How to Cut Out a Shape in Illustrator

The best way to cut out a shape in Illustrator depends on what you mean by “cut out.” To permanently punch one vector shape out of another, place the cutting shape in front, select both objects, and choose Window > Pathfinder > Minus Front. To hide part of an image without deleting it, use a clipping mask instead.

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If you want structured practice after this workflow, Illustrator Classroom in a Book or a current Illustrator reference book can be useful. Check the edition before buying: the interface and lessons may not exactly match your Illustrator release.

Cut a shape out of another shape with Minus Front

Use Minus Front when you need a real vector subtraction—for example, cutting a circular hole in a rectangle, removing a star from a badge, or creating a geometric notch in an icon.

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1. Draw the base shape.
2. Draw the shape that will make the cut.
3. Move the cutting shape above the base shape in the stacking order.
4. With the Selection tool, select both objects.
5. Open Window > Pathfinder.
6. Click Minus Front, usually the second Shape Mode button.

Illustrator removes the front object and subtracts its overlapping area from the object behind it. The result is a static vector shape, which is usually the right choice when the geometry is final.

The front object must be the cutting object

Pathfinder subtraction is controlled by stacking order. If the wrong area disappears, press Ctrl+Z on Windows or Command+Z on macOS, select the intended cutting shape, and use Object > Arrange > Bring to Front. Then select both objects and apply Minus Front again.

Also check the resulting fill and stroke. Pathfinder operations can change which appearance attributes are retained, particularly when the two selected objects have different fills or strokes.

Example: make a circular hole in a rectangle

1. Draw a rectangle.
2. Draw a circle on top of the rectangle where the hole should be.
3. Select the rectangle and circle.
4. Open Window > Pathfinder.
5. Click Minus Front.

The circle disappears, and its overlapping area is removed from the rectangle. If the circle extends beyond the rectangle, only the portion that overlaps the rectangle is subtracted.

Keep the cut editable with a live compound shape

A normal Pathfinder result is convenient, but it is not the best choice when you may need to move, resize, or replace the cutting shape later. For editable logos, icons, lettering, and illustrations, create a live compound shape instead.

1. Select the overlapping objects.
2. Open Window > Pathfinder.
3. Hold Option on macOS or Alt on Windows.
4. While holding the key, click a Pathfinder Shape Mode such as Unite, Minus Front, Intersect, or Exclude.

Illustrator preserves the component objects inside the compound shape. Use the Direct Selection tool to select and edit individual component paths. You can reposition the cutter, change its size, or revise the underlying shapes without rebuilding the artwork from scratch.

Release or expand a compound shape

To restore the component objects, select the compound shape and choose the Pathfinder panel’s Release command. This removes the compound relationship and returns the original objects.

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To keep the visible result but convert it into ordinary final paths, choose Expand in the Pathfinder panel. Expansion breaks the original editable relationships, so save a copy first if you may need to revise the construction later.

Use a clipping mask to hide part of an image

A clipping mask is different from cutting a vector shape with Pathfinder. It does not delete or subtract the hidden artwork. Instead, it hides everything outside the boundary of a vector clipping path.

Use a clipping mask to:

• Place a photo inside a circle or custom silhouette.
• Crop a placed image without permanently changing the source.
• Hide part of complex artwork while keeping it available for later editing.

Create a clipping mask

1. Create the shape that will define the visible area.
2. Place that shape above the photo or artwork.
3. Select the shape and the artwork.
4. Choose Object > Clipping Mask > Make.

The clipping path must be a vector object, but the artwork being masked can be a placed image, vector artwork, or other supported Illustrator artwork. Only the portion inside the clipping path remains visible.

Edit or release a clipping mask

To edit the mask, select the clipping group and use the Layers panel or choose Object > Clipping Mask > Edit Mask. You can move the mask, reshape it with anchor points and handles, or adjust the artwork inside the mask.

To remove the mask, select the clipping group and choose Object > Clipping Mask > Release. The original artwork and clipping path remain in the document. After release, the clipping path normally has no visible fill or stroke until you apply one.

Make a freehand cut with the Knife tool

Use the Knife tool when you want to slice an object along a hand-drawn, organic, diagonal, or irregular line. Unlike Minus Front, Knife does not require a second cutting shape.

1. Select the object you want to divide.
2. Select and hold the Eraser tool in the toolbar, then choose Knife.
3. Drag across the object to draw the cut.
4. Use the Direct Selection tool or Selection tool to select and move the resulting pieces.

