: Knockout, Page Knockout, Subtract, or Compound Shape. When to use which? I often see suggestions of using Compound Paths, Subtracting Front Shape, or Knockout (or even Page Knockout!) in the creation

@Karen819

I think you may be confusing the definition of Compound Path vs. Subtract Front.

Compound paths are groups of vector clusters that have no connecting path. That is, they are a single object with distinct separate clusters of vector points.

When using "Subtract Front", often times it is best to have your subtraction object be in a "Compound Path" format. The reason for this is that if you use "Subtract Front" with a group of objects (instead of a Compound Path), only the first object in the group will apply to the subtraction.

To address your question specifically, applying Compound Paths is advised when using Subtract Front, as it will ensure the object you are subtracting is complete. A knockout is preferred when you need to preserve the points in the bottom layer, since knockouts do not create or destroy vector points.

In the end, the only major difference is preservation or destruction of vector points.

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