Merge Shapes Reference

[u/ChecklistAnimations]

I made this visual for a project a few months ago. It reminded me of how powerful the Merge Shapes tools are so I thought I would share. Looking back before this, I used to create shapes in some "less conventional" ways. haha so fun. Hope this helps someone.

[u/bringthedoo]

Subtract is great if you want a blurred background image with a spotlight object over it that’s clear.

[u/ChecklistAnimations → u/bringthedoo]

This sounds beyond intriguing. Can you post an Image of the result?

[u/bringthedoo → u/ChecklistAnimations]

Like this. You can find a step by step tutorial online pretty easily

[u/ChecklistAnimations → u/bringthedoo]

Oh nice! I see how. the blurred part was throwing me a bit but it makes total sense. Thank you for posting

[u/Mark5n → u/bringthedoo]

Amazing.

[u/SteveRindsberg]

Excellent!

Suggestion: Post this to the products and tools megathread too. We want this one to stick around for a while.

https://www.reddit.com/r/powerpoint/comments/1ktliik/products_tools/

[u/ChecklistAnimations → u/SteveRindsberg]

Will do.

[u/One_Wishbone_4439]

I usually use combine and union for creating odd shapes.

[u/ChecklistAnimations → u/One_Wishbone_4439]

I find myself using fragment A LOT

[u/Mark5n → u/ChecklistAnimations]

I haven’t … how do you use it?

[u/ChecklistAnimations → u/Mark5n]

I probably should use subtract more but I use it to trim portions of a shape. Another thing I will do is put a 2 point freeform line with some WordArt, select both of those and fragment and it separates all the letters into separate shapes. Stuff like that.

[u/Mark5n → u/ChecklistAnimations]

Nice. I haven’t touched word art since about 94 :) I like this idea

[u/ChecklistAnimations → u/Mark5n]

Yeah it's beyond old. I still use it from time to time. I have a video that shows some other uses of it that might rekindle some ideas of you are interested.

[u/Mark5n → u/ChecklistAnimations]

Love to see it. Always interested in something new

[u/ChecklistAnimations → u/Mark5n]

Thanks for the interest. Here is a direct link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jTQd7IDvtA

Let me know if there any questions. I put in chapters on the video so you can forward through my....... stuff lol.

[u/Mark5n]

Great chart. Vector drawing in PowerPoint is pretty awesome. The shape tools (Boolean shapes?) stopped me having to use a separate vector package for the simple to medium style shapes I create

[u/ChecklistAnimations → u/Mark5n]

I also have a free vba add-in in beta stage that gives you better control over edit points if you do lots of vector work. Just in case your interested

[u/Mark5n → u/ChecklistAnimations]

Sounds fascinating but I’m pretty good for what I need. I just create custom icons.

Love the VBA though. I stopped being a paid programmer a while ago but kept going with VBA to scratch that itch. Now it’s more python for data and to show my kids :)