Use union, difference, intersection, exclusion, and division predictably.

When this guide is useful

Boolean operations work on paths and usually replace the participating objects. Strokes, clones, groups, and live effects may need preparation first.

Before you begin

Duplicate the originals, convert only what is necessary, check stacking order, and apply one operation at a time.

• Save a copy of every important document.
• Record the Windows build, Inkscape version, package type, and processor architecture.
• Use a standard user account for routine work and approve elevation only when the installer genuinely requires it.

Step-by-step workflow

1. Confirm the exact task and expected output before changing the document or installation.
2. Create a duplicate test file and make one controlled change at a time.
3. Use current project documentation for version-specific options and package availability.
4. Save the result under a new name, close it, and reopen it.
5. Test the output in the application or device that will actually receive it.

Verification

Inspect fill rules, holes, open nodes, and overlapping segments. Keep the editable construction on a hidden backup layer.

Common mistakes

• Editing the only copy of a document.
• Assuming a filename proves where a download came from.
• Converting text or effects permanently before the design is approved.
• Changing several settings at once, which hides the actual cause of a problem.

Related guides

Continue with the Inkscape guides hub, review Inkscape for Windows, or use the troubleshooting overview.

Sources and review method

This guide was written by the InkscapeSoftware Editorial Team and reviewed on 2026-09-25. Technical claims are checked against the official release pages, the project installation documentation, and the official source repository and issue tracker.