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Ghalb
Ghalb
Inspiring
July 4, 2017
Answered

Pathfinder before drawing

  • July 4, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 1523 views

How can I set the pathfinder to (Add) or (Subtract) (Intersect), ..etc. before I start drawing. So it add or subtract automatically new objects.

It is not practical to draw and then select objects and then apply pathfinder operations!!

I found this in Photoshop in the top options bar as(Path operations) however I could not find it in Illustrator CC.

Thank you in advance

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Ghalb

The best solution that I found -Until this moment- is:

1- draw any thing

2- convert it to a compound shape (using pathfinder panel menu)

3- Enter the Isolation Mode for this compound shape

4- Now, start drawing
All drawing tools are set automatically to (Add) to the existing object and all are flexible to be adjusted.


5- if you want to use other functions, just select any object and (Alt+click) to change its properties from (Add) to (Subtract, Intersect, etc.)

the idea is to be inside a compound shape to be able to achieve multiple functions at the same time

--------------------

Thank you for everone

3 replies

Ghalb
GhalbAuthorCorrect answer
Inspiring
July 5, 2017

The best solution that I found -Until this moment- is:

1- draw any thing

2- convert it to a compound shape (using pathfinder panel menu)

3- Enter the Isolation Mode for this compound shape

4- Now, start drawing
All drawing tools are set automatically to (Add) to the existing object and all are flexible to be adjusted.


5- if you want to use other functions, just select any object and (Alt+click) to change its properties from (Add) to (Subtract, Intersect, etc.)

the idea is to be inside a compound shape to be able to achieve multiple functions at the same time

--------------------

Thank you for everone

jane-e
Community Expert
jane-eCommunity Expert
Community Expert
July 5, 2017

Ghalb  wrote

How can I set the pathfinder to (Add) or (Subtract) (Intersect), ..etc. before I start drawing. So it add or subtract automatically new objects. I found this in Photoshop in the top options bar as(Path operations) however I could not find it in Illustrator CC.

As Monica said, Photoshop is not equal to Illustrator. Your choices are to use Photoshop where the tools behave the way you want them to or learn how the Illustrator tools behave.

You do have choices: you can use the Pathfinder, the Shape Builder, the newish Shaper tool, Pathfinder Effects, Live Paint, Pathfinder with Option. But you can't change the behavior to match another application. Sorry!

Best,

Jane

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Monika GauseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
July 4, 2017

Photoshop ≠ Illustrator

It's not clear what you want to do.

If you want to add all the objects you draw on a particular layer: target the layer and appla the pathfinder effect Add.

Same goes for other pathfinder effects. But this will then apply the same operation to all objects on the same layer

Ghalb
GhalbAuthor
Inspiring
July 4, 2017

I want drawing tools to add or subtract automatically. I don't want to wait until I finish drawing then I select object then I apply the operation after that

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Monika GauseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
July 4, 2017

So you want to add one or two and then subtract another one, then add again?

Are you drawing freely or with the pen tool or shape tools?

Please be much more precise as to the exat nature of your drawings.

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