Working with your objects can get confusing, especially when stacking different layers. With the weld tool, you can join objects, either to simplify your design, or as a tool to create entirely new design options.
The weld tools can be used to weld objects together in different styles. For information about configuring nodes for welds, see our Compass article on High Accuracy Settings.
Here are the icons found in your software representing weld styles:
To get started, let’s take a look at what each one means, from left to right:
1) Basic weld: Select this weld style to fuse objects together (if same color) or to color weld, which deletes overlapping sections. As a heads up, welding automatically applies the Text to Graphics command (For more information on this, see our Compass article that covers the Arrange Menu).
2) AND weld: This is used to create a combined object, composed of overlapping sections of the original objects. Here, a maximum of two objects or groups of objects can be welded at once. For three or more objects, organize them into two groups prior to welding.
3) XOR weld: Select to produce an object composed only of sections that did not overlap in the original objects. As noted, a maximum of two objects or groups of objects can be welded at once. For three or more objects, organize them into two groups prior to welding.
4) Overlay weld: Overlay welds bleed one object under another, resulting in no gaps between the objects. Weld priority is based on layers. When the Bleed dialog appears, select bleed priority, select to merge tint for weld to see tints as a single color layer, and finally select merge process colors for weld to see process colors as a single color layer. For more information, see Overprint Settings.
5) Inlay weld: Select to automatically modify each object with offsets or traps. Here the Bleed dialog will appear as well. Select bleed priority, distance (positive = trap, zero = butt joint, negative = gap), and if “Bleed adjacent objects” is selected, gaps are reduced (little = 0.01 in/0.25 mm or less; big = 0.04 in/1 mm or less). Select to remove hidden material (applies Basic weld prior to Inlay weld), to merge tint for weld to see tints as a single color layer, and select merge process colors for weld to see process colors as a single color layer.
With these tools, you’ll be able to maximize the use of your objects and text in layers!