Asked • 06/21/19

In Pathfinder window, what is the difference between a shape mode and a pathfinder?

I'm learning Illustrator CC and right now I'm trying out the various tools in the Pathfinder window, and how they allow me to create shapes. Something that confuses me, is that they seem to be somehow similar, if not redundant. Examples:- *Minus Front* vs *Minus Back*- *Intersect* vs *Crop*- *Unite* vs *Merge*I feel like if I understood the difference between those tools, I'm a good deal closer to understanding Illustrator in general. Could someone explain to me:- What is the difference between *Intersect* and *Crop*?- Why is *Minus Front* in Shape Modes while *Minus Back* is in Pathfinders, if they are essentially the same tool? (Except that the who-cuts-who is reversed)

Gregg M.

Compound shapes let you combine multiple objects and specify how you want each object to interact with the other objects. Compound shapes are more versatile than compound paths because they provide four kinds of interactions: add, subtract, intersect, and exclude. When you create a compound shape, it takes on the paint and transparency attributes of the topmost component in Add, Intersect, or Exclude mode. Subsequently, you can change the paint, style, or transparency attributes of the compound shape. Illustrator facilitates this process by automatically targeting the whole compound shape when you select any part of it, unless you explicitly target a component in the Layers panel. Compound paths let you use an object to cut a hole in another object. For example, you can create a doughnut shape from two nested circles. Once you create a compound path, the paths act as grouped objects. You can select and manipulate the objects separately using the Direct Selection tool or Group Selection tool; or you can select and edit the combined path
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07/10/19

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Rita J. answered • 10/25/19

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Both let you combine multiple objects. With Pathfinder effects, you can't edit the interactions between objects verses with Compound shapes, you can specify how you want each object to interact with the other object (add, subtract, intersect, or exclude).


Intersect - traces the outline of the region overlapped by all the objects.


Crop - Divides artwork into its component-filled faces, and then deletes all the parts of the artwork that fall outside the boundary of the topmost object. It also removes any strokes.


Minus Back - subtracts the objects in back from the front most object. You can use this command to delete areas of an illustration by adjusting the stacking order.


Hope this helps.

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