User Guide

Using Shapes 351
Combining Shapes
You can combine shapes in various ways to achieve particular results. You can group
shapes so that you can manipulate several at the same time. You can also compound
two or more shapes to create a single shape. You can also blend single shapes or groups
of shapes, so that they appear to be one shape morphing into another.
Grouping Shapes
Shapes can be grouped, allowing you to manipulate multiple shapes as a single unit.
Shapes are created on layers, so you can group them in the same way you group layers.
You cannot scale, rotate, flip, or distort groups that contain a mixture of pixel-based
layers and shapes. You must manipulate these two types of entities independently
before you group them. For more information about grouping, refer to “Viewing Layer
Position” on page 59.
Creating Compound Shapes
In a compound shape, two shapes are combined into a single shape. The resulting
shape takes on the attributes of the shape on the topmost layer. If the shape is filled,
any overlapping areas are not filled. Compound shapes can be used to cut a void in one
shape using another shape. You can release a compound shape, which reverts it to the
original shapes.
The rectangle and the oval are combined to create a compound shape.
To create a compound shape
1 Choose the Shape Selection tool , hold down Shift and select both shapes, or drag
over the shapes to marquee select them.
2 Choose Shapes menu > Make Compound.