How to convert the shapes stroke into open or transparent in Illustrator CS5?

Question

I created a path:

Inside that path I created several more paths:

and group those on separate layer. Inside paths doesn’t have any fill but have a stroke of 1.

Since I want that stroke to be open (or transparent. I don’t know the exact term, I want the stroke line to show the color beneath), I selected the stroke and chose Object > Flatten Transparency. Then Selecting both, I chose Pathfinder > Minus Front.

Result:

Now I want the above design to top of this:

like

and want to create a outer stroke for my star and I want that stroke line to be open (like the paths within star)

I've been beating my head with this for the last 48 hours but I couldn't find where I'm doing it wrong. If it's any help, this design is for a t-shirt design experiment.

Can anyone help me with this? Your help much appreciated.

Edit:

I want the result to be:

I want the stroke of the star to be punched through the (square) path and the compound path to create hollow space around the star (to show the background color). Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

You should first understand the theory for print design.

When working in print (which includes silkscreening) white equals paper/stock/material being printed on. It is not necessary to make everything transparent. Simply filling or stroking objects with white is just as good and is often easier to work with.

I don't see any area which would require the use of compound paths nor clipping masks. This can all easily be configured with very standard strokes and fills.

How I'd set things up.....

Even though the areas are white, they will not separate into a color plate for printing. This art is absolutely fine for print reproduction. White is not a color, it is simply a vacant area where no ink will fall, basically white = transparent when dealing with print.

If you really can’t get over the hurdle of what you see on screen translating to print and you really want the white areas to be transparent, set up the above, then follow these steps . . .

1. Select all
2. Object > Expand Appearance (If available)
3. Object > Expand
4. Pathfinder > Merge
5. Click 1 white area with Direct Selection Tool
6. Select > Same > Fill & Stroke
7. Hit Delete Key

This essentially makes the all the white areas an object, selects them and removes them leaving "holes" where white was.

Answer 2

Okay try this:

With your star selected

Object > Path > Offset Path

Check the Preview button so you can see in real time what happens. Change Offset to whatever width looks good. Joins can probably stay at Miter and limit leave at 4.

In your layers panel you will now see another star, but a bit larger. Select this one AND the paths under it; your square & polygon.

In the Pathfinders panel select Minus Front. Thereafter you have a single path compound shape.

TIP - instead of single clicking on the Minus Front action, hold down ALT as you click. This way you still have a compound path BUT your shapes are on their own layer and fully editable.

Answer 3

You can use the life paint tool to make the strokes appear transparent. First you need to outline your stroke, then object > live paint > make then go to the live paint tool in your toolbar and select the no fill swatch and fill everything you want to appear transparent with this swatch.