"Can't make a compound mask. All objects in a compound path must be paths, and they cannot be brushed or part of an object'

Forum|Forum|8 years ago
January 7, 2018
6 replies
17626 views

Hi

I have outlined a letter then released the compound mask to make some changes to the letter.

I have then made the changes to the letter but when I try and make it a compound mask again it says "Can't make a compound mask. All objects in a compound path must be paths, and they cannot be brushed or part of an object'

Any ideas how I can make it back to a compound mask please??

Thank you

Joanne

🙂

Correct answer Tendem

Hey Joanne, I had a similar issue where normal paths shouldn't have had a problem becoming compound paths and I got the same error. It was a bit of a pain figuring it out but what I did was I went into the path finder options and selected trim. This got rid out any strokes but it made the objects able to be compounded, just add the stroke back if any and you should be good to go. Hope this helps!

T

TendemCorrect answer

Participant

Hey Joanne, I had a similar issue where normal paths shouldn't have had a problem becoming compound paths and I got the same error. It was a bit of a pain figuring it out but what I did was I went into the path finder options and selected trim. This got rid out any strokes but it made the objects able to be compounded, just add the stroke back if any and you should be good to go. Hope this helps!

Monika Gause

Community Expert

If you are experiencing the issue, please post a screenshot of your objects and tell us in which situation you are getting this alert.

It depends on the situation.

wrensauer

Community Manager

Hi Joanne, did Bill or Jacob's suggestions solve the compound paths issue for you? Please let us know if you need further assistance.

Best,

Wren

Jacob Bugge

Community Expert

Joanne,

One way to work with paths within a Compound Path is to deselect, then select the desired path with the Direct Seletion Tool (Click a segment or the fill if any or Alt/CmdClick an Anchor Point to work with the whole path), then work with it as desired.

Bill Silbert

Community Expert

I don't know if your question has been translated or is simply from a country outside of the US but the term is actually compound path not compound mask. This is different from a Clipping Mask which leads me to question whether you are mixing up the two. An outlined piece of text will be a Compound Path (as well as being automatically grouped) and if you release it, as you say, then any letter that has a "hole" through it such as a capital "A" will then become two separate objects. If you alter either of those objects and then later wish to once again make them a compound path so that the hole will once gain go through the letter you must make sure most importantly that the "hole" stays above (either on a layer above it or by using the arrange command under the Object menu to bring it to the front) the rest of the letter. You should also try testing your altered shapes to make sure that you have not accidentally turned them from closed paths to an open ones. Try selecting and pulling on the anchor points one at a time with the direct selection tool to see if what may still look like a closed path has now become opened. Each object must also be checked to make sure that they are not now part of another group. If those three conditions are met—order of object, closed paths and group independence—then simply selecting both objects and using the key command Command (Mac)/Control (PC)-8 should remake your compound path.