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palido
Participant
May 2, 2020 12:52 AM UTC
Answered

Shape Builder Tool Problem

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? 

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tromboniator
tromboniatorCorrect answer
Community Expert
May 5, 2020 7:15 AM UTC

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

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9 replies

Angel5FCA
Participant
Jan 27, 2021 6:42 AM UTC

Expand appearance is greyed out 

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tromboniator
Community Expert
tromboniatorCommunity Expert
Community Expert
Jan 27, 2021 9:38 AM UTC

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

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tromboniator
Community Expert
tromboniatorCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
May 5, 2020 7:15 AM UTC

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

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    palidoAuthor
    Participant
    May 6, 2020 10:34 PM UTC

    That did the trick. Thanks for the assist Peter!

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    tromboniator
    Community Expert
    tromboniatorCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 6, 2020 10:55 PM UTC

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

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      tromboniator
      Community Expert
      tromboniatorCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      May 4, 2020 2:25 AM UTC

      Is it possible for you to share the document?

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      palidoAuthor
      Participant
      May 5, 2020 2:04 AM UTC

      Absolutely. A dumbed down version....

       

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

       

      Thanks! 

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      tromboniator
      Community Expert
      tromboniatorCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      May 2, 2020 5:58 AM UTC

      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.

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      palidoAuthor
      Participant
      May 4, 2020 12:16 AM UTC

      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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