A

Anonymous

Question

Help using one path to cut/trim another

Forum|Forum|15 years ago
April 27, 2010
4 replies
38126 views

I haven't done much work in Illustrator, and I'm currently using CS4. I'm trying to figure out how to do something simple, and AI is so counter-intuitive that I'm about to rip my hair out.

This is all that I'm trying to do:

I have two lines intersecting, and a circle (just a path, not a filled shape) smaller than the length of the lines, and centered on where they meet. I'm trying to use the circle to cut out the portion of the lines within the circle, so I'm left with what's outside the circle.

That's it, that's all I'm trying to do. I've clicked every button on the Pathfinder palette, I've tried making a compound path, I've tried making a clipping mask, I've tried using the scissor and knife tools, etc... There's no guarantee I did these things correctly, but as I said, Illustrator is so counter-intuitive that for someone new to the application, they usually end up wanting to set the install discs on fire.

So, how can I use the circle to cut the lines? I'd appreciate any help.

This topic has been closed for replies.

B

Bufftom

Inspiring

It can't be done. Freehand did it beautifully and intuitively. Adobe bought and killed Freehand and left us with a bloated and out of date "drawing" program that still is inferior to Freehand.

Good luck.

A

Anonymous

Thank you all for your help. I appreciate the time you put in for me. I've tried both methods and see that I can use the Scissors tool, if I don't mind the manual work of doing it one intersection at a time, or the fill and trim method, if it's less work to restore the fill/stroke settings afterwards.

Thank you again!

Jacob Bugge

Community Expert

For my part you are welcome, Fyard.

I

Ignatius Fay

Inspiring

And for my part, as well - you're welcome.

JETalmage

Inspiring

This is all that I'm trying to do...

That's it, that's all I'm trying to do.

Illustrator is so counter-intuitive...

.. this is relatively simple once you know...

I tried that in my initial attempts. I get an error

Make sure the circle is below the lines, then use the Scissors Tool with Smart Guides...

...is there no way to do it in one step...?

...use Outline in one step, and then Ungroup, remove the mess in the middle, and restore the Stroke Weight...

I forgot to mention that both lines and the circle need to have a fill and a stroke. The fill will not be apparent for the lines...Weird, I know...

Egads.

If this thread doesn't demonstrate what a ridiculous program this is...

JET

W

Wade_Zimmerman1

Inspiring

Egads.
If this thread doesn't demonstrate what a ridiculous program this is...
JET

I really have to say I really do not understand the purpose of this type of posting on the User to User Forum>

There is no one here who can do anything about they way the program works, what exactly do you expect to accomplish?

What purpose does this serve? Should you not be addressing this the the Adobe management or customer service?

What is that you think the users on this forum can do?

If you are trying to start a dialogue should you not be creating a new Topic?

Could you please start another thread so those who think they can offer the user some assistance can actually do so?

Thanks!

JETalmage

Inspiring

Wade,

Worry about your posts. I'll worry about mine.

Nobody here has to explain themselves to you.

JET

I

Ignatius Fay

Inspiring

You are right - this is relatively simple once you know.

Make sure your circle is above the two lines in the stacking order. If it isn't, select the circle and choose Object>Arrange>Bring to Front.

Select all the elements, then choose Trim from the Pathfinder palette. The portions of the lines within the circle will be eliminated, leaving the outer portions and the circle.

A

Anonymous

I tried that in my initial attempts. I get an error that says "The filter produced no results. Please select one or more filled paths

."

As I said in my initial post, all of these items are just paths. They might be stroked, but there are no filled shapes that I'm working with.

Oh, and if I try to fill the circle first, than the intersecting lines are completely deleted - inside and outside the circle.

Jacob Bugge

Community Expert

Fyard,

You may do this:

Make sure the circle is below the lines, then use the Scissors Tool with Smart Guides on and cut when it says Intersect (four times).

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded