Where is the 'cutout' command?

[Jakobud]

In the help file it refers to a 'cutout' command that is 'suppose' to be under Objects > Path > Cutout...

" To cut objects by using the Cutout command:

1. Select the object to use as a cutter, and position it so that it touches the object to cut. (To retain the original selection, save a copy elsewhere in your document.) The object cuts any filled object that it's touching.
2. To cut the object, choose Object > Path > Cutout. The shapes that result are ungrouped and selected. "

Under my Objects > Path menu I don't see any cutout command... I see these:

Join
Average...
Outline Stroke
Offset Path
Simplify
Add Anchor Points
Divide Objects Below
Clean up

okay what am I missing here? I know that I could just use the knife tool to sort of accomplish the same thing, but the cutout procedure sounds much more exact... Anyone know where this command is? Or is the help file inaccurate? To access this part of the help, open Illustrator (working on v10 btw) and search for "cutout". Then try the first link, "Cutting Objects".

Can anyone help me?

 

[dimoj]

Hmmm, I think those instructions are for 9 (not sure about that). To do the same thing in 10 (if I understand correctly) select both objects and use Divide in the Pathfinder palette (not in the object menu).

 

[dimoj]

Oh yeah...you can use the Divide Object Below option in the option>paths menu but only the top object must be selected for that to work!!!! D'Oh!

 

[Jakobud]

hmmm...thanks for the quick reply but this doesn't totally work... If I use any of the shape (circle, elipse etc) tools it works. Like if I create a red square. Then create a smaller blue circle that is within the circle. Then I do the Divide command. It works.

But how about with paths? I create a randomly shapped object using the Pen tool and I make sure to close the path... then I create another shape using the pen on top of the first one and close it also. I then do the divide command and it doesn't do anything... got any ideas?

 

[Jakobud]

okay maybe i'm confused actually it is working with paths like half the time...i'm still trying to figure this out completely...

 

[Jakobud]

Ah I think I got it. The paths can't have any sort of effects (shadows etc) on them.

 

[dimoj]

[i}it is working with paths like half the time[/i]

Hee hee, that old chestnut! We like to call that a User Error, hee, hee. ("Oh yeah, its the EMAIL thats stupid not YOU right???!!!" - Nick Burns, your company's computer guy) Stick with it Jak, you'll get it. (an open pen shape will still divide the other object)

 

[tcjay]

Try using a mask. Duplicate your image and then create a shape you are interested in. Place it over the image the umder path create a mask. This is one way to do it.

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