Adobe · Platform not recorded

Combine Shapes in Illustrator With Pathfinder

Source-checked About 10 minutes

Answer

Select shapes, open Window > Pathfinder, choose the operation that matches the result, and retain a copy before destructive expansion.

Guide steps3 steps
  1. Select and duplicate shapes
  2. Choose the Pathfinder operation
  3. Inspect the resulting path
  4. If it still does not work

Select and duplicate shapes

Select only the shapes you want and duplicate them if needed.

Choose the Pathfinder operation

Use Unite, Minus Front, Intersect, or Exclude in Pathfinder.

Inspect the resulting path

Check the resulting path before expanding or releasing it.

Video walkthrough

If it does not work

  • If the wrong region disappears, undo, restore the duplicate, change stacking order or operation, and inspect Outline view before expanding.
Sources and verification

Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Platform not recorded.

Reviewed against the linked first-party guidance; interface labels can vary by current app, service, or operating-system version.

Continue with

Browse more Adobe Illustrator tutorials