Compound Paths. The concept of compound paths is important in order to understand why certain attributes may be applied differently to seemingly identical situations. Compound paths are a collection of two or more line sets where inner lines are embedded into the image. A compound path may appear the same as a grouped set of lines, but is quite different in the way it will react to being filled with color, for example. Compound paths are only really a concern when you are creating print & cut images. Non-compound image Compound Path image In the previous examples, the top two images are seen straight on and appear to be identical. However, when looking at the bottom set of images the differences become apparent. With the image on the left, from a side view we are actually looking at a grey butterfly with white spots resting on top. This is an image that is not a compound path. With the image on the right, from a side view we see that we are looking at a grey butterfly with white spots embedded into the image. Of course, as we go to cut or sketch both images with the Silhouette, they will cut out in the exact same manner, but it is important to understand that there is a difference between these images as you may wish to achieve certain effects with filling images for print & cut applications. For example: This is the same image unfilled. All parts are grouped together. If this is a non-compound image and it is filled with a color feature, this will be the result: Even though grouped together, all line sets are still just individual pieces lying on top of each other, so they are all filled with the selected fill effect. If this image has a compound path and it is filled with a color feature, this will be the result: The unfilled parts of the image cannot be filled with compound path images because these embedded areas are negative space. Compound paths can still be ungrouped to move multiple image parts around, but the action of ungrouping will immediately release the compound path and make it a non-compound path image To make a series of multiple selected images a compound path, you may right- click until the multiple parts are all selected and select Make Compound Path. Similarly, you may right-click on a compound image and select Release Compound Path to perform the opposite action. These options may also be found in the Object menu.
Compound Paths. This tool will take overlapping embedded images and either Make them into a compound path or Release the compound path.
Compound Paths. This tool will take overlapping embedded images and either Make them into a compound path or Release the compound path. You may conversely create an internal offset condition. This feature is generally better suited for the creation of internal lines for use with sketch pens. Internal Offset Image
Compound Paths. The concept of compound paths is important in order to understand why certain attributes may be applied differently to seemingly identical situations. Compound paths are a collection of two or more line sets where inner lines are embedded into the image. A compound path may appear the same as a grouped set of lines, but is quite different in the way it will react to being filled with color, for example. Compound paths are only really a concern when you are creating print & cut images.
Compound Paths. This tool will take overlapping embedded images and either Make them into a compound path or Release the compound path. Detach Lines When images are filled or have thick lines defined, this option may be used to detach and move the outline to create two separate images; one with just the lines and one with just the filled effects left behind.
