◤ Tip: As long as the Shape Builder Tool is active, you can do all 3 use cases at the same time.

If you need multiple sub-regions from the shape, just click away until you have cut them all, then use the Selection Tool to pick them out at the end, or take out the areas you don't need.

Step 2: Activate Shape Builder Tool (Shift + M), simply click the target area.

Step 1: Select all the overlapping shapes you want to work with using the Selection Tool (V).

Shape Builder Tool is located in the Tools Panel, and the keyboard shortcut is SHIFT + M.Įxtracting a region using the shape builder tool And visually, it delightfully prevents adding a bunch of unnecessary additional anchor points. It saves a lot of frustrations a beginner ( or seasoned artist, really) may face getting into a vector illustration. Instead of drawing a complex shape from scratch, and wrestling with unruly anchor points for more accurate results, you can just simply use the Shape Builder Tool to create new shapes out of existing ones. The Shape Builder Tool can provide immense help when drawing because it offers you a new perspective to see shapes. If you need any refresher on how to create basic shapes in Adobe Illustrator, this post will bring you up to speed on the fundamentals of creating shapes, like how to use the rectangle tool, etc.

What’s the difference between Pathfinder, Shape Builder, and Reshaper Tool in Adobe Illustrator?Īdobe Illustrator Shape Builder Tool is hands down the most intuitive way to create new shapes out of existing shapes, simple or complex.

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Use Case 4: Working With Paths and Line Segments.

Use Case 1: Joining or Merging Multiple Shapes.

Shape tool illustrator