Make and release a compound path
Last updated: September 8, 2026 · 4 min read
Collect several paths in one object or release a compound path into separate pieces.
Move and style separate drawings as a single path object. Its pieces share appearance settings.
Follow these steps
- 1
Prepare the paths
EditorCanvas
Prepare and position two or more paths you want to use together. They do not need to touch.
This keeps path pieces in one object. Shape subtraction and union are covered separately under Pathfinder.
- 2
Select the paths together
EditorCanvas
Click the first path, then Shift-click the others. You can also drag a selection box from empty space.
- 3
Make the compound path
EditorMake compound path
Right-click the selection and choose Make compound path. You can also use Ctrl+Cmd+8 on macOS or Ctrl+Alt+8 on Windows and Linux.
The result uses the first selected path’s appearance. Whether overlaps appear filled or empty depends on the first path’s existing fill rule; combining does not always create holes.
- 4
Release the pieces
EditorRelease compound path
Select the compound path as an object and choose Release compound path from the right-click menu. Each piece becomes an independently selectable path.
Shortcut: Shift+Ctrl+Cmd+8 on macOS or Shift+Ctrl+Alt+8 on Windows and Linux. Releasing does not restore each piece’s previous colors; each inherits the compound path’s current appearance.
Controls
The controls used in this lesson.
| Control | Where? | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Make compound path | Editor | Collects multiple paths in one object. |
| Release compound path | Editor | Turns its pieces into separate path objects. |
Result
The pieces move and share appearance settings as one path object.
Troubleshooting
- The command is unavailable
- Select at least two paths on the same page. Ready-made shapes or rotated paths do not meet these conditions.
- The old colors did not return
- Release applies the current shared appearance to each piece. Undo is needed to return to the state before combining.