{"id":2883,"date":"2025-11-28T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-28T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/?post_type=knowledge-base&#038;p=2883"},"modified":"2026-02-26T12:57:59","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T12:57:59","slug":"how-to-weld-trim-and-intersect","status":"publish","type":"knowledge-base","link":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-weld-trim-and-intersect\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Reshape and Combine Objects in Embroidery Design: Weld, Trim, and Intersect"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Shaping tools allow you to manipulate vector objects to create complex designs. You can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-use-combine-and-break-apart-tools\/\">combine<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-insert-and-customize-ready-made-shapes\/\">shapes<\/a>, cut holes, or create entirely new shapes based on overlapping areas.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-block-embed-youtube is-type-video is-provider-youtube epyt-figure\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><div class=\"epyt-video-wrapper\"><div  style=\"display: block; margin: 0px auto;\"  id=\"_ytid_30397\"  width=\"1290\" height=\"725\"  data-origwidth=\"1290\" data-origheight=\"725\" data-facadesrc=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dJmFimSXC80?enablejsapi=1&#038;autoplay=0&#038;cc_load_policy=0&#038;cc_lang_pref=&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;loop=0&#038;rel=0&#038;fs=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autohide=2&#038;theme=dark&#038;color=red&#038;controls=1&#038;disablekb=0&#038;\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__ epyt-facade no-lazyload\" data-epautoplay=\"1\" ><img decoding=\"async\" data-spai-excluded=\"true\" class=\"epyt-facade-poster skip-lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"YouTube player\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/dJmFimSXC80\/maxresdefault.jpg\" title=\"\"><button class=\"epyt-facade-play\" aria-label=\"Play\"><svg data-no-lazy=\"1\" height=\"100%\" version=\"1.1\" viewBox=\"0 0 68 48\" width=\"100%\"><path class=\"ytp-large-play-button-bg\" d=\"M66.52,7.74c-0.78-2.93-2.49-5.41-5.42-6.19C55.79,.13,34,0,34,0S12.21,.13,6.9,1.55 C3.97,2.33,2.27,4.81,1.48,7.74C0.06,13.05,0,24,0,24s0.06,10.95,1.48,16.26c0.78,2.93,2.49,5.41,5.42,6.19 C12.21,47.87,34,48,34,48s21.79-0.13,27.1-1.55c2.93-0.78,4.64-3.26,5.42-6.19C67.94,34.95,68,24,68,24S67.94,13.05,66.52,7.74z\" fill=\"#f00\"><\/path><path d=\"M 45,24 27,14 27,34\" fill=\"#fff\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This guide covers the three main shaping functions: <strong>Weld<\/strong>, <strong>Trim<\/strong>, and <strong>Intersect<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Accessing the Shaping Tools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Shaping tools are located on the <strong>Standard Toolbar<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Note:<\/strong> The Shaping icon and menu are context-sensitive. They will <strong>only<\/strong> become visible when you have <strong>two or more objects selected<\/strong> on your workspace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Select the objects you wish to manipulate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Locate the <strong>Shaping<\/strong> section on the Standard Toolbar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click the icon to reveal the drop-down menu containing <strong>Weld<\/strong>, <strong>Trim<\/strong>, and <strong>Intersect<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. The Weld Tool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Weld tool combines multiple selected shapes into a single object with a single outside boundary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to use it:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Select the objects you want to combine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click the <strong>Weld<\/strong> tool from the Shaping menu.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The objects will merge into one.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Understanding Property Inheritance:<\/strong> The resulting welded object will inherit the <strong>fill and outline properties (color, stitch type, etc.)<\/strong> of the <strong>last selected object<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the software, the last selected object is indicated by a <strong>magenta outline<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Example:<\/em> If you select a red circle first and a green square last, the final welded shape will be green.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Useful Tip: Welding Non-Overlapping Objects<\/strong> You can weld objects even if they do not touch. This acts like a &#8220;Group&#8221; or &#8220;Combine&#8221; function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A new single object is created containing the sub-objects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All sub-objects will share the same attributes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To reverse this, right-click the object and select <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-use-combine-and-break-apart-tools\/\">Break Apart<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. The Trim Tool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Trim tool allows you to create holes or reshape objects by removing the overlapping areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to use it:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Place the object you want to use as a &#8220;cutter&#8221; on top of the object you want to cut.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select both objects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click the <strong>Trim<\/strong> tool from the Shaping menu.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The area covered by the top object will be removed from the bottom object.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Requirements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Objects must overlap partially or entirely for Trim to work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Useful Tip: Creating Vector Designs<\/strong> Trimming is the fastest way to create &#8220;negative space&#8221; in embroidery designs. For example, if you want a donut shape, place a smaller circle inside a larger one and use Trim to remove the center, rather than trying to digitize a ring manually.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. The Intersect Tool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Intersect tool creates a <strong>new object<\/strong> defined strictly by the area where selected objects overlap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to use it:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Select two or more overlapping objects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click the <strong>Intersect<\/strong> tool from the Shaping menu.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A new object is created that matches the shape of the common overlapping area.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Multi-Object Intersection:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you select more than two objects (e.g., 4 overlapping circles), the new shape will be the small area common to <strong>all 4 objects<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Useful Tip: Property Inheritance for Intersect<\/strong> Unlike Weld, the new object created by the Intersect tool typically inherits the color and properties of the <strong>object that is on top<\/strong> of the stacking order.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Troubleshooting Common Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are having trouble using the Shaping tools, check the following common solutions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. The Shaping icon\/menu is missing or greyed out.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Cause:<\/strong> The software requires at least two objects to be selected to activate these tools.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Solution:<\/strong> Ensure you have selected <strong>multiple objects<\/strong> (hold <code>Ctrl<\/code> or <code>Shift<\/code> and click, or drag a selection box around them). Once two or more objects are highlighted, the Shaping icon will appear on the Standard Toolbar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. The &#8220;Weld&#8221; tool changed my object to the wrong color.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Cause:<\/strong> The Weld tool applies the properties (color, stitch type) of the <strong>last selected object<\/strong> to the final shape.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Solution:<\/strong> Undo the action (<code>Ctrl+Z<\/code>). Deselect your objects, then select them again in a specific order. Ensure the object with the properties you want to keep is selected <strong>last<\/strong> (it will have a magenta outline).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. The &#8220;Trim&#8221; tool didn&#8217;t cut a hole.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Cause:<\/strong> The objects selected do not overlap.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Solution:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-transform-designs-move-resize-rotate-skew\/\">Move<\/a> the top object so that it covers part of the bottom object. The Trim tool only functions on areas where objects physically touch or overlap.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. &#8220;Weld&#8221; didn&#8217;t merge the shapes; it just grouped them.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Cause:<\/strong> You welded objects that were not touching or overlapping.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Solution:<\/strong> This is normal behavior. When non-overlapping objects are welded, they are combined into a single &#8220;Curve&#8221; object but remain visually separate. To reverse this, right-click the object and select <strong>Break Apart<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Shaping tools allow you to manipulate vector objects to create complex designs. You can combine shapes, cut holes, or create entirely new shapes based on overlapping areas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2884,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":""},"categories-kb":[333],"class_list":["post-2883","knowledge-base","type-knowledge-base","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","categories-kb-how-to-training"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"categories-kb":[{"value":333,"label":"How to Training"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/how-to-reshape-and-combine-objec-1024x576.jpg",1024,576,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"DRAWings Embroidery Software","author_link":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/author\/drawings\/"},"comment_info":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/knowledge-base\/2883","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/knowledge-base"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/knowledge-base"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2884"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2883"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"categories-kb","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories-kb?post=2883"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}