Is there a way to allow a pattern to extend past the shape?

[07jmitchell]

I'm trying to fill some shapes with little circles so I created a pattern to fill the shape. I can't find a way to allow the circles to go past the shape (at least for the ones that get cut off by the shape's bounds)

Basically, I want all the circles to be complete circles but some are cut off. 

[Monika Gause]

A little complicated, but possible: https://www.vektorgarten.de/align-and-distribute-pathfinder.html 

[07jmitchell]

Woof! Maybe this can be a future feature. I'll try this method for now! Thank you!

[Monika Gause]

If you happen to have Astute Graphics plugins, then you could also use their Halftone effect (part of Phantasm). A lot of people have them, so just in case ...

[Scott Falkner]

1. Expand the object (Object > Expand). This will convert the pattern into objects that are masked by the path.
2. Release hte maske (Object > Clipping Mask > Release). This will removethe mask You can now see and delete each pattern tile.
3. Ungroup (Object > Ungroup). I usually do this a couple of times.
4. Use the Lasso tool () to select the tiles you don’t want then delete them. You might have to press the Delete key twice, since some of the objects in the pattern tile won’t be completely selected. Deleting only once will leave parts of the objects behind.

[07jmitchell]

Thank you!