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AlexM--
AlexM--
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How to split one path with another (avoid using scissors)?

May 16, 2012 1:32 AM

Tags: #illustrator #path #cut #stroke #split

Hello.

 

I'm trying to achieve simple task, but can't do that. I have a guilloche background made of strokes. I need to cut them by a shape. The visual result i'm tring to achieve is the same as using the clipping mask. However i need to apply the mask to the strokes, and remove everything that is outside the shape. So is there a way of doing that?

 

Scirssors tool is not an option cos it'll take entire life to cut all the strokes manually.

Outline opption in pathfinder is somewhat close, but then it's barely impossible to delete the cutting shape as it gets segmented as well.

 

Any other ideas? Sounds simple...but...

1152 Views   8 Replies   Latest reply: Jacob Bugge, May 17, 2012 3:16 AM
 
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  • Monika Gause
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    1. Monika Gause,
    May 16, 2012 2:59 AM   in reply to AlexM--
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    Pathfinder is OK, but you need to prepare the job well, so you can easily select the objects after cutting:

     

    http://www.vektorgarten.de/img/tut/cut-linies-with-shape.png

     
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  • JETalmage
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    2. JETalmage,
    May 16, 2012 4:57 AM   in reply to AlexM--
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    See Help menu about the so-called Shape Builder tool, and how to use it to remove segments by dragging over them with ShiftAlt modifier keys pressed.

     

    JET

     
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  • AlexM--
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    3. AlexM--,
    May 16, 2012 6:36 AM   in reply to Monika Gause
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    Thanks guys for your answers. But it doesn't quite work anyway.

     

    1. Don't have the shape builder tool.

     

    2. Don't have the Magic Wand. I have "Outline" instead at that place. And like I said, it indeed does the job, BUT, i would need to remove a lot of segments manuall, which is an overkill as well.

     

    I've attached coupl'o'images to illustrate my need.

     

    This is the source group of strokes:

     

    http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg62/scaled.php?server=62&filename=screenshot20120516at162.png&res=landing

     

    The needed result:

     

    http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg716/scaled.php?server=716&filename=screenshot20120516at162.png&res=landing

     
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  • Jacob Bugge
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    4. Jacob Bugge,
    May 16, 2012 7:04 AM   in reply to AlexM--
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    Alex,

     

    Regardless of version, you may do the destructive deed based upon a Clipping Mask (using a Clipping Path):

     

    0) Select the Clipping Path and all the objects to be clipped,

     

    1) In the Transparency palette/panel dropdown list select anything but Normal (Multiply is fine),

     

    2) Object>Flatten Transparency, you may just keep the defaults including 100% Vector,

     

    3) Shudder.

     
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  • Monika Gause
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    5. Monika Gause,
    May 16, 2012 7:32 AM   in reply to AlexM--
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    AlexM-- wrote:

     

    2. Don't have the Magic Wand. I have "Outline" instead at that place. And like I said, it indeed does the job, BUT, i would need to remove a lot of segments manuall, which is an overkill as well.

     

    Sorry, the MAgic Wand word is too close to that arrow. Of course you first use "Outline" on the two shapes. this leaves you with a lot of paths. But you can select the remainders of the mask easily by using the magic wand tool. Then delete them.

     

    Have you even tried what I posted?

     
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  • AlexM--
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    6. AlexM--,
    May 16, 2012 11:03 PM   in reply to Jacob Bugge
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    Jacob! Thank you. But it converts strokes to outlines, even though I uncheck "convert strokes to outlines". So, I can't take this as proper solution...but thank you anyway!

     

    Monika, yes, I have tried yout post - it didn't work out. Outline breaks ALL lines at their own intersection points, which is unwanted result as well.

     

    The shame is, I've did this in CorelDraw in 2 minutes...with absolute 0 of experience. Sigh.

     
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  • photodrawken
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    7. photodrawken,
    May 17, 2012 12:30 AM   in reply to AlexM--
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    AlexM,

     

    You're right about it being easy to do in CorelDraw, and it's not the only thing that's easier.  I'm trying Ai CS6 prior to purchase, and I assumed that spending a fortune on the world's most expensive vector drawing program would at least mean that I could uninstall CDR.  Not so.  I'll keep CDR X5 for this, and for the 3-point ellipses, and the line perpendicular to a path, and the line tangent to a curve, and on, and on.  At least I can use the Ai CS5 format to roundtrip between the two apps.

     

    Of course each app will do some things the other can't, but it's disappointing that Ai doesn't have the above capabilities.  They are fundamental drawing tools to my thinking....

     

    Ken

     
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  • Jacob Bugge
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    8. Jacob Bugge,
    May 17, 2012 3:16 AM   in reply to AlexM--
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    You are welcome, Alex.

     

    But it converts strokes to outlines,

     

    This is one reason to call it the destructive deed, and to add the Shudder step.

     

    So, I can't take this as proper solution.

     

    I though it might be so.

     

    It may be useful in cases, where no further work requires the original stroking of the clipped paths, especially when it is desirable to cut the paths at a slanting angle, thus upholding the actual appearance of a Clipping Mask.

     
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