Cut Out Objects in Illustrator

Tutorial: How to Cut Out Shapes from Objects in Adobe Illustrator

1. Open Adobe Illustrator: Launch the Adobe Illustrator software on your computer.

2. Import Your Image: Import the image or object from which you want to cut out a shape. Ensure the object is visible on the artboard.

3. Select the Shape Tool: Choose the shape tool from the toolbar on the left side of the screen. In this tutorial, a circle will be used as an example.

4. Create the Shape: Draw a circle over the object from which you want to cut out a shape.

5. Cut Out the Desired Shape: Now, you want to cut out a specific shape (e.g., a star) from the circle you created. To do this, follow these steps:

   • Select the circle and the shape you want to cut out (e.g., the star).
   • Go to 'View' in the top menu and choose 'Show Transparency Grid' to see the transparency effect.
   • Navigate to 'Window' and select 'Pathfinder'.
   • In the Pathfinder panel, choose 'Minus Front' to cut out the shape from the object behind.

6. View the Cutout Shape: You will now see the shape you cut out from the object, with the transparency grid showing through.

7. Alternative Method using Shape Builder Tool: Another way to cut out shapes from objects is by using the Shape Builder tool. Here's how:

   • Ensure both the circle and the shape to be cut out are selected.
   • Locate the Shape Builder tool in the toolbar (usually found under the Shaper Tool).
   • Press and hold 'Option' on Mac or 'Alt' on PC and click on the part of the object you want to delete. This action will cut out the selected shape.

8. Finalize the Cutout: Once you have deleted the desired portion of the object, you have successfully cut out the shape from the object in Adobe Illustrator.

9. Save Your Work: Remember to save your work to preserve the changes you made to the object.

10. Practice and Experiment: Experiment with different shapes and objects to familiarize yourself with the process of cutting out shapes in Adobe Illustrator.

By following these steps, you can effectively cut out shapes from objects in Adobe Illustrator to create unique designs and graphics.