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1

How can I merge 2 overlapping anchor points in Illustrator?

Participant ,
Jun 17, 2021 Jun 17, 2021

When bring 2 points together (right-click > Average) and then I try to join them together (right-click > Join), I receive an error message saying: "the selected objects cannot be joined as they are invalid objects":

 

Preview 2021-06-17 at 12.25.53 PM.jpg

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correct answers 1 Correct answer

Participant , Jun 17, 2021 Jun 17, 2021

Seems that if 2 points are part of the same closed vector shape, you cannot joine them, the solution is to delete the line between them, then before you join them together.

 

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Community Expert ,
Jun 17, 2021 Jun 17, 2021

Are the points on the same path?

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Participant ,
Jun 17, 2021 Jun 17, 2021

yes

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Community Expert ,
Jun 17, 2021 Jun 17, 2021

If it's a closed path, in the pathfinder panel click on unite. This should help in a lot of cases.

And/or try Object > Path > Simplify

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Participant ,
Jun 17, 2021 Jun 17, 2021

The "Unite" thing kind of works. Although my only concern is that it may do other things than just merge the 2 anchor points.

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Community Expert ,
Jun 18, 2021 Jun 18, 2021

Without seeing your actual path, it's difficult to answer definitely. So what do you fear?

 

There's also a script for Merging overlapping anchor points http://shspage.com/aijs/en/

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Community Expert ,
Jun 17, 2021 Jun 17, 2021

Jimmy,

 

How about just deleting (the topmost) one of them with the The Delete Anchor Point tool (-)?

 

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Participant ,
Jun 17, 2021 Jun 17, 2021

It will change the shape of the layer.

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Community Expert ,
Jun 17, 2021 Jun 17, 2021

Jimmy,

 

In some (simple) cases, you can get away fine with bringing 2 points together, but in many cases it can make a mess, sometimes obvious from the beginning. It may be better to make changes in other ways, also to fully obtain the desired shape.

 

A screenshot could be useful; it is easiest for helpers if you use the Insert Photos button at the top of the reply box.

 

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Community Expert ,
Jun 17, 2021 Jun 17, 2021

Or click once with the Delete Anchor Points tool (-).

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Community Expert ,
Jun 17, 2021 Jun 17, 2021

Or as Jacob said 41 seconds earlier.

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Community Expert ,
Jun 17, 2021 Jun 17, 2021

Ton, as you may remember, quite recently Susan was 45 seconds ahead of me.

 

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Community Expert ,
Jun 17, 2021 Jun 17, 2021

It should be forbidden...

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Community Expert ,
Jun 17, 2021 Jun 17, 2021

Indeed, Ton.

 

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Community Expert ,
Jun 17, 2021 Jun 17, 2021

Instead of doing it in two steps have you tried the shortcut Cmd(Ctrl)-Shift-Opt(Alt)-J? This will make a single point of two selected points.

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Participant ,
Jun 17, 2021 Jun 17, 2021

Seems that if 2 points are part of the same closed vector shape, you cannot joine them, the solution is to delete the line between them, then before you join them together.

 

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New Here ,
Dec 18, 2023 Dec 18, 2023

if anybody is interested I solved it using this tutorial: https://youtu.be/r3GXhAFoX1A?si=36V09QIv4lrrhkMA

Two methods to merge troubled anchor points in Adobe Illustrator. More useful stuff by the author: https://svgsprite.com
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Explorer ,
Jul 08, 2024 Jul 08, 2024
LATEST

Select both both anchor points with direct selection tool>Object>Path>Average path.
Then hit unite button in pathfinder.

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