Want to create a new shape of your own choice? Well, this is a great idea to combine two shapes and then make a new one to add to your design. Adobe Illustrator doesn’t come with many shapes, so you will always need to create one or multiple if needed.
You can combine two or more shapes using different tools, like pathfinder, or Shape Builder Tool. You can also group two shapes with the same fill colors to make them one. It’s always great to work with tools and shapes to create new designs for projects.
Combine Multiple Shapes into One in Adobe Illustrator – Video Tutorial
You can also watch below video tutorial to learn how to combine multiple shapes into one in Adobe Illustrator. You can combine any shape to make a new one.
You can also learn:
In this tutorial, you will learn about combing multiple objects. In Adobe Illustrator, it is very easy to combine multiple shapes. There are several ways to combine them, you will learn some of them by reading below.
So let’s start.
How to Combine Shapes in Illustrator
To combine shapes in Illustrator, align the shapes as you want to combine them. Select both shapes, go to Pathfinder, and select Click to Unite. Both shapes will be combined.
Following are the detailed steps that can be used to combine shapes in Adobe Illustrator.
1st Method: Using Group Option
In the below example, we have some shapes.
We can combine them by grouping, so select all the shapes using the Selection Tool and press “Ctrl+G” from the keyboard.
You can also use the “Group” option from the “Properties” panel on the right-hand side as well to group the shapes.
The benefit of grouping is you can modify every single shape later if needed.
2nd Method: Using Shape Builder Tool Option
If you want to make them one single shape, then use the “Shape Builder Tool“.
Go to the left-hand side toolbar and select “Selection Tool” or press “V” from your keyboard.
Select all objects by pressing the shift key or left click and make a selection on all of them.
Go to the left side toolbar again and choose “Shape Builder Tool“. The shortcut key to select the “Shape Builder Tool” is “Shift+M“. You can press “Shift+M” from your keyboard to quickly access this tool.
Now, left-click on any object and drag the cursor to other objects without releasing the left click. All shapes will be converted to a single shape. Now, this is a single shape. You can modify and edit this as a single object.
3rd Method: Using Pathfinder Option
Pathfinder is also a good option to choose for merging objects.
Go to “Windows” menu and choose “Pathfinder“.
A small “Pathfinder” box will appear.
Now you have most of the options with your single click. I will explain each of them below.
Under Shape Modes:
- Unite (Alt-click to create a Compound Shape and add to shape area).
- Minus Front (Alt-click to create a Compound Shape and subtract from shape area).
- Intersect (Alt-click to create a Compound Shape and intersect shape area).
- Exclude (Alt-click to create a Compound Shape and exclude overlapping shape areas).
- Expand Compound Shape
Under Pathfinders:
- Divide
- Trim
- Merge
- Crop
- Outline
- Minus Back
Now go to the left side toolbar and choose the first tool “Selection Tool” or press “V” from your keyboard.
Select all objects by pressing the shift key or left click and make a selection on all of them. If you want to combine different objects, choose the “Unite” option from “Shape Modes:”.
You can also choose the “Merge” option from “Pathfinders:“.
Test and play with different options in the “Pathfinder” box and select your desired option.
You have learned to combine multiple shapes into one in Illustrator.
In this tutorial, you have learned to combine multiple shapes into one in Adobe Illustrator. You can combine any two shapes to make completely new shapes easily just like puzzle cards. You can combine a circle and a big triangle or rectangle to make them.
Have More Questions?
If you have any questions related to combining multiple shapes into one in Illustrator then ask in the comment section below.
All Done! Enjoy.
Leave a Reply