Actions and modifiers
| Control | Action |
|---|---|
| Explode | Splits selected shape layers at the top level. Each source needs at least two pieces. |
| Shift-click Explode | Splits nested groups down to groups that directly contain paths. |
| Alt-click Explode | Splits individual paths. Takes precedence over Shift. |
| Merge | Combines at least two unlocked 2D shape layers into one layer with a group per source. Uses the clipboard. |
| Cmd-click on macOS or Ctrl-click on Windows, on either tile | Reverses the saved Original layer choice for this action. Can be combined with a split-depth modifier. |
Shift and Alt do not change Merge. The splitting guide defines the depth rules; the merge guide covers transferred properties.
Previews and feedback
| State | Meaning |
|---|---|
| → N while hovering Explode | Total pieces from selected, unlocked shape layers that can split at the current depth. Sources with fewer than two pieces do not contribute. |
| N → 1 while hovering Merge | How many selected, unlocked 2D shape layers with contents Merge will combine, shown when at least two are present. |
| Shift deep · Alt paths | Default hint when there is room below the tiles. |
| Nested groups, all the way down | Shift-hover hint. Splitting still stops at groups with direct paths. |
| One layer per path | Alt-hover hint. |
| One layer, a group per layer | Merge hover hint. |
| Cmd/Ctrl hover hint | States whether the one-time action will hide or delete the originals. A depth hint takes priority on Explode while Shift or Alt is held. |
| Brief result badge | Piece count after Explode, or source count into one after Merge. Narrow tiles shorten these to a number. |
| Success message | Reports the result and whether originals were hidden or deleted. Adds counts for effects not copied, locked layers skipped and other skipped layers. |
| Calm badge and message | The action could not run on this selection. See Troubleshooting. |
The hover glyph separates shapes for Explode and gathers them for Merge. Paths mode shows outlines. A successful action briefly animates the glyph. Buttons are disabled while an action runs.
Selection information refreshes when the pointer enters the tool, when its window regains focus, and after an action. Hover again if a count looks stale. A preview is not a guarantee that Merge’s clipboard operation will succeed.
Slot layouts
A tall slot stacks the two tiles. A wider slot places them side by side. The controls fill the available space, with smaller icons and fewer labels as room shrinks.
A short row keeps both actions available and drops the hint line. Tooltips still describe the modifiers. The hint appears only when the slot has enough width and height.
Explode offers half-width and full-width slots. Resize it in Edit layout. For the three saved options, open Module settings.