Virtual "Holes"

[jclements]

Here is a way to give an object a hole(s) WITHOUT COMBINING shapes or using the shape editor tool.

Simply apply a transparency.

1. Apply a Mix/Simple transparency to an object. Below, I used three different Transparency Shapes.

2. With transparency tool active and an object selected, click on the Transparecy Profile icon in the Info Bar.

3. In the Profile Dialog box, move the BOTTOM TAB to the far LEFT (indicated by the green arrow).

4. To modify the "virtual hole":
a. To change the "SIZE" OF THE HOLE, move the TOP SLIDER TAB of the profile right or left (indicated by the magenta arrow).

b. REPOSITION THE HOLE relative to the object via the transparency tool. Grab the transpareny's center handle (indicated by the tiny red-squares below) and move with the mouse.

c. Alter the PROPORTIONS of the transpareny "footprint" by grabbing the ends of the transparency's arrowheads (indicated by the tiny cyan-squares below) with transparency tool.

Try the Repeating (aka Tiling) option found in the transparency Info Bar ... now you have a pattern of virtual holes.