Why separate bodies

Hello;

       I have this bracket, & I don't do sheet metal that often, but I'm finding that when I simply want to creat an additional

tab or or flange or whatever, it wants to create that as a separate body. On this particular model, I used the combine feature

which I don't know if it's going to work long term or not, but it does allow me to connect the two.

       The question that I have is wouldn't it generally be design intent to continue on the same object; I didn't notice the option

to merge feature, like I've seen in some applications, so why would this be creating new bodies, & how and I address this, so that

if I do a added tab, etc. , it's a part of the sheet metal component.

Thanks, for any input in advance;

Rob_D SW 2012 sp4

SolidworksSheet Metal