Use the Selection tool to select the objects with which you want to make the compound shape.
Last updated on
Sep 11, 2025
Learn how to apply Pathfinder options to unite, subtract, intersect, or exclude overlapping objects, keeping the original objects editable.
When you create a compound shape, it preserves the original objects, allowing you to edit them and even nest other compound shapes. You can also release a compound shape to separate the objects.
Create a compound shape
Note
You can select paths, compound paths, groups, other compound shapes, blends, text, envelopes, and warps in a compound shape. Any open paths you select are automatically closed.
Select Window > Pathfinder to open the Pathfinder panel.
In the Pathfinder panel, Option-select (macOS) or Alt-select (Windows) an option in the Shape Modes section to create the compound shape. Each object in the compound shape inherits the shape mode.
Apply Pathfinder options non-destructively using compound shapes.
Note
You can also create a compound shape by accessing Make Compound Shape from the Pathfinder panel menu . Make Compound Shape always uses the Unite option.
Change the shape mode of objects within a compound shape
Once you create a compound shape, you can nest compound shapes within it. For maximum performance, keep up to 10 objects in a nesting level.
Use the Direct Selection tool to select a subset of objects within the compound shape.
Note
You don’t need to change the mode of the backmost object because that isn't relevant to the compound shape.
In the Pathfinder panel, select another mode in the Shape Modes section.
Release the compound shape
Use the Selection tool to select the compound shape.
In the Pathfinder panel menu , select Release Compound Shape.
Expand the compound shape
Expand preserves the shape of the compound object but breaks the paths of the original objects. This result is similar to when you directly select an option from the Pathfinder panel without using Option (macOS) or Alt (Windows).
Use the Selection tool to select the compound shape.
Select Expand in the Pathfinder panel. The compound shape changes to <Path> or <Compound Path> in the Layers panel, depending on the shape mode.
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