Illustrator beginner │How to use the pathfinder panel

This is another beginner tutorial on adobe illustrator. In this tutorial we will learn how to use the pathfinder tool. This is a very important tool. On most of the tutorial I have used this tool. So, I strongly recommend you to see this valuable guide attentively. Otherwise you may not be able to realize the advanced tutorials such as 3d and complex shape tutorials.

Learn about the pathfinder pallete of illustrator:

The pathfinder panel is a very important panel in adobe illustrator. You can do add, divide, trim etc. valuable tasks with this panel. To make various shapes you need this panel. Let's go on.

Open the pathfinder panel from "window/pathfinder" or click "ctrl+shift+f9". Here you will see some icons. See the image for references.

(A) Unite: By this tool you can make a compound shape with one more objects. Select one more objects and press this icon to unite them.

(B) Minus front: To cut front area of an object, use this tool.

(C) Intersect: To cut down the common area of one more objects use this tool.

(D) Exclude: To delete or clear the common area, use this tool.

(E) Divide: To divide one more objects with defined paths you can use this tool. After dividing objects ungroup it.

(F) Trim: This tool works like the "Intersect" tool. But, it will keep the full path of the upper object.

(G) Merge: Same as trim.

(H) Crop: To crop any area of an object use this tool.

(I) Outline: This tool helps to make outline and trim the objects.

(J) Minus back: This is an inverse tool of minus front.

I think you have enjoyed this tutorial. After all, if you have any question or want to say thanks to me, don't forget to comment. Thanks for reading this tutorial on adobe illustrator.