The Shape Builder tool is a new feature in Illustrator CS5 that lets you create shapes from scratch. If you’re using Illustrator CS4 or earlier, these instructions won’t work.
How to Merge Shapes With the Shape Builder Tool
We’ll start by merging vector shapes. All of the shape tools in Illustrator create vector shapes. That means they can be scaled to any size.
To merge multiple shapes into a single, unified design, press Shift while dragging the Shape Builder marquee around all the shapes you want to merge.
How to Erase Shapes with the Shape Builder Tool
Shape Builder is a software that makes it easy to subtract one shape from another. It has an Erase mode that makes it easy. ..
If you want to create a more interesting path, you can use additional anchor points to reshape the path.
The Shape Builder tool in Illustrator is a much faster and easier way to create complex shapes than the Pathfinder tool. ..
How to Set Shape Builder Tool Options
There are a few options you can customize when using the Shape Builder tool in Adobe Illustrator. You can change the shape of your shapes, add text to them, and even create logos and illustrations.
The Shape Builder Tool options can be accessed by double-clicking on Shape Builder in the toolbar.
Gap Detection
The ellipses are overlapping, but there is a gap in the middle.
If you want to turn on Gap Detection in Shape Builder Options, you can do so by selecting the “Shape Builder” tab and then clicking on the “Options” button. There, you can then select the “Gap Detection” checkbox and set a threshold for how wide of a gap should be included in each shape.
The Shape Builder allows you to set the gap length to whatever you want, so you can create the perfect fit. ..
Consider Open Filled Paths as Closed
If you check the “Consider Open Filled Paths as Closed” box in the Shape Builder options, Shape Builder will create an invisible edge where the path is open so it can make a region. ..
In Merge Mode, Clicking the Stroke Splits the Path
If the In Merge Mode, clicking the stroke splits the path box is checked, you can select a portion of a path.
Pick Color From
You can choose the color of the newly-created shape by clicking on the color wheel. ..
Select Artwork if you want the new shape’s styling to be the same as the first object you touch with the Shape Builder tool. Select Color Swatches if you want to fill the new shape with the swatch from the last object that was selected. ..
To preview the cursor color, check the box for Cursor Swatch Preview. The floating color picker will allow you to cycle through the options.
Selection
If you choose the Selection option, the Shape Builder selection will behave differently depending on what you choose as your selection type. If you choose Freeform, you’ll be able to move around options and regions that you don’t want to include. ..
Highlight
The Highlight option helps you see what you’ve selected with the Shape Builder tool. The Fill option will cause Shape Builder to fill the regions you’ve dragged across with a mesh pattern. You can see the mesh pattern in the screenshots above.
If Highlight Stroke when Editable is checked, parts of a path that can be edited will be stroked in the color selected. You must also have In Merge Mode, Clicking Stroke Splits the Path selected above. Otherwise, the path segments won’t be editable, and, therefore, won’t be highlighted.
Keep At It
Adobe Illustrator’s Shape Builder tool can be used to create 3D models. The only difference is that in Illustrator, you’re working with two-dimensional shapes and, by definition, 3D modeling means working with three-dimensional objects.
