How do I cut out parts of letters in Illustrator?

To cut out parts of letters in Adobe Illustrator, you can use various techniques, including the Pathfinder panel (specifically the Minus Front option) or the Shape Builder tool. Here's a breakdown of how to use these methods:

Using the Pathfinder Panel (Minus Front)

This method involves placing a shape on top of the letter where you want to cut, then using the "Minus Front" option to subtract the shape from the letter.

1. Create your Letter: Type out the letter you want to modify using the Type tool. Make sure it is converted to outlines by right-clicking on it and selecting "Create Outlines".
2. Draw the Cutting Shape: Create the shape you want to use as a cutter (e.g., a rectangle, circle, or custom shape) using the appropriate shape tool or the Pen tool.
3. Position the Cutting Shape: Place the cutting shape on top of the letter where you want to create the cutout.
4. Select Both Shapes: Select both the letter outlines and the cutting shape using the Selection tool (V).
5. Open the Pathfinder Panel: Go to Window > Pathfinder to open the Pathfinder panel.
6. Apply Minus Front: In the Pathfinder panel, click the "Minus Front" button (the first icon in the second row). This will subtract the cutting shape from the letter, creating the cutout.

Using the Shape Builder Tool

The Shape Builder tool allows you to interactively merge or delete overlapping shapes.

1. Create your Letter: Type out the letter you want to modify. Convert it to outlines as described above.
2. Draw the Cutting Shape(s): Create the shape(s) you want to use to cut out portions of the letter.
3. Position the Cutting Shapes: Place the cutting shapes over the letter where you want the cutouts.
4. Select All Shapes: Select both the letter and the cutting shapes using the Selection tool (V).
5. Activate the Shape Builder Tool: Select the Shape Builder tool (Shift + M).
6. Delete Sections: Hold down the Alt/Option key. Your cursor will change to a minus sign. Click and drag over the sections of the letter and the cutting shape that you want to remove. This will delete those areas, creating the cutout. You can also click individual sections to remove them.

Tips for Success

• Expand Appearances: Before using the Pathfinder panel or Shape Builder tool, sometimes expanding the appearance of your shapes (Object > Expand Appearance) can help prevent unexpected results, especially if you've applied effects or strokes.

• Group/Ungroup: If the resulting letter is still grouped, you can ungroup it (Object > Ungroup) to work with individual sections.

• Clean Up: After using these tools, there might be extra anchor points or paths. Use the Direct Selection tool (A) to adjust or delete these for a cleaner result.

By using either the Pathfinder panel's "Minus Front" function or the Shape Builder tool, you can effectively cut out parts of letters in Adobe Illustrator, allowing you to create unique and interesting typographical designs.