Combining and Connecting Objects

Connect/Combine Tool

The Connect/Combine tool joins objects by their endpoints or at their intersections using one of three modes: Single Object Connect, Dual Object Connect, or Dual Object Combine.

 

Mode	Description
Single Object Connect	Trims or extends the first selected object to join a second or boundary object
Dual Object Connect	Trims or extends to join two objects at their endpoints or intersections
Dual Object Combine	Trims or extends to join two objects into one object at their endpoints or intersections

When connecting or combining a pair of NURBS, polylines, or open polygons by their endpoints, VectorWorks may require additional information to complete the process. In this situation, the Connect/Combine Options dialog box opens.

 

Option	Description
Mid-Point	Connects/combines the two objects by joining the two endpoints midway between them
Blend	Connects/combines the two objects by creating another object between them
Position Matching (NURBS curves and surfaces only)	Connects/combines two NURBS curves or surfaces by moving the first object’s selected end point to the selected end point of the boundary object (not available if the end points are coincident)
Tangency Matching (NURBS curves and surfaces only)	Connects/combines two NURBS curves or surfaces by making the first object’s selected end point tangent to the selected end point of the boundary object
Curvature Matching (NURBS curves and surfaces only)	Connects/combines two NURBS curves or surfaces by making the first object’s selected end point match the curvature of the selected end point of the boundary object

Single Object Connect

The Single Object Connect mode trims or extends an object to join a second or boundary object. Only open objects, such as lines, arcs, open polygons, and NURBS curves and lines, can be connected. Closed objects, such as circles, rectangles, and closed polygons cannot be connected; they are treated as boundary objects.

By pressing Alt (Windows) or Option (Macintosh), this mode allows multiple objects to be connected to a boundary object.

Connecting Single Objects

 

To connect a single object to a boundary object:

1.	Click the Connect/Combine tool from the Basic palette, and select Single Object Connect from the Tool bar.

2.	Click on the object to connect, and then click on the boundary object. The first object is resized to join the boundary object.

Connecting Multiple Objects

 

To connect multiple selected objects to a boundary object:

1.	Select the objects.

2.	Click the Connect/Combine tool from the Basic palette, and select Single Object Connect from the Tool bar. Press and hold Alt (Windows) or Option (Macintosh) to allow multiple selection.

3.	Click on one of the objects to connect, and then click on the boundary object. The selected objects are resized to join the boundary object.

 

Connection Type	Example
2D object extended to boundary object
2D object trimmed at boundary object
NURBS surface to NURBS surface
Multiple selection connecting 2D objects to boundary object

Dual Object Connect

The Dual Object Connect mode trims or extends two objects to connect them at their endpoints or intersections. Only open objects, such as lines and polylines, can be connected. Closed objects, except for NURBS surfaces, cannot be connected.

 

To connect two objects:

1.	Click the Connect/Combine tool from the Basic palette, and select Dual Object Connect from the Tool bar.

2.	Click the first, and then the second, object to connect.

The Connect/Combine Options dialog box opens. Select a method for resizing and connecting the two objects (see Connect/Combine Tool).

The two objects are resized to connect to each other.

 

Connection Type	Example
Mid-Point
Blend
Position Matching
Tangency Matching
Curvature Matching

Dual Object Combine

The Dual Object Combine mode trims or extends to combine two objects into a single object at their endpoints or intersections. Only open objects, such as lines and NURBS curves and surfaces, can be connected.

 

To combine two objects:

1.	Click the Connect/Combine tool from the Basic palette, and select Dual Object Combine from the Tool bar.

2.	Click on the first, and then the second, object to combine.

The two objects are trimmed or extended if necessary and combined into one object.