Craft Edge

Can anyone tell me if there is a way to connect the shapes in Inkscape so that they will cut out as one solid piece? I made a pattern from rectangles and the shape looks like I want it. I can import it into SCAL but I can't figure out how to get it to cut in one solid piece. It cuts all the shapes I used to make it. I tried to weld it but then it doesn't cut at all. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

You need to use Path/Union (control +) View it in outline mode before you save it to make sure you have what you want.

Thank you so much! It took me a while but with your help I figured it out.