How to combine several shapes to one shape?

[HHGG]

I have four oval shapes:

http://www.bilder-upload.eu/show.php?fi ... 443170.png

How can I combine

a) all shapes to one shape?
b) choose the shapes I want to combine to one shape?

[Greenlaw]

I can't see the link you posted so you might want to use the Upload To TinyPic button instead.

Without seeing the example, it sounds like you want to perform a boolean operation. To do this, select all the points in the layer and choose Weld Crossing from the Select Points properties. This will combine the paths. Next, use the Delete Edge tools to 'erase' the sections you wish to remove, leaving only the single path you wish to keep.

Note that you may lose the fills or strokes. If that happens, select the points and use Create Shape to apply new fill/strokes to the path.

[HHGG]

> "Select Points properties"

Where can I find "Select Points properties"?

[Greenlaw]

Choose the Select Points tool. The settings are on the bar at the top.

Which version are you using? I know Weld Crossings is in Pro but I'm not sure it's in Debut.

[HHGG]

> Choose the Select Points tool. The settings are on the bar at the top.

I can't find a Select Points tool. I use AS in German language so it could be named different.
Do you mean the bar under the menu which begins with the button "Choose Group"?

> Which version are you using? I know Weld Crossings is in Pro but I'm not sure it's in Debut.

I use Anime Studio Pro 11.

[Greenlaw]

Here you go, this is what it looks like in ASP 11 Pro:

[HHGG]

Ok, that is what I have too (in German it's "Naht Kreuzung").

But I don't get what I want if I choose the Select Points tool, mark the shapes and then
click on the "Weld Crossings" ("Naht Kreuzung") button.

I want to delete the inner lines where shapes are crossing to merge several shapes to one form,
instead of that my shapes are deformed if I click the button.

What could be wrong?

[Greenlaw]

Yes, Weld Crossings welds all the points, combining the shapes into one piece. To get rid of the unwanted lines you need to use the Delete Edges tool and remove the lines you don't want. What remains will be the single contour. As mentioned before, you may need to reapply Create Shape.

Here's an illustration:



1. Select all points



2. Weld Crossings



3. Delete Edges



4. Create new shape

Hope this helps.

[HHGG]

Yes, now it almost works for me.
But one problem left:

I have three circles:

ThreeCircles1.PNG


After deleting the two inner lines on the left side:

ThreeCircles2.PNG


After deleting first line on the right side the circle form
on the left side isn't bold anymore:

ThreeCircles3.PNG


After deleting the last inner line:

ThreeCircles4.PNG


And after choosing "Tools -> Fill -> Fill form" the whole thin line is away:

ThreeCircles5.PNG


I got an shape which is open on the left what I don't want.
So why became my left circle form thin when I deleted the first
right inner line and was deleted after using another
function and how can I avoid this?

[Greenlaw]

You need to create a new shape based on the new path (step 4.) The new shape will have a complete stroke around the shape and a proper fill.

FYI, you probably noticed that the shapes get a little deformed in your example. This, unfortunately, is an ASP limitation. To preserve the shapes exactly with circles (or close to it anyway,) you need Moho 12's bezier curves support.

[djwaterman]

Also, with the circle shapes selected you could go up to the top menu to Scripts/Draw/Split Curve and put a number like six or 8 in the requester field. That will put a bunch of evenly spaced points onto the circles so that they will keep their shape better once welded with other shapes.

I actually didn't know about the weld crossings tool so I'm glad this question was asked.

[HHGG]

After more attempts I have success now.
Thank you for all your answers.

[funksmaname]

to preserve the shapes exactly with circles (or close to it anyway,) you need Moho 12's bezier curves support.

Weld crossings is a Moho12 feature so he must have it - unfortunately circles still mess up somewhat when welding similar to his example (I just tried it) [but much easier to fix with bezier, or even create without welding from scratch!]

[Greenlaw]

Actually, Weld Crossings exists in ASP 11. (The first screen cap I posted is from 11.)

[funksmaname]

Oh! I stand corrected.