How to Cut a Hole in an Object in Adobe Illustrator

Last Updated: January 8, 2016

Cutting a hole in an object is actually easy. You don't need to manually do it using a knife tool, because it might not create a perfect hole, or import it to Photoshop. All you have to do is scroll down to step 1.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Create a Circle

1
Open Adobe Illustrator. Any version will do. Wait until the program opens.
2
Create a new document. Simply press Ctrl + N. A window will pop out saying "New Document." Just enter your desired size then click Okay.

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3
Grab the Ellipse tool from the toolbar of the new document. It is located on the left side of the screen.
4
Drag and hold the Shift button to create a perfect circle.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Cut a Hole in the Circle

1
Grab the Ellipse tool again or press L.
2
Drag and hold the Shift button inside the circle that you created a while ago. This will be the hole of the object.
3
Turn your object into an outline by pressing Ctrl + Y. This will make the sides of the objects visible.
- Move the circle inside the object to where you want to cut a hole.
- Clicking the Ctrl + Y again will bring back the color of the shapes.
4
Go to Pathfinder. If you cannot see it on the right side of the screen, so just go to Window on the menu bar. Check the Pathfinder and it will appear.
5
Click "Exclude" on the Shape Mode of the Pathfinder. Make sure that both objects are selected.
- To select them, press Ctrl + A.
- The hole has now been cut. You will notice that two objects become one after selecting "Exclude."