: Making multiple vectors one single vector in Illustrator I have a company logo in vector repeated multiple times to make a pattern/background. I want to apply a halftone to it, but to do so

@Yeniel278

If anyone is still reading this thread years in the future like myself, I found something that worked for me after experiencing a similar problem. I made sure my two objects were ungrouped and expanded them. Then I selected Object > Compound Path > Make. I applied my gradient and voila! The gradient stretched across the two separate objects rather than creating two separate gradients.

Vote Up Vote Down

@Alves566

You could try using the Pathfinder and performing a Divide first. This will make sure that overlapping areas are simplified. In particular it will make sure that the counter of the "a" (the enclosed part) is knocked out from the black area, which I seem to understand is what is giving you trouble.

Then, after divided, you could select all black objects (select one then, as Scott suggested, use Select > Same > Fill & Stroke and using the Pathfinder again perform a Unite. You can also delete the white or empty (no fill) objects.

Vote Up Vote Down

@Tiffany317

An interesting conundrum. In this situation, I might try Pathfinder on one instance of the logo, get that right, then create the pattern and merge, but you're well past that point. At this stage, I don't see messing with paths as productive.

You want to end up with a half-tone of a particular size or a small range of sizes, so there isn't really a need to retain everything as vector information. Instead, export what you have as TIFF(s) or PNG of appropriate size, create a new document, import the raster image and apply the half-tone to that.

Vote Up Vote Down

@Pope1402555

Why don't you group images
then make a clipping mask
and a gradient over that?

This way you can change anything you need to at a later date as well easily

Vote Up Vote Down

@Correia448

Select all and use Object > Compound Path > Make

Just a different method to use. It keeps all the objects individual instead of merging them.

Vote Up Vote Down

@Murray976

Select all and use Pathfinder > Merge.

This will combine all shapes which are the same color and touch.

Afterwards, you may have undesired white objects. Simply select one white object and choose Select > Same > Fill & Stroke and hit delete.

Based on the comments below, I need to highlight this method....


Select all
Group
apply a new fill via the Appearance Panel
set that fill to be a gradient
If needed, drag the new fill above the contents item in the Appearance Panel

Vote Up Vote Down

@Chiappetta793

If your text is still "text", release it all by highlighting everything and then go Type > Create Outlines.

Then, with everything selected, use Object > Expand

Finally go to pathfinder and choose the Unite tool to turn it into "one" vector:

Vote Up Vote Down