Help with pathfinder modes not working as expected

Question

Hi All and thanks for the help.I am trying to create a file for a graphic plotter and wanting to add weeding lines.  Plotters cut EVERY path so extraneous paths are a no-no. This is my workflow:Type text. Convert to outline. Select all and pathfinder> Merge (this stops the plotter from cutting teeny bits where the letters overlapAdd a line where I want an extra cut however I don't want the plotter to cut through the letters so I need to trim the line around the letters.It doesn't seem to matter whether I leave the line as a line or convert it to a compound path.  It does seem to be important that the line has a color for fill.I also make sure the line is at the back.When I try and use minus front Shape Modes>Minus Front, (which would leave the line segments I need,  get the following error: Yet I DO have two intersecting paths selected.If instead, I use the Pathfinder>Trim option, I get this which looks correctuntil you remove the letters to see what's left and I have all these artifacts - look at the paths and see below What I really need is just the line segments:I work on big projects and the cleanup is too time consuming.  What am I missing?

Jacob Bugge · Accepted Answer

Loves2create,

I am afraid that with AI, the closest you can get to what you have in mind/are used to, requires your turning the weeding line into a closed path, then clean up by getting rid of the unwanted parts, as follows.

With the text as two Compound Paths and the weeding line as a stroked path beneath the text, you can:

1) Create a copy of the whole text (Ctrl/Cmd+C+F) and hide it (both Compound Paths);

2) With the Pen Tool Click one of the end Anchor Points of the weeding line, then Click beneath the text on both sides, then Click the other end Anchor Point of the weeding line so it forms a closed path with only the original section crossing (behind) the text;

3) Select everytning and Pathfinder>Minus front;

This will create a closed path with the lower parts of the text included along with the three new segments created in 2);

4) Deselect, then with the Direct Selection Tool ClickDrag across each of the different unwanted parts of the path and press delete (only once);

Now you only have the desired pieces of weeding line as separate paths;

5) Show (the copy of) the text in front of the weeding line(s).

Now you have everything.

Bobby Henderson · Answer

Why is there a diagonal line running through the lettering? Are the "Cleaner" letters being cut out of roll vinyl on a plotter? While it is a must to weld over any overlaps in connected script lettering prior to cutting I don't understand the purpose of the diagonal line.

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