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Brainiac
October 22, 2025
Answered

Possible to Invert Path Illustrator?

  • October 22, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 1221 views

Does Ai have a capability to Invert a path similiar to PS when Inverting a Selection?

Correct answer Jacob Bugge

Jacob: Appreciate the follow up. I would not change the color. This would degrade the patch. There is however, a subdued color. I still have the original patch I use to wear. This was over 50 years ago. Of all the patches I have worn over the years this one has special meaning. Which is why I want to vectorize it. Not real sure why Image Trace is having a very difficult time tracing it. Thanks


You are welcome, westdr.

 

Until the automatic tracing becomes good enough, or till the end of days, whichever occurs first, the best way is to redraw on top of the locked image using the suitable tools, just as Bobby said, preferarbly using a rather narrow stroke in a contrasting colour and no fill, in this case you can use full black at 0.25 pt, and letting Smart Guides help you, maybe on and off, and remembering that Undo is your friend. Always keep backups of the parts you may need to fall back on.

 

You will have to decide whether you wish to remain true to the original hand drawn shapes, or change them in favour of simpler/more regular/more symmetrical shapes, and if the latter, to which degree.

 

Starting with the simpler outermost parts, the first choice will be the outermost rim where the curved part from the bottom extends further on the left side than on the right side where it ends a bit lower at an angle with the straight part at the top. You can start with the Pen Tool at the top left corner as follows (you can start a new path by pressing P for Pen):

1) Click right on top of the corner, then hold Shift and move the cursor down to the spot where the straight part ends and the curve begins (Smart Guides say on), you can move it up and down until you are sure, then Click, then let go of Shift; you can switch to the (Direct) Selection Tool if you need to adjust, preferable keeping the straight part vertical;

2) Press P to start a new path and ClickDrag from the bottom corner, dragging exactly in the direction of the curved part at the corner itself about one third of the way towards the straight part, then hold Shift and ClickDrag vertically up from the bottom end of the straight part (Smart Guides say anchor first and then on); you will undoubtedly need to adjust, preferable keeping the straight part vertical, which you can do by deselecting and switching to the Direct Selection Tool, then Click Dragging the Handles at the two Anchor Points, holding Shift at the top one, until you are satisfied.

 

After this, for the right side you can:

3A) For symmetry: Reflect a copy of the left rim from 2) with a vertical axis and ShiftClickDrag it by the bottom Anchor Point to snap to the original bottom Anchor Point, deselect and Drag across them with the Direct Seletion Tool, and Join (Ctrl/Cms+J), then Drag across the top corner Anchor Points and Join to get the full rim; or you can:

3B) For asymmetry: Lock the left side and repeat 1) and 2) for the right side of the rim (at the bottom corner Smart Guides say anchor), then unlock the left side and Join at top and bottom.

 

After this, for the inner rim you can either work in the same way as for the outer rim, which will give you the original shape including its being increasingly closer to the outer rim towards the bottom corner, or you can use the Offset Path as suggested by RvdT, which will give the same distance all the way round, which you can change by moving its bottom corner downwards and maybe adjusting its handles, maybe symmetrically which may require some more effort.

 

The shading at the inner rim to the right can be done with a combination of Offset Path and then a copy of the corresponding part of the inner rim.

 

The dividing of (a copy of) the inner part into red and yellow can be done with a simple line and Object>Path>Divide Objects Below, ignoring the bolt and hand parts.

 

The shading at the inner rim to the right can be done with a combination of Offset Path and then a copy of the corresponding part of the inner rim.

 

The bolt parts were originally made in one piece and can be redrawn in one piece by Clicking with the Pen Tool at the all corners, ignoring the hand parts; it can be divided later.

 

The rest can be made with a more elaborate use of the Pen Tool.

 

I hope these suggestions can get you started; you can show your (lack of) progress (preferably using the Insert Photos button) in connexion with further questions.

 

3 replies

RvdT
Inspiring
October 23, 2025

Do you mean creating an offset path? Like this (see blue lines):

 

westdr1dwAuthor
Brainiac
October 23, 2025

RvdT; Thank you for sharing. Ai has a lot of features and tools. Really appreciate showing where/when to use them. 

Monika Gause
Adobe Expert
October 22, 2025

Maybe you can post a screenshot? Are you referring to masks?

westdr1dwAuthor
Brainiac
October 22, 2025

I have attached 3 files on the project I am working on. This is an USArmy patch that I would like to change to a vector. I have tried Image Trace without much success. The original question is whether AI can Invert the Path. An example is the lighting bolt. When I trace the yellow segment I would like to invert to paint the red. 

I have also included the original image (.jpg). 

The file AI Dots I am not sure what it is. This occured when I was attempting to move the Left side of the Path. 

In an effort to eliminate the pixelation on the edges I have been adding anchor points, then using the Direct Selection tool to move the Path to cover these areas. This seems to work, not sure if there is a better way though.

Appreciate your help on this one. The patch has a personal meaning. Thanks

 

westdr1dwAuthor
Brainiac
October 28, 2025

westdr,

 

No rush, and no need for apologies. From time to time over the years, OPs (original posters) have responded after one or several years of silence, and then their threads could continue.

 

If you use the Pen Tool in one go for each whole path with Smart Guides on, it is very easy to see/ensure that you close the paths while creating them.

 

For remaining open paths, it may be easier to start over.

 

Or you can show screenshots with each ailing path selected with the Direct Selection Tool along with the Doc Info and get suggestions based on those.


Thanks, will continue to gain proficiency with the tools. I have used several software apps in the past. Spending a great deal of time with various database programs. Getting accustomed to Illustrator is a totally different environment.

Ton Frederiks
Adobe Expert
October 22, 2025

Illustrator has a Select > Inverse.

But that is probably not what you mean...