• Global community
    • Language:
      • Deutsch
      • English
      • Español
      • Français
      • Português
  • 日本語コミュニティ
    Dedicated community for Japanese speakers
  • 한국 커뮤니티
    Dedicated community for Korean speakers
Exit
0

Subtracting Stroke to Create Negative Space

Community Beginner ,
Mar 03, 2022 Mar 03, 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Copied

Hiya! I've been designing in Photoshop for around 5 years now, and recently have decided to learn Illustrator. I'm trying to work on a concept design, but I cannot figure out how to do what I want and was hoping someone would help.

 

Below I have attached an image of my current file. My goal is to remove the black stroke (create transparency, while also deleting the underlying fill of white that the shape has). 

 

Things that I have tried are Object > Expand and Shape Builder tool. Other than this, I'm not sure what I'd be able to do besides unorthadoxly resizing each shape.. which would create improper proportions for what I want.

 

All it is right now is 3 black rectangles manipulated with the shape tool, and an added black inside stroke of 7pt.

 

Thanks y'all.

Connor Witmer

TOPICS
Draw and design , Tools

Views

355

Translate

Translate

Report

Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines

correct answers 2 Correct answers

Community Expert , Mar 03, 2022 Mar 03, 2022

Like this?

Screenshot 2022-03-03 135033.png

Remove the stroke from the shapes.

Group them, then add a stroke at group level.

Make the stroke 0% opacity.

In the transparency options for the group, tick 'Knockout Group'.

Votes

Translate

Translate
Mentor , Mar 03, 2022 Mar 03, 2022

Outline the stroke, you'll get a compound shape that was the stroke plus the original shape (white), direct selection tool click on the white, select same fill, delete, you'll be left with the compound path, adjust opacity as desired...

Votes

Translate

Translate
Adobe
Community Expert ,
Mar 03, 2022 Mar 03, 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Copied

Like this?

Screenshot 2022-03-03 135033.png

Remove the stroke from the shapes.

Group them, then add a stroke at group level.

Make the stroke 0% opacity.

In the transparency options for the group, tick 'Knockout Group'.

Votes

Translate

Translate

Report

Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Community Beginner ,
Mar 03, 2022 Mar 03, 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Copied

You're amazing... thanks so much! Guess this shows my lack of experience with Illustrator LOL.

Votes

Translate

Translate

Report

Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Mentor ,
Mar 03, 2022 Mar 03, 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Copied

Outline the stroke, you'll get a compound shape that was the stroke plus the original shape (white), direct selection tool click on the white, select same fill, delete, you'll be left with the compound path, adjust opacity as desired...

Votes

Translate

Translate

Report

Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Community Beginner ,
Mar 03, 2022 Mar 03, 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Copied

Thank you!! This method is also nice to know.

Votes

Translate

Translate

Report

Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Community Expert ,
Mar 03, 2022 Mar 03, 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Copied

LATEST

You could also apply the Offset path effect with a negative value.

 

(Effect > Path > Offset path)

Votes

Translate

Translate

Report

Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines