Understanding Compound Paths in Adobe Illustrator

In response to a question from Von Glitschka, here is a detailed (and technical) explanation of Compound Paths, Compound Shapes, Pathfinder, and all that jazz in Adobe Illustrator.

Follow up information from Monika Gause is posted here:

[ling]

Everything gets crystal clear when put in the light of the historical context.
Thanks a lot for going so deep and allowing the average user to understand how things work the way they do.

[propitiated]

THANK YOU for finally explaining in a way for me to understand just what a compound shape is and why I would expand or why the expand option is there, this was perfect. Thumbs up and subscribed!

[kittis]

Mordy you're a lifesaver! I appreciate your teaching style I feel like it was very informative and straightforward but also gave insight to things I never would have considered. It's interesting to hear about Adobe's background; where the tools started and what they've evolved into. I'll definitely be back for more tutorials!

[Sara-ebbc]

Thank you for this incredibly informative video!!! When you put everything into historical context, Illustrator makes a whole lot more sense now. I never understood how to manipulate objects created from pathfinder until watching this video. Thanks. I'm subscribing.

[arthurhamuth]

Thank you Mordy Golding.Your tutorials are great, easy to follow, very clear, those who had the chance find them i am sure they understood and learned illustrator... I am one of those who were lucky!

[LeSadW]

I have been using Illustrator for years and didn't know this! Thanks for giving me a greater insight into all this! I'm starting to fill the gaps in my education now there's a wealth of tutorials on youtube!

.... and yes I am glad that they decided change the path finder procedure, having to click expand all the time was annoying!

[EdieShack]

I so appreciate your explanation and wish I had seen this when you first posted it. Your teaching style makes everything clear, my favourite type of video, as opposed to the ones that make my brain stop working.

[MirrorPeakFM]

You have literally saved my sanity today, thank you!

[dipsmoke]

Wow, really good tutorial, which deeply explains things and not just showing what you have to do without any logic or understanding of the possible options

[wprogerswa]

Thanks for explaining the compound path. I was having trouble with a text video that used compound paths and didn't realize I needed to alt click on add compound, You're the best!

[ray_liu]

Thanks for the nice tutorial =D



2:15 adobe illustrator has its way of evolving, it won't remove old features, but it adds new replaceable features
3:34 to cut a hole, we use a compound path
4:54 path finder panel: hit "minus front" icon> note: path finder panel, it simplifies the understanding of compound path

[rinitries]

Thank you for the deep dive! I barely understood what I knew of this on the surface level. This is great. Thank you! :)

[inactive-G.Greyhound]

I begun learning Illustrator a few days ago. After using Photoshop and After Effects for years, Illustrator seems illogical many times, and it was really confusing why the Pathfinder works differently with some shapes. Now it makes sense, thanks for explaining it so clearly!

[Animabug]

Mordy, thank you so much! I'm a photoshop stubborn-ass and new to illustrator, so trying to understand what the heck these features are and WHY! (plus also getting frustrated and feeling like a fool when punching something in pathfinder and nothing happens! Lol. The historical context was insanely helpful! Not just toward pathfinder but helping me to understand Illustrator as a whole. Thanks!

[jaredwatson]

Great video! This was a great resource for me. Peace and blessings to you

[elainekoppany]

I am using CC2017.. In another tutorial I was watching, the presenter used the pathfinder tool. He had the shape drawn and another shape in front off the edge slightly. both objects were selected when he chose the Minus front button in the Pathfinder menu. The two shapes combined, and retained their original colors. It looked like what a mask does. I keep trying this, but with no results. What was he doing that I am not seeing?

[DrumminDrew]

Wow!!! Awesome!!
Curious: what are those 4 little circles you get in the inside corners when you select a path?

[Thebestmomentsever]

when I outline a font compound paths are created in the layers. For example, the letter "A" becomes a compound path. Is this because the triangle in the letter A becomes another path? But it says it is expanded. Help!!

[charlesxavier]

is not working for me... What can i do ? I am pressing minus front and nothing is happening.

[IuliiaCherepanova]

You explanation is the most helpful, thanks!