On to Lesson 6 in our Boot Camp! This lesson will cover all the basics on the Intersect feature. Silhouette Boot Camp is filled with mini lessons that help us learn the terminology used in the Silhouette Studio software so that we can cut any design we can dream up with ease!
In lesson 5 we talked all about the divide tool in Silhouette Studio. We learned how we can turn two or more shapes into multiple shapes that all work together to create more complex designs by dividing them. You can catch up on the Silhouette Studio Divide feature here! There were 5 great examples on how to use the divide tool in your designs, so make sure you check it out!
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We are continuing our way through the Modify Panel today by learning about the Intersect function. The intersect function has a lot of similarities to the crop function, but works slightly differently. Read on to find out how and why!
What Does Intersect Mean in Silhouette Studio?
Today’s lesson is pretty short and sweet. As I mentioned above the intersect is similar to the crop function and generally the crop function (see lesson on Silhouette crop function here) will take care of 80% of situations when I am designing. We will go over the difference with Intersect, but since you already understand the Crop function, this lesson should be a breeze!
Silhouette defines Intersect as:
This option will leave only the overlapping part, or intersecting part, of the selected images when applied.
The intersect tool allows you to take two or more shapes stack them on top of one another. When you select “intersect” it leaves only the design that “intersected” each other. When you only use two shapes this will work the same as the crop function, but if you have more than two shapes overlapping you will see the difference between them easily.
When at least 3 shapes are overlapping at least one point, there will be areas that all three overlap and areas that only two out of the three shapes overlap. In this instance, when you use the crop option, it will remove any area with NO overlapping shapes. Where as if you used Intersect, it would only leave the space where all three shapes are overlapping, deleting the part where only 2 shapes intersect that crop would leave. You can see an example of this in the picture below.
Where do I Find the Intersect Feature in Silhouette Studio?
You can find the Intersect Feature in the modify panel, accessed in two main places:
- In the top menu bar, click the button to open the modify panel. Then choose Intersect in the menu
- From the pull downs at the very top of the screen: Object –> Modify –> Intersect
How do I Intersect Shapes in Silhouette Studio?
- Open up up two or more shapes.
- Move the shapes so that they overlap in one or more places.
- Select all overlapping designs by clicking one, then holding shift and clicking the other(s) (you will know they are selected if they have a light box around the shape)
- Open the Modify window in the top right tool bar and then click Intersect in the menu options.
Example of Intersect:
The intersect tool will be used similarly to how the crop tool is used to help to combine shapes to create a new design or create a separate piece that fits seamlessly into the design.
Quick and easy, as promised! Now you are done with SIX whole lessons and well on your way to becoming a Silhouette pro! Next time in lesson 7 we will be talking all about the subtract function which is another super useful one, so make sure to check back soon!
You can also find some of my favorite tips for newbies in this post about 13 Must Know Tips for Silhouette Beginners and in my Silhouette 101 series! And don’t forget to check out my FREE Silhouette Cut Files section! See you next time!
Ginny Brock says
Understand the concept but would you explain a design in which this would be useful.
Thank You!