Joining shapes together

[claretnblue]

Hi, 

 

Not sure what this is called but I am trying to take various shapes and fix them together to make one new shape.

 

Using the "add" option will create one shape but they then become one colour, what I would like is the two vector shapes to become one vector but retain their individual colour and detail. The idea is to have an image made up of various vectors that are joined to make one continuous outline, when viewed in outline mode. 

 

Could someone let me know how this is done?

 

Sorry if that is badly explained, but hopefully you get the drift!

[MEB]

You can't have a "single" shape composed by different shapes with different attributes. Why don't simply group them (select all and press cmd+G)? They act like one shape (you can move/edit/transform them as a single unit) but they still retain their individual attributes.

[claretnblue]

Hi Meb,

 

I wanted to have the image sent to printer to print and cut around it.

 

I asked the question a few weeks back, about cut lines , but if the image has lots of outlines, then I am led to believe the cutting machine / plotter, will have a melt down as its not one continuous image.

[MEB]

That's a different thing. In that case you need to create a new object to be used by the plotter as a guide for cutting your work (the cutting path).

If all the objects in your project are vectors you can duplicate them and join them all (add boolean operation) to create a new object with the same shape/form of all of them combined. The only detail you must pay attention is with open paths since you must convert them to outlines first (Layer -> Expand Stroke) to be able to perform the add boolean operation (Affinity currently doesn't support boolean operations between closed and open paths).

 

If the objects aren't all vectors you may have to create outlines for some of them manually. This all depends on the work you're doing. 

[claretnblue]

Would a cutter just follow the overall outline then ?

 

Is there not still the issue of having each vector having its own outline and so the cutter wont just work to the outline?

 

To be honest I might be describing the machine wrong too..it cuts around a shape but also prints the image, so its not just cutting a single colour sheet of vinyl.

[Busenitz]

What cutter are you using?

[Signguy]

Would a cutter just follow the overall outline then ?

 

Is there not still the issue of having each vector having its own outline and so the cutter wont just work to the outline?

 

To be honest I might be describing the machine wrong too..it cuts around a shape but also prints the image, so its not just cutting a single colour sheet of vinyl.

 

You are correct.  This is a problem with the program that I have had as well.  There are work arounds like selecting your vectors and grouping them like MEB suggested.  I would then duplicate it and put it on another layer.  On the new layer, do the ADD Operation to create them into one object and then use the expand stroke option that was also suggested.  You can then delete your vector work that was combined and all that will remain on that layer is the cutout that you are looking for.  You will have to print the layer that has your vectors but not cut it.  Only cut the layer that has the outline.

 

It's not an easy process and there are other instructions in the forum that I posted.  You may have to click on Layer-Geometry-Divide in order to separate your outline from your vector art.  Again, it's a pain and not as easy as hitting Object - Path - Offset Path as it is in Ai.  This is why I'm going back to Ai until Serif can add more functionality that is needed for the Sign industry.  

 

Sorry Serif, I'm glad that I bought your product but I just can't use it as my primary vector imaging program just yet.  I know your working on it and I'd be happy to have paid many times what you are asking had it had the capabilities that I posted in a previous post.