Compound Paths

[mjackson83002]

This series of concentric ovals were all ungrouped, all given a black fill and no outlines, Compound Paths released. I wanted to create alternating black and clear shapes like a target. I selected all of the shapes and clicked Command+8 to Make Compound. Only the first inner ring turned clear as seen in the screen grab. 

I do not fully understand when this works this way, while others do what I expected. I know I can use the shape builder to knock out the desired rings.

What's going on?

Thanks,

MJackson

[Jacob Bugge]

mjackson,

Just select pairs to form the rings and use Cmd+8 on each pair, first the two outer most ones, then the next sets, ending with the middle ellipse alone.

[Ton Frederiks]

With all selected, you can click Exclude in the Pathfinder Panel.

[Monika Gause]

Open the Attributes panel.

Show options via the menu

In the right 2 buttons click on Even-Odd

[mjackson83002 · Accepted solution]

Monika, 

This is THE answer I was looking for. Even-Odd was unchecked. 

Thanks!

[Monika Gause]

You're welcome.

Non-Zero will work as well, but you would need to change direction of at least some of the paths.

[Ton Frederiks]

Which is what happens if you click Exclude, no need to create a compound path first.