Problems with joining paths

[sebastian2012a]

Could anybody please explain why I often get an error message when I try to join two lines? I can't reproduce the error now, but I found the message over at stackexchange:

"To join, you must select two open endpoints. If they are not on the same path, they cannot be on text paths nor inside graphs, and if both of them are grouped, they must be in the same group."

Or perhaps somebody could translate the message to English?

[Jacob Bugge]

Sebastian,

You can only succeed if you select two end Anchor Points, one from each path to join.

One thing that may go wrong is that you select multiple Anchor Points on at least one of the paths. This may happen if you have an extra Anchor Point (almost) coinciding with the end one and you ClickDrag over them or if the end one is beneath the other Anchor point in the order of the path. You may see whetheer the total number of Anchor Points is as expected for each path, and you may deselect and then Click the (presumed end Anchor Point, then move it a bit (with an arrow key or something) and see whether there is one underneath; you may then deletethe unwanted one or Ctrl/Cmd+Z to move it back.

And then there  are the other requirements which you may consider.

So you may investigate each case when it appears.

[sebastian2012a · Accepted solution]

Thank you for your reply Jacob, but I always make sure that I only select two anchor points.

And I got another error message just now, saying that the selected objects can't be joined as they are invalid objects (Compound paths, text objects, graphs, live paint group). So there seems to be a lot of cases where the function just doesn't work.

EDIT: I found a work-around: When paths can't be joined because they're a live paint group, that group can be Expanded. This closes gaps that can't otherwise be closed.

[Jacob Bugge]

You are welcome, Sebastian.

Nice to see it sorted.

[StrongBeaver]

I didn't understand your answer to this problem ?

[Jacob Bugge]

StrongBeaver,

It was related to another possible cause (different from the one faced by Sebastian) in connexion with failed Direct Selection of the relevant end Anchor Points.

[StrongBeaver]

My problem is those two paths I want to join but I get the following error.  I was hoping to find the answer in this thread, hopefully you can answer ?

[Monika Gause]

Open the layers panel and inspect your paths. What does the layer panel tell you?

[StrongBeaver]

That the shape is a compound path, which is what I don't know how to resolve, I've tried many of possibilities and none appear to work ?

[Monika Gause]

Object > Compound path > Release

[StrongBeaver]

That is one of the methods I tried and I still can't join the paths ?

[Monika Gause]

Then you need to go into the layers panel again and analyze.

[StrongBeaver]

I've analyzed before posting and couldn't find the solution

[Monika Gause]

Then please show.

[StrongBeaver]

[Monika Gause]

And you want to joind this with what?

What is it? A symbol? How do you want to join it? What does it look like in outline view?

[StrongBeaver]

The paths I want to join are all contained with the shape.  Outline video shows nothing, literally, there are no outlines showing the path.

[Monika Gause]

It's not possible to help you based upon what you tell and show here.

[StrongBeaver]

The shape is a single shape it was formally two shapes, one side of the shape joined successfully, the other side is not as mentioned.  I'll make a video.

[Ray Yorkshire]

if its not private, put the file up via Dropbox or something

[StrongBeaver]

Here is the link to the file.

[Monika Gause]

This is one closed path. What do you want to join?

[StrongBeaver]

There is an open segment of the path not closed

[Monika Gause]

Delete this point

Then you can join and close the path.

[StrongBeaver]

Hopefully this helps others to check their paths