Create a compound path or shape

Build 1501 on 14/Nov/2017  This topic last edited on: 21/Jan/2016, at 14:14

You can create a compound path from two or more open or closed paths. When you create a compound path, all of the originally selected paths become subpaths of the new compound path. The selected paths inherit the stroke and fill settings of the first selected object.

Select two or more open paths, or two or more closed paths. On the Tools menu, select Join Selected Objects.

When paths are joined, you can still change their position by using the polygon tool 15_polygon_16.

Note that you cannot join an open and a closed path together.

hmtoggle_plus1Example 1

An example of a box, open on top and bottom:

1.Use the pen tool to create a segmented rule and then in Drawing position, select Outside. Note: we drawn the rule from the top right corner.

fred_semiopenbox1

2.Duplicate the rule (copy and paste), and then rotate it around centre for -180°. Position it where you want.

fred_semiopenbox2

3.On the Tools menu, select Join Selected Objects.
hmtoggle_plus1Example 2

Another example: it is created in the same way as the previous one, just another rule has been added on top, and it's position was set to Outside.

fred_semiopenbox3

Note: the limitations of this method are in the fact that joined rules cannot have different weight nor dashing, thus the below object where "box" and second top rule are 2pt, while the first top rule is 0.25pt cannot be joined successfully, as the first top rule will attain 2pt as well.

fred_semiopenbox4

Moreover, if you join rules that do not touch each other, when resizing such joined object, the internal margins will change (on the left below is the original object, on the right is the object resized vertically - notice the increased margin between top rules). Practically, the only safe distance is the one obtained by varying the drawing position (Across, Outside, Inside).

fred_semiopenbox5