[Vincent Rosati]

Maybe first try practicing creating a compound path with simpler paths.
Use the Ellipse Tool, select a fill color, draw one big circle, then draw a smaller circle inside it.
Next, use the Selection Tool to select both of the circles.
With both circles selected, click Object / Compound Path / Make.

At this point, you should now have a compound path.

The next step would be to determine why your objects won’t become compound paths.
It’s hard to say what the issue might be.

Another approach you might want to take would be to layer the inner/negative/inner handle shape underneath the primary/outer/mug shape and do Pathfinder/Minus Back.

Here’s an example file
Compound Path and Pathfinder Minus Back

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

I would just use the Eyedropper to select the color, them drag the color from your Color palette into your Swatches palette.
Do this for both colors.
Then create your gradient from your swatches.
I don’t think this is exactly what you want to do, but it’s just how I might do it.

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

Hard to say. I hope some others can chime in on this.
So, I’m thinking that you also did a clean install of your OS.
Sounds like you’re saying that the directional keys/arrows work correctly within the OS, like selecting different files in a folder or on your desktop?
Is it possible that you’re using some sort of special keyboard that requires a driver?

Make sure you’ve also done all of the OS updates, and Adobe app updates, and restart your system.

These are just a few starter ideas.

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

Initially I thought it might be ‘Snap to Grid’, but you said you checked that.
I don’t have any other thoughts. I’m not sure. I guess I was just wondering if you’ve made any progress with this issue?

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I’m not clear on your question. Could you state it another way, or upload an example file?

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

Looks like the way that you are doing it will work. Just make sure you’re zoomed in as far as you can go. Don’t forget that Illustrators zoom will allow you to make adjustments that go well beyond the limits of human visual perception.

Another option might be to redraw the cursive path as a single stroke, with minimal points, maybe about 7, then apply a calligraphic brush.
Make adjustments to the path and brush settings until you have a good match.
This might be a more correct approach, aside from having a font that this may have been created with.

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

Select the text object, then…

Type / Create Outlines

or

Object / Expand

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

Generally, I’ll always try to match the colors to the colorspace or color mode.
If I’m creating a logo or anything that could potentially be used in offset, spot, or other traditional printing process, I’ll use Pantone or CMYK colors in a CMYK file.
It just depends on what medium you are outputting to, and what the requirements of the process are.
A large-run printing operation may require or suggest that you use all CMYK colors.
If it’s only for web or inkjet, you might be able to achieve better color with RGB colors in an RGB file.

I would keep everything the same. If you need CMYK for a CMYK output process, use CMYK colors.
I personally have never had a good reason to use a ‘grayscale’ black, or the registration black.
I always use Pantone for logos and materials that will be printed. Generally this means that I’m working on a more profitable job. In this case, I might use a CMYK color only if I can’t produce the right color or I can’t make a gradient work properly, but this is a rare circumstance. So, in that situation I’d have a mix of Pantone/Spot colors and CMYK. But never RGB and CMYK.

If I’m forced to use an RGB raster image in a logo or something to be traditionally printed, I’ll first convert it to CMYK, before bringing it into the CMYK project file.
This can requires a bit of print testing and adjustments to the raster image, to make it print well, as sometimes RGB images look very dull when used in a CMYK project.

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

The easiest way might be to create a new pattern object (the leaf) that includes the cut-away. Either by using a clipping mask or actually cutting it with the pathfinder tool.
Then regenerate the rotation.

Vince

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[Vincent Rosati]

I’d make all of the colors CMYK.
Try a test print on a similar material.

Vince

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