Basic Shapes?

[mjackson83002]

The screen grab shows four shapes I created using the shapes tool in the toolbar. They all have the dot or point in the center. After making a copy and moving below, I ran the Unite command and the center point disappears. 

What is the difference in the two sets of shapes, and when would I need the top elements over the bottom ones?

Thanks in advance,

MJackson

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

n the Attributes panel and show the options. Then you can get the center point back. But: depending on the nature of the shape it might not be the geometrical center. E.g. in some stars or polygons. The shapes directly after drawing are live shapes. with the geometrical center shown. Uniting them expands them, making them into paths.

[mjackson83002]

Thanks!