Cheat Sheet Illustrator

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Two objects are selected, each

Pathfinders break the paths into smaller shapes. The pieces are initially grouped. Choose Object > Ungroup to work with the individual pieces. with a different fill and stroke.

Shape Modes

Compound Paths

Two objects are

Pathfinders

selected, each with a different fill and stroke.

Overlapping objects create an even/odd effect of fills and transparent areas.

Object > Group

Changing the groups them as

fill and stroke a single object,

of the group but does not

changes all of change their

the objects in fill and stroke

the group. values.

Object > Compound Path > Make uses the fill and stroke of the bottom object.

The star shape ‘knocks out’ a hole in the square shape revealing objects below.

Altering the

Object > points of a

Compound path change

Path > Release the even/odd

ungroups the effect.

objects into individual shapes.

Add Combines Objects

Divide Breaks objects into pieces

Outline Breaks objects into lines

Subtract Subtracts top most object

Trim Cuts top object from bottom

Minus Back Cuts bottom object out of top

Intersect Intersection of objects remains

Merge Creates one shape (must have same fill color)

Clipping Mask

With two or more objects selected, choose Object > Clipping Mask > Make to mask the bottom shapes with the top most shape. Similar to the Intersect Shape Mode, but allows multiple shapes and even raster images to be masked.

Exclude Excludes overlap

Crop Leaves intersection and splits top object

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Illustrator 1 — Special Adjustment Tools

Drag the center point left or right to change it’s origin.

Click to create additional points of varying widths. Click a point and hit delete to remove. Double-click a point to enter precise width values.

Select two or more intersecting objects. Drag from one subsection to one or more other subsections to combine them.

Width Tool Click on a path and drag up or down to adust the width of the stroke dynamically.

Shape Builder Tool Combines or splits shapes dynamically.

Warp Tools A suite of tools that warp and roughen paths. Double-click on any of the tool icons to adjust the settings.

Hold down option to subtract one or more subsections.