Making a curved cutout

[marisolm13157330]

Hi, all.

I'm trying to copy a relatively simple heart with some cutouts but it's proved to be an impossible task with the skills I so far have.

origen logo.ai - Google Drive

Here's the .ai file in case anyone wants to take a look.

I tried making the curved cutout on the heart with the curvature tool, by drawing and reshaping a rectangle, but none turned out good. The closest I got to making that shape was by drawing a rectangle and then adding an arc to it, but when I put it on top of the heart, it cut it out as the original rectangle. So frustrating! (Learning Illustrator requires a lot of patience, I have come to learn).

If anyone can help, I will be very grateful.

Thanks!

[Jacob Bugge · Accepted solution]

Marisol,

Object>Expand Appearance should get you there.

[marisolm13157330]

But I can't access it, it's grayed out.

[Jacob Bugge]

Marisol,

If you select the rounded rectangle with the arc applied, is it still greyed out?

[Ray Yorkshire]

I could not open your file .

I would approach it this way:

Make a template layer, for the image and lock it

Create a new layer above, use the line tool to draw  a straight  line, over  the arc shape,

Make sure the Cap it set to Round , second option in panel  ( Windoes > Stroke )

Increase Weight of line as needed.

Switch to Anchor Point Tool - (lives under the Pen Tool in  the Tool Bar) and use it to bend the line into shape . like I have done on the left.

Go to Object > Expand  and OK  (it outlines the stroke )

To cut it out from another shape,

Make sure it  is above the Heart . Select the arc and right click  - Arrange Bring to Front.

Select just  the Heart and the Arc

open Pathfinder (Window >Pathfinder)

and use Minus front ( the 2nd Shape mode ) to cut

[marisolm13157330]

Thank you, Ray!

[marisolm13157330]

Thank you, Jacob. Your help was very much appreciated it!

[Jacob Bugge]

For my part you are welcome, Marisol.