How to Use the Pathfinder in Illustrator

In this article, I’m going to introduce the Pathfinder in Illustrator.

Pathfinder

Pathfinder is a feature that allows you to merge or cut out objects made of paths. You can easily create shapes and complex paths that are difficult to draw with the Pen tool.

How to use

This time we will use these sample shapes.

First, show the Pathfinder panel. You can get it by clicking [Window] > [Pathfinder].

There are two types: [Shape Modes] and [Pathfinder].

There are four types of Shape Modes.

Unite

It combines several overlapping paths. The color of the foremost object is selected.

Subtract

It crops multiple overlapping objects by the front object’s shape (Not the foremost one.).

Intersect

It leaves only the most overlapping area. In this case, the color of the foremost object remains.

Exclude

Make the area two objects are overlapping transparent. In this case, the object is filled with the foremost object’s color.

In the next section, we will see 6 different types of pathfinders. To move detached objects, use the “Direct Selection Tool” (white arrow) in the tool bar.
*The objects applied the Pathfinder are grouped. In addition, please note that unlike the Shape modes, Compound Shapes are not created.

Divide

Separate overlapping paths.

Trim

It keeps the foremost object and removes the part of a filled object that is hidden.

Merge

To make it easier to understand, I have changed the blue objects to red.
The same color objects will be merged together and the different colors objects will be split. In this case, the red objects were merged and the green objects were split.

Crop

It leaves only the part overlapping the foremost object.

Outline

All objects are outlined and split.

Minus Back

Cut out the front object in the shape of the object placed on the back.

How was it? The point is to have two or more objects. That’s all for this time.