The Shape Builder Tool

Lesson 19 of 24

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The Shape Builder Tool

In this lesson you'll learn:

  • How to create custom shapes using the shape builder tool

  • How to extract shapes using the shape builder tool

  • How to combine shapes using the shape builder tool

  • How to remove shapes using the shape builder tool

  • When it might make more sense to use the pathfinder tools

Take Action:

  1. Draw an overlapping circle and square, then make two copies of them.

  2. On the first shape, use the pathfinder tool 'minus front' to create a new shape.

  3. On the second one, practice using the Shape Builder Tool (Shift M) to extract shapes, combine them and take away from them.

  4. Now create a more complex shape. Practice adding accents and removing the overlapping parts by using the Shape Builder Tool Minus feature (by holding down the option key).

Tip: It's not necessary to use 'expand' after using the shape builder tools, because Ai doesn't render it as an 'effect', just an action. 

Great Job! Keep Going!

Creating Custom Color Palettes

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Typography in Ai

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Creating Custom Color Palettes