: How do I "cut out" an icon with a background in Illustrator? I am having some difficulties trying to delete the space where I created a simple '+' icon. Here are some images for reference.

@Sent7350415

In Photoshop you have to select the shape you wanted to delete some of the area. Make sure the Direct Selection Tool is active. Then create the shape you wanted to intersect on the shape, then select subtract from path operations as for your question.

There are other options like:
Combine, Subtract, Intersect and Exclude

Vote Up Vote Down

@Alves566

You could also select both and make it a compound path.


Select both with smaller form on top
Object -> Compound Path -> Make


Shortcut: Ctrl+8

Vote Up Vote Down

@Nimeshi706

Select both shapes and click the Minus Front button on the Pathfinder Panel.

But Horatio is correct, looking in the help files for "subtract shape" will result in steps to do what you want. Help Results

Vote Up Vote Down

@Vandalay110

You don't mention the software package. The generic term(s) for using one shape to alter another one in this manner are: "intersection" "subtraction," "union/merge," and "XOR (eXclusive OR)".

You can search the documentation for your software for terms that look like these. Often they are under an "object" menu and in adobe products, they are on a palette which may be accessed via the "window" menu ("Pathfinder").

Vote Up Vote Down