A

Anonymous

Answered

Eraser Tool

Forum|Forum|14 years ago
July 14, 2011
4 replies
54096 views

I"m a beginner! When I try to use the eraser tool in Illustrator.... It comes up as an upside down pencil with a line through it. Can't erase anything.

Please help.

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer mjbelt

This video includes the Blob Brush also, but simple technique using the Eraser Tool.

Using the Blob Brush and Eraser tools

tip: use the bracket keys [ ] next to P key to increase the brush size of Eraser/Blob Tools

As Sosha mentioned, make sure to unlock Layer(s).

M

mfristoff

Participant

Can someone please post a link/video tutorial... I'm having the same issue(s). Granted, I'm equally inexperienced, but I do know how to select an individual item/layer...Having said that, when I select a layer, I'm receiving the same error.

I know Pixelmator/Gimp aren't the same... but while trying to "improve myself" by learning AI, I'm running into nothing but these types of problems. Someone pleaseee redeem my faith in AI!

M

mjbeltCorrect answer

Participating Frequently

This video includes the Blob Brush also, but simple technique using the Eraser Tool.

Using the Blob Brush and Eraser tools

tip: use the bracket keys [ ] next to P key to increase the brush size of Eraser/Blob Tools

As Sosha mentioned, make sure to unlock Layer(s).

herbe57413747

Participant

Having the same problem and the item is unlocked. Will the eraser only work on certain file formats?

K

katylaraine

Participant

Im a beginner as well and i found this when i was trying to figure that out. I have no idea why.. but you click the expand button and it lets you do it.. whatever that means.

Monika Gause

Community Expert

What are you trying to erase?

A

Anonymous

I was trying to shorten a line that was created with the pen tool. I have now figured out that I can add an anchor point and shorten the line that way..... but I still don't understand why my eraser tool looks like an upside down pencil with a / slash or line through it ..... as if to say..... no you can't erase anything.

I'm sure it is something that I have done wrong but .... ?????

I guess I can always save it and open it in photoshop and erase it that way but it's like..... why can't I do it in Illustrator.

Kadut

Participant

Hi Sosha,

You get that upside down pencil with the line through it if you attempt to draw on a locked layer. If you unlock the layer you should be able to see the eraser pointer. See screen-shot:

Steve Fairbairn

Inspiring

You have to select the object(s) you want to erase from.

But you may get unexpected results; it's not like the eraser in Photoshop.

Unless you really want to take eraser-shaped bites out of things you might do better editing the vectors with scissors and the pen tools.

At least I think it is better for beginners to learn the basics first. The eraser isn't exactly basic – see what happens when you use it on a filled and stroked object.

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