New Feature in Illustrator CS5: Shape Builder Tutorial.

Learn to use the new feature in Illustrator CS5. This is a simple tool which helps you combine complex shapes in to one  and divide multiple shapes to form new organic shapes. This tool is so easy to use. The results are outstanding though. Underestimating the capability of the shape builder tool can be foolish. Create some mind boggling shapes with the shape builder tool (shift -M), which other wise could be a a herculean task for many. Logos can be designed in a whole new approach and style. All this in just a few seconds and a couple of mouse clicks. ……by the way, Illustrator CS5 is compatible even to a shared hosting!”So lets begin.

Open a New Document. Drag out a shape our of the symbol panel  or create one of your own via the shape tool

Place the shapes , the way you want your shape to be . Note: Try a few alternative placements , you might just get some fantastic results

If you have  chosen a symbol then you might have to expand the symbol. Go to Object > Expand. If you have drawn a thick stroke , you will have to expand appearance  , go to Object > Expand Appearance or if you have some text which has to be converted to a logo along with other shapes, then you have to convert the text to  shape before you can apply this effect, go to Type > Create OutLines.

All the object which you are working with have to be selected prior to the tool selection

Go to the tool panel and click on the button shown below and select the shape builder tool. Note: Its usually selected by default

Once the tool is active, just hover the mouse or your wacom pen over the shapes and you will see the shapes getting highlighted on its own. Just click the desired area and drag the cursor  over the other shape to combine it and then leave the mouse button. If there are multiple joints, you will have to repeat this process over  and over until all the shapes are combined . Alternatively if you want a particular shape to be cut out of the existing one, just hold the option key on mac and alt key on windows and then select and drag , the shapes will be cut out. When you press the option key / alt key , you should be able to see a minus sign next to your cursor

Finally , deselect the objects and drag the desired object to see the final result. If you are not happy you can always go back Cmd +z or Ctrl + z  a couple of steps and redo the process.

Hope you like this simple tutorial. IF you have any questions or comments let us know. Thanks and Have a Good Day