Split with Lines

Use the Split: Lines tool to split surfaces and solids using lines, bounding lines, offset lines, and graphical lines.

  1. From the Geometry ribbon, click the Split > Lines tool.


    Figure 1.
  2. Select Lines, Surfaces or Solids from the Target selector on the guide bar.
  3. Select geometry.
  4. Optional: On the guide bar, click to define split options.
  5. Select a splitting method from the guide bar drop down menu.
  6. Define split lines.
    Option Description
    Lines
    1. Select lines.
    2. In the microdialog, select a projection method.

      Along vector allows you to define a direction using the Vector tool.

    3. Choose between trimming the entire surface or trimming only a user-specified distance. If you choose to use a specific distance, define a value.
    4. Click Split on the guide bar.
    Note: This option is only available when solids or surfaces are the target. To split a line, you must select the target and cut line, then click Split. Multiple target lines can be defined; however, only one single cut line can be defined.
    Bounding Lines Select bounding lines.
    Note: This option is only available when solids are the target.
    Offset Lines
    1. Select lines.
    2. Enter an offset distance in the microdialog.
    Note:
    • This option is only available when surfaces are the target.
    • A Washer split anchor is added for quick execution of the split. You can select a line, usually a free edge with a cutout to create the split. This is useful when creating a washer split around a hole. A specific distance can be entered into the microdialog.


      Figure 2.
    Graphical Lines
    1. Left-click and drag your mouse to draw a line.
    2. Left-click again to start a new line at the end-point of the previous line.
  7. Optional: Review the split sections.
    Restriction: Only available when splitting solids with lines or bounding lines.
    1. Activate the Extend trimmer option.
    2. Click the Review button on the guide bar.
      The split sections are previewed, as shown below on the left. Deselect sections by holding Shift and left-clicking to cut the solid at only the desired locations, as shown below in the middle. The final result is shown on the right.


      Figure 3.
  8. Click Split on the guide bar.
Tip: Draw lines that are perpendicular or tangent to other lines by snapping to predefined points such as end, middle, center, and intersection points. You can also snap to points along the x, y, and z axis.