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separate parts of a vector graphic


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In the Layers panel, select the appropriate "Curves" layer (the first one at the top) that contains all the curves that make up all the trees.
Use the menu Layers / Geometry / Separate Curves to divide this group of curves into individual curves, which you can then delete, or select and group.

Trees.afdesign

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1 hour ago, PixelPest said:

I´d chop the trees with a beautiful pink axe:

Good tip 🙂

2 hours ago, anemos said:

But I would like to use only those 3 trees for my own design

 

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3 minutes ago, anemos said:

your advice didn't work fo me

The attached file does not work?

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You Could just delete the nodes not required by:

Short Way
1. Selecting the trees
2. Zoom to area
3. Switch to node tool (Hold down ALT) and draw around nodes you do not need then DEL

Longer Way
1. Add a vector 'cutter' in front of shape in where you want to cut the shape
2. Select Both; then SUBTRACT
3. With selected DIVIDE
4. Select Black area (on right) move to back
5. Apply selection to area (Select both remaining black areas + Previous white)
6. Apply Subtract

Non Destructive
A
1. Draw shape above left section (preserve vector)
2. In Layers panel Select Curve (Upper shape)
3. Right Click to get the menu and Select 'Mask to Below' Then adjust shape for effect

B
1. Create a new shape above
2. Drag original shape inside 'cutter' on layers panel (Paste inside) Edit shape for effect


 

 

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6 minutes ago, PixelPest said:

@StuartRc - not so short as it sounds because one tree is attached to the tent and you have to deal with the trunks&holes.

It is..but just depends where you select the nodes or place the cutter

 

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7 minutes ago, PixelPest said:

Cutter? Have you tried your method on the file provided?

Yes

 

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Options
This is a small number of options you can try
For a recap on using Booleans Video
For information using Booleans Text Explanation
'Cutter' = a vector used as a knife (as no Knife tool) any shape used to cut up an underlying shape It can be any vector

1. Divide and edit (time consuming but will be accurate)
As sequence In Drawing 
Several stages in process. but most accurate

2. Nodes and selection then delete
Select Vector object (Trees and tent Combined)
Switch to Node Tool [A]
Hold Down [ALT] with Node Selected. Draw around the nodes you wish to delete
Press Delete
Delete or reshape any redundant nodes with Node Tool [A]

3. Shape and Subtract (Probably the easiest!)
Draw a shape over the area you wish to remove (blue in drawing but temporarily set to transparent so you can see what is beneath!).
Select Both objects
Select Subtract from Boolean operations in the Context Menu Bar

4. Cut and Booleans (Gives you more options and control but slow)
As sequence In Drawing 
Several stages in process. but most accurate

5. Masks for Non-Destructive Editing
Use masking in the Layers Panel. There are several ways to do this. Maybe the simplest is to again draw a curve (vector object) above the area you wish to keep or maintain (As mask | Paste Inside)

Non Destructive Options
A
1. Draw shape above left section (You can set it to transparent [keys 1-0] or choose opacity on layers panel}
2. In Layers Panel Select Curve (Upper shape) or just select the shape on Artboard
3. Right Click on Curve (Mask) to activate menu and then select 'Mask to Below' Then adjust shape for effect (i.e fix any issues)

B
1. Draw shape above left section (You can set it to transparent [keys 1-0] or choose opacity on layers panel}
2. In Layers Panel; Drag original shape inside vector shape above in Layers Panel (Paste inside). You can also do this by selecting original shape (tent and trees!);
3. CUT then Select Mask Shape (blue in drawing)
4. Select Paste inside (CONTROL +ALT +V) or drag the tent and trees inside the shape using the Layers Panel
3. Again Edit shape for effect (Node Tool [A])

 

Cutting@0.5x.jpg

 

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Updated the notes to explain the file
I have provided the working AD File to experiment with:

 

Cutters and mask.zip

 

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2 hours ago, PixelPest said:

By "Cutter" you mean stroke->Layer->Expand Stroke - Boolean Subtract->Divide?

Yes and No!

You can use an expanded shape if you wish but it is just as simple to draw a shape with the Pen tool. By 'Cutter' I meant use a vector shape as  a knife to cut out another vector shape, using Booleans like subtract of divide. (depending on what you want to achieve!)

Then use divide to split the graphic

 

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13 minutes ago, PixelPest said:

That´s what I did in first place. Wasn´t confident what really needs to be deleted though and not sure I missed a hidden "knife" tool. lol

It would be useful..:) but it is easy to get around.

For editing complex shapes I use this method a lot. Editing is pretty simple and you can always get some help from the 'Add new curve to selected curve object' on the context bar of the pen tool

 

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37 minutes ago, v_kyr said:

Another way is just via re-tracing (by a third party tool) the wanted portions ...

ade-tannen.png.36458f168ae292da13613eff39605941.png

Could have just used your xmas trees!

 

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4 minutes ago, StuartRc said:

Could have just used your xmas trees!

I know I could have used just a tree from some website.

but I posted my original question because i wanted to learn how to separate any vector graphic in future.

I always like to learn something new

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On 5/19/2022 at 12:41 PM, StuartRc said:

Could have just used your xmas trees!

Now that you mention it, probably yes. - To be honest, I had completely forgotten about these myself. 😉

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