pomme27 Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 In the attached .afdesign example file, I want to chop off the bottom of a compound object (Object A), move it on top of another object (Object B), and end up with new a compound object (Object C) with all edges aligned. I'm probably missing something easy, but I don't know how to chop off a portion of a compound object. I tried the boolean operators. But when I position Object A over Object B and select both objects, the boolean operators are grayed out (non-clickable). Maybe the boolean operators don't work with compound objects? I can produce Object C, but via a series of clunky steps. So I assume there is an easier way. Can anyone advise a simple way to cut off a compound object so that the edges line up with the background object (Object B)? Thank you Example.afdesign Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crabtrem Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 I'm definitely not going to say this is the best, or easiest method. What I did was move the rectangle to the final position I want. I duplicate the rectangle with a cmd-J, and drag the copy as a mask over the group object A (when you see the vertical placement bar) . Now I can select them both and group them together so they maintain aspect if I want to move them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pomme27 Posted December 27, 2015 Author Share Posted December 27, 2015 Appreciate the help. What do you mean by "drag the copy as a mask"? I'm not sure how to do that. By the way, in my original post, I referred to Object A as a compound object. It is a grouped object, but not a compound object. Thx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crabtrem Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 In the layers panel. Group of circle and flower is a layer. Under it is another layer, the red rectangle. Select that layer and move your rectangle in the position you want your final image. With the layer of the red rectangle still selected in the layers panel, duplicate the layer using CMD-J. A second layer shows up of the red rectangle. Select one of those layers of the red rectangle and drag the layer up so it goes over the group layer. Adjust until you see a vertical blue line to the right of the layers thumbnail. This identifies that you will paste the layer as a mask object on that group layer. I'm not sure how to attach a screenshot to a reply. I think I have to upload an image first, and then link it to a reply post? But if you still don't understand my rambling explanation, I will attempt to do that next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crabtrem Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 As I said, I really never claimed to have a good solution for you. As far as making it a compound shape, all I can think of is using the divide geometry in a way to allow you to remove the unwanted areas, and keep and recombine what you want. Seems a bit complicated to me. So I settled for just using a mask to accomplish a similar result. Just throwing out things I thought might help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crabtrem Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Duh. I figured out how to attach a file in a response. So this screen shot shows me hovering over the layer, you see the vertical blue bar showing it will be placed as a mask. and you see the results of that change on the screen. It's not a compound object, just a mask over your group. But group the layers together and they will move as a single object too. If I'm just confusing the issue more, I apologize. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A_B_C Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Honestly, I would not create a vector mask, as crabtrem suggested (though this method can be applied successfully, no doubt), but use the layer clipping capabilities of Affinity Designer. See my video below … should be pretty self-explaining. The difference between creating a vector mask and clipping a layer (shape) to the boundaries of another one is explained here: https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/4069-layer-clipping-vs-layer-masking/?p=16825 Sorry for referring to this old post … Kind regards everyone, Alex :) EDIT Deleted attachment due to upload limits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pomme27 Posted December 28, 2015 Author Share Posted December 28, 2015 Thank you all! Very helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crabtrem Posted December 28, 2015 Share Posted December 28, 2015 I didn't even think of the Layer clipping, or if you prefer the paste inside method. It works very well. Good catch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.