How many of the Merge Shapes Options do you know?

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If you’re addicted to scrolling on YouTube (I get why it’s called doom scrolling. Way too easy to lose hours). There’s a pretty good chance that you may have seen some of the PowerPoint animation videos. So many of them include merge shapes. Most mention one of the options. Today, I’m diving deep into all five Merge Shapes options and showing you exactly how to use each one to enhance your presentations.

Getting Started with Merge Shapes

Before we explore the options, let’s cover the basics. To use Merge Shapes, you’ll need at least two overlapping shapes on your slide. You can select these shapes in two ways:

– Click and drag to fully enclose both shapes (ideal when they’re the only elements on your slide)

– Select one shape, hold Shift, and click the second shape (perfect when you have other elements you don’t want to include)

Once selected, look for the Shape Format tab on the ribbon, usually at the end of the tabs. Then look for the Merge Shapes drop-down in the Insert Shapes section on the left. Here’s where the magic begins with five distinct options.

Understanding Each Merge Shapes Option

1. Union

Think of Union as your digital welding tool. It combines your selected shapes into a single, solid object. This is particularly useful when creating custom shapes like unique arrows or combining basic shapes into more complex designs.

A circle and a star brought together using the union option of Merge Shapes

2. Combine

Combine offers a different approach by merging your shapes while removing the overlapping sections. The result maintains the overall outline but creates a see-through effect where the shapes intersect. It’s brilliant for creating unique frames or decorative elements.

3. Fragment

This powerful option breaks your overlapping shapes into separate pieces. Every intersection becomes its own shape, including even the smallest piece. It’s particularly useful when creating exploded pie charts or when you need to manipulate specific sections of overlapping shapes independently.

4. Intersect

Intersect isolates only the overlapping portion of your shapes, discarding everything else. This option is fantastic for creating unique designs that would be difficult to draw otherwise, especially when you need precise intersections.

5. Subtract

Perhaps the most widely used option, Subtract removes the top shape from the bottom shape, creating a cut-out effect. It’s perfect for creating text cut-outs or decorative elements. For instance, you can create stunning effects by subtracting text from a shape to create a see-through design.

The most popular option of subtract can leave you an outline. Like a star cut out of a circle.

Pro Tips for Better Results

When working with these tools, I recommend:

  • Always work with copies of your original shapes until you’re comfortable with the results
  • Consider grouping elements after using Fragment to keep related pieces together
  • Experiment with different shape combinations to create unique designs
  • Test your merged shapes with different background colours to ensure the effect works as intended
  • You don’t have to limit yourself to 2 items, that’s the minimum requirements

Making the Most of Merge Shapes

The key to mastering Merge Shapes is experimentation. Don’t limit yourself to just one option – try different combinations to create unique and engaging visual elements for your presentations. Each option serves a specific purpose, and understanding when to use each one will significantly enhance your PowerPoint design capabilities.

Remember, the best presentations often utilise these tools subtly but effectively. Whether you’re creating custom icons, unique text effects, or sophisticated diagrams, Merge Shapes can help you achieve professional-looking results without the need for external graphics software.

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