Illustrator
JOIN PATHS
Overview
When you are working in Illustrator, you may find you want to join paths together. You may have initially drawn your design with several different paths, or drawn an open shape rather than a closed shape. You may have paths that overlap, or don't quite connect. Having your design as one continuous path makes it easier when you want to change the line properties, like the color or stroke weight, or when you want to move a corner where two paths intersect. There are a number of ways to join paths together, and which one you choose is generally personal preference.
Note: Joining paths is based on endpoints. You can only join the endpoints to endpoints. See the end of this tutorial for how to join paths in the middle.
Tutorial
Joining Paths using "Join"
The join command connects the two nearest endpoints of the selected objects. To use Join, first select the paths you want to join, and then choose either Object > Path > Join or right-click Join, or use the shortcut Command J.
Join can also be used to connect two specific verticies. Use the direct selection tool (shortcut A) to select the two vertices, and then choose either Object > Path > Join or right-click Join, or use the shortcut Command J.
Joining Paths using the Pen Tool
Using the pen tool gives you the most control over the connecting line.To join two paths, select the pen tool (shortcut P), then click the two endpoints you want to join.
You can also add extra points between the two by clicking one, drawing more points with the pen as usual, and ending the path by clicking on the second endpoint.
Joining Paths using the Join Tool
The join tool is available in Illustrator CC 2014. To use it, click and hold on the pencil tool icon to access the flyaway menu, and choose Join Tool from the bottom of the menu.
The join tool works in two ways. Click and drag over the ends of two overlapping paths to join them together and delete the excess length.
To connect two paths, simply click and drag from one endpoint to the other.
Joining Paths in the Middle
Joining paths is based on the endpoints of the path. You can join ends, but you cannot join two anchors illustrator. To join paths in the middle, you need to first cut or separate the paths, and then join them together again using any of the methods above. You can also try using the pathfinder tools to combine or subtract closed shapes.
To split a path, use the scissors tool (shortcut C). The scissor tool cuts a path, creating two anchor endpoints in the same place which can be moved independently using the direct selection tool.
Using the scissor tool twice on a closed shape to cut it in to two paths. Delete the section you don't need, and then you can join the ends, like you did above.
Tutorial by Elise Tarsa
