To remove intersecting lines in Illustrator, you can use the Shape Builder tool. Select the lines, then click and drag over the intersecting areas to merge and remove them.
How do i get rid of intersecting lines in illustrator?
To remove intersecting lines in Adobe Illustrator, you can utilize the Shape Builder tool. This tool allows you to merge and delete lines or shapes by simply clicking and dragging. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide on how to use the Shape Builder tool to get rid of intersecting lines:
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Open the Adobe Illustrator program and open the document containing the intersecting lines you want to remove.
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Select the lines you want to merge and remove by using the Selection tool (keyboard shortcut: V) or the Direct Selection tool (keyboard shortcut: A).
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Once the lines are selected, activate the Shape Builder tool by pressing Shift + M or by locating it in the Tools panel (shortcut: Shift + M). The Shape Builder tool icon looks like two circles overlapping with lines connecting them.
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While holding down the left mouse button, drag the Shape Builder tool over the intersecting areas where you want to merge and remove lines. You will notice that the intersecting lines are now combined into a single shape.
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Release the mouse button to complete the merging and removal process. The intersecting lines will be deleted, and you will be left with the newly formed shapes.
It’s important to note that the Shape Builder tool doesn’t work with strokes that have been expanded. If your lines have been expanded into shapes, you will need to use alternative methods to remove the intersecting lines, such as the Pathfinder panel.
Now, let’s complement the answer with an insightful quote:
“A good design is like a refrigerator—when it works, no one notices, but when it doesn’t, it sure stinks.” – Irene Au
Interesting facts about removing intersecting lines in Illustrator:
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Adobe Illustrator is a vector-based software widely used by graphic designers, illustrators, and artists for creating and editing scalable artwork.
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The Shape Builder tool was introduced in Adobe Illustrator CS5, adding a powerful feature for merging and deleting lines and shapes quickly.
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By using the Shape Builder tool, you can not only remove intersecting lines but also create custom shapes by combining existing shapes or lines.
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While the Shape Builder tool is excellent for removing intersecting lines quickly, utilizing the Pathfinder panel allows for more intricate and precise operations on shapes and lines.
Table of Illustrator Tools for Editing Shapes:
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Selection tool | It selects whole objects or groups. You can use it to move, rotate, scale, and skew objects. |
| Direct Selection tool | It selects individual points or paths within an object. This allows you to modify specific parts of an object while keeping other parts intact. |
| Shape Builder tool | It combines or deletes shapes and lines quickly and intuitively. It allows you to click and drag over intersecting areas to merge or remove them effortlessly. |
| Pathfinder panel | It offers various shape manipulation options such as unite, exclude, intersect, divide, and more. It provides precise control over the appearance of shapes. |
See a related video
This YouTube video provides a tutorial on how to delete intersecting lines in Adobe Illustrator. The YouTuber responds to viewer requests and demonstrates one method using the “Object” and “Expand” functions. While he mentions that there is a wrong way to delete intersecting lines, he does not provide specific details. The video ends with the YouTuber mentioning that he will create more diverse content in the future, including live videos, art content, GTA 5 content, vlogs, pranks, and product trials.
Check out the other solutions I discovered
There are a lot of methods to do that in Illustrator.
- Use the Path Eraser Tool after selecting your path and Click+Drag on the part you need to delete.
- Use the Scissors Tool and click to cut your path [click on the path] then delete.
Try this workaround:
- 1. Add a stroke on each shape
- 2. Expand all objects (keep fill and stroke checked)
- 3. Ungroup all objects
1- Use the Path Eraser Tool after selecting your path and Click+Drag on the part you need to delete. 2- Use the Scissors Tool and click to cut your path [click on the path] then delete. 3- you can use the Shape Builder tool also but it’ll be good by converting your paths to shapes.
The best way to do this is still using the Shape Builder tool as mentioned by Metis. Another Way Create two intersecting circles Select both Go to Window > Pathfinder Select the Divide option. Now this will create anchor points on the intersecting joints.