Birdi’s shape tools let you change annotations without drawing them again. You’ll find them in the edit bar when you’re in edit mode.
Cut (X): split a polygon or line into pieces
Merge (⇧M): join shapes into one
Simplify (S): remove points and smooth corners
Subtract (⇧S): take one shape away from another
Each tool shows a preview on the map. Nothing saves until you click Apply.
When to use the shape tools
Cut: one outline covers two stockpiles that sit side by side
Merge: you drew one area in several parts and want a single shape
Simplify: an AI Detect or Free Draw outline has too many points
Subtract: you need to remove a building, pond or exclusion zone from a site boundary
Step-by-step: using the shape tools
1. Open edit mode
Click the pencil in the toolbar, or press E.
2. Choose a tool
Click a tool in the edit bar, or use its shortcut.
Cut (X)
Draw a line across the polygon or line you want to split. Double-click or Enter to end.
The pieces are named after the original, such as Stockpile (1), Stockpile (2).
Merge (⇧M)
Select the shapes you want to join. They need to touch or overlap. You can merge polygons with polygons, or lines with lines.
The first shape keeps its name and style, and the others are deleted.
Simplify (S)
Choose how many points to remove: Low, Medium, High or Custom. You can also turn on corner smoothing.
The panel shows the number of points before → after.
Tip: When you select several shapes, they open in Simplify, so you can tidy a whole set of outlines in one go.
Subtract (⇧S)
Choose your base polygon. Then either select the shapes to take away from it, or draw the shape you want to remove.
3. Check the preview
Each tool shows the result on the map before anything saves. If a tool will delete shapes when you click Apply (Cut, Merge or Subtract), the panel lists those shapes first.
Tip: You can switch between tools without losing your changes, then click Apply once at the end.
4. Apply or cancel
Click Apply (or press Enter) to save.
Click Cancel to leave without saving.
Good to know
There’s no Undo. Check the list of shapes to be deleted before you click Apply.
Edits keep a polygon’s holes, style, material and labels. Volumes are recalculated with the same settings.
The shape tools work in 2D and 3D.
Best practice tips
For Merge, select the shape whose name and style you want to keep first.
For Simplify, start with Low and step up. It’s easier to remove more points than to get detail back.
Rename pieces after a Cut, for example by material or location, so your Table View and reports are clear.
After changing a volume shape, check the recalculated volume before you share a report.