Combining and Clipping Shapes

Show Hide To Intersect Two Shapes:

The Intersect command clips the bottom shape to the intersecting area of the top shape, resulting in a new shape.

Select two shapes to be intersected.
Do one of the following:

Choose Graphic > Combine > Intersect from the main menu.
Click the Intersect icon on the toolbar.
Use the Shift-Command-I keyboard shortcut.

Note that the new shape will adopt the style of the (lower) object being intersected.

Show Hide To Combine Shapes with Union:

Union unites two or more shapes into a single shape object.

Select the shapes to be combined.
Do one of the following:

Choose Graphic > Combine > Union from the main menu.
Click the Union icon on the toolbar.
Use the Shift-Command-U keyboard shortcut.

Note that the new shape will adopt the style of the top object in the selection.

Show Hide To Subtract Shapes With Difference:

Use Difference to subtract a portion of one shape (the top shape) from another (bottom) shape.

Select the two overlapping shapes to be subtracted from each other.
Do one of the following:

Choose Graphic > Combine > Difference from the main menu.
Click the Difference icon on the toolbar.
Use the Shift-Command-D keyboard shortcut.

Note that the remaining shape maintains its original style.

Show Hide To Append Shapes Together:

Combining like objects into single shapes can make your drawing more efficient. The Append command combines multiple shapes into a single shape object, with overlapping areas excluded from the new shape. Objects do not need to overlap to be appended together. Append is also appropriate for open paths, whereas the others work only with closed paths. Using Union, Intersection or Difference with an open path produces undefined results (though Undo works to correct any unexpected outcomes).

Select two or more shapes to be appended.
Do one of the following:

Choose Graphic > Combine > Append from the main menu.
Click the Append icon on the toolbar.
Use the Shift-Command-M keyboard shortcut.

Note that the new shape will adopt the style of the top object in the selection.

Show Hide To Break Shapes Apart:

Objects that have been appended together can be broken apart into their separate components.

Choose Graphic > Combine > Break Apart from the main menu.