Using effects to combine shapes nondestructivelyYou can use Pathfinder effects to combine all the paths in a group, layer, or sublayer. When you combine paths using effects, each path uses the same intersection method, such as Add, Subtract, or Divide. For more information on the Effect menu, see Using effects. You can choose from any of the following Pathfinder effects: Add Traces the outline of all objects as if they were a single, merged object. The resulting shape takes on the paint attributes of the top object. Intersect Traces the outline of the region overlapped by all the objects. Exclude Traces all nonoverlapping areas of the objects, and makes overlapping areas transparent. Where an even number of objects overlap, the overlap becomes transparent. Where an odd number of objects overlap, the overlap becomes filled. Subtract Subtracts the frontmost objects from the backmost object. You can use this command to delete areas of an illustration by adjusting the stacking order. (See Stacking objects.) Minus Back Subtracts the backmost objects from the frontmost object. You can use this command to delete areas of an illustration by adjusting the stacking order. (See Stacking objects.) Divide Divides a piece of artwork into its component filled faces (a face is an area undivided by a line segment). Note: When you use the Divide Pathfinder button in the Pathfinder palette, you can use the direct-selection or group-selection tool and manipulate the resulting faces independently of each other. You can also choose to delete or preserve unfilled objects when applying the Divide command. (See Using the Pathfinder palette.) Trim Removes the part of a filled object that is hidden. It removes any strokes and does not merge objects of the same color. Merge Removes the part of a filled object that is hidden. It removes any strokes and merges any adjoining or overlapping objects filled with the same color. Crop Divides artwork into its component filled faces, and then deletes all the parts of the artwork that fall outside the boundary of the topmost object. It also removes any strokes. Outline Divides an object into its component line segments, or edges. This command is useful for preparing artwork that needs a trap for overprinting objects. Note: When you use the Outline Pathfinder button in the Pathfinder palette, you can use the direct-selection or group-selection tool and manipulate each edge independently. You can also choose to delete or preserve unfilled objects when applying the Outline command. (See Using the Pathfinder palette.) Hard Mix, Soft Mix, and Trap Mix colors that overlap or adjoin. (See Using the Hard Mix and Soft Mix effects.) Related Subtopics: |