Insert cuts into surfaces

Split mesh surface along a freeform polygon line

1. In the main menu, click Edit Mesh > Cut Surfaces.
2. Click at least two points on the part to draw the cutting line.
3. If necessary, continue clicking on the part to extend the cut line as needed.
   Note: The cut line is drawn across the surface of the part. If you click a point on a surface which is not flat relative to the surface of the previous point on the line, the line is bent at the boundary between surfaces. Also, if the line is close enough in angle and distance to existing triangle edges, it snaps to those lines.
4. Right-click in the display and choose one of the following options:
   • To clear all drawn lines, choose Reset Line
   • To connect the ends of the line and form a closed shape, choose Close Line.
   • To connect the ends of the line and apply the cut along the currently drawn line, choose Insert to Mesh. This inserts triangle edges along the drawn line, and retriangulates the mesh as necessary. The surface is split along the line to create open border edges. As a result, everything contained within the line becomes an individual shell.
     Note: A line of only two points effectively produces a single-line cut with start and end and no separated shell as even after connecting the ends no area is enclosed.
5. To leave surface cutting, choose any of the other tools from the menu, such as Select > Triangle