{"id":88962,"date":"2022-08-23T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-23T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.online-tech-tips.com\/?p=88962"},"modified":"2024-05-31T01:01:05","modified_gmt":"2024-05-31T05:01:05","slug":"how-to-use-adobe-illustrators-shape-builder-tool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.online-tech-tips.com\/how-to-use-adobe-illustrators-shape-builder-tool\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use Adobe Illustrator\u2019s Shape Builder Tool"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With Adobe Illustrator\u2019s Shape Builder tool, even beginners can combine simple shapes to create complex ones. In this simple Illustrator tutorial, we\u2019ll show you how to merge and subtract basic shapes<\/a> to create a new shape. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Shape Builder tool was added to Illustrator in version CS5, and all versions since then have included it. We used Adobe Illustrator CC, but as long as you\u2019re using Illustrator CS5 or later, these instructions should work.\n<\/p>\n\n\n

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How to Merge Shapes With the Shape Builder Tool\n<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll start by merging vector shapes. All of the shape tools in Illustrator create vector shapes<\/a>. That means they can be scaled to any size. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Add a few shapes to the artboard. You can use any shape tool like the rectangle tool, the ellipse tool, the polygon tool, or the pen tool. \n<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n
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    1. We\u2019ll use the Merge Mode<\/span> of the Shape Builder<\/span> Tool <\/span>on overlapping shapes and move the shapes, so they intersect.\n<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n
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      1. Use the Selection<\/span> Tool <\/span>to select two or more overlapping shapes. Hold down Shift<\/span> to select multiple shapes. \n<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n
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        1. Select Shape Builder<\/span> from the tools panel or use the keyboard shortcut Shift <\/span>+ M<\/span>. \n<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n
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          1. Drag the Shape Builder tool across the selected shapes. Each part of the new shape will be highlighted as you drag over them. When you release the mouse, the shapes will merge. You\u2019ll see a tiny plus sign next to the cursor to remind you that you\u2019re adding one shape to another.\n<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n
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            TIP:<\/span> To avoid inadvertently missing some overlapping areas of multiple shapes, press Shift<\/span> while you drag the Shape Builder marquee around all the shapes you want to merge.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            How to Erase Shapes with the Shape Builder Tool\n<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

            Sometimes a graphic design project<\/a> will require you to subtract one shape from another. Shape Builder has an Erase mode that makes it easy.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            1. Begin by using the Selection <\/span>Tool to select two overlapping shapes. We\u2019ll subtract one shape from the other. \n<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n
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              1. Select the Shape Builder Tool <\/span>and hold down Alt<\/span> or Option<\/span> (Mac) while you drag from one shape into the part of that shape that overlaps the other shape. As you can see, pressing Alt or Option puts the Shape Builder tool into Erase mode so that one shape is subtracted from the other. You\u2019ll know you\u2019ve activated Erase mode because you\u2019ll see a tiny minus sign next to the cursor.\n<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n
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                TIP:<\/span> Notice that additional anchor points are added to your new shape where the two shapes used to intersect. If you like, you can use those anchor points to reshape the path.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                If you\u2019ve ever used Illustrator\u2019s Pathfinder tool to create complex shapes, you\u2019ll love how much faster and easier it is to use the Shape Builder tool instead.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                How to Set Shape Builder Tool Options\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                Now that you have a good idea of how the Shape Builder tool works in Adobe Illustrator, take a minute to learn about the options you can customize. \n<\/p>\n\n\n

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                Access the Shape Builder Tool options by double-clicking on Shape Builder in the toolbar. \n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Gap Detection\n<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                Imagine you have three overlapping ellipses with a gap in the middle.\n<\/p>\n\n\n

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                Turning on Gap Detection in Shape Builder Options allows you to tell Shape Builder to include that gap region when merging shapes.\n<\/p>\n\n\n

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                It may take trial and error to set the gap length correctly, so the Shape Builder includes as much of the gap as you want.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Consider Open Filled Paths as Closed\n<\/h4>\n\n\n
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                If you\u2019ve used the Pen tool to create an open path and you check the Consider Open Filled Paths as Closed<\/span> box in the Shape Builder options, Shape Builder will create an invisible edge where the path is open so it\u2019s able to make a region.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                In Merge Mode, Clicking the Stroke Splits the Path\n<\/h4>\n\n\n
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                If the In Merge Mode, Clicking the Stroke Splits the Path<\/span> box is checked, you can select a portion of a path.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Pick Color From\n<\/h4>\n\n\n
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                This is where you choose how the newly-created shape will be colored. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n