Pathfinder - exlude etc - How do I trim using the edge of a shape

You are welcome, Molly.

Molly,

I have just edited my post above with improved versions of both options you are asking for, shape building (with link) and masking.

Molly,

Always save and keep/backup (a copy of) the original artwork before destroying it.

If the W and A shapes are filled paths, or you can live with them as filled paths, you can:

A0) If stroked, select the W and the A and Object>Path>Outline Stroke;

A1) Select everything, then click the Shapebuilder Tool and Alt/OptionDrag over each of the unwanted spikes, see how at about 1:50 here,

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/atv/cs5-tutorials/creating-complex-art-with-the-shape-builder-tool.html

Now you should have both the desired W shape and the desired A shape as filled paths.

If you have and wish/need to retain the W and A shapes as stroked paths (rather than reusing the originals you have kept), you can:

B1) Select all the circles, then Ctrl/Cmd+C+F, then Pathfinder>Unite to create a cloudlike simple path on top of everything, then switch to a white Stroke and add a white Fill;

B2) Shift+Click the the W and the A paths in the expanded Layer in the Layers palette to also select them, then in the Transparency palette click Make Mask with Clip ticked and Invert Mask unticked.

This will mask the W and the A so that the spiky parts will be invisble/hidden and only the desired parts will show.

The reason for the white stroke is that presumably you wish the W and A shapes to fully cover the strokes of the circles; with a Clipping Mask or an Opacity Mask without the stroke included, the outer half of the circle stroke will be uncovered.

If you want to use shapebuilding functions such as the Pathfinder you will first have to outline strokes. Have you?

If you don't want to outline strokes for some reason, you will have to mask it.

The shapebuilder tool is not an option?

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out. I'd recommend checking out the help article https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/how-to/cut-divide-trim-artwork.html to know more about cutting, trimming and dividing objects in Illustrator.

Hope it helps.

Regards,

Ashutosh