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P
palido
Participant
May 2, 2020
Answered

Shape Builder Tool Problem

  • May 2, 2020
  • 4 replies
  • 4035 views

Hi folks.

 

I'm having this issue that I can't seem to resolve. I have a couple of objects selected. One of them won't seem to "grey out" so that I can merge the objects. Haven't had this issue with any other objects in the design. The object in question isn't grouped. See video. Help? 

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer tromboniator

Thanks for sharing that. The problem seems to be that the large construction is a Compound Shape, and the Shape Builder Tool requires simple paths. Go to either the Object menu > Expand Appearance or to the Pathfinder panel and click Expand. The Pathfinder panel flyout menu also has Expand Compound Shape. That should allow the behavior you're expecting.

 

Peter

4 replies

A
Angel5FCA
Participant
January 27, 2021

Expand appearance is greyed out 

tromboniator
Community Expert
tromboniatorCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 27, 2021

Could you please start a new thread and provide details about your problem? This thread is marked as having a correct answer, and we have no way of knowing whether or not your question is even remotely similar to the original post.

 

Thanks,
Peter

tromboniator
Community Expert
tromboniatorCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
May 5, 2020

Thanks for sharing that. The problem seems to be that the large construction is a Compound Shape, and the Shape Builder Tool requires simple paths. Go to either the Object menu > Expand Appearance or to the Pathfinder panel and click Expand. The Pathfinder panel flyout menu also has Expand Compound Shape. That should allow the behavior you're expecting.

 

Peter

    P
    palidoAuthor
    Participant
    May 6, 2020

    That did the trick. Thanks for the assist Peter!

    tromboniator
    Community Expert
    tromboniatorCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 6, 2020

    Excellent! You're welcome. I'm glad I could help.

      tromboniator
      Community Expert
      tromboniatorCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      May 4, 2020

      Is it possible for you to share the document?

      P
      palidoAuthor
      Participant
      May 5, 2020

      Absolutely. A dumbed down version....

       

      https://www.dropbox.com/s/7d2e557k4cye1ef/ShapeBuildIssue.ai?dl=0

       

      Thanks! 

      tromboniator
      Community Expert
      tromboniatorCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      May 2, 2020

      The most likely cause would be a gap in the path. Check to see if the path is closed, or double-click on the Shape Builder Tool in the Toolbar to bring up the Tool options. See if Gap Detection is active, and if so try adjusting to a greater gap length.

      P
      palidoAuthor
      Participant
      May 4, 2020

      Thanks for the reply.

       

      I tried Gap Detection with all sizes. Also tried the other various options within the shape builder tool. Still having the same problem. 

       

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