Why doesn't the subtract operation (always) work in AD?

[abarkalo]

Very often I am unable to subtract the top layer and punch a hole in the bottom layer. 95% of the time it works but a few times it doesn't. Please see the attached AD file - trying to carve out a simple "A" - can you please tell me what is going on or if this is a bug? I am using AD on Mac OS 11.6, AD ver 1.10.1. I am on an M1 Mac.

Why won't this work.afdesign

[uneMule]

@abarkalo

Like this ?

Sélectionner les deux objets, créer un composé dans le menu calque et régler la géométrie sur le calque en choisissant " soustraire ".
Pour l'instant, cela à toujours fonctionné, sur toutes les versions testées (ici la 1.10).

*****

Select the two objects, create a compound in the layer menu and adjust the geometry on the layer by choosing "subtract".
So far, it has always worked, on all tested versions (here 1.10).

 

Why won't this work_2.afdesign

[Dan C]

Hi @abarkalo,

I can confirm this is happening in your document due to the 'Fill Mode' being set to Winding, rather than Alternate. Once this is changed, you can subtract this shape as expected -

I hope this helps

[abarkalo]

thank you for this. I never knew about the types of fills. This greatly helps.

[PixelPest]

That's most likely because the paths have the same direction - changing the fill rule is just a "cosmetic" repair. I'd "reverse" either the outer or inner Path to make it "robust".