Making a compound path permanent

I am trying to cut holes permanently out of an solid oblong and although I have made a compound path I need to make this permanent please can you help?

yikes,
What Doug said.
As long as you keep it as a Compound Path in Illy, it will be editable (the same applies to a Compound Shape). I can think of a few silly and destructive ways of making it permanent.

Similar Messages

  • Help with Compound Paths

    Hello,
    I would like to know how to accomplsih the following. I can't get it to work, assuming it is possible.
    Background: I have type (in outline form) on top of a solid vector rectangle (rectangle A). Rectangle A is on top of a background color. I want the type to drop out to the background color. I know how to do this by a) selecting both the type and rectangle A and b) making a compound path. Works. No problem.
    But, what I really want to accomplish is the following: I want the type to drop out to the background color when it is placed on top of TWO separate objects. Here is the order of objects, starting at the bottom: 1) background color, 2) rectangle A, 3) square B, 4) outline type (fits entirely within the area of the square). I want to be able to cause the type to "drill" through both square B and rectangle A so that the color of the type is the background color. Assuming this is possible, how do I do it? Thanks for some help. Dale

    Sorry, no, I mean for output... In AI or PDF files this seems to work great but anything dealing with transparency gets flatteded when you pull an eps file into a layout program like Quark or InDesign and consequently, the knockout or transaprency mask turns white regardless of what background it is placed on...
    I know that in Indesign, this shouldn't be an issue since you can just use the Illustrator format but say you work in a place (like I do) where for reasons dealing with output and central storage that are beyond your link in the chain and thus out of your control, you have to save as EPS still - is there any way that you know of right off, to get this to work without the knockout going to white?
    I ask only because it seems like there should be a way to prevent this from happening since there are no transitions and this isn't dealing with a degree of transparency but a compleet knockout...
    If this is something that to the best of your knowledge should work, I don't expect you to troubleshoot my problem and I'll look into the settings I'm playing with on my own.
    As always, thanks for your help either way though!

  • Making a clipping group with a compound path

    So, as of today I'm new to scripting for Illustrator, I'm using the ExtendScript Toolkit. However I'm not new to scripting my own solutions and I do have some experience with JavaScript already.
    What I'm trying to do is this: For all selected Items->Duplicate selected item and make a simple clipping group with it
    What I end up with visually doesn't change the picture, but gives me a lot of clipped colored areas which I then can edit in the isolated mode, allowing me far faster and better shading. Doing that by hand takes hours on some pictures, it'd take a second with a script.
    The script itself already perfectly works for normal PathItems. As obvious in the title, as soon as I have to apply the same to CompundPathItems things stop working. My issue is somewhat similar to this old thread [Problem with compound path clipping], but I couldn't find a solution there because I get different behavior.
    When I run the very same script that perfectly works with the normal PathItems with CompoundPathItems I get this: Error 9046: The top item in the group must be a path item to create a mask
    Well that's a problem. In the GUI there is absolutely no difference between making a clipping mask with a simple path and a compound path. The reference guide has frankly not helped me with this issue at all, the only thing I learned from that is that the CompoundPathItem object doesn't have a clipping attribute, but those included PathItems do.
    Here's what I have so far:
    if ( selected[i].typename == "PathItem" ) {
    var newGroup = doc.groupItems.add();
    copy = selected[i].duplicate(newGroup,ElementPlacement.PLACEATEND);
    selected[i].moveToBeginning(newGroup);
    newGroup.clipped = true;
    As I said, this part perfectly does what it's supposed to do for normal Paths.
    For CompoundPaths I use this workaround.
    if ( selected[i].typename == "CompoundPathItem" ) {
    var newGroup = doc.groupItems.add();
    copy = selected[i].duplicate(newGroup,ElementPlacement.PLACEATEND);
    selected[i].moveToBeginning(newGroup);
    compoundItems = selected[i].pathItems;
    compoundIndex = compoundItems.length;
    for ( f = 0; f < compoundIndex; f++ ) {compoundItems[f].clipping=true;}
    var lineList = new Array(10);
    for ( l = 0; l < lineList.length; l++ ) {lineList[l] = new Array( i * 10 + 50, ((i - 5) ^ 2) * 5 +50);}
    newPath = app.activeDocument.pathItems.add();
    newPath.setEntirePath(lineList);
    newPath.moveToBeginning(newGroup);
    newGroup.clipped = true;
    newPath.remove();
    Mind you, this workaround does work in so far that it bypasses that annoying and wrong error, and the Compound Clipping Path also works, with the only problem being that the Compound Clipping Path created like this is still displayed in its original colors in the Layers section, and is still selectable. When I lock the Compound Clipping Path I can work with it but still...
    So the question is, what am I missing here? Surely there must be a proper way to do this.

    app.executeMenuCommand()? That one eluded me so far, might be just the right thing. I'll definitely take a look, now just to find a ref on that, as unfortunately the official ref documents I have don't mention that command. Any place with a list of possible commands?
    Ah, also of course I'm not only doing it for the isolation mode. If you care to hear the background, here is it:
    As I said it's for shading the pictures I'm working on. I've iterated and tried through a bunch of techniques. For example gradient meshes on my first few real works. Now those meshes don't do well with complex shapes, which previously I alleviated by using a simple square or rectangle gradient mesh and using the original colored shape as a clipping mask. That did work, but it was a huge lot of work.
    After a bunch of attempts at that I went over to using simple gradients as a background for the shape and then I'm doing the shading freehand with the blob brush tool, using a graphic style and filters to make it look right. That's better, but properly making all the clipping masks takes me much longer than anything else.
    Now the problem is that the shading is not supposed to go over the lines, which is impossible to do properly without either messing up the order, or using clipping masks, hence the script. Because you know, if you use a blob brush with a strong Gaussian blur close to the lines you'll end up with stuff on both sides. If you don't start close to the line the shading won't look right if the darkest part of the shade needs to be close to the line. And that's where clipping masks do magic.
    And finally here's an example how I work with the script and the result:
    After I have traced a sketch, adjusted the line widths and everything to look neat I turn the paths to outline strokes and then make them into a live paint group (which would mess up the line widths, unless you turn the paths into outline strokes first).
    With that live paint group it takes me just a few minutes to flat color my piece. Then I expand the live paint group, in case of doubt spend some more minutes to make compound paths from all areas I need to shade in one piece, then I select all the areas and use my script to turn them into neat clipping masks. Then I can click any area, enter the isolation mode and go up one level so I'm in the appropriate group, where I can shade freely without the problem of going over the lines.
    At the end that allows me to apply a complex and in-depth shading, without wasting any time to get there.
    PS: Well, I just found out that Draw Inside is pretty darn close to what I want to do, and oddly enough it produces the same visual discrepancy with compound paths that my script produces. I'll be taking a closer look at that, though my script does a little more than just the clipping mask stuff, so maybe I'll go for a hybrid solution. Whatever makes for a better workflow.

  • Making a low opacity compound path in a stock vector 100% opacity

    Hi,
    I recently purchased a stock vector image. One of the compound paths in it has what looks like a lowered opacity on it to create the appearance of a reflection for a skyline. However, even when I release the compound path, the opacity is not lowered on the slider scale and therefore can't be raised. I'd like to be able to make it a true 100% opacity but can't seem to get that control of it. Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? Attached is a jpeg of it so you can get a sense. Thanks!

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    Click the "down arrow" symbol on the right (where it says ALL FORUMS) to open the drop down list and scroll
    Do you use Photoshop? http://forums.adobe.com/community/photoshop

  • Help with linked files/ compound paths please

    Hi - I am working with an illustrator file from another designer which has a compound path with linked files - when you link a new file the image is automatically resized and clipped to the path.  I am able to edit it but i want to make my own from scratch and can't figure it out. I'm working with Illustrator CS6. Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks

    Hi Steve - thanks for the reply - my question was a bit vague as I wasn't entirely sure what I was working with but I think your point about the new linked image scaling to the same size as the existing file has helped me understand it a bit more.  What I want to know how to do is to make an entirely new file with a clipping mask that I then link an image to.  I made a file with a clipping mask on the page and then chose file>place but the image I import is not being clipped (I ticked the link option when importing it) I see it working with the existing file I'm working with but I need to know how to make a new one myself.
    If this makes it clearer here's what I want to do ...
    I am making a banner, I have 3 flat jpegs of t-shirts that I want to place on the banner without their white background.  I made a clipping mask the same shape as the outline of the t-shirt and now I want to import the jpeg so it is a linked file and is clipped by the clipping mask and so I can use it in future to import different t-shirt image in without scaling and clipping them each time.
    REally appreciate your help, thanks.

