Shape Builder Tool
The Shape Builder Tool adds separate shapes together to make more complex shape designs. Shape areas can also be deleted.
Shape Builder ToolThe Shape Builder Tool adds separate shapes together to make more complex shape designs. Shape areas can also be deleted.
The tool lets you initially select objects to be included in the shape building operation. By default, you can then select 'candidate' shape areas within that selection and add, delete or create them as a final step.
Adding and creating both produce a new combined shape but adding replaces the original shape areas, while creating forms a new object and retains the original shapes.
The following settings can be adjusted from the context toolbar:
If disabled, you can build up selected areas, then click this option to add them together once final selections are made; when enabled, shape areas are automatically added together in one operation according to the chosen drag method. For either state, the original object are replaced by the new combined shape.
If disabled, you can build up selected areas and then remove them by clicking this option; when enabled, areas are selected and deleted in one operation as you click.
As for the Add operation but a shape copy is created, leaving the original objects intact rather than removing them.