Illustrator: how to cut out part of a shape?

Question

I'm new to Illustrator and, being used to Photoshop, I can't say it's really intuitive. I'm trying to make a logo where part of it is cut out so that the background shows through (see picture below). What's the easiest, most straightforward way to achieve that? Thank you.

Answer 1

Simple method...

• Convert type to outlines (Type > Convert to Outlines)
• Draw a rectangle over the area you want to remove
• Select All
• Grab the Shape Builder Tool
• Hold the Option/Alt key down and click-drag across the part(s) to remove.

You can do this without converting type to outlines via Opacity Masks or Clipping Masks but that's an entirely different procedure.

Clipping Mask...

• Set the type
• Draw two rectangles which cover the parts you want to show
• Select both rectangles
• Choose Object > Compound Path > Make from the menu
• Select the rectangles and the type
• Choose Object > Clipping Mask > Make from the menu

Type will still be "live" and editable. Areas outside the rectangles are hidden (Masked).

Opacity Mask...

• Set type and draw a rectangle over the part to remove
• Select only the rectangle and choose Edit > Cut from the menu
• Select the type and on the Transparency panel (Window > Transparency) Click the Make Mask button
• Click the black mask thumbnail and choose Edit > Paste in Front from the menu
• Untick the Clip option
• Click the artwork thumbnail on the Transparency Panel to go back to editing the artwork

To further edit the mask in the future, you need to click the mask thumbnail on the Transparency Panel.

_{(Animation done using CS6, so panels may look a bit different in more recent versions. However, all the same functionality exists.)}

Answer 2

There is also the Pathfinder Method :

• Convert type to outlines (Type > Convert to Outlines)
• Create a Compound Path (Object > Compound Path > Create or Ctrl+8)
• Create the rectangle (must be in front of the letter if created before)
• Go to the Pathfinder window and clic on Substract

And done ! (This method have the same result of using the Shape Builder Tool mentioned by Scott but i wanted to be exhaustive ^^)