Illustrator CS6 how to "flatten path"?

Question

I've made a paisley flower shape and I'd like it to have a transparent fill, the issue is if the layers are transparent then you can see the shapes behind. is there a way to flatten or combine the paths?

Hopefully the images make it clear.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

• Select all
• Object > Expand Appearance (if available)
• Object > Expand
• Click the Merge button on the Pathfinder Panel (Window > Pathfinder)

Note that this will expand all strokes to filled shapes. If you need to retain strokes as strokes, the the Shape Builder Tool may be a better option.

Answer 2

Make a transparency mask to the back group of objects:

• Copy the top object
• Select the back object and group it
• From the Transparency Panel click the Make Mask button and uncheck Clip
• Click the Transparency Panel Mask area (the right square)
• Past in front Cmd + F Mac or Ctrl + F Win
• Fill the pasted object 100% black
• Click the Transparency Panel Edit area (the left square)

Answer 3

AFAIK the shape builder tool is your friend for stuff like this: copy all these paths into a new flattened layer so you keep your original undestroyed - shape builder is a destructive workflow.