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I am trying to use Pathfinder shape modes to cut out parts of shape and overlay them on each other (as shown in following figure)

enter image description here

However, I am getting shape overlapping with border of background shape (see arrow in figure). For now, I am manually resizing overlay so that background borders are visible. However, this process is highly inefficient once shape become more complex. Is there way to properly achieve this so that I can use shape mode from Pathfinder and still able to see background border properly?

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    As long as the top object doesn't have a stroke of its own, you could change the stroke of the bottom object Window > Stroke → Align Stroke: Outside.
    – Joonas
    Aug 31, 2018 at 6:49
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    @Joonas, this is the exact effect I was hopping for. Thank you. Put this as an answer for future designer.
    – Dexter
    Aug 31, 2018 at 6:52
  • Done and done...
    – Joonas
    Aug 31, 2018 at 6:55

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
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Not really. You can alter your workflow in a small way and its nolonger a problem. Remember what you are doing is a model of how things ought to work. There are many situations where the model fails you. Dont be afraid to alter your model.

There are 2 approaches to this.

  • Use strokes that are outside the object (Window > Stroke → Align Stroke: Outside)
  • copy the shapes behind kill their fill and put the copies on a layer above.
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Make a Clipping Mask

  • Select the circle and send it back
  • Select both shapes
  • Menu Object > Clipping Mask > Make
  • Direct Selection Tool > click the mask edge
  • Fill it and add a stroke color and width

enter image description here

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  • I thought of including clipping paths in answer but then decided not to because the op said more complex and pathfinder. Im not sure it scales to the more complex.
    – joojaa
    Aug 31, 2018 at 16:36

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