How to Combine Separate Shapes Into One in DesignScape

Want to combine separate shapes into one in DesignScape, but don’t know how? In this tutorial, we'll show the required steps you need to take in order to make a single shape out of multiple shapes. Following this tutorial, you’ll be able to create your own custom shapes that you can use to create or decorate designs with. DesignScape is available with the Gold Plus level. If you are not a Gold Plus Member yet, then sign up for a free 30 Day Gold Plus Membership Trial today!

This method of combining/merging shapes is destructive, meaning once the shapes have been combined, the only way to pull them apart is to use the Undo (Ctrl/Cmd + Z) function. Remember to make copies of the shapes beforehand, if needed.

Step 1 - Add or Create Shapes

There are multiple ways to add or create shapes in DesignScape. You can use any of the vector tools, open a file with vector shapes, or use the Type Tool (T) and convert the text to shapes. Today, we will use the Custom Shape feature to show you how to combine separate shapes into one.

After selecting the Custom Shape tool from the left, click the current custom shape in the top toolbar to open the dropdown list. Then select the custom shape you want to use. We've picked the raindrop shape and will be making a flower shape.

Next, we will delete the shape inside the raindrop, but you don’t have to. If you don't see the Direct Select tool, right-click on the Path Select tool and choose the Direct Select tool (A). With the shape layer selected in the Layers panel, click + drag over the inside shape to select the anchor points, then press Delete.

Copy and Paste Layer or Add Other Shapes

You can Copy (Ctrl/Cmd + C) and Paste (Ctrl/Cmd + V) the shape or add other shapes instead. We copied and pasted the raindrop four times for a total of five raindrops. You can see in the Layers panel that we have five shape layers.

Edit Shape Layers

Now we will select and rotate each raindrop to create a flower shape. Because our flower will have five petals, we will rotate four of the raindrops by 72°, 144°, 216°, and 288°. You can learn more about rotating shapes by reading our guide on transforming and scaling in DesignScape.

Step 2 - Merge Layers if Needed

In order to combine separate shapes into a single shape, they must be on the same layer. If your shapes are on different layers like ours, continue reading this step. If the shapes are already on the same layer, skip to the next step.

Now we will select the shape layers in the Layers panel. If the layers are all next to each other, click the top layer, hold down Shift, and click the last layer. See the animation below for a better understanding.

If the layers are not next to each other, first select one of the layers. Then hold down Control/Command and select the other layers one by one.

Once all the layers have been selected, right-click and choose Merge Layers. At this point, the shapes are still separate. You can tell by looking at the outline of the shapes.

Step 3 - Merge Shapes

Next, select the Path Select tool (A). With the layer selected in the Layers panel, click on one of the shapes. Then click + drag over the shapes to select all of them.

In the top toolbar, you will see whether any paths have been selected. Click the dropdown menu to the right of the selected path information and choose Merge.

The shapes have now been combined. Instead of separate paths, you will only see one path around the single shape.

You have finished learning how to combine shapes into one by merging the layers and then merging the shapes. You can use this information to create custom shapes that you can also use with clipping masks in DesignScape to make some cool designs.