Invert shape?

[Tom321625689v1e]

I have a white shape on a black background rectangle. Is there way to invert the shape so that the visible black background area becomes the shape, and the white area becomes transparent? 

[Ton Frederiks]

Select the black shape and fill it with none.

Select the white shape with the direct selection tool and fill it with black.

View > Show Transparency Grid to verify the result.

[Tom321625689v1e]

Now would it be possible to reverse those? I'm trying to make a new, second shape out of the negative space of the rectangle, and remove the original shape if that makes sense. 

[Ton Frederiks · Accepted solution]

Another approach:

Select all.

Pathfinder: Divide

Ungroup.

Now you have 2 shapes that you can color or delete.

[Tom321625689v1e]

Perfect, thank you!! 

[Ton Frederiks]

Good to hear that helped.