Automate Shape Builder ... or ... Find Edges (?)

Hi, I'm using Illustrator CS5 to create simple black and white line drawings that I want to export as SVG, but I have a certain requirement about how the paths are defined... not sure how to describe it. So, for example, say that I create a star with the star tool. Then I make another star from the same center point, same size, but this time rotated. If you select them both and take the shape builder tool, as you hover over you'll see individual, enclosed "pieces" of the two stars... each piece delineated by the path edges surrounding the current location of the mouse pointer. If you click on one of those "pieces", it creates a new path that matches that delineated area. That is exactly what I want (so happy the capability is there)! Now, my question... is there a way to instruct Illustrator to find all such "pieces" in the drawing and convert them to these new paths as though I had clicked each one with the shape builder tool? I tried to search for "find edges", but I think I may be remembering a function in PS... its been too long.
I've searched around the forums and the internet, but it has been many years since I used Illustrator and I'm not sure of all the terminology... and maybe there is a simple way to do this and I just never knew! :-) I have started to look through the capabilities available to scripting, but decided a forum post might save me some time. Thanks!

Thank you very much!

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i have a problem with path edges after using shape builder tool or masking objects. This problem occurs when i draw bright colored objects above dark colored object. After that i have dark path's edges. Like this: http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/2051/dlm2.jpg
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Unfortunately, I don't have opportunity to print it, but as you wrote, it must be a screen artifact. I exported this file to tiff, then i opened it in photoshop. Everything is ok. All of the edges are clear.

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(As background . . . I ran through Terry White's excellent "10 things" for Illustrator video. I even built the Yin-Yang symbol myself, from scratch, after watching his video. So "I have" succeeded at least once in using Shape Builder.)
But, when I attempt to do . . . pretty much anything of my own design . . . I get stuck within the first minute and just have to quit and walk away. I appologize in advance if anything sounds bad . . . I'm FULLY MAXED OUT on both anger and frustration. Its just inconsolably frustrating how easy it is to get into a "mode" that . . . won't let you go any further.
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#1 (From a fresh "web" document) . . . I hover over the vertical beam (cross hatch appears, and the "+" appears because I'm in Shape Builder Add mode) and . . . cross hatch won't appear as I drag over the horizontal crossbeam.
Or . . . click (and hold) on the crossbeam . . . same thing . . . cross hatch appears, the "+" is there and . . . as I drag to the vertical beam to join . . . it won't go to crosshatch.
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#2 (When I was originally trying to add this as part of a larger board) . . . I drew the same two rectangles, then upon choosing Shape Builder . . . I get an Arrow and a Circle with a Slash through it and am not allowed to select anything.
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I wasn't on the wrong layer (there is only one).
I've tried it (#1) from a new fresh drawing, and (#2) from inside a larger drawing (where I actually need it).
It takes less than 30 seconds from start to . . . . hopelessly blocked from proceeding.
Why wouldn't Shape Builder allow two pieces to join?
Why would Shape Builder show "not allowed to select"?
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jkh

See, I'm in Shape Builder . . . Cross Hatch appears.
(Its probably too small on the image, but trust me . . . there is a "+" by the arrow.)
It was so simple on the Yin-Yang Cirle to Teardrop join . . . this is an EVEN SIMPLER image and . . . I'm stuck at step 1.

How do I check alt+shape builder function?

Hello Friends,
I'm trying to remove half of a shape (right half of a heart) by covering the right half with a filled rectangle, and drawing across the half of the heart I want to delete and the rectangle with the Shape Builder tool while both shapes are selected and while depressing the alt key. This should remove the heart-half and rectangle, leaving me with the left-hand portion of the heart, so I can copy/flip it for a symmetrical, whole heart.
I have removed the guides so there's no interference, and both shapes (heart and rectangle) are selected (both show bull's eyes on the layers panel).
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Message was edited by: Mark Luthringer

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http://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials/create-a-traditional-russian-khokhloma-ornament-in-il lustrator--vector-24052
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Automate Shape Builder ... or ... Find Edges (?)

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