This document compares similar feature editing operations.

Merge vs Combine

• Merge applies to polygon layers and CAD layers (objects of the same type), while Combine applies to line layers, polygon layers, text layers, and CAD layers.
• Merge can only operate on objects of the same type to generate complex objects, whereas Combine can operate on different types of objects to form compounds.
• Objects involved in merging are fused into a single simple or complex object. Combined objects are grouped into a block as a compound without fusion.
• Merge cannot operate on point objects, while Combine can.
• During merging, non-system fields and SmUserID data are processed using multiple operations (keep first, set null, sum, and weighted mean). During combining, non-system fields and SmUserID retain the attribute values from the object with the smallest SmID in the compound.

Move vs Offset

• Move applies to all geometries. Offset applies to simple objects and complex objects containing sub-objects, but not to compounds in CAD layers.
• Move operation changes object positions without creating new objects. Offset generates new objects parallel to the source object's shape.

Explode vs Shatter

• Explode applies to line layers, polygon layers, text layers, and CAD layers. Shatter applies to line layers and CAD layers.
• Explode works on complex objects or compounds, while Shatter only operates on line objects.
• Explode decomposes sub-objects of complex objects or components of compounds into individual objects. Shatter breaks objects at nodes to generate simple objects.

XOR vs Donut Polygon

• XOR deletes overlapping areas between two objects and merges remaining parts. Donut polygon determines results based on the parity of intersections in selected objects.

Illustrations are shown below:

Editing Operation	Original Objects	Result
XOR
	Three simple objects	Complex object with two sub-objects
Donut Polygon
	Three simple objects	Complex object with three sub-objects