So last week we talked about the differences in welding, subtract, subtract all, intersect, divide and crop in the Modify Panel – Tab 1. This week we are moving on to something that I think is very often more confusing than it should be – Modify Panel – Part 2 – Compound Paths.
First, if you are just joining us, the Modify Panel is on the right side of the Silhouette Studio v4 software.
Last week we dove into the top section of the panel under the Modify header and this week we are going to look at the bottom section – Compound Paths and Detach Lines.
So first, what is a compound path?
A compound path is a way 2 shapes interact with each other.
For example – let’s look at the letter ‘O’.
The letter ‘O’ is made up of 2 ovals on top of each other that are a compound path (left). If you release the compound path, then you have 2 ovals stacked on top of each other (right).
Both of these will still cut the same, but a compound path design when filled with color, will look more like the end result of what you are cutting.
Let’s take another look:
I have used the USA State Dingbat Font by Sandi Idleman in the Silhouette Design Store, to create my state shape. Then I used the Text Tool to write out Montana and placed it across the design.
On the top, the 2 designs are layered on top of each other, they are treated as 2 designs. The middle design is still just 2 designs that have been filled with a color. And the bottom design I selected both shapes and choose Make Compound path. This has taken and cut the Montana out of the bottom state shape, now they are one design.
Now, let’s look at them on the Send Panel.
They all have the same bold cut lines. All of them will cut the same, the difference is how they look in the software when you are designing.
Now that we know a little more about how the Compound path works, let’s finish the Modify Panel.
7. Make Compound Path – This will take 2 or more designs and combine the paths making them 1 design.
For instance, some files from the Silhouette Design Store will open and you will notice if you fill it will color, that it looks odd. This is a Camera design by Amy Tangerine – Design #181402.
All of these camera designs will cut the same, but how they look on the design screen is affected by choosing Making Compound Path.
8. Release Compound Path – This will take 1 design and releasing it into multiple shapes.
For example, if I wanted to use this Fish Mandala design by Zigi Design Studio but I just want the outline of it, I can choose Release Compound Path.
This will take the design from 1 layer and release all the layers. You may need to Ungroup the Design at this point, it just depends on how the Designer created and saved the file.
Now, you can see all the selection boxes that are highlighted. The Compound Paths have been released and it is now in many layers.
Note: When you do this on such a complex design, it increased the amount of data in that file because each piece is now an individual layer. So keep that in mind when you do this, in case your computer seems sluggish or with a really complex design, you may get a Not Responding message. It’s a lot of date, so be patient.
There are many reasons why you would want to do this and it can be helpful to know how to “break up” a design by releasing the compound paths.
With these tools, you can make the designs you have go farther.
For example, after I released the Compound Path and moved the outline away, then I could add text in the middle of the design, select both and choose Make Compound Path and it would then cut the Montana text out of the center of the fish.
9. Detach Lines – If the image is filled with color, this option will separate the colored parts of the design from the lines of the design. This is a Spring Butterfly Set by Sophie Gallo – Design #56994.
You could use this option when doing a Print and Cut project versus changing the line color on each design.
If you click on the Send tab, you will see that they both have Cut lines on the design, but one is the lines and one is the image with the fill.
Here is the same idea but the Butterflies were filled with a pattern and then detach lines was chosen.
And there you have all the tools in the Modify Panel. Check out Part 1 of the Modify Panel HERE.
Now, the best way to learn is to play, play, play. Go find a design and see what compound paths do!
Share with us what you create with your Silhouette – post photos on my Facebook group at Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae.
Enjoy !
THANK YOU for your support! How can you help? Click HERE & buy a coffee. Every little bit helps with the cost of running the site.
Looking for more in-depth, step-by-step classes, check out all of my online Silhouette classes on my Teachable site HERE.
**This post may contain affiliate links. What that means is that I may receive compensation if you purchase through the links I have provided. The price you pay for the product or service is not higher but I may get compensated for sharing.
