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Pathfinders VS Shape Builder

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
January 18, 2021
2 replies
1825 views

I wonder if we can do everything with the pathfinders without using the shape builder.

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Correct answer Jeff Witchel, ACI

The simple answer is no.

With Shape Builder, you can more easily apply Unite and Minus Front to exactly what you want. Considering these are probably the most used commands in Pathfinder, this is an amazing timesaver.

But Pathfinder allows you other possibilities, such as Divide, Exclude, and more. If you're not a big fan of Pathfinder, try Live Paint. https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/live-paint-groups.html

Jeff Witchel, ACI

Correct answer

Community Expert

The simple answer is no.

With Shape Builder, you can more easily apply Unite and Minus Front to exactly what you want. Considering these are probably the most used commands in Pathfinder, this is an amazing timesaver.

But Pathfinder allows you other possibilities, such as Divide, Exclude, and more. If you're not a big fan of Pathfinder, try Live Paint. https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/live-paint-groups.html

Jose D Gonzalez

Participant

So I've got a class where the instructor wants us to use pathfinder to merge a background with a shape for a fill of an image.

There's a lot of prep to make the image ready and then merge the background with the shape and then isolate the background and delete it. It's not always successful for me.

What is the difference between using background/merge to fill an object vs Live Paint?

I don't understand the need for Pathfinder > merge versus fill an object.

Monika Gause

Community Expert

Maybe this answers it: https://www.vektorgarten.de/pathfinder-and-other-construction.html

But it would really help to see screenshots of your issue.

Monika Gause

Community Expert

You probably can, but will be more tedious.

e.g. deleting parts of paths.

There are perfect reasons when to use pathfinder functions. There are perfect reasons when to use the shapebuilder. Why would you want to limit yourself?

Loïc DekeyserAuthor

Participating Frequently

Mhhh, I see, but sometimes the tool shapebuilder make a strange vector

Monika Gause

Community Expert

Hhhhmmmm. That is not particularly descriptive in a way that someone could help you. So perhaps you want to show examples.

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