Setting
Last updated on
Oct 22, 2026
Learn about Shape Builder tool customization options in Adobe Illustrator, including gap detection sensitivity, color selection behavior, and cursor highlighting.
Access these options to customize how the Shape Builder tool detects gaps, applies colors, or provides visual feedback during shape creation.
To open the options dialog, double-click the Shape Builder tool icon in the Tools panel.
About the Shape Builder tool
The Shape Builder tool creates complex shapes by merging and erasing simpler shapes. It works with both simple and compound paths, highlighting edges and regions to form new shapes.
An edge is a section of a path that doesn't intersect other paths in your selection. A region is a closed area bounded by edges.
The tool operates in merge mode by default, combining paths or regions. To switch to erase mode, press Alt (Windows) or Option (macOS) to delete unwanted edges or regions.
Gap detection
Control how Illustrator identifies and handles gaps between paths when merging shapes.
|
|
Description |
|
Small |
Detects gaps up to 3 points |
|
Medium |
Detects gaps up to 6 points |
|
Large |
Detects gaps up to 12 points |
|
Custom |
Specify an exact gap length value |
Note
Set the gap length close to the actual gap size in your artwork. If gaps aren't detected, try different values. For example, if your shape contains 3-point gaps but you set the gap length to 12 points, Illustrator may not detect them.
Path and merge behavior
Consider Open Filled Paths as Closed
Treats open paths with fill as if they were closed when merging or subtracting shapes. When enabled, the tool considers the imaginary line between the path's endpoints as part of the shape's boundary.
In merge mode, clicking stroke splits the path
Splits a path at the point where you click its stroke while in merge mode. Use this to separate paths without switching to a different tool.
Pick a color from
Choose how colors are applied to merged shapes.
Color Swatches
Applies colors from the Swatches panel. When selected, you can enable Cursor Swatch Preview to display a Live Paint-style cursor that lets you preview and select colors using arrow keys for iteration.
Tip
You can use arrow keys to iterate through swatches even when Cursor Swatch Preview is disabled.
To change stroke color, move the pointer over object edges. This works only when In Merge Mode, Clicking Stroke Splits the Path is enabled.
Artwork
Defines the color mode for the Shape Builder tool cursor preview:
- Color: Displays the cursor preview in the actual colors of your artwork
- Grayscale: Shows the cursor preview in grayscale regardless of your artwork colors
Fill
Determines the fill color applied to merged shapes. Select where the tool samples the fill color:
- Artwork: Uses the fill color from the shapes you're merging
- Color swatches: Applies the currently selected swatch color to merged shapes
Highlight Stroke When Editable
Highlights path strokes when you hover over them, making it easier to identify which paths you can edit. The highlight appears only when the stroke is ready to be split or modified.
Design with precision in Illustrator
Bring your ideas to life with vector graphics tools built for creative freedom and accuracy.
