How do you subtract a halftone pattern (or indeed any pattern) from a shape in Illustrator

[katherinem35384707]

I often use Illustrator to create halftone patterns, which I expand to create vector objects. In a recent design, I want to subtract the halftone from another shape. When I try to use the Pathfinder tools for this, it would have me removing each dot one-by-one, which seems very time-consuming and laborious. Is there any way to do this faster - with multiple shapes subtracted from another shape quickly? 

[Kurt Gold · Accepted solution]

Can you share an Illustrator file that contains an example that shows what you are trying to do.

Include meaningful instructions.

[katherinem35384707 · Accepted solution]

Hi Kurt, 
I would - but in fact, I just found the solution to my problem!

In case anyone else has the same issue, here is the solution: 

1.  Make the halftone pattern and expand it as normal. Ensure it is a different colour to the shape you wish to subtract it from. 
2.  Use the pathfinder but not the shape subtract tool - instead use the 'merge' tool. 
3.  Afterwards, ungroup the shapes, and select all of the half-tone 'dots' by selecting one dot, and then Select>Same colour. 
4.  You can now delete the halftone shapes, leaving the original background shape with the dots minused from it.