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V
Vit
Participant
March 11, 2020
Answered

Joining anchor points together

  • March 11, 2020
  • 4 replies
  • 10126 views

Hi, I need to join 2 anchor points on the top of the path and 2 anchor point bellow together to make the line smooth. Originally it is the text but if I choose 2 anchor points together, there is no option to group them. Even if I put one on the other one, there is still path crossing the line and can not make it as a one. Thanks for the help, I hope it is very simple.

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    Correct answer Jacob Bugge

    Vit,

     

    "The paths must be in the same group. The new path will not connect with the existing path."

     

    I believe you can overcome the issue by using the expanded Layers palette as follows:

     

    1) With the Direct Selection Tool press Alt/Option and click the receiving path that the two new paths are to join with, then find the selected path in the Layer, expand Groups as needed until you find the actual path highlighted, then lock it so you can find it again;

    2) Move the new paths down in the Layers palette until they are directly above the locked path;

    3) Unlock the receiving path and try to Join each set of coinciding Anchor Points; if needed Ungroup as needed and reGroup afterwards.

     

    4 replies

    Grant H
    Community Expert
    Grant HCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 13, 2020

    why dont you unite the shapes and tidy up where need be with the smooth tool?

    Jacob Bugge
    Community Expert
    Jacob BuggeCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    March 13, 2020

    Vit,

     

    "The paths must be in the same group. The new path will not connect with the existing path."

     

    I believe you can overcome the issue by using the expanded Layers palette as follows:

     

    1) With the Direct Selection Tool press Alt/Option and click the receiving path that the two new paths are to join with, then find the selected path in the Layer, expand Groups as needed until you find the actual path highlighted, then lock it so you can find it again;

    2) Move the new paths down in the Layers palette until they are directly above the locked path;

    3) Unlock the receiving path and try to Join each set of coinciding Anchor Points; if needed Ungroup as needed and reGroup afterwards.

     

      barbara_a7746676
      Community Expert
      barbara_a7746676Community Expert
      Community Expert
      March 13, 2020

      If I could see your illustration, it would be easier to troubleshoot the issue.

      Illustrator can join 2 anchor points at a time. Is it possible that there are more than 2 anchor points at the same location? You could try temporarily moving the anchor points to see if there are more than 2. Choosing View > Outline might help to see more clearly.

      It is possible that there is a stray anchor point at that location, and that would be hard to see. If that is the case, deselect everything and choose Select > Object > Stray Points.

      It's difficult to see what's going on in the screen capture, but it looks like there is a rectangular shape on top of the main shape. If that is the case, you could select the shapes and in the Pathfinder panel click the Unite icon.

      Jacob Bugge
      Community Expert
      Jacob BuggeCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 11, 2020

      Vit,

       

      Rather than your trying to move about and adjust handles, which may still end up a bit like a broken leg, I believe you would be happier by starting over, maybe as follows.

       

      As far as I can see, you have filled paths failing to meet in the right way; you may switch from fill to a thin stroke so you can see what you are doing and then create one new curved segment for each side in a contrasting colour, Smart Guides being your friends:

       

      Either lock the present version and simply create new paths by ClickDragging with the Pen Tool from each of the end Anchor Points to be, possibly adjusting the Handles, for best possible fit, thus avoiding the almost inevitable unsmoothness at the joint; afterwards, you can lock the new paths and cut the original path, then unlock and join new and original.

       

      Or you can start by replicating the current Handles, as the ones at the top visible on your screenshot (the one on the right side sticks out a bit, and the other is within the fill), by ClickDragging from the Handle to the Anchor Point with the Line Segment Tool (it only works in that direction because the Handle vanishes when you start ClickDragging); and when creating each segment you can ClickDrag to snap (you may need to Drag the line to the other side of the bottom Anchor Points).

       

      Was this unintelligible and woolly enough?

       

       

      V
      VitAuthor
      Participant
      March 13, 2020

      Hello Jacob, thanks for the help. Unfortunately i have to create the smooth black filled shape, because of the following cutting in our machine. The problem is, if I remove and replace the new line with the pen tool - it is not possible to connect them. The Illustrator says "The paths must be in the same group. The new path will not connect with the existing path.". But at the same time I can not group them. I can just change the text font or whatever, but I would like to solve this problem to the future 🙂 Thanks again for Your time.

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