{"id":2936,"date":"2026-01-21T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/?post_type=knowledge-base&#038;p=2936"},"modified":"2026-01-16T14:04:47","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T14:04:47","slug":"how-to-use-combine-and-break-apart-tools","status":"publish","type":"knowledge-base","link":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-use-combine-and-break-apart-tools\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use Combine and Break Apart Tools"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this guide, we will explain how to utilize the <strong>Combine<\/strong> and <strong>Break Apart<\/strong> operations to manage object attributes, reduce embroidery production time, and create complex <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-insert-and-customize-ready-made-shapes\/\">shapes<\/a> with holes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Combine<\/strong> operation merges two or more separate objects into a single entity sharing common attributes (stitch type and color). This is essential for optimizing designs by reducing unnecessary color changes.<\/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_42091\"  width=\"1290\" height=\"725\"  data-origwidth=\"1290\" data-origheight=\"725\" data-facadesrc=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/a4S-pu1O1cQ?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\/a4S-pu1O1cQ\/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<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Part 1: Combine Objects<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Select Your Objects<\/strong> Click to select the multiple objects you wish to merge.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Note:<\/em> The order in which you select the objects matters (see the <em>Tip<\/em> below).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Execute the Command<\/strong> Right-click on the selection and choose <strong>Combine<\/strong> from the context menu.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Result<\/strong> The objects will merge into one. They will now share the same stitch type and color. If the objects are not touching, they will be connected by a <strong>Jump stitch<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\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>Important Tip: Controlling Color and Stitch Type<\/strong> The combined object inherits the attributes (color and stitch type) of the <strong>last selected object<\/strong> (the one highlighted with a magenta outline).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Example:<\/em> If you select a dark green leaf first and a light green leaf last, the combined object will become light green.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Part 2: Creating Holes (Boolean Operations)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can use the Combine tool to subtract shapes from one another to create holes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Overlap the Objects<\/strong> Place one object on top of another (e.g., a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-insert-and-customize-star-shapes\/\">Star<\/a> on top of a Circle).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Combine<\/strong> Select both objects and use the <strong>Combine<\/strong> command.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Result<\/strong> A hole is created in the place where the objects overlapped (the common part).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Part 3: separating Objects (Break Apart vs. Undo)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you need to separate a combined object back into individual parts, you have two options. It is crucial to understand the difference between them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Option A: Break Apart (Standard Method)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Select the combined object.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Right-click and select <strong>Break Apart<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Result:<\/strong> The object separates into its sub-parts. <strong>However<\/strong>, these parts will retain the properties of the <em>combined<\/em> object (e.g., they will all stay light green), rather than reverting to their original colors.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Option B: Undo (Correction Method)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you combined objects by mistake and want them back exactly as they were (with original different colors\/stitches), do <strong>not<\/strong> use Break Apart.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Instead, use the <strong>Undo<\/strong> function immediately.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Part 4: Optimizing Jump Stitches and Trims<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When objects are combined but not touching, the software places a Jump stitch between them. You can control whether the machine stitches this jump or trims the thread using the <strong>Optimizer<\/strong> options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Check the Jump Stitch<\/strong> Visually, you might see a long line connecting your combined parts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Adjust Trimming Distance<\/strong> Go to the <strong>Optimizer<\/strong> options. Look for the <strong>Trimming distance<\/strong> setting.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Example:<\/em> If the jump is 10mm, but your Trimming distance is set higher, the machine will jump.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Set the Trimming distance to a lower value (e.g., <strong>5mm<\/strong>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Result<\/strong> Any connection longer than 5mm will now trigger a thread <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-weld-trim-and-intersect\/\">trim<\/a> instead of a long jump stitch.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\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: Visualizing the Final Stitch-out<\/strong> Even after optimizing, you may still see the jump line in the design view. This is normal. To verify that the trim will actually happen:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Use the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-use-slow-redraw-to-simulate-and-perfect-your-embroidery-designs\/\">Slow Redraw<\/a><\/strong> tool.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This simulates the actual machine production and confirms that the jump stitch will not be stitched out on the final fabric.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this guide, we will explain how to utilize the Combine and Break Apart operations to manage object attributes, reduce embroidery production time, and create complex shapes with holes. The Combine operation merges two or more separate objects into a single entity sharing common attributes (stitch type and color). This is essential for optimizing designs&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2937,"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-2936","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\/2026\/01\/how-to-use-combine-and-break-apa-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\/2936","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\/2937"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2936"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"categories-kb","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories-kb?post=2936"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}