How to De-Union Certain objects

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Ghscncclass
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Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2018 7:04 am

How to De-Union Certain objects

Postby Ghscncclass » Wed Nov 28, 2018 7:32 am

Is there a way to de union multiple objects/images? I need to fix one part of my sign, but the entire sign is unioned together. Is there a way to de-unuion it so that i can fix the one object that was inserted?

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brynn
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Re: How to De-Union Certain objects

Postby brynn » Wed Nov 28, 2018 2:13 pm

It entirely depends on how the image was unioned. Path menu > Break Apart will break all the individual paths apart, and make them separate objects. But if the union operation joined the paths together in the area you want to edit, then they won't come apart. You'd have to break the path.

If you can share the SVG file, and tell us exactly what you want to do, we could give you specific steps.

Or....well it should be possible to edit the image, even though it's been unioned together. What prevents you from editing it?

Edit
Just re-reading your message. Are you sure the drawing was Unioned and not Grouped? Where you said "multiple objects/images" it makes me wonder what you mean. Because Union can't be used on imported images. So that makes me wonder if you mean that everything was Grouped.

If it was grouped, then you could ungroup. Object menu > Ungroup

Ghscncclass
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2018 7:04 am

Re: How to De-Union Certain objects

Postby Ghscncclass » Fri Nov 30, 2018 6:42 am

I attached the file. I want to remove the K which is encircled at the top between the two elk. I need to fix that part of the design, So i was wondering if it is possible to de- union the entire image.
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Moms Sign20NewTreesSmall.svg
(204.09 KiB) Downloaded 184 times

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brynn
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Re: How to De-Union Certain objects

Postby brynn » Fri Nov 30, 2018 3:48 pm

Well, there are a few nested groups in the file. And they don't seem to be really needed, from what I can tell.

However, for what you're talking about, those paths have been purposely created to be all joined together (I assume for some kind of digital cutting process). Path menu > Break Apart does separate some parts. And one of the parts is part of that K.

But the only way to make the whole circle/K separate would be to do some node editing. You'd need to break the path where the elks' noses touch it. And also at the bottom where it's connected to ground and top of "Kennedy". And then you'd need to reconnect it all when you're finished.

In my opinion it would be better to go back to before they were all unioned, make your edits, and then re-union everything.

But possibly your editing could be done without all that. You haven't specifically described the edits, so I'm not sure. If it's something like using a different font for the K, I think you'd be better off going back to before the union. But it could also be done by breaking the path in those places, deleting the existing circle/K, replace with another, and reconnect the paths.

Unfortunately, there is no command to automatically undo the union. After the union has been done, and the file has been closed, Inkscape has no idea which part was which, from before the union.

Do you have a replacement for the circle/K already? Do you need instructions for breaking the path and re-joining?


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