Time for action — combining shapes

One of the simplest ways to create complex shapes in Inkscape is to combine other shapes into one or merge the shapes. Let's learn how we can do this by creating an arrow with a polygon and rectangle shape.

1. Open a new document (any size will do, since we are just practicing).
2. Select the Polygon tool from the toolbox.
3. Create a polygon shape.
   
4. From the Tool controls, change Corners to 3, as shown in the following screenshot:
   

   The octagon polygon shape changes to a triangle.

   
5. From the toolbox, choose the Select tool and click the triangle object twice. The handles turn to curved arrows so you can rotate the triangle as shown in the following screenshot:
   

   Tip

   Rotating an object

   While drawing the polygon on the canvas, you can swivel it up, down, left, and right. Use the Ctrl key while performing the following actions and it will make rotations snap in 15 degree increments.

   It is okay if you don't do this while drawing it initially, you can always choose...