Hold Alt on Windows or Option on macOS while dragging to make a straight cut. With Smart Guides enabled, the Knife tool can snap to anchor points and paths.

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A graphics drawing tablet is an optional accessory for freehand Knife or Eraser work because supported stylus controls can provide pressure-sensitive input. It is not necessary for Pathfinder subtraction, clipping masks, or other geometric operations.

Split a path with the Scissors tool

The Scissors tool is for cutting a path at a particular anchor point or segment. It is not the same as Knife: Scissors opens or divides a path at selected locations, while Knife slices across an object to create separate shapes.

1. Select the path.
2. Choose the Scissors tool.
3. Click an anchor point or a path segment.
4. Click a second point if you need to separate a closed path into a distinct section.
5. Use the Selection tool to move or separate the resulting path segments.

Choose Scissors when you know exactly where a line or curve should break. Choose Knife when you want to draw a cutting line across the artwork.

Erase portions of vector artwork

For quick, brush-like removal, select the Eraser tool or press Shift+E, then drag over the artwork you want to remove.

Double-click the Eraser tool to adjust settings such as:

• Angle
• Roundness
• Size
• Pressure and other stylus-related controls on supported input devices

The Eraser tool is useful for rough edits, hand-drawn artwork, and organic shapes. It is less suitable when the result must be mathematically precise, easily reversible, or aligned exactly with another shape. In those cases, use a clipping mask, live compound shape, or Pathfinder operation.

Delete an overlapping region with Shape Builder

Shape Builder is useful when several overlapping paths create recognizable closed regions and you want to decide interactively which regions to keep, merge, or delete.

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1. Create the overlapping shapes.
2. Select all relevant paths.
3. Choose Shape Builder or press Shift+M.
4. Click or drag across regions to merge them.
5. Hold Alt on Windows or Option on macOS, then click or drag across a closed region to erase it.

Shape Builder works from the boundaries created by selected edges and paths. If Illustrator does not recognize a region, check for an opening between paths. In the Shape Builder tool options, adjust Gap Detection and choose a small, medium, large, or custom gap setting when nearly closed artwork contains a small space.

Pathfinder operations beyond Minus Front

Minus Front is the usual answer for punching one shape out of another, but the Pathfinder panel includes several other operations:

• Unite: combines overlapping shapes into one outer form.
• Minus Front: subtracts the front object from the object behind it.
• Intersect: keeps only the area shared by the selected objects.
• Exclude: removes the overlapping area and keeps the non-overlapping portions.
• Divide: separates overlapping regions into individual pieces.
• Trim, Merge, Crop, Outline, and Minus Back: produce other ways of separating, combining, or removing overlapping geometry.

If the result is unexpected, undo it and confirm that the intended objects are selected, overlap as required, and are in the correct stacking order.

Common problems and fixes

Minus Front removes the wrong area

Undo the operation, bring the intended cutting object to the front with Object > Arrange > Bring to Front, select both objects again, and click Minus Front.

The image was hidden, but not actually cut

You probably created a clipping mask. That is expected behavior: a mask controls visibility rather than deleting the underlying image. Release the mask if you need access to the original artwork, or use Pathfinder for a true vector subtraction.

Pathfinder buttons are unavailable

Make sure the intended objects are selected with the Selection tool and that you have selected compatible, overlapping artwork for the operation. Check the Appearance panel if effects, groups, or unusual object structures are producing an unexpected result.

Shape Builder cannot find the area to erase

The region must be enclosed by selected edges or paths. Look for small gaps, select every path that forms the boundary, and adjust Shape Builder’s Gap Detection setting if necessary.

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The result needs to remain editable

Undo a destructive Pathfinder operation and create a live compound shape by holding Option or Alt while choosing the Pathfinder Shape Mode. Alternatively, keep the original objects on a hidden backup layer before making a final static cut.

Desktop Illustrator versus other versions

Tool availability and menu wording can vary between current desktop Illustrator, Illustrator on the web, and older releases. The workflow above follows Adobe’s documented desktop Illustrator terminology, including the current toolbar arrangement in which Knife is accessed by selecting and holding the Eraser tool. If a command is missing, use the toolbar search or consult the documentation for your specific Illustrator version.

Quick decision guide

Choose Pathfinder > Minus Front for a permanent geometric hole. Choose a live compound shape when you may revise the cutter. Choose a clipping mask for photos and non-destructive cropping. Choose Knife for a freehand slice, Scissors for a precise path break, Eraser for brush-like removal, and Shape Builder when you want to interactively keep, merge, or erase closed overlapping regions.