Use of Combine Tool in Expression Blend 4

The Combine Tool is in the Object Menu. It contains the 5 properties Unite, Divide, Intersect, Subtract and Exclude Overlap.

Step 1: Open Expression Blend; a dialog box will appear, then select New Project -> Silverlight -> Silverlight Application + Website as shown below:

In the same window change the Name & Location of the project using the Browse Option and hit Ok. A blank window with White Color Background appears at Art board.

Step 2: Draw Ellipse: Select Ellipse by right-clicking or by using the shortcut key "L" as shown below:

Then by using the Selection Tool situated to the Left Side of the Workspace or by using the shortcut key "V" select Ellipse and manage the width & height accordingly.

Again using the previous steps or by using copy & paste draw another Ellipse and arrange them so that both Ellipses overlap each other as shown:

Step 3: Fill Color: Select the Ellipse then select the Fill Option situated to the Right Side of the Workspace to fill in the color and select Solid Color Brush situated below the Opacity Option and choose the Stroke Option to apply the Stroke if necessary.

Note: When you select an Ellipse for Color Filling you can select an Ellipse by two ways. If you want the same color for both Ellipses you can select both of them simultaneously using the Selection Tool with the CTRL Key or if you want to fill in various colors for both Ellipses then select an Ellipse one-by-one using the Selection Tool according to your choice.

The Gradient Option is also available so according to your choice you can use it as shown below:

Note: When you use Gradient for Color Filling select the Gradient Brush situated in front of the Solid Color Brush and change the Linear Gradient or Radial Gradient Properties according to your choice.

Step 4: Select the Object-> Combine -> Unite Option and see the effect; both Ellipses have merged and a gap occurs in the center of the shape as shown below:

You can give any shape using Object -> Path -> Convert to Path as shown below:

Step 5: Select the Object -> Combine -> Divide option and see the effect; another Oval Shape is created in the center of both the Ellipses as shown below:

You can give any shape using Object -> Path -> Convert to Path as shown below:

Step 6: Select the Object -> Combine -> Intersect Option and see the Effect; only the middle part is left and becomes another Ellipse of Oval Shape as shown below:

You can give any Shape by using Object -> Path -> Convert to Path as shown below:

Step 7: Select the Object -> Combine -> Subtract Option and see the effect; the Left Ellipse has been subtracted along with the intersected part and only half of the right Ellipse is left as shown below:

You can give any shape using Object -> Path -> Convert to Path as shown below:

Step 8: Select Object -> Combine -> Exclude Overlap and see the effect; the center (overlapped) part is excluded and the horizontal part of the Ellipse remains as shown below:

You can give any shape using Object -> Path -> Convert to Path as shown below:

Summary:

The purpose of this article is to share knowledge about the Combine Tool from the Object Menu in Expression Blend 4.