Shape Builder Tool - Affinity Designer Tutorial

In this Affinity Designer 2 tutorial I will teach you how to use the Shape Builder Tool. I cover everything! Whether you are a beginner or an advanced user, or even coming over from adobe, you are sure to find it useful. As always lots of tips and tricks along the way to speed up your design workflow and learn to use Affinity so it works for you.
This Affinity Designer course starts from the basics and goes all the way up. Each section is split into different categories so skip around to the part you want to watch:
To truly understand this tool I've split everything up into bite size easy to understand sections.
Make Your Selection
Action Button
Shape Building Basics
Shape Builder Shortcuts
Transfer Styles FX
Add Options
Banana Example 1
Saturn Example 2
Quick Break (Cat)
Shape Builder Important Options
Linked Shapes Example 3
Ice Cream Example 4
Grids
Grids with Gaps
Cut into Shapes
I now have a SUPER THANKS button!!! So if you feel like buying me a coffee as a thank you, tap away!
If you have any questions or want to show me how to do something better, leave a comment, and don't forget to click like and subscribe.
NOTE: I'm Using a MAC, so any shortcuts I mention may be different for WINDOWS USERS. See the below for the WINDOWS:
- Mac Command key = Windows Ctrl key
- Mac Shift key = Windows Shift key
- Mac Alt key = Windows Alt key
- Mac Ctrl key = Windows Right Mouse button
Affinity Designer Tutorials and some free Downloads
www.artistwright.com/tutorials
Affinity Designer Brushes (raster)
www.artistwright.com/brushpacks
Affinity Designer Vector Packs
www.artistwright.com/vectorpacks
Time Stamps:
0:00 Intro
0:32 Make Your Selection
03:53 Action Button
04:53 Shape Building Basics
09:52 Shape Builder Shortcuts
11:09 Transfer Styles FX
11:53 Add Options
13:56 Banana Example 1
15:31 Saturn Example 2
21:27 Quick Break (Cat)
21:43 Shape Builder Important Options
25:03 Linked Shapes Example 3
29:05 Ice Cream Example 4
37:47 Grids
40:00 Grids with Gaps
41:47 Cut into Shapes
42:40 Outro
#affinitydesigner #shapebuilder #artistwright

[@ianwatson3393]

Another grateful and impressed learner (aged 83). The clarity and thoroughness of your tutorials is impressive and much appreciated.

[@ArtistWright]

Hello Ian, I'm happy to hear you are watching my tutorials! I appreciate the feedback.

[@roymichaeldeanable]

And I'm 73

[@TedMattos]

I can't being to fathom how much time and energy you put into creating, filming, and editing this but I want you to know it's VERY much appreciated! :)

[@ArtistWright]

Hi Ted, I really appreciate you leaving feedback like that, it means alot. You are right, it takes me a long while to plan, create and edit these tutorials in a way that it's easy to follow and understand.

[@M0DFATH3R]

I concur !

[@ArtistWright]

Thanks M0dfath3r

[@Mousyfox]

I think you deserve some kind of accolade from Affinity for these videos AW, as Ted says they are so appreciated by those of us who discover you.

[@ArtistWright]

Thank you! I really appreciate your kind words. I don't make videos everyday but when I do, I try to do my best. I'm planning on making alot more

[@khelgarathalan1723]

These are so good that I find myself watching them without even opening Affinity, so I'll be rewatching them all again 😂. Best Tutorials on KZbin, perhaps.

[@ArtistWright]

Now that is a winning comment! Cheers 🍻

[@uem9738]

I periodically check if you have created a new video. My expectation of watching another excellent instructional video from you was fully met. You demonstrate the fine details of a feature that regular users rarely figure out on their own.

[@ArtistWright]

Hi UE M that's super good feedback. I appreciate it.

[@schmolty1]

Wow! Again I’ve learned so much. I’ve seen the shape builder tool in the tools panel, but was so happy toodling along with the boolean operations, that I never even thought to see what shape builder was all about. That’s all changed now. So many videos on KZbin give such cursory information. Your tutorials don’t leave anything out. Thanks for this!

