Combining shapes

The Combine shapes option (select the objects, right click and choose Combine shapes) provides you with a range of advanced options to combine shapes to make new shapes, such as adding, cutting, or slicing. You can use combine shapes on any type of object, including bitmaps.

Original Image

Adding Shapes

Merging several shapes into one: Select the objects and Right click > Combine shapes > Add shapes.

The new shape takes line attributes and colors from the top shape. Selecting multiple shapes and then stroking over them with the Shape Builder Tool also merges the shapes you touch together.

Subtracting Shapes

Select the objects and Right click > Combine shapes > Subtract shapes. This is similar to using join shapes (described above). The differences are:

• The top shape (or mask shape if the mask layer is used) becomes a hole through the other shapes.
• The line attributes and colours of the underlying shapes are unchanged.
• Combine shapes physically alters the lines. The only way to restore the original shapes is by using undo.
• The number of overlapping shapes has no effect.

Intersecting Shapes

With the Intersect shapes option, the new object is created from those parts of lower shapes that are covered by the top object, or by a mask shape using one of the Photo Region or Mask tools.

Select the shapes you want to mask and the front (mask) shape. Or put the mask shape on the mask layer. Right click > Combine shapes > Intersect shapes. This creates a new shape. The top shape or mask disappears.

Slicing Shapes

Xara lets you easily slice shapes into two or more pieces, and you can use either a solid object or a line for slicing: Right click > Combine shapes > Slice (cut) shapes.

You can also use a line to cut an object; the line should be drawn completely though the object and extend beyond it. If the line is too short, this operation cuts out a thin slice.

The example below has had the newly sliced shapes moved apart from each other slightly to show where the cut has been made.

Intersect All Shapes

The Intersect all shapes option works just as the Intersect shapes, however the new object is created from all parts of the shapes, rather than those that are covered by the top object, or by a mask shape using one of the Photo Region or Mask tools.

Select the shapes you want to mask and the front (mask) shape. Or put the mask shape on the mask layer. Right click > Combine shapes > Intersect all shapes. This creates a new shape. Unlike before, the top shape remains.