i used the pen tool to outline a picture and connected the anchor points, now i just need to know how to cut that whole selection instead of just the outline?

in ps its like path>stroke path>make selection but how do i do that in illustrator, thanks!

Just activate the outlines? oO

or what exactly do you mean?

i need to make a picture a render. i outlined the character from the back ground, now i just dont know how to cut the render out from the background so its manipulable.

My guess would be fill it in with a color, then use the pathfinder shit till you figure out which one does this

i think this is what your asking:

Object > path > outline stroke