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Two different results from "Make Compound Shape" option

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
December 26, 2018
4 replies
1529 views

Hi, I am getting two different results from "Make Compound Shape" option from Pathfinder Tool.

As you can see if I right-click on the Pathfinder panel, I get to "Make Compound Shape" and the result I am trying to get is

But I keep getting this instead.

I appreciate if you can tell me the origin of this problem. Thank you!

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer Monika Gause

What probably happened: video guy prepared his file. Made a compound shape, set to "subtract front". Then released compound shape. Then in the video recording made compound shape again. When you do that, the single shapes seem to remember the formerly applied shape mode.

Ray Yorkshire

Participating Frequently

it doesnt make sense to me either:

5 Must Know Pathfinder Tricks in Adobe Illustrator CC - YouTube

Video - selected both, and in Pathfinder panel's flyout menu,

make compound shape

Result:

When I do it, it just seems to create the Shape Mode - Unite, everything in centre circles colour.

Jason, in comments isn't getting it either..

and the uploaders reply, doesn't help.

Maybe it just works different on a Mac ?

Probably best to go with simple Alt clicking in the Pathfinder panel shape modes instead.

Monika Gause

Correct answer

Community Expert

What probably happened: video guy prepared his file. Made a compound shape, set to "subtract front". Then released compound shape. Then in the video recording made compound shape again. When you do that, the single shapes seem to remember the formerly applied shape mode.

Ton Frederiks

Community Expert

Did you try to apply it to a group (I see Isolation mode)?

try to ungroup it and apply the Compound Shape option.

yjunjungAuthor

Participating Frequently

I tried both (ungrouped and grouped) but still produces the unwanted result. I will link a video that shows what I was following to achieve. 5 Must Know Pathfinder Tricks in Adobe Illustrator CC - YouTube

The result shows at 4:50.

Monika Gause

Community Expert

Compound shapes can have different shape modes applied. If you want to subtract, then select both your shapes, press Alt and click on "Subtract" in the pathfinder panel.

How to combine objects in Illustrator

yjunjungAuthor

Participating Frequently

The only problem for subtract/Minus Front method is I cannot select/move around the inner ellipse.

Monika Gause

Community Expert

schrieb
The only problem for subtract/Minus Front method is I cannot select/move around the inner ellipse.

Of course you can. As I said: Alt+click the pathfinder button. And to edit the thing, go into isolation mode as the video guy shows. BTW: of course you could do that with compound paths as well.

Larry G. Schneider

Community Expert

Have you tried making a compound path instead? Select both circles and use Object>Compound Path>Make.

yjunjungAuthor

Participating Frequently

Yes I have. It does give me a similar result but not exactly what I want.

I just creates a hole in the ellipse but does not allow me to select and move around.

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