Compound Shapes vs. Compound Paths

Hello all,
I have to give a presentation on paths and the pathfinder, and one of the topics I wish to cover are compound paths/compound shapes. I myself do not really know the fundamental difference. I have been searching all over the Internet for a basic difference between these two, but I can't seem to find any solid answer.
Can anyone clarify this a little better for me?
How would these even be useful while working in Illustrator?
I am running Illustrator CS4 on a Mac.
Thanks in advance.

You are confusing yourself with the feature labels.
Don't think of Compuond Shapes as being parallel to Compound Paths. Think of them simply as the four basic area combination routines (union, subtract, intesect, difference) applied as a live effect instead of as "nailed down" destructive change.
Most commonly, combining 2 or more paths into a Compound Path is to create a closed path that has a "hole" in it (exclude). That's just one of the four kinds of combinations that can be created as Compound Shapes, and which may or may not result in a Compund Path (if expanded).
JET

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Compound shapes - can't set shape mode of components

I'm trying to use compound shapes in Illustrator CS4 as described in the help pages. I can select and move individual components of the shape, but when I try to change the shape mode of a selected component I get a popup with the message "The filter produced no results. Please select two intersecting paths." I'm running Illustrator as a 30 day trial, but as far as I know this function should still work.

Hi Tim, When you want to change one object compound shape attributes, use the Alt key (option on Mac) when clicking the pathfinder button.

Is there any way to code via Extendscript "Make Compound Shape"?

Hey there Adobe Community,
tl;dr - How do you get ExtendScript to call "Make Compound Shape". It's to make comic book word bubbles.
Full version:
I'm trying to create a script that would create a word bubble based on a single line. The intended use should speed up the comic book lettering process. For this particular iteration, I'm trying to grab the pathPoints of one line, and use that to create the word bubble. However, I was really hoping to find a way to execute the code to "Make Compound Shape", so I can modify the balloon tail later, ie - non-destructive.
Here's what I have so far. Thanks to everyone in advance!
D
if ( app.documents.length > 0 ) { var doc = app.activeDocument; var artLayer = doc.layers[0]; // CURRENT ITERATION: Find the one and only line, and extract it's begin and end point. var pointEnd = doc.pathItems[0].pathPoints[1].anchor; $.writeln("pointEnd" + pointEnd + "\n"); var pointBegin = doc.pathItems[0].pathPoints[0].anchor; $.writeln("pointBegin = " + pointBegin + "\n"); //CREATE ELLIPSE var ellipse = artLayer.pathItems.ellipse(pointBegin[1], pointBegin[0], 225.0, 225.0, false, true ); //([top] [,left] [,width] [,height] [,reversed] [,inscribed]) ellipse.stroked = true; var data = { "anchors": [ [pointEnd[0]+2, pointEnd[1]+2], [pointBegin[0], pointBegin[1]], [pointEnd[0]-2, pointEnd[1]-2] ] } // CREATE BALLOON TAIL var linez = doc.pathItems.add(); linez.stroked = true; // loop thru the data.anchors for(var i in data.anchors){ var point = linez.pathPoints.add(); point.anchor = data.anchors[i]; // if it's not the first or the last...whatever, it's only 3 points, so just say 2 //if((i != data.anchors.length - 1)&& i!=0) if(i == 2){ point.rightDirection = [pointBegin[0]+2, pointBegin[1]-2]; alert("rightDirection: " + point.rightDirection); point.leftDirection = [pointBegin[0]+2, pointBegin[1]-2]; //data.anchors[i]; alert("leftDirection: " + point.leftDirection); } else { point.rightDirection = data.anchors[i]; point.leftDirection = data.anchors[i]; } } ellipse.selected = true; linez.selected = true; //NEED HELP HERE!!! How do I call //app.executeMenuCommand ("makeCompoundShape"); }

Great question, Monika.
I was looking to create one with where the balloon tail is angled at the top or bottom, depending on how the initial path is drawn.
In later iterations, the balloon size would be generated based on the text going into it. I have already written code that pulls the dialogue into Illustrator. The hope was I could pull it directly into the word bubble. Specifically, a rounded balloon tail, angled up or down, with a round word bubble that's been 'scrunched' for lack of a better term. It should look something like the following examples:

Is it possible to create vector objects as compound shapes as you draw them (automatically)?

I'd like to start utilizing Illustrator more frequently for web and user interface design projects, but I still like taking everything into Photoshop for final rendering and compositing (and the simple fact that most developers want psds, not ai files). However, I find that the only way to successfully transfer all of the vector artwork from Illustrator and preserve it as vector objects in Photoshop (when exporting) is to manually convert every individual vector object in Illustrator to a Compound Shape (by selecting the shape and clicking Make Compound Shape from the Pathfinder palette menu). This can be very tedious if it has to be done after the design is complete, and very inefficient if you convert every object as you draw it.
Is there a way to set Illustrator to automatically create every vector object drawn as a Compound Shape without having to manually convert it?
A little background on this issue...
Adobe Illustrator allows you to export your Illustrator document as a Photoshop document. However, Compound Paths (not Compound Shapes - see this article for not-so-great explanations comparing the two) – which is the default attribute applied to all of Illustrator's basic vector objects – do not convert into vector objects when the exported document is opened in Photoshop. Rather, the vector objects drawn in Illustrator get flattened into raster layers in Photoshop, making them poor candidates for refining the design in Photoshop.

Two possibilities:
Start with a simple Compound Shape and use it as the beginning of each new path:
Polygon Tool: Mousedown. Drag. Tap the down arrow key until you have a triangle. Mouseup.
White Pointer: Click one of the sides of the triangle. Delete. (Now you have a 2 segment open path.)
Fill: Any color. Stroke: None.
Pathfinder palette flyout menu: Make Compound Shape.
Drag the path to just beyond the artboard origin (or some other convenient location).
Copy.
Each time you begin a new path, start it by either doing a Paste (Ctrl V), or by AltDragging a copy of the original. Then start modifying the pasted path, which is already a Compound Shape.
OR
Use an Action (macro) to apply the Make Compound Shape after you have drawn the paths:
Draw two paths. Select the first one.
Actions palette: Start recording.
Pathfinder palette flyout menu>Make Compound Shape.
Select>Next Object Above.
Stop recording.
Now when you've finished a drawing:
Layers palette: Select the bottom object.
Actions palette: Repeatedly click the Action Run button (or put the palette in Button Mode and repeatedly click its button).
As with everything in Illustrator, caveats abound:
Why there's no loop command for Actions is beyond me. So if you want, you can duplicate the two steps in the Action, say, nine times so it will convert 10 paths per click.
Using the Action method, the Select>Next Object Above command will not jump between Layers. So if the paths are on various Layers, you'll have to manually do the bottom object select for each Layer.
As you probably know, if the Illustator Compound Shapes have strokes, not just fills, the resulting Photoshop Shape Layers have the paths, but loose the fills and strokes. So either method above works best if the Illustrator paths are filled and unstroked before converting to Compound Shapes.
Illustrator's Javascript considers a Compound Shape a PluginItem. So it's conceivable that one could script the conversion of a simple path to a Compound Shape by using the sendScriptMessage() method of the app object. But you'd have to know the appropriate parameters for the plugin, which I don't.
If only you could invoke an Action from an Illustrator Javascript, you could simply use a Javascript to intelligenty loop through the objects and run the Action for each...but that's another big "if only".
JET

Iterate shapes and convert them to Compound Shapes

In order to keep shapes as shape layers in Photoshop when exporting from .ai to .psd, one has to convert all shapes to Compound Shapes.
At the moment, i'm using an action that converts the shape, then selects the shape above. Starting with the bottom shape, i have to click
the action for every shape.
Is there a way to make a script cycle through all shapes and groups, converting them to Compound Shapes?
At the end of the script, it would be nice to have it make an export of the file to .psd aswell.
I'm somewhat familiar to javascript, but i would really appreciate some guidelines in creating this.

It okay is, because this will be great learning for our minds! There is a way, to have your Extendscript execute the AHK script which tells it to "send" the F-keys as if it came from your keyboard. The action will go, but I am not very clear on how out of synch the action will be with the script. At first thought , putting $.sleep() may do the trick, especially if your action does not take long & there's not a big chance of it having to take long. Well, anywho, after the time break, it will go do its script thing, which is select the next shape or group (pageItem). And at the end, hey, you can try tacking on the PSD saving using the export with ExportOptionsPhotoshop- but that's later! Qwertyfly... has some examples here of executing an AHK script from the jsx script, check 'em out!

[CS6] How can I move shapes (created with paths)?

[CS6]
I created shapes with the pen tool.
Then I selected the path selection tool and selected a path.
Clicked right mouse key, choosed "Fill Path..." or "Fill Subpath"
(don't know what it means). After filling with a color I get an object in
the form of the path and I can move the path to another place.
But I can't move the object in the shape of the path.
I can't move it with "Path selection tool" because it's no path.
Then I tried the "Move Tool" but I also can't select the object with it
instead the whole canvas is moving.
How can I select and move shapes which were
created with the pen tool?

You've drawn a Path then filled a region of a pixel layer.
To make Shape layers, use the Pen Tool in "Shape" mode set in the Options bar.
If you really do want to draw a Path and use it to create moveable pixel shape then do the fill with an empty layer targeted.

Converting a Bitmap shape to a path.

Any way to convert a bitmap shape to a path?
Thanks.

SpringTank wrote:
> Any way to convert a bitmap shape to a path?
>
> Thanks.
In FW 8 you can use the Magic Wand or Polygon Lasso tools to
select the
shape. Then convert the Marquee to a path.
In any older version of FW, you would need to use the pen
tool to trace
the shape.
SKB

Shapes following a path orientation

Hello,
I would like to make some shapes follow a path orientation. I think it will be easy to understand my issue with an image:
Does anyone have a good idea of how can I do this?
Warm Regards,

Charlie,
If you want an indefinite number of stars placed with a certain distance, you may use a Pattern Brush (Approximate Path, set Distance as desired).
If you want a specific number of undistorted stars, the Blend as suggested by Carlos is the obvious way; you will probably have to Object>Path>Add Anchor Points (a sufficient number of times, you can see when you have enough) to get an even distribution along the path.

Create non compound shapes in Illustrator CS6

I need to convert an autotrace shape into a pattern i can use in cad. The problem is part of it is a compound path which will not work.
In cs3 i would have just used pathfinder used minus front expanded and had a final path, but now i just get another compound path. Saw the tip on pressing the alt key but still get a compund path.
Please help as Illustrator seems to have tooka step backwards.

Live Trace in a pain in the rear end compared with Streamline.
Streamline produced orderly stacks whereas Live Trace produces compound paths that are difficult to edit.
Start off by tracing with Ignore White checked.
This should give you a single set of paths as opposed to the duplicate paths you get when Ignore White is unchecked.
When you have expanded the trace, release compounds. Everything will go black. Don’t panic.
Ungroup and send the outermost path to the back (bottom of the stack) and colour it pink-or-something.
Now set about colouring everything else.
Check that you have got everything by turning off the preview. There may be bits behind other bits that should be in front of them.
Live Trace can produce illogical stacking when compounds are released - you have been warned!

How do I use a shape as a Path in Photoshop?

i've tried creating a path in Photoshop and tried dragging the shape from the library but it will not drag to a path. When I drag a shape to a layer in Photoshop it is rasterized.
How do I get a shape to go onto a path in Photoshop? Also, If this can be done, will the path still be editable with points and handles as is normal for paths?
TIA,
Ken

Have you tried googling »photoshop watermark tutorial«?
There used to be a Watermark Panel available.
http://av.adobe.com/russellbrown/Watermark_SM.mov

Please help! I am unable to reselect the shape I drew with the pentool...I have the layer selected, however there is no sign of my new shape in my path panel? I have been sitting here for days literally and just cannot bring up the stroke I created... C

Hi - Can some help I am going crazy!!.!
I drew a shape with the pen tool (which took me ages..) , I traced it from a picture I imported, and i am unable to reselect it. I can see it in red but I am just not able to reselect it. I have the layer selected, but there is no sign of it in my paths panel at all. I tried clicking the direct selection tool (about 100 times), I tried the brush tool. I tried everything. The same thing happened to me the other day..... Please can someone help!!!! Tania

This is the Tech Sheet on the subject:
Photoshop Help | Managing paths
It contains this item under Manage Paths:
When you use a pen or shape tool to create a work path, the new path appears as the work path in the Paths panel. The work path is temporary; you must save it to avoid losing its contents.
Ok, the red you referred to is a Stoke you added. Then QuickMask is not involved.

How do I move or copy a shape layer's path to another layer?

i'm looking how to apply an existing vector shape from a layer to another, before it was simple as hell just by alt + drag 'n drop from a layer to another.
But now this command doesn't work anymore ? so how i can do it ? i need to simply apply a vector clipping mask to a bitmap layer or a group or just apply a shape to another vector layer (not the blending option)
why it's not anymore possible ? it was simple and easy since CS1 or 2 why have you changed that ?

It's unclear to me from your keyboard shortcuts whether you are on Windows or Mac, so here are the keyboard shortcuts for both platforms:
Command-drag (Mac)/Ctrl-drag (Win) the shape layer thumbnail to move the shape path to another layer.
Command-Option-drag (Mac)/Ctrl-Alt-drag (Win) the shape layer thumbnail to copy the shape path to another layer.
We had to make this slight change since there is no longer a separate vector mask thumbnail on shape layers.
For non-shape layers with a separate vector mask, the old keyboard shortcuts should still work for moving/copying the vector mask.

Making a radial gradient fill follow the shape of a path

I have created an elaborate path. I now want to radial gradient fill the background but I want it fill in such a way that the gradient is shaped like the path, e.g. if I had a star or car shaped path, the radial gradient isn't round but shaped like a star or a car.
I want to get the effect of a shape glowing but in a gradient of different colours as opposed to just one.

Chuck, I had to dig into the darkest depths of my old memory for this, but I had a feeling it was there somewhere. The black stroke on the outside is on another layer, because I _had_ to harden up the outline!

In PS CS6 While I'm adjusting the shape style, the path outline always appears??

It does trouble me especially during setting "drop shadow", "inner glow" and "stroke". In previous version, if this problem came up, I can solve it by clicking another layer and then double-clicking the original layer to pop up the style setting. But now it doesn't work!!! Help...

You can press the keyboard short A (path selection tool) and hit the escape key twice.
or
If your already in the layer styles dialog you can press Ctrl (cmd)+Shift+ H (View>Show>Target Path)
Still a pain compared to previous versions.

Unable to link shapes to track paths

I had designed a shape then I had established the track (both manually or analizyng the movement) but ...... puttig the track number in the right box to make my shape moving .... the shape stand still !! Where I am wrong ????
Thanks Luca.

You told the Shape to use the proper tracker but did you attach your custom shape to the proper secondary?
FWIW, I like to name my shapes with the number of the secondary that I have them assigned to. It's probably extra work but I need all the help I can get to keep things straight.

Compound Shapes vs. Compound Paths

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