Create new object from visible art

[Aleš5EE6]

Hello. I have received an art that is black/white only. Since it is very complex and there are no compound paths (instead of that there are only white shaped layer that cover some parts), I was wondering if there is any quick way that I can export everything that is visible (not white) and create new object from it?

[Monika Gause]

Please show.

[Aleš5EE6]

I cannot show you the exact artwork since there is not published yet, but there is something I create as a test which is made the same way. There is a black circle, on top is white circle, then black stars, some white stars and black stars again, white rounded rectangle, black rectangle on top and then white rhombus on top.

So, is there any easy way to just make compound path (or a group of paths) of everything that is visible black?

[Doug A Roberts]

Select all, then Object > Path > Outline Stroke

Pathfinder > Merge

Select white area, then Select > Same > Fill Colour

Delete.

[Aleš5EE6]

There is no stroke so this wouldn't work. Anyway, merging and deleting won't get the wanted result either, because white area is where the black needs to be either. Anyway, no hard to try, so the result I get is here:

I guess I will have to take my time and work with every single object 😕

[Doug A Roberts]

Please share your demo file.

[Aleš5EE6]

You can download it here (don't know how to upload it directly). Anyway, I'm on my way to make it step-by-step (I need this for print contour), no harm feelings. If you could solve this, I will appreciate it for future problems. It's not the first time I will see this usefull but it is first time that I get more complex file.

[Doug A Roberts · Accepted solution]

I'm not sure what you were doing differently, or if this is perhaps not the outcome you wanted, but Pathfinder > Merge, then delete the white:

[Aleš5EE6]

Thanks, this is it. I feel so stupid now. I was using Merge option for years but never for that stuff, something happen and I somehow changed it with Unite. So that is why it didn't work for me, now everything seems fine. Again thanks for your help, I really appreciate it even if it's a dumb question.