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Cutting Tools documentation

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Please refer to the “read-me” PDF which was included with your download. It includes information on that plugin’s features as well as basic support information. More detailed usage information will soon be available here.

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cutting tools toolsetThis plugin adds four tools to the tool box:

Hatchet tool: Click to use like the Scissors tool, except that it will cut through all paths at that point, not just the top path. This makes it perfect for cutting two lines where they cross. Hold down the Option key to cut through only selected paths. After cutting, you can drag the tool over the unwanted paths to delete them.

Trimmer tool: (NEW) Click to trim a path where it intersects with other paths, or between and endpoint and an intersection. Click and drag to delete multiple path sections.

Table Saw tool: Click and drag to create a straight line. When you release the mouse button, the Saber Saw will do a fence cut through all paths that cross the one you drew.

Saber Saw tool: Drag the tool to draw a free-form line. When you release the mouse button, the Saber Saw will do a fence cut through all paths that cross the one you drew.

Vector Vac tool: Either click on paths or drag through them to delete.

Usage example:

Say you want to trim two lines where they intersect. Select the Hatchet tool.

Place the cursor where you want to cut. Note that it will change to indicate when it’s over a path or a point.

Click to cut both paths.

Now drag the cursor over the paths you want to delete.

And that’s it! One click, one drag, one tool.

Fence Cut feature

The latest release, 16.1, adds a new Fence Cut feature. Here’s how it works:

  • Draw a path where you want to trim. It can be straight or curved, open or closed, above or below the paths to cut. I suspect most people would just draw a rectangle to define a “neat line.”
  • To protect any paths crossing your Cut line, lock or hide them.
  • Select the Cut line path object.
  • Select Object > Path > Fence Cut.

All editable paths that cross the Fence, or Cut line, will be cut at their intersection. Depending on your tool’s current preferences, the cut line will either be preserved, deleted, or cut along with the editable art. In the example above the larger ellipse is selected as the Cut path, and the tool is set to cut the fence path.