transparent lines

[louis_4019]

Hello everyone, I designed a black and white logo using black surfaces and white lines on top for simplicity. But now, I would like my white lines to be transparent and 'cut' through my black surfaces. Is this possible? I’m posting pictures of what I have (beige background) and what I would like to have (white background). Thank you !

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

Are those white strokes all extra elements?

Is so, select them all and set their opacity to 0%

Then group everything, the white and the black stuff 

Then select the group and in the transparency panel, set a check mark to Knockout group. You might need to show options for that.

If you need this for production such as cutting, you will need to actually cut it. Knockout groups are a live element and cannot be sen to a plotter.

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse · Accepted solution]

Another way.

This is a job for Pathfinder > Minus Front.

First, expand any white strokes to outline, either by using Object > Expand or Object > Path > Outline Stroke.

Once all your white strokes are now filled objects, select All the white filled objects, then select Pathfinder > Unite. They should all be together as one group.. if not, you can make them a Compound Path, which will help in the final step

Same with the Black objects...make them a Compound as well.

Now, select the White object compound on front, then the Black objects compound in back, then select Pathfinder > Minus Front.

This should chop out all the white objects and leave just your black objects

Remember, this is a destructive chnage, so keep a copy of your original working version in case you need it.