How to Use Shaping Tools: Weld, Trim, and Intersect

The shaping tools in eXPerience 8 allow you to seamlessly combine, cut, and create unique vector designs. This guide will walk you through accessing and utilizing the Weld, Trim, and Intersect features to enhance your embroidery digitizing workflow.

Accessing the Shaping Tools

You can find the available shaping tools under the Shaping section on the standard toolbar.

Important: The Shaping tools are only visible and active when you have multiple objects selected on your workspace. Select your objects, then click on the Shaping icon to view the available tools.

1. Using the Weld Tool

The Weld tool takes multiple selected shapes and merges them into a single object with one continuous outside boundary.

1. Select the objects you want to merge.
2. Pay attention to your selection order. The last selected object is indicated by a magenta outline.
3. Click the Weld tool.
4. The newly combined object will automatically take on the fill and outline properties of that last selected object.

Useful Tip: Objects do not need to overlap to be welded. Welding non-overlapping objects groups them to act as a single unit with the same attributes. If you change your mind later, you can easily separate them using the Break apart option, and the separated pieces will retain those shared attributes.

2. Using the Trim Tool

The Trim tool is used to carve out holes in objects and reshape them by removing overlapping parts.

1. Position your objects so they overlap either partially or entirely.
2. Select the objects you wish to modify.
3. Click the Trim tool.
4. The area covered by the top object will be permanently removed from the object underneath it.

Useful Tip: Think of the top object as a cookie cutter. Trimming is one of the easiest ways to create custom cutouts and complex vector designs without needing to manually draw the negative space.

3. Using the Intersect Tool

The Intersect tool allows you to create entirely new shapes generated exclusively from the common overlapping areas of your selected objects.

1. Overlap two or more objects on your canvas.
2. Select all of the overlapping objects.
3. Click the Intersect tool.
4. A new object is created in the exact size and shape of the shared area.

Useful Tip: If you select three or four objects, the intersection will only be the specific piece that is common to all selected objects. The newly generated shape will automatically inherit the color and properties of whichever object is on top of the stack.

Shaping Tools Quick Reference

Tool	Primary Function	Which Object’s Properties are Kept?
Weld	Merges multiple shapes into one continuous boundary.	The last selected object.
Trim	Cuts the top shape out of the bottom shape.	N/A (The top shape acts as a cutting tool).
Intersect	Creates a new shape from the shared overlapping area.	The object on top.