1

I am trying to create this smiley face with sort of brackets at the end of the smile.

That's 3 paths. One for the smile and two for the brackets. All of them only are strokes and don't have fills. (stickman style)

I want to join the end of the smile into the middle of the brackets, on each side, and don't want the smile to become a mouth when I unite them in pathfinder. Is this possible? So far I couldn't find any solutions.enter image description here

2 Answers 2

1

Yes, select all your paths you want to join.

Go to Object → Path → Join or Right Click → Join or Ctrl+J to join the paths.


You have to make sure that the edges are perfectly aligned with the brackets, best is to enter Outline Mode (Ctrl+Y) to perfectly align the anchor points.


You can also just group your paths together (Ctrl+G), unless there is a specific reason you want them joined.

3
  • Oh man, so close but yet so far. Thx
    – Dan
    Mar 15, 2019 at 16:05
  • Side note, I would create the smiley out of regular shapes (circles) for better symmetry. Here's a quick smile I threw together.
    – Welz
    Mar 15, 2019 at 16:19
  • That IS better.
    – Dan
    Mar 15, 2019 at 16:48
1

A late version: Make a smile brush.

enter image description here

Draw 2 equal vertical lines and one horizontal line, make a neutral smile. Drag it into the brushes panel and define it to be a new artistic brush

Draw different curves and apply the brush to them. The bottom version is edited from the shape above it. If you expand the appearance of a curve which has got the new brush, the result is editable with the direct selection tool. It's still a group of three separate strokes. Ungrouping it makes the parts independent.

I bet having simply a group of three strokes, as already suggested by others, is good enough for most purposes.

1
  • A virtual thumbs up, actually I was trying to apply a brush from the beginning, but the lines drawn by mouse ended up crooked so I resigned from that. This opens up new horizons, so many more to open... Thx.
    – Dan
    Mar 16, 2019 at 12:01

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.