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I have a G and an arrow. I want the arrow to act as the horizontal portion of the G. I have it lined up but when I apply effects I want then to act in one. For example If I apply a 3d effect I want the arrow and the G to go 3d and look like one object not two.

how do I combine the G and the arrow (created on a path) into one object using Illustrator CS4?

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  • I must say that this question cannot be called useful altogether. Combining shapes is a basic in Illustrator and not knowing that shows lack of research.
    – DYNSTy
    Commented Aug 27, 2014 at 4:23

3 Answers 3

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First you will have to convert the arrow from a path / stroke into a shape object. Do this by selecting Object -> Path -> Outline Stroke.

Open the Pathfinder palette (Window -> Pathfinder) and with the two items selected alt-click on the Unite button - it’s the first one that looks like two squares united into one.

enter image description here

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  • when i converted the path into a shape object i lost the arrow heads. the arrow heads were added by using effect > Stylize > Arrow heads
    – user677
    Commented Feb 18, 2011 at 17:52
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    OK - with the line selected go to Object > Expand Appearance. This will create a separate shape for the arrowhead. You should then make the (headless) line a shape using Outline Stroke, giving you three objects. Then alt-click the Unite button to unify the three shape elements.
    – duncmc
    Commented Feb 18, 2011 at 18:01
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    Thanks Man. I was using "Make Compound Path" to united two objects but when outlining them with stroke, it appeared around all the objects. But with Pathfinder>Unite I just have one object to work with. +1
    – Jawad
    Commented Aug 12, 2012 at 2:05
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  1. PATHFINDER PALETTE / ADD TO SHAPE AREA

  2. OBJECT MENU / EXPAND APPEARANCE

Always do this with objects selected.

I hope this could help.

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You can also try the shapebuilder tool after outlining the stroke

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    Interestingly, I found your answer the most helpful, but that was because I was using CS6. If you notice, this question is about CS4 and the ShapeBuilder tool doesn't exist in CS4. You might want to consider removing your comment on the question, as well.
    – reor
    Commented Oct 29, 2014 at 14:39