Combine objects in illustrator

[entroid]

Hi, im still learning this difficult program and i really don't quite get how to work with different types of object. Sometimes it seems to work and sometimes it just doesn't. in this case what i'm trying to do is actually pretty simple. Im trying to combine objects in a way pathfinder should do just fine, but it actually throws an error 'the filter produced no results. please select two overlaping paths'. But they ARE overlaping so i'm completely lost. tried to expand shapes and didn't work. can anyone please help me with this? here's a screenshot so you can understand better:

[SJRiegel · Accepted solution]

Are you trying to cut the waves out of the circle? Expand your waves, and then make a compound path (not a group) of them. That should fix your issue.

[angie_taylor]

Is it possible that some of your paths may not be closed? I think Pathfinder needs closed paths?

[tromboniator]

Bear in mind that SJRiegel (whose answer is correct) shows the result of using  Minus Front;

while your screenshot shows Intersect highlighted, which would result in this:

This assumes, in both cases, that the waves are in front of the circle. If the circle is in front, Intersect will give the same results as above, while Minus Front Yields:

Peter

[michelew83603738]

The problem is that you are trying to use Intersect on a Group. You need to use it on a Compound Path. Ungroup and then right click and make the wavy lines into a Compound Path. Then you will be able to use the Intersect Pathfinder tool on these.

[Willi Adelberger]

If you want to stay in groups you can use the Pathfinder Effects (look into the Effect Menu), which are working only in groups.

1. Apply Add to the wave group first,
2. Group together with the circle and use the next pathfinder effect you want.

[Jacob Bugge]

entroid,

What happens if you just use Pathfinder>Minus Back (with or without pressing Alt/Option)?

[manal shanableh]

You can use the Shape Builder tool,

select them all, with shape builder tool, drag with Alt to remove the parts you want to remove.

[entroid]

Thanks! that was very helpful