How to Use the Eraser Tool in Adobe Illustrator

If you're new to Adobe Illustrator, the Eraser Tool can be tricky to navigate. 

It is not always clear when and how to use it, and beginners may find themselves struggling to erase parts of an image or illustration. 

However, several different tools are available for erasing objects in Illustrator, depending on what you are trying to erase, whether it's a portion of an image, a shape, or a path. 

With a bit of practice and experimentation, you'll soon become a pro at using these tools to achieve the desired effect in your designs.

This Illustrator tutorial will guide you through erasing in Adobe Illustrator using various tools and techniques. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced user, you'll learn when to use each tool and how to achieve the desired results. So, let’s get started!

Related reading: How to Change the Eraser Size in Illustrator

3 Different Methods for Erasing Elements in Illustrator

1. The Eraser Tool

In Illustrator, removing unwanted brush strokes, pencil paths, or vector shapes is easy with the Eraser Tool. 

To access it quickly, use the keyboard shortcut Shift + E or select it from the toolbar. Then, simply brush over the areas you want to erase and watch them disappear.

By using the Eraser Tool, you can divide them into different parts and manipulate the anchor points. For example, if you use the erase tool on a pencil path, it will break the path into sections and display the anchor points, allowing you to easily edit and adjust the path as needed.

2. The Scissors Tool

The Scissors Tool is essential to have in your toolbox. But did you know you can also use it to remove parts of a path? 

For instance, if you want to erase a section of a circle, the Scissors Tool can help you do just that.

To access the Scissors Tool, simply select it from the toolbar or use the keyboard shortcut C. This tool is found in the same menu as the Eraser Tool and can cut and separate different parts of an image or design.

Select the circle path you want to edit. Then, click on the starting point of the area you want to erase and click again on the ending point. The Scissors Tool will cut the path at that point, allowing you to remove the unwanted section.

Select the path you want to cut using the Selection Tool (shortcut key V). Once you have the path selected, you can then use the Scissors Tool to cut the path at specific anchor points.

4. Now press the Delete key, and you will erase part of the circle path. 

3. Clipping Mask

In Illustrator, a clipping mask is a helpful tool for removing parts of an imported image. Unlike the Eraser Tool, which cannot be used on imported images, a clipping mask allows you to precisely control which parts of the image are visible and which are hidden. This is especially useful when working with complex images or when you need to create a specific effect.

To begin, access the Transparency Panel by clicking on the Windows menu and selecting Transparency from the options.

First Step: You can use the Paintbrush Tool to erase a specific part of an image. Simply select the tool (shortcut B) and brush over the area you want to erase. You can adjust the brush size accordingly if you need to erase a larger area. In this example, the pink area was brushed over to be erased.

Second Step: Select both the brush stroke and the image. Then, navigate to the Transparency Panel and click “Make Mask.” 

This will allow you to adjust the transparency of your image and brushstroke as needed.

Note: When working with multiple brush strokes, it's important to group them before creating a clipping mask.

You'll notice that the image within the brush strokes disappears, leaving only the brush area visible.

This technique can be used to create interesting and unique effects in your artwork.

Third Step: Simply click on the Invert Mask option and make sure that the Clip is unchecked. This will result in the image being displayed with the brushed-on part erased.

Final Thoughts on Erasing in Illustrator

The Eraser Tool, Scissors Tool, and brushes for Clipping Masks can all be used to erase or remove. It's important to note that the Eraser and Scissors tools only work on vectors, while brushes are necessary for erasing parts of an image. With these tools at your disposal, you can easily make edits and adjustments to your designs.