Combining objects into complex shapes

You can combine paths and objects to create shapes in a variety of ways in Illustrator. The resulting paths or shapes differ depending on the method you use to combine the paths. Illustrator creates the following types of shapes:

• Compound shapes consist of two or more paths, compound paths, groups, blends, envelopes, warps, text, or other compound shapes that interact with and intercept one another to create new, editable shapes. Some compound shapes may appear like compound paths, but you can control them on a per-path basis.
• Compound paths consist of two or more simple paths that interact with or intercept each other. They are more basic than compound shapes and are recognized by all PostScript-compliant applications. You cannot view individual components of compound paths in the Layers palette, or give the components their own appearance attributes (such as distortion or effects).
• Simple paths are the most basic building block shape in Illustrator. They consist of one open or closed path, which may be self-intersecting.

Types of paths and shapes A. Three simple paths B. Compound path C. Compound shape

You can use any of the following methods to combine paths and create new paths or shapes: Make Compound Shape command in the Pathfinder palette, Shape Modes buttons in the Pathfinder palette, Compound Path command, Pathfinder effects, and Pathfinder filters in the Pathfinder palette.