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Anonymous

Answered

Eraser Tool

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I"m a beginner! When I try to use the eraser tool in Illustrator.... It comes up as an upside down pencil with a line through it. Can't erase anything.

Please help.

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mjbeltCorrect answer

Participating Frequently

This video includes the Blob Brush also, but simple technique using the Eraser Tool.

Using the Blob Brush and Eraser tools

tip: use the bracket keys [ ] next to P key to increase the brush size of Eraser/Blob Tools

As Sosha mentioned, make sure to unlock Layer(s).

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mfristoff

Participant

Can someone please post a link/video tutorial... I'm having the same issue(s). Granted, I'm equally inexperienced, but I do know how to select an individual item/layer...Having said that, when I select a layer, I'm receiving the same error.

I know Pixelmator/Gimp aren't the same... but while trying to "improve myself" by learning AI, I'm running into nothing but these types of problems. Someone pleaseee redeem my faith in AI!

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M

mjbeltCorrect answer

Participating Frequently

This video includes the Blob Brush also, but simple technique using the Eraser Tool.

Using the Blob Brush and Eraser tools

tip: use the bracket keys [ ] next to P key to increase the brush size of Eraser/Blob Tools

As Sosha mentioned, make sure to unlock Layer(s).

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herbe57413747

Participant

Having the same problem and the item is unlocked. Will the eraser only work on certain file formats?

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katylaraine

Participant

Im a beginner as well and i found this when i was trying to figure that out. I have no idea why.. but you click the expand button and it lets you do it.. whatever that means.

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Monika Gause

Community Expert

What are you trying to erase?

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A

Anonymous

I was trying to shorten a line that was created with the pen tool. I have now figured out that I can add an anchor point and shorten the line that way..... but I still don't understand why my eraser tool looks like an upside down pencil with a / slash or line through it ..... as if to say..... no you can't erase anything.

I'm sure it is something that I have done wrong but .... ?????

I guess I can always save it and open it in photoshop and erase it that way but it's like..... why can't I do it in Illustrator.

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Kadut

Participant

Hi Sosha,

You get that upside down pencil with the line through it if you attempt to draw on a locked layer. If you unlock the layer you should be able to see the eraser pointer. See screen-shot:

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Steve Fairbairn

Inspiring

You have to select the object(s) you want to erase from.

But you may get unexpected results; it's not like the eraser in Photoshop.

Unless you really want to take eraser-shaped bites out of things you might do better editing the vectors with scissors and the pen tools.

At least I think it is better for beginners to learn the basics first. The eraser isn't exactly basic – see what happens when you use it on a filled and stroked object.

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