How to divide paths in Illustrator?

[Syrupp]

1. So I'm new to adobe illustrator and I'm struggling with something that I assume is easy. The issue I'm having is when I trace something with the pen tool and make an outline path around let's say an animal then when I go back to cut out different parts like ear or foot or anything that would be within the outline path I can't just draw the one line to connect both sides of the ear for a new path with out completely retracing the ear. So is there any easier way to do this that I don't know ?

{Renamed by MOD}

[sishamIAGD]

Are you able to post any screenshots of what you are trying to achieve? 

[Syrupp]

I'll have to post when I get back to the computer

[edgrimley]

Using the animal as an example. Make a copy of the entire animal path, then use the eraser tool to separate the ear area from the rest of the path.

[Syrupp]

I tried that but it just seemed less accurate to me. I’ll give it a try again and maybe I didn’t look at it close enough. Is it possible just to do it with the path on a new layer? So that you can just connect the two lines and have the so called ear of the animal as a new selection with out having to manually going around with the pen tool and reselect the entire ear outline

[Jacob Bugge · Accepted solution]

Syrupp,

Always keep a copy of the original artwork, in this case the whole animal; you may lock/hide it after making the (first) copies of it, then work on one copy at a time with everything else locked/hidden.

To create open shapes out of one or more separate parts, such as ear(s) and foot/feet, you can just Click with the Scissors Tool where you wish to cut them (out). You can close each path afterwards Ctrl/Cmd+J; or you can create it directly as a closed path by ClickDragging with the Line Segment Tool between the ends instead of the Scissors Tool; you can delete the unwanted parts afterwards.

[michelew83603738 · Accepted solution]

Depending on how complex it is, but you might be able to draw the inside part of the shape (assuming it will end up being an enclosed shape) and then use Pathfinder>Divide. Remember it will create a group out of what you divided, but it will allow you to divide and and the new path together, so to speak.

[Srishti Bali]

Hi there,

I would like to know if the steps suggested above worked for you, or the issue still persists.
Kindly update the discussion if you still need assistance with it.

Thanks,
Srishti