How to Work Non-Destructively in Illustrator

Learn strategies and specific techniques for how to create in Illustrator in the most flexible way possible. Details below...
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0:00 - Combining Shapes
There are numerous tools and techniques that allow for shapes to be combined. Two of these are the Shape Builder Tool and the Unite button within the Pathfinder panel. Such methods are destructive in that the original paths are lost when creating the new path.

Methods which create the look of a combined shape yet retain the paths of the constituent shapes are said to be non-destructive. With shapes selected, a Compound Shape can be created by holding down Alt/Option while pressing the Unite button within the Pathfinder panel. The original paths can be manipulated/moved using the Direct Selection Tool.

To turn this Compound Path into a regular path, click the Expand button within the Pathfinder panel.
2:59 - Offsetting Paths
To expand or contract a selected path, choose the following from the menu...
Object - Path - Offset Path

While the original path remains, a new path is created. This method is far from flexible as it essentially needs to be repeated to make a change.

A path can be offset in a non-destructive way through the application of an effect via the menu...
Effect - Path - Offset Path

This effect can adjusted via either the Appearance panel or the Properties panel. Its visibility can be toggled by clicking on the eyeball icon and it can be deleted via the Trashcan. Clicking on the Offset Path effect brings up the same dialog box that was used to create it in the first place.

To permanently apply this effect to a path, choose Expand Appearance from the Object menu.

Видео How to Work Non-Destructively in Illustrator канала Michael Bullo