How do I merge shapes in Combine?

To merge shapes in Combine, follow these steps:

1. Select the Shapes: First, choose the shapes you want to merge. Hold down the Shift key while clicking on each shape to select multiple shapes at once.

   • Example: If you want to combine a circle and a square, click on the circle first, then hold Shift and click on the square.

2. Access Shape Format Tab: Once you've selected your shapes, the Shape Format tab will appear on the ribbon at the top of your application.

3. Click Merge Shapes: On the Shape Format tab, locate and click the Merge Shapes button.

4. Choose a Merge Option: From the dropdown menu, pick the desired merge option. The options available can be affected by the order in which you selected the shapes.

   • Examples of Merge Options:
     • Union: Combines all selected shapes into one single shape.
     • Combine: Merges shapes while removing overlapping areas to leave a single complex shape
     • Fragment: Divides the shapes based on overlaps, resulting in multiple independent shapes
     • Intersect: Creates a new shape that only includes the overlapping sections of the original shapes.
     • Subtract: Removes the overlapping area of the frontmost selected shape from the backmost shape(s).

Key Considerations:

• Selection Order: The order in which you select the shapes matters, especially for operations like "Subtract," where the first shape selected will be subtracted from those selected after.
• Experimentation: Don't hesitate to try out different merge options to understand how they impact the final shape. You can always use the undo function (Ctrl+Z or Cmd+Z) to go back and try something else.
• Shape Types: This process generally works for common drawing shapes, but you may experience varied results with custom or complex shapes.

By following these steps, you can effectively merge shapes in Combine to create new and interesting designs.