Transparent offset path?

[ericm10089679]

I think I am trying to do the wrong thing and I am not so good with the terminolgy. I am using an offset path to create a border around the viking however, I want it to cut out everything behind it leaving a space and everything white will actually be transparent. The second image is what I've done.  Right now the offset path is the farthest black line around the viking head. 

[Monika Gause]

You can apply an opacity of 05 to the fill of the offset.

Then group everything and make it a knockout group.

Or do you need to cut this with a plotter? In that case you will need to use Pathfinder functionality

Please show us what is in the layers panel

[ericm10089679]

I initally, added a stroke in the appearance menu, moved it below content, selected Pathfinder, Add. Then Selected the added stroke in the appearance window, then Effect > Path> Offset Path.  However I think that was incorrect and I should be using a knock out group insead.  Here is a post that I found, it seems a little above my head, but I am going to wade through it. https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator-discussions/is-there-any-trick-of-how-to-do-this-thing/m-...

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

That added stroke is the beginning of a knockout group. I would have used a fill instead of a stroke. But if you make that stroke fatter, it will work.

Apply Opacity = 0% to that stroke (the stroke has an opacity of its own in the appearance panel)

Then group all the stuff including the objects you want to punch through.

Then make the group a knockout group. 

You might need to go to CPU preview.

[ericm10089679]

Thank you! I wasn't making the opacity of the stroke 0% nor was I grouping everything together, I was only selecting everything. 

[Monika Gause]

So it's solved now?

Great! Please remember: when this needs to be sent to the plotter, you have to take some precautions. 

[Jacob Bugge]

Eric,

Based on my current (mis)understanding, what happens if you use Object > Path> Offset Path instead of Effect > Path> Offset Path, and then:

1) Select it along with all the background artwork, then

2A) Pathfinder > Minus front/Subtract from shape area, or

2B) In the Transparency panel Make (Opacity) Mask with both Clip and Invert Mask unticked?

select the

[ericm10089679]

@Jacob Bugge this is the result I get from your steps 1 and 2A.  Nothing is happening when I try 2B. 

[Jacob Bugge]

Eric,

Sorry, I overlooked the fact that you had used the Appearance panel to add a stroke, rather than create a stroke/no fill copy of the outer path, which would be an independent path. If you do that and (only) select that alont with the background, the 2A ought to give the right result with the viking in front of it.

Obviously, 2B requires your outlining the independent path, which ought to give you a safe

solution for a plotter/cutter.