Finding Open Paths

[D***@adobeforums.com]

I'm running into an issue where I cannot select the option of aligning a border to the inside, outside, etc. I know this is unselectable when working with an open path. Yet I cannot figure out where my path is open. I'm working with a complex shape with a lot of points (it's a shape of the Americas as one object.) But for the life of me, I cannot figure out where the path is unconnected. Does Illustrator have a way of showing where a path begins and ends?

[M***@adobeforums.com]

<http://mujka.wordpress.com/2007/09/15/illustrator-open-paths-tips-tutorial-vector/>

[A***@adobeforums.com]

There are scripts to close open paths, as you will find in the link mentioned by Mario.
If, for the sake of it, you want to know where your path is open just cut it again. With the scissor tool click on the path anywhere to cut it, then select it and you will see that only the half of the path is selected. One end of the selected path will be the place where you cut it, the other end will be the place where it was originally open. To make sure that it was open only in one place select the other half and verify that this second half starts and ends in the same places of the one previously selected.

Alfredo

[J***@adobeforums.com]

This .zip archive <http://www.IllustrationETC.com/AIbuds/JET_X_SelectFirstEndPoints.zip> contains an AI Javascript named JET_X_SelectFirstEndPoints.jsx.

The script selects the first anchorPoint of each open path (or open subpath of a Compound Path) in the current selection. That lets you see where the break is in the path(s).

The "_X_" in the name means I've just written it (as experiment propted by this thread), so have not tested it thoroughly. But it works fine for me here.

The .zip archive on this page <http://www.illustrationetc.com/AI_Javascripts/PathScripts.htm> contains (among others) two scripts, one of which closes selected open paths; the other of which opens selected closed paths by removing their closing segment.

JET

[S***@adobeforums.com]

<http://rj-graffix.com/software/plugins.html#SelectMenu>

[S***@adobeforums.com]

Here's a manual way that works pretty well.
Make a note of the line weight and style so that you can revert to it when you've finished.
Now make the stroke good and thick and use butt caps for the ends of the stroke.
Examine the stroke carefully and you should be able to spot the place where the ends don't join up. The butt caps will show you where it is.
Test with the direct selection tool that the endpoints are in fact unjoined (drag one of them). Go back one step, select both endpoints and Cmd-J. Now revert to the original stroke style and width.

Another way is to use Pathfinder Add to Shape Area (Unite), then Expand.
This will join any loose ends even though they are not in exactly the same place.

[J***@adobeforums.com]

The butt caps will show you where it is.




How so? Only works on curved segments.

Another way is to use Pathfinder Add to Shape Area.




So long as you only use it on one path at a time. Otherwise, all the paths will take on the stroke/fill attributes of the topmost path.

Moreover, though, to close a single path, simply normal-select (black pointer) it, or select all of it (white pointer) and invoke the Join command. (Cmd J).

JET

[S***@adobeforums.com]

<http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1EnEZYU6GL92INYaEPgaTEt8GAAeXU1>

Maybe this is an even better way.
Here I put an Add Arrowheads effect on the strokes, so now there's no doubt where the loose ends are. Makes no difference whether the segments are curved or straight.

[J***@adobeforums.com]

Arrowhead Effect does not discriminate between open and closed paths. They display on closed paths as well as open paths.

JET

[j***@adobeforums.com]

the arrowhead effect won't tell you if your path is open or not, but if you know it is, it can be a useful quick look for start or end points, or both.

[S***@adobeforums.com]

Yep, I know that arrowheads show up on closed paths, but at least if you've only got one arrowhead showing it's easy to check whether you've got loose ends by clicking on the align stroke thingummy to inside or outside. Arrowheads only show up when the stoke alignment is centred.
If can't select stroke alignment you know you've got loose ends.
And if you get more than one arrowhead you know that the path must have more than one pair of loose ends.
Which solves Don's problem :-) QED