Remove all paths from an .ai file?

Question

I'm fairly new to illustrator so I'm not sure how unusual this request is.

I am using some automated software to turn black and white jpg images into vectors. I can see by looking at the vectors in illustrator that there are many paths in them.

This causes me problems as the vector is then passed to cnc/router type software that can't quite use the vectors. I've found that by manually removing the paths, the software can `see` and use the vectors correctly.

So, I have a large amount of files I need to remove the paths from, doing it manually would be impossible. Is there a way to make illustrator remove the paths so save me doing it by hand?

Monika Gause · Accepted Answer

Either use the magic wand to select itor select one of those objects and then Select > Same > Fill or Select > Same > AppearanceWHen you trace this with Illustrator's Image trace feature, you could check the option "Ignore white"

jaybird77 · Answer

Sorry, logically yes there has to be some paths I guess. In the above pic, the path highlighted contains no data, basically whitespace. I can delete this and the image doesn't change as none of the black is affected. If I don't remove this, the cnc/router software sees it as black also.

So maybe my question should be how do I remove all paths that contain no data/black??? All advice appreciated!

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