Eraser Tool

[Guest]

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.

[Steve Fairbairn]

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.

[Monika Gause]

What are you trying to erase?

[Guest]

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.

[Kadut]

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:

[katylaraine]

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.

[mfristoff]

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!

[mjbelt · Accepted solution]

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).

[herbe57413747]

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

[Monika Gause]

herbe57413747  schrieb

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

The eraser will only work on vector paths.

[Godfrey Bridger]

The link is not working anymore!  "502 Bad Gateway"

[Monika Gause]

Yes. It's an old video.

Unfortunately there is no new one. Can you perhaps describe your issue and then let's see how we can help you on the forum?