How do I create a gap between these 2 objects?

[Chris P. Bacon]

Some easier way than adjusting the edges manually with the direct selection tool?

Both elements should shrink the same amount of space upwards and downwards, respectively.

When doing separations a gap is often needed, I wonder how do I do that?

[Sabine Hamann]

Hi Chris, I hope I understand it and you want to create a path like the selected one from the surrounding path with the special stroke. You can copy the path an place the copy at the same position like the original. Then use Object --> Path --> Offset Path. Use a value with minus and then the second path should be smaller.

[Chris P. Bacon]

I see. I did that with transform, but that's not what I mean.

I made a GIF:

I want to create such a gap between the 2 divided frames, but without moving them upwards and downwards.

[Chris P. Bacon]

Giving an offset to separation lines, that looks like a necessity.

[Sabine Hamann]

Ah, you want the gap where the green line is shown. That is easy. Create a frame and select both elements. Then open the Pathfinder panel and click the button.

[Chris P. Bacon]

Thanks.

[CarlosCanto]

one option would be

- draw a rectangle that would represent the size of the gap

- with the rectangle still selected go to Object->Path->Divide Objects Below

- remove the gap shapes

[Chris P. Bacon]

Ah, I see.

[CarlosCanto]

here's a screenshot I should have added

[Sabine Hamann]

If you press the option key (Mac) or Alt key (Windows) you create a combined element. With a double click you can select the rectangle and move it. So you can move the gap.