How to Use Compound Paths in Silhouette Studio

In Silhouette, a Compound Path is when more than one line combines as a single object.Areas are removed where these lines overlap. Understanding Compound Paths is easier with visual examples. In this tutorial we will show you how to use Compound Paths in Silhouette Studio.

Let's get started by opening Silhouette.In this tutorial we used a starFlexi Shape.

Step 1 - A quick look at Convert to Paths

Converting to a path locks in the editing actions of a shape or text. This prevents issues when further editing or sharing and selling files. Once you are done editing text or Flexi Shapes, right click and select Convert to Path.

The shape or text will now become an object that can be edited with the Point Editing Tool. Follow our great tutorial on Introduction to Point Editing in Silhouette Studio for more information.

In some cases you may want to use Point Editing on objects before making them a Compound Path.

Step 2 - Make a Compound Path

The Compound Path options are available under the Modify Panel in Silhouette Studio. These options will not work on a single object so we will use a Star and a Rounded Rectangle.

Click on the Create a Rounded Rectangle Tool under Drawing Tools. Draw out the shape. Under the Flexi Shapes click on the Star and draw it out over the Rectangle.

Add colors and change the stroke width to better see the next process.

Click and drag a bounding box around the two shapes to select them. Click on the Modify panel to open and then choose Make. The Star and Rectangle have been merged into one object.As the Star was overlapping on the Rectangle, the shape was excluded.

Alternatively, you can right click and chooseMake Compound Path.

Once a Compound Path has been created, edit mode is no longer available. For text this means you are unable to edit the wording. You can, however, use Point Editing to adjust.

Step 3 - Release the Compound Path

The design can beturned back into individual objects with Release Compound Path. With the Compound Path selected, click on Release under the Modify panel. You can also right click and Release Compound Path. Both the Star and Rectangle become individual objects again. The Star is given the same color as the Rectangle.

The original Flexi Shape editing options are not available but you can use Point Editing.

Releasing the Compound Path comes in handy when tracing in Silhouette Studio.There may be times when tracing causes little artifacts or traced areas you want to remove. With Release Compound Path the design is separated into all of its individual objects. You can then delete what you don't want.

Grouping versus Compound Path

Grouping might appear like a similar processbut is in fact different.With Grouping, shapes can be moved or resized together but are still individual objects.A Compound Path merges two or more shapes into a single object.

The difference between the two becomes evident when using the Knife Tool.

In the example below the Compound Path was cut and two new objects created. On the Grouped example the Star and Rectangle were cut in half and four new objects created. The individual properties of the shapes on the Grouped example have been kept.

When designing, Ungrouping may not work the way you want it to. This is where Compound Path becomes a very valuable tool.

Combined with various editing tools, Compound Path makes it possible to create anything you can imagine.