Pathfinder not working for what I need. Please help.

Thank you all again. I a banging my head in confusion.Im pretty frustrated. Before using illustrator, before come to you for help, I had been learning Illustrator 101 via a youtube series by "Teach Me To Design" called "Adobe Illustrator Basics: Part...". In the very first video he discusses Shape Builder (directs to to time in video):

Adobe Illustrator Basics: Part 01 - YouTube

Ive used the Shape Builder tool numerous times already to create shapes. Again, this is prior to coming to you. Obviously I should have told you. This star shape is the first it hasn't worked on, and after numerous attempts, went the "Pathfinder" route, still with no success. I figured Shape Builder wasn't working because only the tips of the "Fins" are touching. Due to the emphasis you guys were putting on Shape Builder, I shook my, figured "what the heck", gave it another shot, and it works. But I don't get why. I didn't change anything. I have the same layers/objects selected as all previous attempts, same approach as all previous successful Shapes.

Im embarrassed because I've clearly wasted your time, but at the same time, I don't know why it worked now and not earlier.

I don't know what to say other than:

Thank you for your time!

Thank you for your patience!

Thank you for your help!

And Thank you!

Monika Gause​ - Well, you made a great and straight forward suggestion. So since that line of my response was (@Monika Gause) that means I was replying to your suggestion. And since I said "I tried that" it means I tried your suggestion.

Obviously I did something to confuse everyone. And I am very very sorry about that. I feel as though some of these suggestions are more complicated than the method needs to be.

I REALLY do appreciate everyones time. So here is one more video. Sorry, a 3min video is better that 3hrs of trying to word an explanation properly, or do screenshot frames. An image is worth a thousand words, so a video is worth more. It provides context and goal if recorded right.

May be I am wrong but I notice that not all layers are selected when you acting with pathfinder.

Anyway i can suggest you to use Shape Builder Tool instead of Pathfinder Panel. Its easy to work and you can control all your steps.

How to create shapes using the Shape Builder tool in Illustrator

First off, I thank you for your time and responses.

Jacob Bugge​ - Thank you for the suggestion. I didn't want to make the explanation any more confusing than i was already making it in the video, but your method isn't the way I want to go about it. I have a reason that I need it the way Im trying to get it. In short, it'll be one object, not effected or dependent on any other layers or masks. I know there's a way to do it the way I'm wanting , because I accidentally did it, and can't repeat it. I think Monika and Michele are on the same train of thought as me.

Monika Gause​ - I've tried that. Whenever I click the merge option, The stroked/outlined center star just disappears. I have tried arranging the center star to the front, and when the star disappeared, I tried arranging it to the back, with same results.

michelew83603738​ - I have tried using all Pathfinder options with the center star arranged to the front and to the back. either way, I'm getting same results.

Outline the stroke on the star.

Then select all the objects and click on the pathfinder button "Merge".

Then delete the blue inner shape of the star.

varxtis,

As I (mis)understand it, an easy and reversible way would be to:

1) Copy the centre star behind itself (Ctrl/Cmd+C+B) and hide the original;

2) Select the copy star and give it a white fill, then select everything and in the Transparency palette (flyout) click (Make) Opacity Mask with Clip unticked and Invert Mask ticked;

3) Show the original again.

This will show the original hollow centre star in front of the outer parts of the other objects. You can release the Opacity Mask and make any desired changes, then reapply.