Merging two complex shapes in Illustrator

[morea]

I know that there is a way to do this, but my brain isn't cooperating today.

I have two vector shapes... both outlined. I have made one red and the other white for showing purposes...

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/315/shapes9ne.gif


I want to merge these into one solid shape so I can outline the object without breaking each junction manually and rejoining to the other.

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/7541/shape8ze.gif


and be able to apply an outline to the entire thing, like this:

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/9593/outline0hi.gif

(which I made by going effect> pathfinder> merge and then effect> pathfinder> outline.)

The unfortunate thing with that is, it gives the outline as a FILL not a stroke, so I can't make it darker or thicker.... not sure what the deal is.

Anybody know of a better way?

[AlexNJ210]

hey morea,

Before you applied the merge effect, did you turn off fill in both objects. Also, after you apply the merge function, you can get an outline effect by simply turning off fill in the tools menu then chose a line weight for the stroke. I guess what im trying to say is that you dont need to use the outline effect option.

[morea]

Hmm, I tried it with and without the fill, it's still giving me no love.

When I re-apply the stroke it gives me something like this:

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/2800/untitled23um.gif

rather than a simplified outline as above. I'm only running Illy 10, so I don't have live trace or anything to fool around with.

[Drorain]

hey morea...PLace one over the other as shown, then open the pathfinder tool box...choose the icon to merge...then choose the expand option at the end of the box, this makes the transition of two merged shapes to one complex shape

[morea]

yarr, I swear I've done this half a dozen times, and now all of a sudden it worked. I must have been doing SOMETHING wrong, but I don't know what it was. :o

Thanks guys!

[PrintDriver]

You have to hit the Expand button after you merge, just as Dro pointed out. Otherwise it stays 'editable'. It's a feature. Trust me.
;)

[cjoe]

yeah, 'expand appearence'

[Vikia]

Did you try selecting both objects
Use the Object Menu > Compound Path > Make

Or did you use the Pathfinder Add to Shape button to "weld" the together?

[rockem]

yep expand is the thing your missing