How to combine paths that are stacked on top of each other?

[innovative_maker6C1A]

Sometimes when I use image trace for complex images it produces multiple layers of paths, sometimes in which paths in the exact same line are "stacked" on top of each other - in other words the trace process has produced multiple shapes and when you work with the paths (which I need to do to use in a vinyl cutting process) there are doubled lines in different sections. I've tried to explain with the attached photos - the first one shows one layer/path, the next with that one hidden and another highlighted that covers much of the same area. I would like to be able to combine/merge/flatten these paths into one rather than trying to wade through the layers and hand edit them. Is this possible?

[Kurt Gold]

It may be possible.

Can you share a sample Illustrator file for inspection?

[innovative_maker6C1A]

Sure, here is the original AI file. You will see that the layers are a bit of a mess - I've already been playing with it - but you can quickly see parts that are perfect overlays and parts that are not. Thanks!

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @innovative_maker6C1A,

Thanks for sharing your query! Unfortunately, .AI files can’t be directly uploaded to the Adobe Support Community.

You can either:

1. Change the file extension from .ai to .pdf and upload it here.

2. Upload the file to a cloud service like Dropbox, Google Drive, or WeTransfer and share the download link in this thread.

Once we have access to the file, we can assist you further in resolving the issue. Looking forward to your response!

Best regards,

Anshul Saini

[innovative_maker6C1A]

Okay, sorry, trying again - here is the ai file in dropbox, thanks

[Kurt Gold]

Thanks for the sample file.

I think if you want to get something clean (and beautiful) in that case, you may consider to draw the picnic scenery manually.

Apart from that, if you are looking for a quick way to clean it up, a rather weird approach would be to (re-)rasterise the line drawing and then again do a trace with appropriate settings. Sometimes that works pretty well.

[innovative_maker6C1A]

Interesting - I will try rerasterizing, that could work. Thanks for your help!

[innovative_maker6C1A]

I added a link to the AI file- any advice would be welcome, please. Thank you!

[_scott__]

Path overlaps are necessary if shapes are to be separated and closed. Two closed shapes can not share a single path. The only option is to overlap paths on a comon side.

[innovative_maker6C1A]

Thank you - and I understand - but is there a way to join the shapes so that all the paths are preserved? Any of the options I have tried to join them results in losing/obscuring some part of the path.

[_scott__]

To the best of my kowledge, there's no way to "join" paths on two seperate, closed, shapes.

[innovative_maker6C1A]

Thanks. That's what I figured, just seems like a remarkable oversight in the program. Thanks for your insight, much appreciated!