Use the Selection tool to select the cutter object, right-click it, and then select Arrange > Bring to Front.
Last updated on
Sep 11, 2025
Learn how to reshape objects with a compound path that contains fills and holes.
A Compound Path contains areas with fills and holes based on the non-zero winding fill rule or the even-odd fill rule. All the objects used to create the Compound Path inherit the Fill, Stroke, and style attributes of the backmost object, which remain even when you release the Compound Path.
When you use the Eraser tool to remove areas from an object, convert text to outline, or perform any action that creates a hole in an object, Illustrator automatically turns it into a Compound Path. You can also manually create a Compound Path.
Punch holes in an object using another object
You can use an object as the cutter that punches holes in a base object. You can also convert a single path that intersects itself into a Compound Path that punches holes into itself.
Position the cutter object over the base object.
Use the Selection tool to select both the objects.
Select Object > Compound Path > Make. You get a Compound Path with fills and holes based on the non-zero winding fill rule by default.
Cut holes in objects by making a Compound Path.
Change the fill rule for a Compound Path
The fill rule determines which points in the selected objects are considered interior to the Compound Path and fills those points. You can select the non-zero winding fill rule or the even-odd fill rule.
Use the Selection tool to select the Compound Path.
Select Window > Attributes to open the Attributes panel.
In the Attributes panel, select one of the two fill rules:
- Use Non‑Zero Winding Fill Rule : Draws a ray from a point to infinity in any direction and keeps a net count of how many times path segments cross it. Starting from zero, it adds one each time a segment crosses from left to right and subtracts one each time a segment crosses from right to left. If the result is zero, the point is outside the Compound Path. Otherwise, it's inside.
- Use Even‑Odd Fill Rule : Draws a ray from a point to infinity in any direction and keeps a simple count of how many times path segments cross it. If the total is odd, the point is inside the Compound Path. Otherwise, it's outside.
Change the areas containing fills and holes
When you make a Compound Path with a non-zero winding fill rule, you can change the areas that have fills and holes by reversing the path direction in the Attributes panel. This option doesn’t necessarily swap the filled areas and holes, but calculates the fills and holes again.
Select Window > Attributes to open the Attributes panel.
In the Attributes panel, select Use Non‑Zero Winding Fill Rule.
Use the Direct Selection tool to select only the part of the Compound Path you want to reverse.
Select Reverse Path Direction Off or Reverse Path Direction On .
Release Compound Path
Use the Selection tool to select the Compound Path.
Select Object > Compound Path > Release.
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