Cutting objects are used to limit (extend or shorten) other objects.A cutting object may be:
- an object that is already part of the model.
- a composite curve or polygon that is created specifically as a cutting object.
Selecting a cutting object
Select a cutting object in one of the following ways:
- Select an object before selecting Limit selection from the toolbar.
- If no object is selected before selecting Limit selection, select one immediately after entering the command. To select a group of objects, you must use box selection.
As soon as the limit operation is completed, the cutting object becomes deselected unless it is locked.
Tip: To use the same cutting objects many times, click
Lock
next to
Cutting Object on the
Limit selection toolbar.

To change the cutting objects:
- If the cutting objects are locked, click the
Lock button
to unlock them.
- Deselect the current cutting objects by either clicking the Tick button next to Cutting object or clicking in empty space in the graphics window.
- Select a new cutting object. To select a group of objects, use box selection.
Creating cutting objects
Create a cutting object in one of the following ways:
- Using
Create composite curve
on the Limit Selection toolbar to create a temporary composite curve. This composite curve becomes the cutting object and is automatically deleted when it is no longer required.
- Using the
Limit to polygon
option on the Limit Selection toolbar:
- Select a mesh.
- Select Edit tab > Limit panel > Selection to display the Limit selection toolbar.
- Click the Limit to Polygon
button.
- Click the start point and click additional points to create a polygon on the mesh. Click the start point again to complete the polygon.
The polygon is used as the cutting tool.