How to remove unneeded shapes

[WesHowe]

I have ended up, in some, really most of my projects with more than one shape in a layer unintentionally.
Others with multiple layers may be on purpose, just to manage stroke/fill colors.
It happens when I cut/paste from other layers, then weld those portions together.
I think the other shapes in that layer share some points and curves,
but I would like to get rid of them without destroying the one I want.

Is there a simple way to do that?

- Wes

Sorry, I meant to put this in the How Do I topic. My apologies.

[hayasidist]

getting rid of shapes that are formed from points that aren't shared with any shapes you want to keep is simple: just delete the points.

getting rid of unwanted _shapes_ that rely on shared points means using the delete shape tool (the hollow X) but that can often leave some unwanted points - and getting rid of these "superfluous points" is (in general and IMO) just too hard to be worth the effort

[Greenlaw]

If they're valid shapes, you might try Rai's Shapes Window. This tool presents the valid shapes of the current layer in a list form, and clicking on a list item selects the shape in the Working Area. Clicking the trashcan button deletes the selected shapes without affecting the curves and points.

This tool is incredibly useful for managing layers that contain dozens of shapes, even shapes that are hidden by other shapes sharing the same points. I use it mainly to sort the stacking order, name the shapes, and set Liquid Shapes settings. And, yes, to delete unnecessary shapes.

[WesHowe]

The points in the extra groups are essentially a subset of my model.
Essentially these extra layers do nothing, except trigger my latent OCD.

I'm going to try that script or just give up.

Thanks all

- Wes

And the script did the trick.
I also had an adventure learning to install a script.

[hayasidist]

wow -- I didn't know Rai's script would take out the unwanted points too! -- but now I do!!!