Adobe Illustrator Combining Objects and Paths 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which Pathfinder mode merges selected shapes into a single combined shape while keeping the underlying paths editable?
- Unite (in the Shape Modes row with Alt/Option held) (Correct answer)
- Minus Front applied directly
- Crop
- Outline
Correct answer: Unite (in the Shape Modes row with Alt/Option held)
Holding Alt/Option while clicking Unite creates a non-destructive compound shape that remains editable.
Question 2: What does the Pathfinder 'Minus Front' command do?
- Subtracts the frontmost shapes from the backmost shape (Correct answer)
- Subtracts the back shape from the front shape
- Keeps only overlapping areas
- Deletes all but the top object
Correct answer: Subtracts the frontmost shapes from the backmost shape
Minus Front removes the front objects from the rearmost object, leaving the back shape minus the overlap.
Question 3: The Shape Builder tool is used primarily to:
- Merge or extract regions of overlapping shapes by dragging or clicking (Correct answer)
- Add anchor points automatically
- Apply gradient meshes
- Convert text to outlines
Correct answer: Merge or extract regions of overlapping shapes by dragging or clicking
Shape Builder lets you interactively combine or delete regions of overlapping objects.
Question 4: To delete a region with the Shape Builder tool, you hold which key while clicking?
- Alt/Option (Correct answer)
- Shift
- Ctrl/Cmd
- Spacebar
Correct answer: Alt/Option
Holding Alt/Option turns the Shape Builder cursor into a minus icon to remove regions.
Question 5: What is the result of the Pathfinder 'Intersect' command?
- Only the overlapping area of the selected objects remains (Correct answer)
- Everything except the overlap remains
- The objects are merged into one outline
- The front object is removed
Correct answer: Only the overlapping area of the selected objects remains
Intersect keeps only the region where all selected shapes overlap.
Question 6: The Pathfinder 'Exclude' command produces:
- A compound path where overlapping regions become transparent holes (Correct answer)
- A single solid merged shape
- Only the overlapping area
- Outlined strokes
Correct answer: A compound path where overlapping regions become transparent holes
Exclude removes overlapping regions, turning them into see-through holes.
Question 7: Which menu houses the Pathfinder panel if it is not already visible?
- Window > Pathfinder (Correct answer)
- Object > Path
- Effect > Pathfinder
- Edit > Pathfinder
Correct answer: Window > Pathfinder
The Pathfinder panel is opened from the Window menu.
Adobe Illustrator Combining Objects and Paths 2
Which Pathfinder mode merges selected shapes into a single combined shape while keeping the underlying paths editable?