[@ArtistWright]

Thanks Scott, I appreciate that. Also find that too. Many videos only showing the surface level info

[@101touchapps]

i make affinity designer tutorials and i really love how you setup your sessions. very engaging. i have a lot to learn from you Sir! thanks for making these.

[@ArtistWright]

I appreciate that thanks! Will check out your tutorials when I get a moment.

[@101touchapps]

@@ArtistWright i will be honoured when a boss mocks my lame tuts lol 😂

[@recapmaster11]

This is the best tutorial I've ever watched in any field, simple explanation and to the point with the examples and the effort u put into this I can't thank you enough ❤

[@ArtistWright]

Thank you Recapmaster! I'm always grateful to read feedback but this is one in particular is special one. I appreciate it 🙏

[@toastersocks]

Hands down the most clear, concise, and thorough AD tutorials I've found. Great examples and use cases for the tools and techniques as well.

[@ArtistWright]

Hi Toaster Socks! A big super thank you for that

[@BilliesCraftRoom]

I have dyslexia, and very much a visual learner. Your videos. are perfect.

[@ArtistWright]

Oh thats fantastic!! Im happy to hear that Billie

[@roymichaeldeanable]

I can't tell you how much you have helped me over the last year or so with your explanatory videos, just gotta say Thanks

[@ArtistWright]

I appreciate that, more videos to come!

[@neilsaunders192]

Thank for unravelling a potential minefield of mistakes. Always find your tuts inspiring. Onwards and upwards!

[@ArtistWright]

Thanks for watching Neil

[@codehorror8076]

I've just upgraded today purely because I need the shape builder tool. It will make my life so much easier. Affinity rocks, been a user since the very start.

[@ArtistWright]

Snap! Been here from early v1, using this tool has really cut my design time down. Also the knife tool

[@hilldog3450]

Your communication is quick and clear, really refreshing. And there are a lot out there with weird speaking styles-you are just easy to understand. Thank you for this, liked and subscribed!

[@ArtistWright]

Thanks Hill Dog

[@IyaOmitadeIfatoosin]

Thanks! Very thorough with the additional use of related tools. Great work. Thank you.

[@ArtistWright]

Iya you are so kind! I appreciate that and the Super thanks alot 🤗

[@davetoomer1922]

Hi: I have watched many of your Affinity Designer Tutorial videos and have learned a great deal. Much of the reason for this is in my opinion the pace at which you take them. They are not so slow I lose interest and not too quick I have to go back over and over again. If I do miss something or need to repeat an element it is so easy to go back to replay. In fact it's just like you would do as a student asking a question of the tutor. Designing is not a natural gift of mine so thank you.

[@ArtistWright]

Hi Dave and thank you for the review! I make the kind of tutorials I'd like to see as so many of the videos I watch miss out important information which can be very annoying. So I appreciate that

[@leovangeest]

Great tutorial. I really like the speed and the depth of how you are explaining this! Looking forward to more tutorials.

[@ArtistWright]

Thank you Leo!

[@eddie89104]

super valuable tutorial

[@elonanamor6420]

It never ceases to amaze me how much you share in your videos. I always learn so much. Such detail, explained in such a teachable way, that as a beginner I can follow what you are doing without being totally confused to how you got to the next step. Thank you so much and I look forward to more education with you.

[@ArtistWright]

Hi Elona, thank you for such a wonderful review! When I first started using Affinity, there weren't many tutorials out there, so I try and make the kind of tutorials I would have liked to see. Cheers

[@ihua7]

Amazing content. As always, very clear explanation and demonstration. It's basically a mini course, I love it!

[@ArtistWright]

Thank you Iwa!! ❤

[@allandutch9792]

Your tutorials are absolutely some of THE best! You are very clear in your instruction, giving time to variants and creative ways to use AD tools. Thank you! This my "go to" AD tutor!

[@ArtistWright]

Hey! I'm glad to hear that, I appreciate you taking the time to let me know. 👍🏻

[@ronallen2458]

Fantastic tutorial. All of them are so good. I love the Easter eggs.

[@ArtistWright]

Hi Ron! Thank you

[@mirojuric7486]

Again, thank you for your effort & sharing!

