Skip to main content
S
skinneyfat
Inspiring
January 25, 2019
Answered

Illustrator Newb question about select tool

  • January 25, 2019
  • 4 replies
  • 1526 views

I just started using Illustrator today coming from Photoshop. I am used to seeing the marching ants on anything I use the select tool on. There is no such thing as far as I can see in this program. I have some text I'm trying to manipulate. I have a T over an A and I'm trying to cut out the hole in the A from the T. There is no visual cue that I have selected anything at all. As you can tell I'm quite confused. Any help would be appreciated.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer jane-e

    skinneyfat  wrote

    I'm trying to cut the hole in the A out of the T, but this it looks like what I'm looking for.

    EDIT: I found "Create Outlines" but this doesn't allow me to delete just the empty space in the A.

    Hi,

    To confirm, when you say “hole in the A”, are you talking about the Counter or something else?

    Counter (typography) - Wikipedia

    And it’s okay if you don’t know typographical terms, but it will help us to understand your problem. The counter is the red part of the P below.

    Adding to Barb’s steps,

    If you want the counter, you need to make it into a separate shape first:

    • Convert the A to outlines, then
    • Object > Compound Path > Make
    • Object > Compound Path > Release
    • Obect > Ungroup

    Note: when you release the compound path, the transparent “hole” will become the same color as the “A”. Change the colors to something else if you want. It will be transparent again when you select the Counter of the A and the letter T and subtract with the Pathfinder.

    4 replies

    Barb Binder
    Community Expert
    Barb BinderCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 25, 2019

    Hi skinneyfat:

    We are all guessing at what you want. Can share a screen shot or sketch? If we can understand what you need, we can help.

    I'm also going to recommend some basic training on Illustrator—from a book, online tutorials, in a classroom. Illustrator is a vector application and has very little in common with Photoshop, beyond the interface.

    ~Barb

    ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
      S
      skinneyfatAuthor
      Inspiring
      January 25, 2019

      BarbBinder

      I actually started out doing this with Youtube. I couldn't find an answer which is why I came here. I'm certainly going to step back and watch some beginner guides.

        Barb Binder
        Community Expert
        Barb BinderCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        January 25, 2019

        Hi skinneyfat​:

        First of all, so glad you got it worked out.

        Secondly, yay to Jane-e for figuring out what you meant.

        Finally, you are correct that I used the wrong wording for Create Outlines. I went back and edited my references so as not to confuse future readers of this thread.

        ~Barb

        ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
          Ray Yorkshire
          Ray Yorkshire
          Participating Frequently
          January 25, 2019

          Make sure you see

          View > Hide bouncing box  

          and

          View > Hide edges

          that means they are both  on and showing you what's selected

          if they say show click them to turn then on

          I'll have a guess

          Select the type

          Type > create outlines

          Switch to the Shape Builder tool

          with the objects still selected

          hover the mouse cursor over the hole in the a

          it will highlight a little

          Alt (Option ) click on the hole, and the ShapeBuilder will punch a hole through

            Jacob Bugge
            Community Expert
            Jacob BuggeCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            January 25, 2019

            skinneyfat,

            As I (mis)understand it, you can:

            1) Hide the T (close the Eye in the Layers palette), then with the Direct Select Tool Alt/OptionClick (hold Alt or Option) the path bounding the counter (the edge of the hole) of the A, then Ctrl/Cmd+C+F+X+F to copy the hole to the very front (top of the Layer), and change the colour to black if not already (if the A is not black) to have a black hole;

            2) Show the T, then ShiftClick the black hole on top and in the Transparency palette (flyout) click (Make) Opacity Mask with both Clip and Invert Mask unticked (in the Transparency palette (main window)).

            This should give you a T over an A where you can see the background through the counter of the A.

            S
            skinneyfatAuthor
            Inspiring
            January 25, 2019

            https://forums.adobe.com/people/Jacob+Bugge

            When I Alt-Click there is no path to choose. I click on the edge of the hole but there is no selection.

            Jacob Bugge
            Community Expert
            Jacob BuggeCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            January 25, 2019

            skinneyfat,

            Is that with the letter outlined?

            If you have Smart Guides on, you can see when you are within selecting distance from the path.

              Barb Binder
              Community Expert
              Barb BinderCommunity Expert
              Community Expert
              January 25, 2019

              Hi skinneyfat:

              1. Marching ants only appear in Photoshop, not in Illustrator.
              2. The Selection tool (the black arrow) will show sizing handles and a bounding box when an object is selected, the Type tool will highlight text when selected.
              3. Type starts out as editable, just like Photoshop. Select both letters with the Selection tool and choose Type > Convert to Create Outlines.
              4. Window > Pathfinder > Minus Front is one way to cut a hole in the A from the T.

              ~Barb

              ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
                S
                skinneyfatAuthor
                Inspiring
                January 25, 2019

                This looks right but I don't have the "Convert To Outlines" choice in the type menu. I have only "Convert To Area Type". I do have both letters highlighted. BTW I'm not trying to cut the T out of the A. I'm trying to cut the hole in the A out of the T, but this it looks like what I'm looking for.

                EDIT: I found "Create Outlines" but this doesn't allow me to delete just the empty space in the A.

                S
                skinneyfatAuthor
                Inspiring
                January 25, 2019

                So what I did now is get a separate image of just the hole in the A and put it on a separate layer. Then I selected that layer and the T and hit Minus front but nothing happens. No hole is created.

                Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
                Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices