Subtract Stroke in barcode

[lindag56852618]

Hi all,

I'm trying to remove a fish outline that passes through a barcode.

The result I want is:

I've followed the instructions in post 10377850 entitled 'subtract stroke' and converted the stroke of the object and the barcode lines to an outline using Path> Outline Stroke but then only a part of the barcode at the tail remains and I end up with this:

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks!

[Monika Gause]

Probably the barcode consists of actual strokes (and not shapes). Pathfinders don't like strokes, but also outlining barcode lines might not be a good idea - you need to check that with your printer.

You could try masking instead.

[lindag56852618]

I already tried masking, but then I ended up with just a fish shape with lines in it, but maybe I did it wrong.

How would you suggest doing it?

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

You can use either an opacity mask. Looks like this:

Can be strokes or fills. Must be black.

When applying, uncheck the setting: Crop in the transparency panel

Or can be a clipping mask. Looks like this

If those are mutliple paths, they need to be a compound path

[lindag56852618]

Thanks Monika!
I'll have to read up a bit more on HOW it worked, but I made a transparency mask as you mentioned and then poked around until I hit the 'knockout' option and that resulted in exactly what I was looking for.

Thank you!