How do I combine two objects into one in Illustrator?

Question

I have a G and an arrow. I want the arrow to act as the horizontal portion of the G. I have it lined up but when I apply effects I want then to act in one. For example If I apply a 3d effect I want the arrow and the G to go 3d and look like one object not two.how do I combine the G and the arrow (created on a path) into one object using Illustrator CS4?

Answer 1

2 objects can be combined in a number of ways in Illustrator. Here are 2 examples of ways to do this.

1. UNITE = Create 2 separate objects. Then select both objects at the same time. Open the Pathfinder palette and click the Unite button (under Shape Mode). This will create 1 object from the 2 different ones.
2. DIVIDE = Create 2 separate objects. Then select both objects at the same time. Open the Pathfinder palette and click the Divide button (under Pathfinders Mode). This will create "cut up" shapes from the 2 different ones (so anywhere there are overlapped parts will be "cut apart"). These overlapped pieces can then be selected and deleted to create new separated shapes. This is GREAT WAY to experiment with creating brand new shapes from multiple objects in Illustrator.

Answer 2

object>expand both of them so they are not just lines then select both of them and under the pathfinder panel use the far left option (unite) they will merge into a single entity