CUTTING OUT SHAPES FROM SHAPES

[Stephan_M._Noack@adobeforums.com]

I'm guessing this has something to do with the knockout groups and grouping, but what I'm looking to do is sorta make a "comet trail" type shape.

How I am doing this is, Making a big colored circle, and placing a smaller circle over it in white, to make what almost looks like a NIKE logo, but how do I make that white space transparent?

I've been reading the help file for hours now... and I know this has to be really simple. PLEASE HELP.

Thanks.

[Harron_K._Appleman@adobeforums.com]

Stephan,

If I understand you correctly, I'd say play with the pathfinder palette, in particular Divide.

=-= Harron =-=

[Eric_Schwartz@adobeforums.com]

Assuming you have a recent version of Illustrator, just select both shapes and click the second icon in the Pathfinder palette (called Subtract). This will "punch" out the top shape from the bottom shape.

You can go back at any time to adjust the position of the "punch" shape with the Direct Selection tool and when you're pleased with the result, you can permanently apply this by choosing Object > Expand to remove the top object and leave the bottom object punched out. I tend to do this rather than using the Alt modifier key with the Pathfinder palette because I always end up tweaking or repositioning the shapes.

[latchet_mcbride@adobeforums.com]

Hi

Why not just draw it with the pen tool and then you have far more frexibility and manouvarability (I think anyway).

Latchet