What is the best way to break up a big path

[MarieMeyer]

This is a screenshot of my vector, here is a link to it. Dropbox - Rose.ai

The leaf/stem/thorns portion is all one path. I'd like to break it up by making the leaves their own individual paths so that I can introduce another color.

Whats the best way to do this?

[tonyharmer · Accepted solution]

Hey Marie

You could get the Scissors Tool (tap C on your keyboard) and cut at the points where the leaves become stems.

[JonathanArias]

Adding to Tony, if there are no points in the area you can add points with the pen tool.

[MarieMeyer]

Perfect, thank you both!

[c.pfaffenbichler]

The Knife Tool (a secondary of the Scissors Tool) might also provide an option.

[MarieMeyer]

I gave the Knife Tool a try - its operation is a bit mysterious to me.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

With the Knife Tool one can click outside of a closed shape, drag across it and release to create two closed shapes.

It may not be what you are looking for, ofd course …

[MarieMeyer]

Thanks. I was clicking INSIDE...

[MarieMeyer]

I'll add a discovery I just made, in case anyone ever reads this thread because they have the same issue: it is important to join the paths at the "wound" before going onto making a second set of cuts!