How do Weld, Subtract, and Overlap Vectors work in VCarve Pro & Aspire for editing overlapping vectors, and when do I use Interactive Trim instead?

Overview

When vectors overlap, the software gives you several tools to resolve the overlap, each with a different outcome: Weld Vectors, Subtract Vectors, Overlap Vectors and Interactive Vector Trim. Knowing which to use is one of the most practically important 2D skills, because overlaps directly affect whether V-carve and profile toolpaths calculate correctly. Weld, Subtract and Overlap treat the selected closed vectors as solid areas, and all three are icons in the Edit Vectors group on the Drawing tab.

Tool 1: Weld Vectors

What it does: Merges the selected overlapping closed vectors into a new shape that follows the outermost edge of all the selected shapes. The overlapping areas are dissolved. Weld is the union tool: there is no separate Union tool.

How it works:

1. Select all the closed vectors you want to weld (Shift+click or drag a box).
2. Click Weld Vectors on the Drawing tab.
3. The vectors are replaced by one combined outline.

What you lose: the individual shapes. After welding there is no record of where the original vectors were, so keep a copy on a hidden layer if you might need to re-edit individual elements.

Welding text: when welding text, the internal regions of the characters are preserved. Overlapping letters (such as a script font) become one clean outline while the holes inside letters like O, P, B and D stay as holes. Most text can be carved without converting it to curves first, and welding is the fix for letters that overlap each other.

Use for:

• Welding overlapping letters (script fonts) into a single outline for V-carving
• Merging overlapping clipart outlines for a single profile cutout
• Creating a combined shadow outline from multiple shapes
• Combining overlapping circles or shapes into one blob shape

Tips:

• Weld merges shapes that overlap. If shapes only just touch at an edge, overlap them slightly first so the weld merges them.
• Run Vector Validator after welding to catch any residual overlaps or intersections.

Weld vs. Join vs. Group:

• Weld: merges OVERLAPPING closed vectors into a new unified outline (destructive).
• Join: connects the END POINTS of open vectors so they become closed vectors.
• Group: bundles vectors together without changing their geometry (non-destructive).

Tool 2: Subtract Vectors

What it does: Cuts the last-selected shape away from the others. Areas in the first-selected shapes that overlap the last-selected shape are removed. Like a cookie cutter, the last shape punches out the shapes beneath it.

How it works:

1. Select the base vector(s) first, then Shift+click the cutter vector LAST.
2. Click Subtract Vectors.
3. The cutter shape is removed from the base shapes wherever they overlap.

Order matters: the last shape you select is the one that is cut away from the others. If the result is the wrong way round, Undo and select in the other order.

Use for:

• Cutting a logo outline out of a sign background
• Creating a pocket shape with a different inner boundary
• Removing one shape from another to make interlocking negative space
• Text cutouts in solid panels

Tool 3: Overlap Vectors

What it does: Keeps only the parts of the first-selected shapes that are covered by the last-selected shape. This is an intersection, and it is NOT a way to merge shapes. If you use it to combine shapes you will lose most of the design.

How it works:

1. Select the shapes to be kept first, then Shift+click the last shape that marks the area to keep.
2. Click Overlap Vectors.
3. Only the areas inside the last-selected shape remain.

Use for:

• Trimming artwork down to a shape (for example, a pattern clipped to a badge outline)
• Making a shape from the common area of two overlapping shapes

Tool 4: Interactive Vector Trim (Scissors icon)

What it does: Removes individual segments of vectors between intersection points with a single click. You click exactly the piece you want to delete, and the program removes the section between the nearest intersections either side. To trim many pieces, hold the left mouse button down and drag across them.

Key rule: if you try to trim a GROUPED vector, it flashes pink. Ungroup it first.

Use for:

• Removing the inside of letter counters after laying text over a shape
• Cleaning up overlapping decorative borders
• Cutting out the portion of a frame where a banner crosses it

Pro workflow, frame with text cutout: draw a decorative border rectangle, create text overlapping the border, open Interactive Vector Trim and click the border segments inside the text outline. The border now frames the text with a clean cutout. See the Interactive Vector Trim and Trim Objects entry for full details.

Choosing the Right Tool: Decision Chart

Vector Validator (Related Tool)

After any of these operations, run Vector Validator (Drawing tab) to check for:

• Zero-length spans
• Overlapping contours
• Intersections that were not resolved

If nothing is selected it checks all visible vectors on the current side and sheet. It is essential quality control before calculating toolpaths. Open vectors are not one of its checks; find those with Edit > Selection > Select All Open Vectors.