join paths or segments by dropping one over the other

[madobe1127]

Hello, I'd like to try joining two paths or segments in this way.

I draw both of them separately. Path A has a point that is "open" (i.e. a point that has only one line coming away from it)

Path B has an open point as well.

I drag Path B over to Path A and drop the open point on the other open point.

The paths join at their open paths.

Is there a way to do something like this?

[Rob de Winter]

Hey, that's not possible in this way (would be nice though ), the only way to do this now is:

1. Select both paths (or end points) and go to Object > Path > Join (or Ctrl-J)
2. Use the Join Tool from the tools panel (in the CC2019 version it's hidden by default, but you can add it to the tools panel by clicking on the 3 dots at the bottom of the tools panel
3. Make path B with the Pen Tool. Click to make the first point, and close the path at the end point of Path A

Hope this helps

[madobe1127]

oh I just figured out why I didn't have an option to reply. I wasn't on the forum itself, looking at the status notifications. Anyway, Rob, what I'm looking for is the closest way to achieve what I need.

If you are saying I have to draw a segment connecting the two paths, then I'd like to know how to make it as short as possible and then how to delete it afterwards with minimal effect. In other words, how can we get as close as possible to the goal of joining two existing paths unchanged at their open points?

[Rob de Winter · Accepted solution]

Hey madobe1127​,

I think you mean something like this: making sure two open end points are as close as possible together (so, maybe on top of each other), and connect them then. You can do that by doing this:

1. Select both end points with the Direct Selection Tool
2. Go to Object > Path > Average, and select 'Both'
3. Illustrator now places both end points on top of each other
4. Now go to Object > Path > Join (or Ctrl-J) to connect both points. Because they are on top of each other, they will be converted to one anchor point.

Is this maybe a solution to your problem?

[madobe1127]

Re averaging the paths... Yes that looks like what I want... some way to get the points to coincide, some reliable way to do that.

I do notice that auto-snap (or whatever it's called) will snap the points to each other provided they aren't snapping to something else that is close. The problem I have with autosnap is that once a drawing gets fairly busy (lots of segments all over), there are so many things that auto-snap picks up that I lose track of whether it's snapping to the very thing I'm interested in.

It looks like you are telling me a way to guarantee the open points coincide.

Thanks,
Mike

[Jacob Bugge]

madobe,

I believe it is more accurate/sound to (only) have the end Anchor Points snap to each other, so if you can make sure you have no other snapping (and no (pixel) grid alignment), everything may get easier.

As you may be aware, Smart Guides (with optimized/customized settings) may be your best friends.

[Rob de Winter]

Hey Mike, good to hear that! I think average is a nice solution, especially for more complex documents, like you say

[Jacob Bugge]

madobe,

What happens if you just select the two paths and Ctrl/Cmd+J?

Failing that, starting with the paths deselected, you may Click/Drag over the coinciding end Anchor Points with the Direct Selection Tool and Ctrl/Cmd+J.

[Jacob Bugge]

madobe,

I believe quite a few might complain about such a feature unless optional.

[hammer0909]

Although I could envision maybe a "join mode" of sorts? I'm intrigued 😉

[JETalmage]

I believe quite a few might complain about such a feature unless optional.

It would be as intrusive and cumbersome as the Pen tool's infernal behavior of auto-joining to UNSELECTED paths. (The Pen is not a selection tool, and has no business affecting UNSELECTED paths. That violates the whole concept and purpose of "selection" in the first place.)

Not that I really care, since I don't rent software anyway. 😉

JET

[Jacob Bugge]

Indeed, James

I was thinking of exactly that (Pen autojoining) while writing post #2.

Also of the different meaning of snapping (what dogs (and others) may do when you get close enough).

[Rob de Winter]

Seems like a great idea!

[madobe1127]

Rob de Winter.

I don't understand your reply. You say "draw path B"... but the problem is that path B is already drawn. In fact I'm "drawing" it by making copies of an original curvy path and resizing them.

In other words, I draw a curve C. I make copies of it and edit them. I then wish to join these copies at their open points.

So I can't "draw B". It's already drawn.

Can you clarify?