Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Don't forget the drawing mode
IMPORTANT:
Drawing modes are persistent! If you forget what mode you're
in, you'll get unexpected results. Try to get in the habit of switching to
Normal mode (Shift-D) as soon as you no longer need to be in that special
drawing mode.
COMPOUND SHAPES & COMPOUND PATHS
There are three additional ways to create new objects by combining and
subtracting objects with and from each other: compound shapes, compound
paths, and by using the commands found in the Pathfinder panel. Compound
paths and compound shapes are live and can easily be released to recover the
original paths. Compound paths are used primarily to create holes in objects,
whereas compound shapes provide more complex ways of combining objects.
The Pathfinder panel icons perform operations very much like compound
shapes, except that these operations are applied permanently—Undo is the
only way to reverse the effects of a pathfinder operation. If you wish to apply
a live version of a Pathfinder command to a layer, type object, or a group,
instead of using the Pathfinder panel, apply it from either the Effects menu,
or the
fx
icon from the Appearance panel.
Compound paths or shapes?
Use compound paths on simple objects for basic combining or hole-cutting. Use compound
shapes on complex objects (such as those made with additional effects) and to fully control
how your objects interact. Be aware that compound shapes can become too complex to print,
or to be combined within some effects, and might have to be released (returning objects to
their original state) or expanded (which keeps the appearance, but breaks it apart
permanently). Make/release/expand compound shapes from the Pathfinder panel menu, and
make/release compound paths from the Object menu.
Compound paths
A compound path consists of one or more paths that have been combined so
they behave as a single unit. Compound paths can be used as a single mask,
and they can create holes where the original objects overlapped (think of the
letter
O
), through which you can see objects.
To create a simple compound path, draw one oval, then draw a smaller oval
that will form the center hole of the
O
, and choose Object> Compound Path>
Make. Apply the fill color of your choice, and the inner object remains
unfilled. To adjust one of the paths within a compound path, use the Direct
Selection tool; or select the compound path and enter isolation mode.
Pathfinder panel
The Pathfinder panel includes the top row of Shape Modes icons and the
lower row of Pathfinder commands. The Pathfinder panel's icons alter the