  • Calling all compound path and clipping mask experts...

    I am attempting to get all the white areas in the attached "globe" artwork to knockout to the background color. I have tried making the entire thing a compound path, tried clipping mask and different combinations in pathfinder with no success. The image on the right is what happens when I make it a compound path. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

    The simplest way, I think, would be to set the white line work as an opacity mask on top of the tan circle. That is not a clipping mask, but does the same thing and it's much easier.
    Otherwise, outline white strokes and "Unite" using pathfinder tool, then delete outside path (the circle), from the compound shape. That will leave the appropriate compound object to make the clipping mask:

  • Compound Path Trouble - Type to Outlines

    I've had these issues for years, wherein I'll convert some type to outlines, and the counters of letterforms that have them are filled in!
    The paths are still there, but no amount of futzing or making compound, or releasing and trying again, will make them come back.*
    Has anyone developed a fix to this problem?
    If so, thank you for sharing it with me!
    katt
    *Sometimes it turns out that a duplicate path is directly on top of another, but most of the time, the "compoundness" seems broken, for lack of better phrasing..

    If you
    Create outliens form type
    Release compound path
    then try to make this a compound path again
    your result wil be broken compoiunf paths
    If you
    Create outliens form type
    Release compound path
    Ungroup
    then try to make this a compound path again
    your result will be good

  • Compound path inside/outside test

    Is there an API for testing if a point is inside or outside of a specific compound path? I've found stuff for the length/area, but not inside outside. I supposed I could implement it myself but that kind of code tends to have a lot of fiddly <= vs < sensitivity when implementing the winding rule, and I'd rather not re-invent the wheel when illustrator is obviously already able to do this test. (Plus I could take advantage of whatever acceleration code illustrator already has for this test.)
    If there's a individual path inside outside test, I don't mind tallying things up for the components of the compound path, but I didn't even find that. I'm probably just missing something obvious.
    Thanks,
    PS (I'm still back using CS2 since that's the suite I have and I'm unable to shell out the big bucks to upgrade.)

    Well, I think the problem with that is that the hit test will also report a "hit" when you're on things like control points outside of the fill region. Now you could say "well then check the hit type and don't report a hit if it's over a control point" but then you're just in trouble because you might be over an internal control point.
    So I don't think it can reliably be used for that.
    I guess you might be able to make it work by manually making sure no control points are visible, and that fill is on, and then use the hit test lib. I'll look into it, but my gut feeling is that this is going to have issues. Interesting though. Thanks for the suggestion!
    -Kurt

  • COMPOUND PATH TO A SINGLE PATH

    HI,
    I have created a compound path, which is a circle, with a smaller circle cut out within it, creating a ring.
    Is there away of making that shape into a single path, so that it can not be relased?
    Or is it beacuse it has two paths that it always has to stay as a compound path?
    Thanks
    Carl

    (Takes you back to Illie88, don't it Jacob?) 
    Or even further, Steve (you may remember my being dutifully unmasked by Peter the other day).
    Yep :-) but what was before Illie 88? (was there anything?)
    Anyway I started off on Illie 88 as soon as we got computerized and was a long time trying to find out how to make holes in things. The cut doughnut method was the only way, and all by hand with Scissors and Join.
    Then along came Illie3 which I seem to remember had compounds but still no Pathfinder.
    And it wasn't until Illie5 that you could actually draw with the preview turned on. People here rushed out to buy it, it was a sort of WOW moment.
    As for new versions (or not so new) I am very conservative in these matters. Better to use something that works than something that was busted by being mended.

  • Meshes behind compound path masks.

    I have a gradient mesh which is masked behind several squares I grouped together as a compound path. However I'm finding it aggravatingly difficult to select points of the mesh to edit.  For some reason I can only select the mesh in isolation mode. Furthermore when you try to select points in the mesh that are within the interior of the squares which making up the mask you end up selecting the squares instead of the mesh. Is there any easier way to edit the mesh when it is masked? Illustrator CS6

    Alright, nevermind I think removing the fill solved it. Thank though.

  • Help needed to make a compound path of text in rectangle

    Hello, I hope some one will really solve my problem.
    Im trying to make a compound path (text inside a rectangle). I had done this previously with success but now the whole shape and text is showing same color. Although text should be transparent! And now due to the similarity in colors i cannot see any font.
    I don't know why this is happening?
    I made outlines of text, ungrouped it, released their compound paths, placed all fonts and rectangle in seperated layer and then made it a compound  path.
    Please let me know if im following all the steps.
    Also, please forgive my bad English as im not native.

    adobied,
    As you know now, Larry answered the Compound question while you were still typing.
    We do have quite a few cross postings in this busy forum, especially at this time of day with natives present both over there and over here.
    You can use Opacity Masks for a whole range of purposes, and they can act as (inverted) Clipping Masks, and also for partial/varying transparency.
    In this case, the suggested use corresponds to an inverted Clipping Mask.
    I quite understand your wish to have the Compound under control, and I believe that is sorted with the advice from Larry.

  • Can't release compound path

    I drew some simple paths in Photoshop with the pen tool, then exported the paths to Illustrator. All the paths came into illustrator as compound paths, though they look like simple paths in illustrator. Because they are compound paths, I can't join the ends of the paths to the ends of other paths.
    Whe I select one of these paths:
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    "Release Compound Shape" in the Pathfinde palette menu is also greyed out and unavailable.
    Is there any way to make these paths back into simple paths without redrawing them?
    I'm using CS6 versions of both Photoshop and Illustrator.

    Okay, here's the screen shot.

  • How to release Compound Path in Adobe illustrator javascript

    Hi,
      How to release Comound path with java script

    Thanks For answer
    Actually i want to take .PNG image for compound path Items.
    But when i release compound path Items then it is break in small small object.
    When i save compound path items separately it saved as a blank image...
    What am i do now.

  • [AI CS4 Mac] How to create a Compound Path?

    Hi Folks,
    I'm trying to create a compound path in AI CS4 for Mac, but I have not been successful. One would think this would be easy, so maybe I'm missing the obvious solution...
    What is best way to create a compound path using the SDK? I just need to make a compound path out of two non-overlapping rectangles so that I can create a clipping mask. Nothing tricky.
    The SDK is not clear about the best way to go about creating a compound path, but I figured that programmitically selecting the two rectanlges and then using the built in "adobe_makeCompound" action would work, but it doesn't.
    err = sAIActionManager->PlayActionEvent("adobe_makeCompound", kDialogNone, NULL);
    When the above code is called while I'm debugging, I get a dialog box that reads: The object "Make Compound Path" is not currently available.
    If I click the "Stop" button while debugging, the value of err is 1346458189 which is 'PARM'. So, maybe I need to set a parameter? The crazy thing is that there appears to be no parameters needed for the "adobe_makeCompound" action event. When I created the action manually, the resulting .aia file (see its contents below) has a parameterCount == 0. I've tried passing a parameter block without adding any parameters to it (instead of NULL), but still no joy.
    /version 2
    /name [ 5
              5365742031
    /isOpen 1
    /actionCount 1
    /action-1 {
              /name [ 12
                        436f6d706f756e6450617468
              /keyIndex 0
              /colorIndex 0
              /isOpen 0
              /eventCount 1
              /event-1 {
                        /internalName (adobe_makeCompound)
                        /localizedName [ 18
                                  4d616b6520436f6d706f756e642050617468
                        /isOpen 0
                        /isOn 1
                        /hasDialog 0
                        /parameterCount 0
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    Thanks in advance!
    -- Jim

    Actually, here's a more useful variation
    // rectangle1 & rectangle2 are the AIArtHandles for your existing paths
    AIArtHandle compound = 0;
    sArt->NewArt(kCompoundPathArt, kPlaceAbove, rectangle1, &compound);
    sArt->sReorderArt(rectangle1, kPlaceInsideOnTop, compound);
    sArt->sReorderArt(rectangle2, kPlaceInsideOnTop, compound);
    // this will create the compound right next to wherever rectangle1 is, much simpler and more likely what you want

  • Compound path selection in Photoshop CC

    Hi
    I have a compound path (item silhouette together with inner hole). But for some reason am not able to make selection with the hole excluded from outer path selection any more as I was able to do in previous versions of Photoshop (photoshop selects outer path only). Please let me know if it's still possible to do.

    Now it's OK. nvm

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