How to Merge Paths in Illustrator

Merging multiple shapes to create new ones or larger compositions is a breeze with Illustrator. Designers should be able to complete this simple task with ease. So how do you combine two shapes by merging their paths?

To merge paths in Illustrator, using your keyboard’s “A” key will enable the Sub-selection tool. Then, select every anchor point while holding “Shift.” Lastly, to join them, press “COMMAND+J” (Mac) or “Ctrl+J” (Windows).

We’ll demonstrate three techniques for merging the paths of various objects in Illustrator in this article.

What is a Path?

The black line that displays whenever you create a line in Adobe Illustrator is referred to as a path. A path is composed of a collection of so-called “anchor points” and the line segments that connect them. The “control handles” at the anchor points at each path’s endpoint can be utilized to change the curve’s direction.

Paths can be categorized into three categories:

  • Open Paths: This is a straight line with two endpoints.
  • Closed Paths: A closed path without ends. Ex: a circle, a rectangle, etc.
  • Compound Paths: Multiple open or closed paths.

Merging Paths in Illustrator With the Join Command

You can merge paths in Illustrator using the Join command by following the steps listed in this section below.

For more information on how to merge paths in Illustrator, watch this video below:

Step 1: Launch the Illustrator File

  • Begin by double-clicking the Illustrator file that corresponds to your document to open it. 
  • In case the Illustrator file is already open, you may select “File” from the top menu, then “Open,” and then select the file you need. 
  • To expedite the process, you may also utilize the Command+O (Mac) or Ctrl+O (Windows) keyboard shortcut.

Step 2: Locate and choose the Selection Tool

  • Search for the sub-selection tool from the toolbar on the left side of your screen. Alternatively, you may quickly select the tool by pressing “A” on the keyboard.

Step 3: Choose the Anchor Points

  • Select the anchor points at the endpoints of the pathways you wish to connect while holding down the “Shift” key. The chosen anchor points should now be highlighted, while the others should remain white.

Step 4: Connect Paths

  • Lastly, to combine your paths, click “COMMAND+J” (Mac) or “Ctrl+J” (Windows).

Merging Paths in Illustrator With the Pathfinder Panel

Using this technique, you may combine the paths of overlapping objects into a single object by using the Pathfinder Panel.

Step 1: Locate and Choose the Selection Tool

  • The Selection tool may be found on the toolbar to the left of your screen. As an alternative, you may quickly choose the tool by using the “V” keyboard shortcut.

Step 2: Pick your Objects

  • Select each of your objects while holding “Shift” to select them all at once. To select both items at once, you may also hover your mouse over them and click and drag.

Step 3: Access the Pathfinder Panel

  • Navigate to “Window” and choose “Pathfinder” from the menu at the top of the screen. The Pathfinder panel will appear on the right side of your window.

4. Connect Paths

  • To combine the paths of your shapes, select the “Unite” button in the Pathfinder panel.

Merging Paths in Illustrator Using Shape Builder Tool

The paths of overlapping objects may be seamlessly combined using the Shape Builder tool.

Step 1: Locate and Choose the Selection Tool

  • On the menu at the left of your window, search for the Selection tool. As a workaround, you may easily select the tool by using the “V” keyboard shortcut.

Step 2: Pick your Objects

  • Select all of your objects while holding “Shift” to select them all at once. To select two items at once, you may also hover your mouse over them and click and drag.

Step 3: Locate and Choose the Shape Builder Tool

  • On the menu at the left of your window, search for the Shape Builder tool. As an alternative, you may quickly choose the tool by pressing “Shift+M” on your keyboard.

Step 4: Connect Paths 

  • Click and drag your cursor across all of the points that overlap your objects when using the Shape Builder tool.

It’s important to know that you don’t have to join the path to create a closed path if you want to color the shape. A colored fill can be used on an open route. But if you want a stroke to extend around the fill area, you must connect a path.

Conclusion

And there you go. In this article, we discussed how you could merge paths in Illustrator. As we mentioned before, it’s a very simple and useful skill. We hope the instructions in this article are easy to understand and follow.