Applies to 2023.0 Update and later

Insert cuts into surfaces

Split mesh surface along a freeform polygon or curved line

In the main menu, click Edit mesh > Cut surfaces.
Click at least two points on the part to draw the cutting line and use the controls in the context view to adjust the cut-line behavior.
If necessary, continue clicking on the part to extend the cut line as needed.
Click Apply to mesh to apply the cut, or click Cancel or any of the other tools in the menu, such as Select > Triangle, to leave surface cutting.

Surface cutting controls reference

Mouse controls
Leftclick on part surface	Places a new control point
Leftclick on an existing control point	Selects the control point. If Smooth cut is enabled, also reveals the Bézier control handles for that point.
Leftclick and drag on an existing control point	Moves the control point. Tip: Use Snap control (see below) and move the control points close to existing triangle edges and corners to produce cuts exactly along the existing triangle net.
Leftclick and drag on a Bézier handle	Moves the handle and applies changes in length and angle symmetrically about the control point
Ctrl+Leftclick and drag on a Bézier handle	Locks the handle's angle and only permits changes in length
Shift+Leftclick and drag on a Bézier handle	Locks the handle's length and only permits changes in angle
Alt+Leftclick and drag on a Bézier handle	Permits individual movement of the handle on the clicked end only and leaves the other end of the handle unchanged. Caution: Clicking the handle with any other modifier, or no modifier, after using Alt, resets the individual position back to symmetry.
Context view items
Smooth cut	Enables Bézier handles and turns straight lines into curved ones. Note that snapping to existing triangle edges and nodes still applies. Toggling smooth cut on and off keeps any handle positioning set up between toggles.
Smooth step length	When smooth cut is enabled, this controls the segment length used to approximate the curve.
Snap distance	Controls the distance that a cut is allowed to veer "off" its straight path by its snapping along an existing triangle edge or node
Close line	Optionally keep start and end of the cut line connected
Automatic update, Update	Immediate update of the line may be turned off and triggered by button click instead.
Order of new inserted point	This controls where to add a new point depending on its intended position relative to points already placed. At nearest position: Ignores the order of placed points and puts it between the two nearest existing ones, repositioning the existing cut line to meet the new point At last position: Observes the order of existing points and always continues the cut line from the last placed point
(button row)	Delete point: Deletes the selected point. A selected point is brighter than the others. Reset: Clears any cut line defined but not applied so far. Undo, Redo: Use these for undo and redo during surface cutting, not the ones in the Edit main menu.
Apply to mesh, Cancel	Splits the surface as defined by the cut line, or leaves surface cutting. Note: Leaving surface cutting does not prompt for confirmation and also clears any cut-line definition.

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