Base height vs shape height: how do I merge 3D pieces without gaps or thin walls between them?

The two heights, finally clear

Every component has:

• Shape height: the sculpted form itself (the dog's face, the leaf's veins). Scaling it changes how BOLD the detail is, and distorts the artistic intent if pushed far.
• Base height: a flat pedestal added UNDER the shape, raising the whole thing without touching the detail.
• Total = base + shape.

The rule: to lift a component to meet its neighbors, add BASE height. To change how pronounced the carving is, change SHAPE height. The classic mistake is cranking shape height to close a gap, which fixes the seam and ruins the detail's proportions.

Fixing the classic seams

1. Clipart sits below the frame it is inside (gap at the meeting edge): raise the clipart's base height until the edges meet cleanly.
2. Thin wall or fin standing between two adjacent components: you get this when adjacent models are combined with modes that fight at a shared edge (for example subtracting neighbors that share an outline). Fix: merge the underlying vectors so both areas ride one region at one base level, or set the pieces to Merge Low so the lower surface wins along the seam and the wall disappears.
3. Background texture bleeding into a foreground piece: put pieces on separate levels and let the level combine modes (Add or Merge) do the layering. See the Component Tree entry.

The safety habit

Before surgery on a layered model, duplicate everything to a backup layer or level (or Increment and Save, see that entry). Combine-mode experiments are much braver with an undo point.

Pro tips

• Nudging base height in small steps with the 3D view open beats typing guesses. Watch the seam close live.
• If a piece must sit ON another (a medallion on a shield), base height is also the tool. Raise it until it stands proud by design.
• To reset a height, double-click the Shape Height or Base Height icon under the selected component in the 3D view.