Can't fill a shape made with connected lines.

3 years ago someone posted a query asking: "after "combine" unconnected lines wont fill with color" in X8 but didn't get a simple or indeed any solution.

I just had the same problem in X8 (haven't tried the later 2019 yet) and found the above, but remembered I used to do this type of fill years ago in version 3 without any problem.  So is this an issue with X8?

The only way I can get a filled shape from connected lines in X8 is to draw a rectangle, convert it to curves, apply the fill, convert the corners to curves with the Pick Tool, curve the sides, then drag the corners out to the  shape I wanted in the first place while the fill stays there.  If I draw four lines connected at their ends it won't fill, whatever I do to it.  As I have a solution for my immediate problem this is really a discussion rather than a query.