Adobe ILLUSTRATOR CS2 User Manual page 312

To apply a Pathfinder effect using the Pathfinder palette
Select the objects to which you want to apply the effect.
1
To apply a Pathfinder effect to a group or layer, target the group or layer.
In the Pathfinder palette, click a pathfinder button (in the bottom row), or Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click
2
(Mac OS) a Shape Mode button (in the top row).
See also
"About the Pathfinder palette" on page 302
"Summary of Pathfinder effects" on page 305
"Pathfinder options" on page 306
"About targeting" on page 420
Summary of Pathfinder effects
Traces the outline of all objects as if they were a single, merged object. The resulting shape takes on the paint
Add
attributes of the top object.
Traces the outline of the region overlapped by all the objects.
Intersect
Traces all nonoverlapping areas of the objects, and makes overlapping areas transparent. Where an even
Exclude
number of objects overlap, the overlap becomes transparent. Where an odd number of objects overlap, the overlap
becomes filled.
Subtracts the frontmost objects from the backmost object. You can use this command to delete areas of an
Subtract
illustration by adjusting the stacking order.
Subtracts the objects in back from the frontmost object. You can use this command to delete areas of an
Minus Back
illustration by adjusting the stacking order.
Separates a piece of artwork into its component filled faces (a face is an area undivided by a line segment).
Divide
Note: When you use the Divide button in the Pathfinder palette, you can use the Direct Selection or Group Selection tool
to manipulate the resulting faces independently of each other. You can also choose to delete or preserve unfilled objects
when applying the Divide command.
Removes the part of a filled object that is hidden. It removes any strokes and does not merge objects of the same
Trim
color.
Removes the part of a filled object that is hidden. It removes any strokes and merges any adjoining or
Merge
overlapping objects filled with the same color.
Divides artwork into its component filled faces, and then deletes all the parts of the artwork that fall outside
Crop
the boundary of the topmost object. It also removes any strokes.
Divides an object into its component line segments, or edges. This command is useful for preparing artwork
Outline
that needs a trap for overprinting objects.
Note: When you use the Outline button in the Pathfinder palette, you can use the Direct Selection or Group Selection
tool to manipulate each edge independently. You can also choose to delete or preserve unfilled objects when applying the
Outline command.
ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR CS2 305
User Guide