Source from Adobe.

com
Group or ungroup objects
You can combine several objects into a group so that the objects are treated as a
single unit. You can then move or transform a number of objects without affecting
their attributes or relative positions. For example, you might group the objects in a
logo design so that you can move and scale the logo as one unit.
Grouped objects are stacked in succession on the same layer of the artwork and
behind the frontmost object in the group; therefore, grouping may change the
layering of objects and their stacking order on a given layer. If you select objects in
different layers and then group them, the objects are grouped in the layer of the
topmost selected object.
Groups can also be nestedthat is, they can be grouped within other objects or
groups to form larger groups. Groups appear as <Group> items in the Layers panel.
You can use the Layers panel to move items in and out of groups.
1. Select the objects to be grouped or the group to be
ungrouped.
2. Choose either Object > Group or Object > Ungroup.
Expand objects
Expanding objects enables you to divide a single object into multiple objects that
make up its appearance. For example, if you expand a simple object, such as a
circle with a solid-color fill and a stroke, the fill and the stroke each become a
discrete object. If you expand more complex artwork, such as an object with a
pattern fill, the pattern is divided into all of the distinct paths that created it.
You typically expand an object when you want to modify the appearance attributes
and other properties of specific elements within it. In addition, expanding objects
may be helpful when you want to use an object that is native to Illustrator (such as a
mesh object) in a different application that doesnt recognize the object.

Before (left) and after (right) expanding an object that has a fill and stroke
Source from Adobe.com
Expanding is particularly helpful if you are having difficulty printing transparency effects, 3D
objects, patterns, gradients, strokes, blends, flares, envelopes, or symbols.
1. Select the object.
2. Choose Object > Expand.
If the object has appearance attributes applied to it, the
Object > Expand command is dimmed. In this case, choose
Object > Expand Appearance and then choose Object >
Expand.
3. Set options, and then click OK:
Object

Expands complex objects, including live blends, envelopes,
symbol sets, and flares.
Fill

Expands fills.
Stroke

Expands strokes.
Gradient Mesh

Expands gradients to a single mesh object.
Specify

Sets the tolerance for color values between color stops.
Higher numbers help maintain a smooth color transition; low
numbers can create a more banded appearance.
Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) as you
choose Object > Expand to expand a gradient using the
settings last entered in the Expand dialog box.

Eraser Tool
You might wonder how this could be tied to Pathfinder, and more importantly, how an
understanding of its underlying technology will benefit you. Let me explain it this way;
the tool cant read your mind, although it might sometimes seem that way as it erases
some objects and not others. I for one love a great mystery, but I think this tool will be
Source from Adobe.com
even more useful to you if I demystified it by sharing how it works, what its limitations
are, and the best ways around those limitations.
If you have used the tool, you have probably noticed that its very similar to a
calligraphic brush. In fact, it can even be used with a pressure sensitive tablet to vary its
size, angle and roundness. Double clicking on the tool opens up its Option dialog,
where you can customize its settings.

The options dialog isnt the only place were settings can be changed. Just like the
Calligraphic Brush, the diameter can be changed by using the bracket keys, ] and [
respectively to increase and decrease the size.

If you have already made the assumption from this that the tool is in fact, creating a
Calligraphic Brush stoke then you get a gold star! Thats exactly what its doing. The
next thing it does is expand the brush stroke in the same way you would manually by
choosing Object>Expand, to make it a simple or compound path, and no longer a brush
stroke. Then the next step is it runs Pathfinder to cut away the Eraser Tool created
object from either the current selection, or if there is no current selection, all valid
objects that are touched by the eraser object. Whew, thats a lot of steps! But the Eraser
tool does all of this behind the scenes, so all you need to think about is what you want
to erase.As simple as this tool is to use, the results are not always exactly what you
expect. Now that you understand how it works, let me give you some tips on how to get
the results you are after ALL the time:
The Eraser tool works based on selection. When you have an object selected,
it will erase only that object. When there is no object selected it will erase any
valid object it comes in contact with (valid meaning an object type that is
Source from Adobe.com
erasable). Objects can be on any layer, or in a group, but they must be
unlocked.
Objects that are not erased by the Eraser tool are: Images, Text, symbols,
Graphs, and Gradient Meshes. The preview works on all objects, so it looks
like these objects will erase, but on mouse up, they are not changed.
To erase Type, you can expand or create outlines first. To erase Symbols,
you can expand or break link first. To erase Graphs, you can ungroup first. In
all of these cases, the objects will no longer retain their type, symbol or graph
attributes.
Some objects will erase, but their appearance changes due to rerendering of
attributes applied to the object. For example when a brush stroked object is
erased, it is broken into separate paths. The brush stroke is then reapplied to
each path, which can drastically change its appearance. To erase a brush
stroked object and not have its appearance change, choose Object>Expand
Appearance first.

Source from Adobe.com
When objects have an effect, like Roughen, applied to them, the effect will be
reapplied to the new path created by erasing. This will look very different from
the preview you see when you first drag the eraser over the object. In order to
get the same results as the preview appearance, expand the appearance of
your objects with Live Effects, like Roughen, applied.


When objects have strokes applied to them and you do not want the stroke
rendered for all edges of the new paths created by erasing, then expand the
object first. If the object has multiple fills or strokes you will need to expand
appearance first, then choose object>expand to expand the strokes.