Why do my lines look like this after using the shape tool?

[sophie_4934]

So I'm currently watching and following along with the Envato Tuts+ Adobe Illustrator for Beginners Course and I'm stuck on the custom logo section. I am following the video EXACTLY and get to the point where I select the shape builder tool to delete unnecessary lines, however when I do that the lines don't join up properly. I've started from the beginning multiple times but the lines always look the same and I don't understand what I am doing wrong. I have made sure that the paths intersect at the correct points and experimented with different capping options to no avail. The first screenshot is how it looks on my computer and the second is the tutorial. I would be very grateful if anyone had any suggestions as to why mine doesn't look right. Thanks.

[Monika Gause]

When you double click the shapebuilder tool: is the gap detection turned on?

[sophie_4934]

Hi, yes, gap detection is on.

[Ton Frederiks]

If they look like that they are not connected. Try Object > Path >Join

[pixxxelschubser]

Another option:
Select and use the Join tool.

[Monika Gause]

Better not use the Join tool with straight lines.

They might not be straight anymore afterwards.

[pixxxelschubser]

Interesting, Monika.
I have never had such problems. Do you have an example, please?

[Monika Gause]

The tool introdues additional points and handles:

https://youtube.com/shorts/O3Dv-M4YznA?feature=share 

Perfectly OK with curves, unacceptable with straight lines.

[pixxxelschubser]

Thank you very much, Monika.

Wow! I've actually never seen that before.
And I use the join tool quite often. And I always pay attention to simplified and clearly structured designs (for professional reasons).

Here again my result from earlier. As it should be: a single corner point.

What could be the reason why we both get such different results?

[Kurt Gold]

The difference is that Monika assumes that Sophie may be talking about joining non-touching segments /anchor points with the Join tool.

Since the initial post states that "the paths intersect at the correct points", the warning against the Join tool does not necessarily matter in this case and it's probably just a matter of taste if one is using the Join command or the Join tool.

In order to answer the initial question about the Shape Builder tool not joining as expected, one would have to inspect a sample Illustrator file that Sophie may want to share here (including further instructions that may help to understand what she actually tried to do).

[pixxxelschubser]

Thank you for the explanation.

As I said, it makes no difference on my computer.

And yes, a sample file would definitely be beneficial.

[Monika Gause]

The difference is that Monika assumes that Sophie may be talking about joining non-touching segments /anchor points with the Join tool.

By @Kurt Gold

Uhm, no.

I was just answering pixxxelschubser.

As can clearly be seen in my first answer (at the very top of this thread), my assumption was the gap detection and it still is.

[Kurt Gold]

Well, I was referring to your post about the Join tool and the short video that's supposed to demonstrate why it may not be suitable to use the Join tool in certain situations.

But all that are assumptions that are not referring to the initial post about the Shape Builder tool. It has to be clarified by the OP.

[Monika Gause]

---

@Kurt Gold  schrieb:

But all that are assumptions 

---

So what I'm seeing on my screen regularly and can even record, is an assumption? Oh, great.

Once again: I was answering pixxxelschubser. I did not bring up the Join tool, but if it is brought up, then its possible shortcomings should be discussed, don't you think? You would be the first one to do so if I brought up something that you do not consider appropriate.

[Kurt Gold]

So what I'm seeing on my screen regularly and can even record, is an assumption? Oh, great.

Once again: I was answering pixxxelschubser. I did not bring up the Join tool, but if it is brought up, then its possible shortcomings should be discussed, don't you think?

Sorry, but that's a bit odd and sounds as if you *want* to misunderstand me. I did not (and would never) claim that possible shortcomings of any approach should not be discussed. That would be an absurd idea. By assumptions, I was referring to the suggestions provided to the OP who, at that point, missed to clarify exactly what she tried with the Shape Builder tool to get the desired results. The description just mentioned an unknown video that is supposed to show some Shape Builder functions the OP could not follow entirely. Therefore I suggested to provide a sample Illustrator file, so one can see how to solve the issue about the Shape Builder tool in the first place (it's probably just a slight user error which, of course, may be just another assumption).

And by saying that the possible shortcoming of the Join tool may not matter in this case, I was just referring to the OP who stated that "the paths intersect at the correct points" (illustrated in the initial post in outlines). In case that was true, then the shortcoming you mentioned and showed in your video would be kind of moot. That's all I said. Not quite sure why you (probably) think I was going to offend you.

You would be the first one to do so if I brought up something that you do not consider appropriate.

I cannot confirm that statement.

[sophie_4934]

Hi, thanks for your response. The join tool did mostly work, but in a couple of areas I've encountered these 'spikes' that I can't seem to select to delete. Do you know how I could get rid of these?

[pixxxelschubser]

stroke panel
Do you see the difference?

[Monika Gause]

Rounding them is one option. If you need them to be pointy, you can check out this: https://youtu.be/0OUwr_GFwkA 

[barbara_a]

With the Direct Selection tool, select only the 2 points that you want to join.

Then choose Object > Path > Average. That will ensure that both anchor points are directly on top of each other.

With the 2 anchor points still selected, choose Object > Path > Join.

[winston_6313]

Hi sopie

so if you put your mouse inicator in the line you want to connect it to you see al little blue line with little point at each side so you have to connect the end of the left line with the little point on the beginning op th eother line.

i hope this helped you out because i dont know how to hwlpl oyu with a different anwser 

and btw im just 13