[@ArtistWright]

Thanks again Miro

[@greggbabish8552]

I am very impressed by your fantastic talent in creating clear content. I normally wouldn’t spend time looking at long tutorials and simply skip ahead. BUT, in the case your tutorials I will look forward to carefully watching the entire video for the valuable information you provide. Thank you so much! The intermission cat video was an added bonus.

[@ArtistWright]

It's comment like yours that push me to keep making videos, thank you so much!

[@gordonmiller3131]

What an excellent video - it tells the whole story of this amazing tool. Thank you.

[@ArtistWright]

Thank you

[@akenaken]

Just started using affinity and this is a beautiful tutorial for me about the shape builder

[@ArtistWright]

Thank you Akena, I'm happy it's helping

[@manollobango]

That's a really nice, informative and easy to follow tutorial!

[@ArtistWright]

Thank you!

[@jillwirsing7544]

The content and detail in this video were fantastic! The examples with the explanations were extremely helpful! I liked the extras with the cat, dog, and surprise mask. Made me smile! Thank you!

[@ArtistWright]

What lovely feedback, I'm glad you liked the mask 😁

[@KookooruzArt]

Brilliant! Thank you! 🙌

[@ArtistWright]

Thanks for watching

[@runforrestrun1965]

Simply info packed, just awesome and easy to follow.

[@ArtistWright]

Hi Forest! Thanks for watching

[@fiefenduddch]

Great work, thank you!

[@ArtistWright]

Glad you liked it!

[@chinaminer]

Thanks for your great video !

[@ArtistWright]

Thanks Andrea!

[@Saschadegraaf]

Thanks so much for this great tutorial!

[@ArtistWright]

You are so welcome!

[@surplusvalues]

I absolutely love every part of these tutorials, man! Just upgraded to V2 and these are getting me so hyped to work in it!

[@ArtistWright]

Hell yeah! Appreciate that

[@chuckhatcher9028]

Thank you so much for this, great teaching

[@ArtistWright]

Thanks Chuck

[@Aden5store]

Really thorough and informative tutorial. Great job!

[@ArtistWright]

Thanks

[@cindyarted]

Awesomeness 🔥🔥Thank you!

[@ArtistWright]

Happy to hear you like it. Cool KZbin name btw

[@martinh4982]

A very good and useful tutorial, thank you. I particularly liked the planet as I've struggled with the rings in the past.

[@ArtistWright]

Thanks Martin

[@augustcanyon3438]

This has helped me tremendously.

[@ArtistWright]

Glad to hear it August

[@yimduong5086]

Thank you for making this video, Its very intuitive

[@ArtistWright]

Glad it was helpful!

[@design9925]

Very nice tutorial. You're amazing. ThankYou

[@ArtistWright]

Thank you, I'm happy to hear you liked it

[@lisam5770]

Thank you for this video it was very informative. Explained very well

[@ArtistWright]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@craftduoramz9221]

Fantastic! Thanks for the tutorial quite informative and educational!

[@ArtistWright]

My pleasure!

[@benvang6957]

Top demo and explanation, you really do have a knack to make things clear. Thanks once again.

[@ArtistWright]

Hi Ben, thank for that, I'm happy the information is clearly being put across to the viewer.

[@BilliesCraftRoom]

Totally brilliant, have subscribed. Thanks so much for another epic tutorial. 👍

[@ArtistWright]

My pleasure

[@fayevalentine3712]

Great tutorial

[@ArtistWright]

Thank you faye

[@aram5642]

Not sure if Illustrator had this type of tool (I left the ship a long while ago), but this is probably the single best tool I got to use. So intuitive and so obvious!

[@ArtistWright]

I use this tool all the time, game changer for me coming from v1

[@ciskid23]

Great video, I’m going to try it, I just wish as u explained the short cuts u would have added an explanation of where to go to find the button’s for new iPad users

[@ArtistWright]

Hello there, thank you for that. I've not even used the iPad version yet but when I get an iPad I'll for sure keep what you have said in mind.

