How to cut out a shape in Illustrator

You can use several methods to cut out shapes in Adobe Illustrator. This is because many objects are not created equal. Unfortunately, this vector design program can be a bit complicated to use and especially challenging for beginners. This is due to its wide scope and numerous tools, which can be difficult to understand in the early stages.

This tutorial will provide you with a step-by-step guide to help you learn different ways to cut out shapes in Illustrator.

Cut out a shape with the knife tool

This tool, which works much like a literal knife, allows you to draw a line over your desired shape and cut it out. It can work with all vector shapes. This tool is hidden in the toolbar submenu under the “Eraser Tool” icon. Below you will find instructions to guide you in cutting shapes with this tool:

1. Create a shape.
   
2. Choose the Eraser tool, then select the Knife tool from the submenu.
   
3. Click on the canvas outside the shape and drag the knife across the shape you want to cut. Release the tool only after you have cut the entire shape.
   
4. Click the shape that has been selected by default after cutting to deselect it.
   
5. Use the “Selection Tool” to click on it and move it to a separate location for later use. A stroke will appear around the parts you just cut.
   

If you can’t find the Knife tool, you’re probably using the “Essentials” workspace. You will have to switch to “Essential Classic” or any other mode that the tool provides. These settings can be found in the top right corner of the main Illustrator window.

If you are working on multiple shapes and only want to cut a specific one, select only the shapes you want to cut before cutting the shape. If the tool does not cut an object, it is probably because the item is locked or hidden. This is a great method to use if you don’t want to lose any part of your form.

Cut out shapes with scissors

Unlike the Knife, this tool cannot work on multiple shapes simultaneously and does not close the object’s path after cutting. However, it maintains the original outline of the shape. Below are instructions on how to cut out shapes using the Scissors tool:

1. Go to the Illustrator toolbar and choose the “Scissors Tool” from the “Eraser” submenu.
   
2. Click anywhere along the shape’s outline to form an anchor point or select a pre-existing one.
   
3. Navigate to the end of the object you want to crop and select it using the “Direct Selection” tool.
   
4. Click on the part you want to discard using the “Direct Selection” tool and drag it.
   

Using the Eraser Tool

This tool is quite similar to the Knife or Scissors tools in that it can also cut multiple shapes and encloses the paths of the pided objects. You can also remove specific items within a group as long as they are selected, leaving the rest as they were originally. The main difference is that unlike the Knife tool, where you can drag the part of the shape and use it in other designs, the Eraser permanently deletes the part you drag. The instructions below demonstrate how you can use it to cut out shapes:

1. Go to the toolbar and select the “Eraser Tool.”
   
2. Click and drag the mouse along the part of the shape you want to remove to erase it.
   
3. The object will split and the paths will be closed.
   

Another advantage of using the Eraser tool is that you can change its shape or size. You can do this by opening the “Eraser Tool Options” and adjusting the angle, roundness, and size of the Eraser brush head.

Pro tip! Press the left bracket key on your keyboard to limit the tool. Press and hold the key on the right holder if you want to enlarge the size of the Eraser brush head. Make sure it’s not too narrow, as you could waste time cutting out the shape. It should also not be too wide so that it does not erase the parts that you do not want to remove.

Use shapes as cookie cutters

This is a great and easy method for beginners. It is achieved using the “Split Object Below” command. The instructions below will help you complete the task successfully:

1. Place two objects on your blank canvas.
   
2. Use the “Selection” tool to place one on top of the other.
   
3. Navigate to “Object” with the object above still selected.
   
4. Select “Route.”
   
5. Choose “Split Objects Next.”
   
6. The shape above will disappear, leaving a path outline on the object below.
   
7. Go to the “Layers” panel and select the object path.
   
8. Use the “Selection” tool to drag the shape layer from the element below it.
   
9. The object will be cropped.
   

Improve your shape cutting skills with Illustrator

The most notable competitive detail of Illustrator is its ability to achieve a goal in many ways. You may need to cut out shapes frequently when designing artwork. This makes learning how to do this essential to improving your work. It’s a challenge to decide which tool is best for cutting out shapes because each one is useful depending on the project you’re doing. Please note that this may only work for vector graphics. The Pathfinder tool is ideal if you want to cut out a shape to create a new one. Scissors work well with paths, while the knife tool is better if you want to make a freehand cut.