Creativebits.org

an All Creative World site
digilee's picture
221 pencils

basic illustrator query

You know when you've used an application for years but you still can't work out one basic thing? Well I'd like to ask you all this question - In Illustrator, (I am using CS), How do you join elements to make a shape?
This one has had me stumped for years!

Example:
I have 4 straight lines, 2 vertical, 2 horizontal, and I want to join the lines up to make a box. I can simply move the lines until they all match up but then how do I fill this shape? Usually I just paint or fill an area and place this behind the shape but generally I have tried and tried to find a way to do this properly but for some reason, I'm stumped!!

I hope someone can show me the light!

Thanks in advance.

take it there > http://www.rickler.com

Commenting on this Forum topic is closed.

fidel's picture
331 pencils

With the direct selection tool or the lasso tool, select the anchorpoints you want to connect (only two). Then with the two anchorpoints selected you hit cmd J. You just continue with every two points you want to connect and create your shape.
cmd J is also found under the Obect menu>Path>Join

hope this helps

digilee's picture
221 pencils

it's simple when you know how!

What I was doing was trying to select the 2 points and join them.
BUT i was just using the selection tool, not the direct select etc!

Although I have been putting up with the fact that I wasn't able to do this it was getting pretty embarrassing knowing that I should know it by now!!

Thanks loads for that.

take it there > http://www.rickler.com

fidel's picture
331 pencils

glad to be of help

Creativebits is a blog about creativity, design and Macs. We also have a critique section where you can post your work to get opinions and a forum to discuss any design related topics.

Recommend us on Google

Latest critique

Marketplace