How to Overlap Objects in CorelDRAW?

In CorelDRAW, working with overlapping objects is fundamental, whether you simply want to layer them visually or use powerful tools to create new shapes from their shared areas.

Placing one object on top of another visually is as simple as positioning them with the Pick tool. However, to interact with the areas where objects overlap, CorelDRAW provides a suite of Shaping tools.

Creating Objects from Overlaps: The Intersect Command

One common method to utilize the overlapping area between objects is using the Intersect command. This tool creates a brand new object from the region where two or more selected objects overlap.

Here's how to use the Intersect command:

1. Select the objects you want to intersect.
2. Go to the menu bar and click Object.
3. From the dropdown, select Shaping.
4. Click Intersect.

Reference Inclusion: In the Classic workspace, this command appears under the Arrange menu instead of Object.

Understanding the Result:

When you use Intersect, CorelDRAW creates a new object specifically from the overlapping parts of your selected source and target objects. According to the reference, the new object created from this overlap will inherit the fill and outline properties of the target object. While CorelDRAW's interpretation of "target" can sometimes depend on selection order or layer, the resulting object takes its style from one of the original objects involved in the intersection.

• Example: Imagine a red circle placed over a blue square. If you select both and use Intersect, a new object will appear in the shape of the football/almond where they met. This new object will typically have the fill and outline properties of the object designated as the "target" (often the object on top or the last one selected). The original circle and square remain unchanged.

Other Useful Shaping Tools for Overlapping Objects

Beyond Intersect, CorelDRAW offers several other Shaping commands found under the Object > Shaping (or Arrange > Shaping in Classic workspace) menu that work with overlapping objects:

• Weld: Combines multiple overlapping objects into a single object with a single outline.
• Trim: Uses one object (the cutter) to cut away parts of another object (the target).
• Simplify: Similar to Trim, but trims overlapping areas between multiple objects.
• Front Minus Back: Removes the back object(s) from the front object.
• Back Minus Front: Removes the front object(s) from the back object.
• Boundary: Creates a new object that represents the outline of all selected objects.

These tools provide flexible ways to modify, combine, or create new objects based on how they are positioned relative to each other.

Practical Tips for Working with Overlaps

• Selection Order Matters: For some Shaping tools like Trim or Front/Back Minus, the order in which you select objects or the order they are layered can affect the outcome.
• Layering: You can change the visual order of overlapping objects using the Object > Order menu or keyboard shortcuts (Shift+Page Up/Down, Ctrl+Page Up/Down). This doesn't affect the geometry for Shaping tools but changes which object appears on top visually.
• Keep Originals: If you want to keep the original objects while creating a new one from the overlap (as Intersect does), remember that tools like Weld or Trim modify or delete the original objects. Use Intersect or duplicate objects before using destructive shaping tools if needed.

By understanding how to position objects and utilize the powerful Shaping tools like Intersect, you can create complex designs efficiently in CorelDRAW.