[@ciskid23]

@@ArtistWright thanks, I’ve had to watch tons of video not as well thought out as yours and keeping up while digging thru menu’s to find the tools is crazy, I still don’t know where my Boolean tools are. And I’m not even looking to do much with this just some picture book characters maybe a simple logo from time to time. Seems like there isn’t much love for the iPad version but it’s really great to design from anywhere without sitting over a pc

[@ArtistWright]

Oh the Affinity website has many tutorials I believe. Won't be long until there are more tutorials for the iPad I think. Alot of people are choosing this software. Ultimately I will be in the same position as you when I get an iPad.

[@designmuseperth]

Just what I needed! Thank you. It was all a little too confusing. You always explain everything so very well.

[@ArtistWright]

Thank you Cathrin!

[@jarellejohnson8327]

Amazing tutorial...so many ways to use this tool. Words don't express how valuable this is for me. Thank you

[@ArtistWright]

It's comments like yours that keep me making videos. Thanks Jarrel

[@xavierjean1054]

Thanks a lot - That's highly valuable

[@ArtistWright]

Glad you think so Xavier!

[@r-i-ch]

Great tutorial. Hope I can remember enough of it!

[@ArtistWright]

Thank you! You can always watch it again if you forget

[@rijaluddddin]

I know there's a lot of effort to make this video, like it .

[@ArtistWright]

Cheers Arsitek!

[@a.dursun7581]

Thanks a lot, great video...

[@ArtistWright]

Cheers

[@Lbm2022]

Thank you so much!

[@ArtistWright]

No worries, thanks for watching

[@user-fs4rx5og3n]

Thank you for the wonderful tutorial. I'm planning to change from illustrator to affinity designer and this gives me so much overview of the software 😄

[@ArtistWright]

Oh definitely do it and make sure to catch the 50% off deal which I think is still on

[@frankligas2249]

Thanks for the video. Love your troubleshooting tips. Thumbs up and a Subscribe.

[@ArtistWright]

Thank you Frank

[@throwbackmusic38]

Thanks! very clear tutorial. :D

[@ArtistWright]

Cheers Louie

[@elenatudey]

👏👏👏 thank you!!

[@ArtistWright]

Hi Elena Thanks for watching!

[@elenatudey]

@@ArtistWright 👌

[@renfrewconnell]

very much appreciated 👍

[@ArtistWright]

Thanks

[@Mousyfox]

Brilliant tutorial, Thanks AW. One question - will you be doing any videos on using the new tools with the Isometric designs?

[@ArtistWright]

Hello again Mousy, that's a good question. I don't really use the isometric mode on most days so tend to forget it's even there 😂 are you thinking how to use the isometric panel to create something then using the shape builder took on that etc. Maybe that's something I can work into a future tutorial. I appreciate you.

[@Lohbado]

super helpful. i recently stopped adobe suite and only use after effects plus affinity. i'd be interested in tutorials about how to use export persona in conjunction with after effects. right now, when i export eps into after effects, then render as vectors, all the affinity effects disappear, so i have to do the effects all over again in after effects.

[@ArtistWright]

Thabks Lohbado, if you use any of the options under the FX tab in Affinity, you would need to rasterise your design to keep them there unfortunately. I don't use alot of AE but if I do start using it more I'll do a tutorial. Cheers

[@johnlepore1562]

Thanks!

[@ArtistWright]

A super thanks to you John! Very much appreciated

[@philipperobert2050]

Merci ! once again !

[@ArtistWright]

Merci Philippe!!

[@JohnAnderson-ju8fp]

Top marks again

[@ArtistWright]

Thanks John!

[@CrsgbsnTube]

Thanks

[@ArtistWright]

Thank you Chris you're a Star ⭐

[@Saschadegraaf]

Bedankt

[@ArtistWright]

Thank you 🙏 I'm happy to hear it's of value to you ❤️

[@tianacarter2863]

if you hit command J, thats the shortcut for duplicate :)

[@ArtistWright]

It sure is thanks! I switch between different ways of duplicating. I don't always use command J as its also used to power duplicate

[@user-xz4ny1bk8e]

26:59 love the tutorial. But seems I can't find that view mode in the ipad version. Where is it supposed to be?😢

[@ArtistWright]

Thanks, use the navigator panel and switch to outline view

[@user-xz4ny1bk8e]

@@ArtistWright wow, that was fast. Found it. Thanks

[@ArtistWright]

@user-xz4ny1bk8e no worries

[@claudebrie]

The heart thing doesn't work for me. I've tried a hundred times and even if I adjust the shapes in wireframe view mode it just won't work. I have the latest vs (2.3.1) and the shape builder tools seem to have changed since this tutorial. Could this be related? Keep up the good work!

