Question: how to merge multiple paths into one layer without reducing to 1 color

[rf42942416]

Dear all,

I am trying to as stated in my question to merge multiple paths into one layer, without losing the multiple colors in the illustration. I have tried pathfinder, but then it reduces the illustration to one color.

Is there someone who can help me out?

Underneath is a screenshot to guidance the question.

Thank you!

[Doug A Roberts]

That is a single layer.

If you mean one object, that would be a contradiction in terms: you can't have a single shape with multiple discrete colours.

Why do you think that you need it that way? What are you trying to achieve?

[rf42942416]

Thank you for your reply.

I need the layer to be like that so the 'object' has an outline which can be animated

[Doug A Roberts]

Can you go into detail about your whole workflow here? Without knowing what this outline is for it is hard to know how you would need it created.

[rf42942416]

Yes, the outline is needed to make an animation as on this website:

https://tympanus.net/Development/OrganicShapeAnimations/ 

I am not the one who will make the animation, but to deliver the file.

I hope this provides some more information

[Doug A Roberts]

That site doesn't tell me anything about why you need an outline. What are the exact requirements you have been given?

[rf42942416]

The requirement I have been asked is to make a svg file which has an outline instead of a group layer of different paths. 

[Monika Gause]

They are using a clipping path?

If that is the case, forget your multiple colors.

But it looks like they are using a clipping path and an image in the background that gets clipped. I doubt that the background image is a vector image.

So please get some more information on how exactly that will work and what exactly you need.

[rf42942416]

Hi, thank you for your response.

The complete image is a vector image and they aren't clipping paths.

What I need the layer to be is a object with outlines which doesn't loose the colors.

[Doug A Roberts · Accepted solution]

In the example you linked to, they use SVG clipping paths over an image.

[rf42942416]

Ah, sorry, yes you are right