Use the Selection tool to select the overlapping objects.
Last updated on
Sep 12, 2025
Learn how to use the Intertwine feature to interweave overlapping areas of objects non-destructively.
You can intertwine shapes, text, 2D, and 3D objects without permanently modifying them.
Intertwine an area where two objects overlap
Select Object > Intertwine > Make. An Intertwine group that contains the selected objects appears in the Layers panel. You can drag additional objects into the group later.
Do one of the following based on the level of control you need:
- Hover over an overlapping area of the objects. Once you see the overlapping area highlighted, click it to intertwine.
- Draw an enclosed path around an overlapping area to intertwine. To draw a rectangular path, hold down Shift, and then drag.
Click to intertwine
Encircle to intertwine
Note
Intertwine doesn’t work with Live Paint, Repeat, and graphs. You also can’t create nested intertwines or use already intertwined objects to create a new one.
Intertwine an area where multiple objects overlap
Use the Selection tool to select the overlapping objects.
Select Object > Intertwine > Make.
Draw an enclosed path around an area where at least three objects overlap.
Hover over the enclosed area. The path of the object nearest to the mouse pointer gets highlighted.
Right-click the highlighted path and select Bring to Front, Bring Forward, Send Backward, or Send to Back.
Use the highlighted path in the overlapping area to intertwine.
Edit intertwined objects
To resume editing an Intertwine group later, do the following:
Use the Selection tool to select the Intertwine group.
Select Object > Intertwine > Edit.
Release intertwined objects
Use the Selection tool to select the Intertwine group.
Select Object > Intertwine > Release. The objects are released from the Intertwine group in their original state, and the Intertwine group disappears from the Layers panel.
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