To create a compound path in Adobe Illustrator, select the shapes you want to combine and then go to Object > Compound Path > Make. This essentially punches out the overlapping shapes, creating a single, more complex shape where the original shapes were separate.
Here's a breakdown:
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Select the Shapes: Using the Selection Tool (V), click and drag to select all the shapes you want to include in your compound path. Make sure they are all on the same layer.
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Access the Compound Path Option: Go to the "Object" menu in the top menu bar.
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Choose "Compound Path": In the dropdown menu, select "Compound Path."
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Click "Make": Finally, click "Make" (Object > Compound Path > Make). This will create the compound path.
What Happens When You Make a Compound Path?
- Overlapping areas in the selected shapes become transparent or "holes." The area where the shapes overlap gets cut out.
- All selected paths are treated as a single object for styling and manipulation. You can apply fills, strokes, and effects to the entire compound path.
- You can still manipulate the individual paths within the compound path using the Direct Selection Tool (A). This allows you to adjust the individual shapes that make up the compound path after it's been created.
Example:
Imagine you have a circle overlapping a square. If you make them into a compound path, the area where the circle overlaps the square will become transparent. The resulting shape will look like a square with a circular hole in it.
Releasing a Compound Path:
If you want to separate the shapes that make up a compound path, select the compound path and go to Object > Compound Path > Release. This will revert the compound path back into its original individual shapes.