[@ArtistWright]

Hello, that's a shame, I've been using the shape builder alot lately. I also have the latest update. It's all about making sure the lines cross over otherwise it won't work. Btw I'm releasing a new tutorial today

[@karinchristensen220]

Do you have a tutorial on what Bake Appearance is doing? Why do you use it?

[@ArtistWright]

Hi Karin, I don't have that as a tutorial on its own. Will note that down for a future tutorial. However I explain it in many of my tutorials whilst designing something. If you look at my contour tool tutorial, I cover it in that

[@karinchristensen220]

@@ArtistWright Thanks. The contour tool tutorial covered it perfectly, plus I learned about the contour tool. You have great tutorials.

[@ArtistWright]

Most excellent! Thanks

[@hellssurprise9338]

Heya again another question for you hope you can help I've lost my layers panel on the right of the software, how do I get it back? I can't see where to pin it Thanks

[@ArtistWright]

Window > Studio > show studio. Hope that helps (even if my answer was delayed 👍)

[@adamsroy2702]

Could you tell me why I don’t see file etc at the top like in your videos on my tablet

[@ArtistWright]

Hi Adam, it works in a slightly different way on the iPad. I have never used Affinity on a tablet. But in the future I will and will be able to help more with that. I'm sure it's just a Google away

[@ntvtexan5015]

21:28..."...a MAO MAO, and it's quite rare." Hmm...OK...just had a "MAO MAO" appear on my doorstep 2 weeks ago, looks about 2 months old. A little cutey, looks like a "MAO MAO" kitten. Also have a Large cat that looks a LOT like this one, she's VERY large for a cat, but NOT the mother of the kitten. Hmmm...2 rarities at the same house. COOL ! Oh and, great video too !!!

[@ArtistWright]

Fantastic and you are right, it was a Mao Mao. Thanks for watching

[@rogerwines6947]

how does this work with letters? linked letters?

[@ArtistWright]

Convert letters to curves then use this tool

[@michaelbobarev]

Yeah, mmm !!!

[@ArtistWright]

[@benjfischer]

XOR is pronounced ex-or. Boolean exclusive or (this or that but not this and that)

[@ArtistWright]

Finally someone knows the answer to that question! Thanks mate

[@thinguyenhoang5004]

11:05 actually make me scared

[@ArtistWright]

Ha! Thanks for watching

[@terryfennell1941]

I don't like wasting my time watching useless ads.!

[@ArtistWright]

Then pay for KZbin premium

[@gordonmiller3131]

I must be on a different planet. Using v. 2.4.1 and nothing operates as you suggest. I will stay away from this tool. Sorry.

[@ArtistWright]

Really? I will have to check that as I also have the updated version and haven't noticed any difference

[@ArtistWright]

I checked and was using exactly the same version as you. So everything in this video is correct. Perhaps you are referring to shortcuts which will be different somewhat from windows to Mac

[@jostineho7380]

Thanks!

[@ArtistWright]

Thanks for watching and the Super thanks 🙏

[@annstebbing1910]

Thanks

[@ArtistWright]

Thank you Ann! I'm happy to see the content is useful

[@tonoveid]

Thanks!

[@ArtistWright]

Thank you 👍

[@johnlepore1562]

Thanks!

[@ArtistWright]

You are very kind John thank you for the super thanks!

[@jillwirsing7544]

Thanks!

[@ArtistWright]

Thank you so much Jill I really appreciate the super thanks!

[@jillwirsing7544]

@@ArtistWright You are welcome! Thanks for the great content!

[@ArtistWright]

@jillwirsing7544 more coming soon

[@jvsonyt]

Thanks

[@ArtistWright]

Welcome