How to Use Boolean Operations in Affinity Designer

In Affinity Designer the Boolean operations are geometry tools that allow you to alter shapes. Designs usually start with basic shapes and are edited to create complex results. Boolean operations are important tools when it comes to designing and can be used non-destructively. In this tutorial we will show you how to use Boolean operations in Affinity Designer.

For this tutorial we will make use of the Shape Tools in Affinity Designer. If you prefer to draw a custom shape, you can also use the Pen Tool.

Step 1 - Boolean Operations Explained

To get started, we will quickly explain what each operation does. First, draw out your shapes. We used the Ellipse and Round Rectangle tools. Select both objects using the Move Tool (V).

At the top right toolbar you will see the Boolean operations appear once the objects are selected.

Add Boolean Operation

The Add Boolean operation is the first operation from the left. It shows a square and circle overlapping with a plus icon. Click on the Add option to combine selected objects that are overlapping.

As you will notice, the single object, now a curve, takes on the color of the bottom most object. You can still easily change the color by using the Color Picker Tool.

Subtract Boolean Operation

The second Boolean operation is Subtract. This shows as a blue square and gray circle with a minus icon.

When you click on this, the top object will be subtracted or cut out from the bottom object.

Intersect Boolean Operation

The Intersect Boolean operation is the third icon from the left. As the icon shows, the area of the square and circle that overlaps is highlighted in blue. This is the area that is kept.

With the objects still selected, click on the Intersect Boolean operation to apply.

Xor Boolean Operation

While the name is unusual, the Xor Boolean operation removes the area that overlaps. This is shown in the Xor icon.

Click on the Xor Boolean operation to apply to your selected objects. As you can see, the area that overlaps was removed. The now single object also takes on the color of the bottom object.

Divide Boolean Operation

Now, the Divide Boolean operation is a fun one. With the other operations a single object was created where some areas were removed. With the Divide operation, our two objects will turn into three.

The Divide Boolean operation is the last icon in the Boolean toolbar.

Select both of the objects, then click on the Divide operation. The overlapping area will become an object that takes on the color of the top object. Both the square and circle will also be their own objects minus the overlapping area.

Under the Layers Panel you will see each object on its own layer. In the example below, we separated the objects for better visibility.

Step 2 - Use the Boolean Operations

When you use a Boolean operation, how you use it will determine the flexibility available to you. In Step 1, the results were single object curves that could no longer be independently edited. This is a destructive way of using these geometry tools.

If using this method you can still edit the single object using the Node Tool on the left side toolbar. In the example below, the Add Boolean operation was used.

Use Boolean Operations Non-destructively

You can use the Boolean operations in a non-destructive way that preserves the editing capabilities. We do this by holding Alt + clicking on a Boolean operation.

In the image below, with both objects selected, we Alt + clicked on the Xor operation. Now, have a look under the Layers Panel. A compound shape has been created with the two objects grouped beneath.

Move the Compound Shapes

To move a shape, click on the layer then click + drag to reposition the shape. The Boolean operation will still apply wherever there are overlapping areas.

Edit Boolean Operations Type

As we are using the Boolean operations in a non-destructive way, you can even change the selected operation to another one. If you look at the Layers Panel you will notice that on the circle layer, there is a small Xor icon.

If you click once on this icon, the menu will open with the other options except for Divide.

When you move your cursor over each operation, you will be given an instant preview of the result.

Edit Multiple Boolean Operations

Did you know that you can have multiple Boolean operations in one compound group? In the example below, we added a Heart shape and used the Xor operation again. Under the Layers Panel the Xor icon appeared on the Heart and Ellipse layers.

You can click on any of the Xor icons and change that to another Boolean operation. Here we changed the Heart to Subtract and the Ellipse to Xor.

Once you know how to use the operations, you can create any design from scratch. In the example below, only two shapes were used, a seventeen sided Star and the Cogwheel. We then used a Boolean operation and duplicated these groups multiple times.

We also experimented with different Boolean operations to achieve unique looks. The shape layers in the groups were moved around to change the look.

Boolean operations are essential tools for designers, offering you full control over design creation. We hope you enjoyed this tutorial on how to use Boolean operations in Affinity Designer.