Combine Shapes Trouble

[SWThompson]

Frustrated with strategy to break shapes. Trying to end up with three shapes cut from a rectangle. I've combined a circle and three rectangles inside of a large rectangle. Want to break up the large rectangle and round the inside corners of the three new shapes but can't figure out the right way to get the large rectangle broken. Attached sample.

[handrawn]

one way to do the first bit:


remove the outline from the grey shape

place a larger rectangle behind it [with no outline]

select both

subtract shapes [ctrl +2] then break shapes - seperate out all the pieces

[salaam]

Select black shape.
Click on [contour tool].
Select [inset path].
Select [mitre join].
Set [contour width] to 0.1pix
[subtract] the black from the grey.
[break shapes]

[Soquili]

Your circle and 3 rectangles are joined but take alook at the shape in outline mode. You will see there are still lines between the circle and the rectangles. Start with one end of the rectangles complete inside the circle, then Add the shapes so you get one outline around the outside of the new shape.

When placing the circle combined with the rectangles over the rounded rectangle and ensure the rectangles extend outside the larger rectangle.

Select the larger rectangle and the circle+rectangles shape and subtract shapes. Then Break Shapes

[SWThompson]

Thank you. I've done this but the "Break Shapes" option is greyed out. The area from the black shape is cleared but the grey pieces cannot be separated.

[Soquili]

Your circle+rectangles did not completely traverse the perimeter of the larger rectangle. There is only one shape resulting so the break shapes is greyed out.

Look at the .xar attachment to my previous post. It is your file but it has some extra shapes to compare with your originals.

[Soquili]

Perhaps the attached images will explain better than me trying to say what I think I mean.

[SWThompson]

I am missing something because I have yet to figure it out. When I join the circle and three rectangles the portions of the rectangles inside of the circle remain unlike your shape which is the result I want.

[Soquili]

You are using the Join Shape instead of the Add Shapes.

Join Shapes remove the overlapping areas. Add Shapes merges the shapes together.

[steve.ledger]

Add Shapes merges the shapes together.

It's also known as 'weld' in some other software and the sign industry.
SWThompson, select the shapes to join (add) and press Ctrl+1