/text/sdraw/guide/combine_etc.xhp combining; draw objects merging; draw objects connecting; draw objects draw objects; combining intersecting draw objects polygons; intersecting/subtracting/merging subtracting polygons constructing shapes Combining Objects and Constructing Shapes Combined drawing objects act as grouped objects, except that you cannot enter the group to edit the individual objects. You can only combine 2D objects. To combine 2D objects: Select two or more 2D objects. Choose Shape - Combine. Unlike groups, a combined object takes on the properties of the lowermost object in the stacking order. You can split apart combined objects, but the original object properties are lost. When you combine objects, holes appear where the objects overlap. Illustration for combining objects In the illustration, the uncombined objects are on the left and the combined objects on the right. Constructing Shapes You can construct shapes by applying the Shapes - Merge, Subtract and Intersect commands to two or more drawing objects. Shape commands only work on 2D objects. Constructed shapes take on the properties of the lowermost object in the stacking order. To construct a shape: Select two or more 2D objects. Choose Shape and one of the following: Merge Subtract Intersect. Shape Commands In the following illustrations, the original objects are on the left and the modified shapes on the right. Shapes - Merge Illustration for merging shapes Adds the area of the selected objects to the area of the lowermost object in the stacking order. Shapes - Subtract Illustration for subtracting shapes Subtracts the area of the selected objects from the area of the lowermost object in the stacking order. Shapes - Intersect Illustration for intersecting shapes The overlapping area of the selected objects creates the new shape. The area outside the overlap is removed.