How do you subtract a halftone pattern (or indeed any pattern) from a shape in Illustrator

Question

I often use Illustrator to create halftone patterns, which I expand to create vector objects. In a recent design, I want to subtract the halftone from another shape. When I try to use the Pathfinder tools for this, it would have me removing each dot one-by-one, which seems very time-consuming and laborious. Is there any way to do this faster - with multiple shapes subtracted from another shape quickly?

katherinem35384707 · Accepted Answer

Hi Kurt,
I would - but in fact, I just found the solution to my problem!

In case anyone else has the same issue, here is the solution:

Make the halftone pattern and expand it as normal. Ensure it is a different colour to the shape you wish to subtract it from.
Use the pathfinder but not the shape subtract tool - instead use the 'merge' tool.
Afterwards, ungroup the shapes, and select all of the half-tone 'dots' by selecting one dot, and then Select>Same colour.
You can now delete the halftone shapes, leaving the original background shape with the dots minused from it.

Kurt Gold · Answer

Can you share an Illustrator file that contains an example that shows what you are trying to do. Include meaningful instructions.

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