- If the previous chapter was all
about creating free form even fanciful artwork,
this chapter is about the opposite, schematics,
specifically we're gonna take some very regular shapes,
squares, circles and triangles
and combine them to create all varieties
of complex path interactions.
Now if the idea of combining squares, circles
and triangles sounds familiar,
it's because you've been paying attention,
specifically, you're remembering chapter nine
of the fundamentals course
and its main character, the shape builder tool
which lets you add and subtract path outlines
by dragging over them,
in which case my dutiful student,
prepare yourself for a quantum leap
as we take on Illustrator's more capable shape builder,
the pathfinder panel.
Instead of dragging,
it lets you select a bunch of paths
and click a button.
And instead of just adding and subtracting,
it also let's you intersect, exclude, divide and more.
The pathfinder panel offers 10 buttons in all,
each of which applies a unique operation.
Naturally, I'll tour you through each and every one.
But this is gonna be more than an overview of features.
I'll introduce you to a new kind of dynamic object,
the compound shape.
And we'll see how it compares
to its slightly less dynamic cousin, the compound path.
I'll show you how to mix and match
the so called shape modes,
and I'll show you how to figure out
which pathfinder operation to use when.
You might think of the pathfinder panel
as Illustrator's multi implemented
in the trenches Leatherman tool.
Only unlike the original Leatherman,
the pathfinder panel includes a pair of scissors
where with two opposing blades, minus front
and minus back.
What the heck am I talking about?
Here, let me show you.