How to combine shapes in a vector editor
Updated
To combine shapes, draw or place them in the EditItAll vector editor, select the ones you want, and apply a Pathfinder operation: Unite merges them into one, Minus Front subtracts the top shape, Intersect keeps the overlap, and Exclude removes it. The result is a single clean path you can save as SVG.
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Open the vector editorCombining shapes means Boolean operations
Combining shapes is how you build one complex form out of several simple ones instead of drawing every curve by hand. In vector tools this is done with Boolean operations — often grouped under the name Pathfinder — that treat overlapping shapes as areas to add together or cut away.
The EditItAll vector editor offers four: Unite (merge into one), Minus Front (subtract the top shape), Intersect (keep only the overlap), and Exclude (remove the overlap, keep the rest). Each turns your selection into a single path.
Combine shapes, step by step
The workflow is the same for every operation:
- Draw or place the shapes you want to combine — the shape tools and the pen tool both work.
- Position them so they overlap the way you intend; stacking order matters for Minus Front.
- Select the shapes together.
- Apply the Pathfinder operation you need, and the shapes fuse into one path.
Because the geometry is computed with exact arithmetic, the new edges land precisely where the originals met — no gaps or slivers along the seams. The result is a normal path, so you can keep refining it with the pen tool afterward.
Which operation to reach for — and exporting
Pick by what you're trying to make: Unite to weld a logo's letters and blobs into one silhouette; Minus Front to punch a hole or bite a notch out of a shape; Intersect to crop one shape to the outline of another; Exclude to create a cut-out where two shapes cross.
When the combined shape is done, save it as an SVG to keep it fully editable, or export a PNG at 2× for a crisp raster. For more on working with vector files in the browser, see editing SVG files in the browser. Everything runs on your device and works offline after the page loads.
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Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Unite and Intersect?+
Unite merges all the selected shapes into one combined outline. Intersect does the opposite — it keeps only the area where the shapes overlap and discards everything outside it.
Why did Minus Front remove the wrong shape?+
Minus Front subtracts the shape that's on top from the one beneath it, so stacking order decides the result. Bring the shape you want to keep to the back, or the cutter to the front, then reapply.
Can I still edit the shape after combining it?+
Yes. The result is a single path, so you can adjust its points and curves with the pen tool, restyle its fill and stroke, or combine it again with another shape.
Will the combined edges be clean?+
Yes. The editor computes the geometry with exact arithmetic, so overlapping edges meet precisely without the tiny gaps or overlaps that can appear when shapes are merged imprecisely.
Can I save the combined shape as an SVG?+
Yes. Save your work as SVG to keep the combined path fully editable, or export a PNG at 2× if you need a raster version. It all happens in your browser.