Shape builder tool not working

[MrKingSir]

My shape builder tool is not working for some reason. It shows a little anti circle next to the cursor when i try to use the tool. It does not allow me change any options on the tool as well. I tried reseting my settings back to default, restarted the program and tried to make an object on a fresh project but it still did not work. The Shape builder tool is the only tool affected. Can somebody please tell me how to fix this?

[Doug A Roberts]

You should read the documentation on the Shape Builder tool:

https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/illustrator/using/creating-shapes-shape-builder-tool.html

You need to create some shapes to use it on, then select them.

[jacaszek]

I have the same problem as the person above but the problem i have is i made a heart by making 2 rectangles, rounding the edges and then combining them using shape combiner tool, i clicked to repeat this heart radially and made a "flower" and it has gradient and every piece of the flower has its own gradient and i wanted to combine this hearts in the flower to make just a shape of flower with one gradient

[Monika Gause]

Can you please point out what you do not like about that result?

[Ton Frederiks]

To combine them into a single object:

Object > Expand

Pathfinder panel > Unite

[meganchi]

You need to have a few shapes drawn first, then select them in order to use the shape builder function.

[Myra Ferguson]

If you were trying to draw shapes with the Shape Builder Tool but there weren't any shapes yet, were you maybe thinking of the Shaper Tool (Shift + N)? Here's more info on the Shaper Tool https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/building-new-shapes-using-shape.html

[defaultaiagf8xja2wl]

It doesn't work if shapes are inside the clip group for some reason.

[Kustenklar]

Yes, you are right. If the layers inside a clip group it wont work, wich is enoying when you for example have created the elements in ADobe Fresco, where every layer is placed in a clip group.

[Anna Lander]

Shape builder does not work when no shapes are selected. Draw the simple shapes which you want to combine, select them and create what you need.

[aLeez1 · Accepted solution]

You need to have your shape that want marked, then choose shape builder, the "anti circle" should disappear.