’ve selected the 2 shapes above, and while holding down the option/alt key, clicked the Unite button. You can do this by holding down the option/alt key, while clicking on 1 of the Shape Modes. However, there may be times you want to GROUP 2 shapes together (as if they are 1 shape), but not actually combine them into 1 shape. In the newer versions of Illustrator, when you use a Shape Mode, Illustrator automatically “expands” (combines) your selected shapes - this is why the Expand button is not clickable. The Expand button can only be used for Shape Modes. Intersect: Intersect creates a new shape where the other 2 shapes overlap.Įxclude: Exclude cuts the space where the selected 2 shapes overlap. Minus Front: Minus Front cuts out the bottom shape where the front shape overlaps it. The color converts to whatever the top shape color is. Unite: Unite combines the selected shapes into 1 shape. Here’s the Pathfinder Palette in Illustrator (Window > Pathfinder), along with the names of all the buttons. Step-by-step guide on the Pathfinder Palette The video is broke up into 4 parts, and the step-by-step transcript can be found below: 1. In this tutorial, we’re going to do a quick run-through of its basic functions. It’s really handy to master because it helps you make neater-looking vector images and speeds up your overall workflow. It makes it easier to combine paths, divide objects and subtract shapes. The Pathfinder Palette is one of the most useful tools in Adobe Illustrator.
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