How to Combine Paths in Illustrator

What You’ll Learn in This Illustrator Tutorial

• How to combine paths in Illustrator
• How to join lines in Illustrator
• How to merge paths in Illustrator
• How to combine multiple paths in Illustrator
• How to combine objects in Illustrator

What You’ll Learn in This Illustrator Tutorial

• How to combine paths in Illustrator
• How to join lines in Illustrator
• How to merge paths in Illustrator
• How to combine multiple paths in Illustrator
• How to combine objects in Illustrator

Step 2

Let’s say that you want to join two overlapping anchor points. Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to select both of these points, press Control-J to join the points, and Illustrator will also remove one of those points.

Step 3

When needed, there’s an easier method that you can use to bring together two anchor points from separate paths.

Select the two anchor points and go to Object > Path > Average (Alt-Control-J). Just check Both and click OK.

3. How to Combine Multiple Paths in Illustrator

Learning how to join paths in Illustrator isn’t complicated. Using the Control-J keyboard shortcut, you can quickly combine multiple paths in Illustrator.

4. How to Merge Paths in Illustrator

Besides combining, you can also merge paths in Illustrator. Select your paths and go to Object > Compound Path > Make or use the Control-8 keyboard shortcut.

This will merge your selected paths into a single compound path. If your paths do not share the same appearance the resulting compound path will keep the appearance of the bottom path (in the Layers panel).

5. How to Combine Objects in Illustrator

Step 1

Let’s see how you can combine two shapes in Illustrator.

Select your two shapes, open the Pathfinder panel (Window > Pathfinder), and simply click the Unite button. The topmost shape in the Layers panel dictates the appearance of your resulting shape.

This technique is not limited to two shapes, so feel free to combine as many objects as you wish.

Step 2

Alternatively, you can use the Shape Builder Tool (Shift-M) to combine objects in Illustrator.

Select your shapes and simply click and drag across the shapes that you wish to combine. Before you click and drag, have a look at the fill color from your toolbar, and keep in mind that it will be used for the merged shape.

Step 3

As with the paths, shapes can also be turned into compound paths. Simply select your shapes and press Control-8 or go to Object > Compound Path > Make. And that’s how you merge shapes in Illustrator!

Congratulations! You’re Done!

Now that you’ve learned how to combine paths and merge shapes in Illustrator, feel free to use these techniques in your future projects.