decorative banner

Combining paths using Pathfinder effects


    Use Pathfinder effects on groups, layers, or sublayers that you want to combine into one, editable object.

    After you combine paths using the Pathfinder effects, you can select individual paths and move them, or change the appearance attributes. You can also change the stacking order of the paths in the Layers palette to alter the shape and color of the resulting art. Once applied, Pathfinder effects can be included as part of a style.

To combine paths with a Pathfinder effect:

  1. Select a group, or target a layer or sublayer in the Layers palette.
  2. Choose Effect > Pathfinder and choose a Pathfinder effect. (See Using effects to combine shapes nondestructively.)

To quickly apply the same Pathfinder effect again:

    Choose Effect > Apply <effect>.

    The command is applied with the most recently used settings.