: How to convert the shapes stroke into open or transparent in Illustrator CS5? I created a path: Inside that path I created several more paths: and group those on separate layer. Inside

@Annie732

You can use the life paint tool to make the strokes appear transparent.
First you need to outline your stroke, then object > live paint > make
then go to the live paint tool in your toolbar and select the no fill swatch and fill everything you want to appear transparent with this swatch.

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@Turnbaugh909

You should first understand the theory for print design.

When working in print (which includes silkscreening) white equals paper/stock/material being printed on. It is not necessary to make everything transparent. Simply filling or stroking objects with white is just as good and is often easier to work with.

I don't see any area which would require the use of compound paths nor clipping masks. This can all easily be configured with very standard strokes and fills.

How I'd set things up.....



Even though the areas are white, they will not separate into a color plate for printing. This art is absolutely fine for print reproduction. White is not a color, it is simply a vacant area where no ink will fall, basically white = transparent when dealing with print.

If you really can’t get over the hurdle of what you see on screen translating to print and you really want the white areas to be transparent, set up the above, then follow these steps . . .


Select all
Object > Expand Appearance (If available)
Object > Expand
Pathfinder > Merge
Click 1 white area with Direct Selection Tool
Select > Same > Fill & Stroke
Hit Delete Key


This essentially makes the all the white areas an object, selects them and removes them leaving "holes" where white was.

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@Gail6891361

Okay try this:

With your star selected

Object > Path > Offset Path

Check the Preview button so you can see in real time what happens. Change Offset to whatever width looks good. Joins can probably stay at Miter and limit leave at 4.

In your layers panel you will now see another star, but a bit larger. Select this one AND the paths under it; your square & polygon.

In the Pathfinders panel select Minus Front. Thereafter you have a single path compound shape.

TIP - instead of single clicking on the Minus Front action, hold down ALT as you click. This way you still have a compound path BUT your shapes are on their own layer and fully editable.

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