Discover more from Silhouette Secrets-Swift Creek Customs
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
[…] design, select the offset & original, then right click and choose Make Compound path or use the Modify Panel and choose Make Compound path. Now, you have a […]
[…] releasing and making compound paths, I was able to alter both of these designs to ones that I could use in with HTV on the […]
[…] Modify Panel – Part 2 – Compound Paths […]
[…] I released the compound path and deleted the water areas and used the point editing and deleting points to clean up edges and […]
[…] If you are creating a design to show to someone, you can make the design look more realistic and having the letter “cut out” or subtracted from the paw print by making it a Compound Path. […]
[…] Lilium Pixel SVG – Design #266977. The only thing I changed on this file was I released the Compound Path and deleted the top circle for the hardware. After I deleted the circle in each, I selected the […]
[…] Ungroup and delete the princess on the right side. In the case of this file, I ended up choosing Release Compound Path to separate the princesses. Then, I selected all the parts of each Princess, right clicked and […]
[…] With all 5 rectangles selected, right click and choose Make Compound Path. […]
[…] if the design is made into a Compound Path, then the edit points will […]
[…] nodes and then make an Internal Offset, next select both the original shape & the offset and Make a Compound Path. This will take the 2 shapes and compress them into 1, creating the frame. Fill the shape with […]
[…] Panel to see how it will look when cut or if there are additional things I need to do, such as Make a Compound Path of the […]
[…] In the Layers Panel, move the black background layer of the top pumpkin down the list next to the Black background of the design. With both the black layers selected, right click and choose Weld. […]
[…] Next, I right clicked and chose Weld. […]
[…] click on the design and choose Release Compound Path. Now, you will see each artifact in this design is now broken into separate […]
[…] then there may be other options to alter the design versus the knife or eraser tools, such as Releasing the Compound Path and deleting. Keep in mind, that each design might react […]
[…] design may not be able to be ungrouped, but you might be able to release the compound path and delete pieces, which can help with the data […]
[…] Silhouette Studio v4 – Compound Paths – what do they mean? silhouette-secret… […]
[…] more information on Compound Paths, check out this post on the Modify Panel – Part […]
[…] Find Part 2 of the Modify Panel HERE – Compound Paths & Detach Lines […]
[…] Compound paths can be one of the hardest things for a Silhouette user to understand. Check out this post for more details & examples of compound paths and working with them – Compound Paths. […]
[…] Step 9 – Select both of the inner blue lines.Again, the easiest way may be to drag select as described above and then hold down the Shift key and de-select the items you do not want. Once those 2 blue lines are selected, right click and choose Make Compound Path. […]
[…] a good idea to have an original. Then select the entire design and text, right click and choose Make Compound Path, then fill it with color. It will give you an idea of what the stencil will look […]
[…] Select both the shapes and make sure they are centered together using either the QAT or Transform Panel – Align Tab. Then right click, and choose Make Compound Path. […]
[…] Select both the shapes and make sure they are centered together using either the QAT or Transform Panel – Align Tab.Then right click, and choose Make Compound Path. […]
[…] makes it easier to work with Compound Paths.Compound Paths are one of the hardest design concepts for most users to understand.The basics of a compound path […]
[…] different sizes and then I selected both the rectangles at the same time, right clicked and chose Make Compound Path. This turns it from 2 rectangles stacked on top of each other, into a […]
[…] the 3 rectangles centered and selected, right click and chooseMake Compound Path.Compound paths are one of the most difficult concepts for a Silhouette user to understand. However, […]
[…] you end up with an interior bits from the offset. Right click on the card edge, select Release Compound Path, click off to deselect and then back on the little bit and press […]
[…] Here is more information on the tools I used in Silhouette Studio:– Drawing Tools– Rotate Panel– Replicate Object to Path– Modify Panel– Compound Paths […]
[…] of users to follow along and create. A few of the tools we will discuss and use are: drawing tools, compound paths, text, offset, knife, glyphs, text to path, and […]
[…] follow along and create. A few of the tools we will discuss and use are: drawing tools, compound paths, text, offset, knife, glyphs, text to path, and […]
[…] on each of the tools in the Silhouette Studio software that I used for this tutorial: – Release and Make Compound Path– Weld– Offset– Fill Color Panel– Line Color– QAT – Quick Access […]
[…] information on the tools used in the Silhouette software: Let’s Explore v4 – Make Compound PathCrop Print and […]
[…] For more information on the Modify Panel check out these tutorials: – Let’s Explore v4 Modify Panel – Part 1 HERE– Let’s Explore v4 Modify Panel – Part 2 HERE […]
[…] Compound Paths […]
[…] Compound Paths written tutorial […]
[…] Compound Path written tutorial […]
[…] Compound Paths in Silhouette […]
[…] Compound Paths Explained […]
[…] Compound Paths […]