Combine shapes
Build complex shapes from simple ones. Find these in the Vector menu and as buttons in the top toolbar when two or more shapes are selected.
| Command | Result |
|---|---|
| Unite | Merge all selected shapes into one. |
| Subtract | Cut the front shapes out of the one at the back. |
| Intersect | Keep only where the shapes overlap. |
| Exclude | Keep everything except where they overlap. |
| Trim to Shape Below | Clip the shapes on top to the edge of the shape beneath — without changing the base shape. Great for fast shadows and highlights. |
| Separate Compound Path | Split a combined shape back into its parts. |
Strokes into shapes
- Outline Stroke turns a stroke into a filled shape of the same width, so you can combine it or give it a gradient. For text, the same button reads Outline Text and turns letters into paths.
- Flatten bakes the selection into plain paths.
Offset
Object → Offset… adds offset artwork — a repeated outline or a block shadow at a chosen distance and angle.
Tip: Combining is undoable with Ctrl Z. Keep a copy (Ctrl D) if you might want the original shapes later.