Slice (section) a group of curves

Use a curve to specify points to trim, detach, or insert on a group of curves or curves-on-surface all at once.

The Curve section tool lets you:

Define points on a group of curves at:
- Intersections with a free curve, surface, reference plane or construction plane.
- Specific parameters.
- Specific distances from their endpoints.
Then use these points to do one of the following:
- Trim the curves.
- Detach the curves.
- Insert edit points.
- Create a curve that passes through the intersections.

Slice a group of curves at their intersections with a sectioning curve or surface

Choose Curve Edit > Curve Section ❒.
Do one of the following:
- To trim the curves, set the Sectioning Mode to Trim.
- To detach the curves, set the Sectioning Mode to Segment.
- To insert edit points on the curves, set the Sectioning Mode to Slice and the Slice Creation Mode to Insert Edit Points.
- To create a new curve that passes through the intersections, set the Sectioning Mode to Slice and the Slice Creation Mode to Create Curve.
Set the Sectioning Criterion to Geometry, then click Go.
Pick the curves or curves-on-surface you want to trim, in the view window where the curves and the sectioning curve/surface intersect.
For trims, click the part of the curve you want to keep. Red arrows show the “kept” part of the curve.
Click Go.
Click the curve, surface, or construction plane that you want to section with.

Section a group of curves based on parameter or distance

Choose Curve Edit > Curve Section ❒.
Do one of the following:
- To trim the curves, set the Sectioning Mode to Trim.
- To detach the curves, set the Sectioning Mode to Segment.
- To insert edit points on the curves, set the Sectioning Mode to Slice and the Slice Creation Mode to Insert Edit Points.
- To create a new curve that passes through the intersections, set the Sectioning Mode to Slice and the Slice Creation Mode to Create Curve.
Set the Sectioning Criterion:
- To section each curve at a specific parameter, set the criterion to Point.
- To section each curve at a specific length, set the criterion to Distance.
Click Go.
Pick the curves or curves-on-surface you want to trim.
For trims, click the part of the curve you want to keep. Red arrows show the “kept” part of the curve.

Green locators show the current sectioning point for each curve.
Do any of the following:
- Drag the green locators to change the sectioning point on a curve, or click a locator and type an exact value.
- Click a locator to see the corresponding parameter/distance on the prompt line.
- Click Go.
  Tip
  After the Trim/Segment/Slice operation, locators reappear on each curve segment. Drag them to another location if you want to continue sectioning, or choose another tool.

What if...?

Curves that should slice don’t, or vice versa?

If you pick the curves to section in an orthographic windows, the intersections are visual. That is, where the curves appear to cross in the view window.
Remember to pick the curves in the orthographic view where they cross the sectioning curve or surface.
If you pick the curves to section in a perspective window, the intersections are exact. The curves must actually intersect the sectioning curve or surface in space.