The Merge pathfinder is similar to that of the Trim command when applied to two multicolored shapes. This is similar to taking scissors to multiple shapes glued together and trimming around the edges of each overlapping polygon. Trim pathfinders cut away the top shape layer from the revealing bottom layer. The Divide pathfinder breaks up the existing shapes into top, overlap, and bottom layers to create three distinct paths. Pathfinder commands alter existing paths, shown by line segments these actions don’t typically form new shapes, but rather break the existing compound shapes into distinct paths. ![]() The Exclude shape mode eliminates the overlapping area and leaves behind the remaining polygons to create a complex shape. Intersect actions create a new shape by revealing the overlapped area and removing the top and bottom shape layers. The Minus Front shape mode eliminates the top shape layers and any overlaps, leaving behind the bottom shape and color. This tool is ideal for building complex vector shapes and joining them together. The Unite action combines two or more shapes into one cohesive polygon. These actions create new and unique polygons of a single color. Shape Modes alter the final shape by uniting, excluding, intersecting, or eliminating separate layers. Select two or more adjoining polygons with the Selection Tool (V) while holding down the Shift key, then group the shapes with Command+G for best results. This palette works best when applied to multiple different shapes. For this overview, we will go over the results of each pathfinder when applied to the compound shape below. Navigate to Window > Pathfinder in Illustrator to bring up the Pathfinder palette. You can create custom shapes and paths by using the versatile Shape Modes and Pathfinders within the panel. Use this tool to easily create one-of-a-kind shapes in just one click.Īdobe Illustrator’s Pathfinder panel is one of the most beneficial in the entire program. Do you have any tips for using the Pathfinder Panel? if so, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.The Pathfinder palette is a huge timesaver when creating detailed vector designs in Adobe Illustrator. In our business, it’s how much you can do, in as little time as possible.ĭo you use the Pathfinder Panel? I would imagine it saves you a ton of time when creating tough shapes. If you can overlap a few basic shapes, trim some pieces here and there, and be done with it, that’s much better than painstakingly drawing it all anchorpoint by anchorpoint for 10 minutes. Hand drawing tough shapes is for the birds. This can be a really efficient feature for you, depending on what you’re doing. Options like exclude with delete the parts where the shapes overlap, leaving everything else behind. This means that you’ll overlap 2 shapes, and then it will break them down into all the little shapes that are created from the overlapping process. Depending on how your shapes are stacked, this is called Minus Front (On the top row) or Minus Back (On the bottom row). ![]() You can also subtract one shape from another. You can see that the best way to use the Pathfinder Panel is to overlap 2 shapes, Then, you decide how they interact, and choose the right button to press to get the results you want. Let’s take a look at the Pathfinder Panel and why it’s so darn helpful. the Pathfinder Panel is also a great place to merge your shapes, too. When you’re working on complex shapes, or you just need to trim a shape to get what you need, there’s nothing better. For the past couple of years, I have been using the Pathfinder Panel, and it’s a life saver. You’ll probably say “What? Are you nuts, James?” While my mental state is sometimes debatable, I didn’t do this by choice. Before I used the Pathfinder panel, I used to try to draw every shape by hand with the Pen Tool.
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