Cut with Plane
Table of contents:
Introduction
Cut with Plane
Advanced Settings
Let's talk about the Cut with Plane tool. In other applications, similar functionality is commonly referred to as Plane Cut or Slice. While the naming may vary, the function remains the same: it cleanly cuts the model based on the position of the customizable cutting plane.
In SelfCAD, the Cut with Plane tool can be found in the Modify section of the main Toolbar. It allows you to precisely cut and split the object by positioning and rotating the cutting plane. In practice, it allows you to easily split the object into multiple parts to print it in pieces, or simply remove unwanted parts of the object.
Unlike deformation tools, Modify tools directly generate new topology to expand the model's structure. In this article, we'll explore how to use the Cut with Plane tool effectively.
Select the object
The first step of using any modeling tool is selecting the object on which you want to use it. You can select objects by either left-clicking on them in the workspace or by selecting them in the Object Management section in the right-side panel. The second option has an in-built search engine, which is extremely useful when you are working with multiple objects.
Activate the tool
Once the object is selected, you can activate the Cut with Plane tool by selecting it from the Modify drop-down list or use a shortcut by pressing the ‘M+W’ combination on your keyboard. This way, you’ll open a Tool Settings Panel with all of the customizable options for this tool on the left side of your screen.
Select the cutting plane
The drop-down list allows you to select and customize the plane used to cut the object. You can select one of the pre-made planes: Bottom/Top, Back/Front, Left/Right, or use the Draw Plane option to create a custom one. The tool will cut the object in the place where the plane intersects with the object.
Offset plane
Offset is the option that allows you to move the cutting plane along its axis, changing where the slice occurs on the object. This allows for precise control over the cut’s position.
Snap plane
Snap is an additional option for moving the plane. It allows you to place the cutting plane at a specific position by simply clicking on that place. It automatically aligns the plane with the clicked position, making it easier to place accurate and intuitive cuts.
Rotate X and Y
Rotate options allow you to tilt the cutting plane on the X and Y axes, changing the angle of the cut in two dimensions. You can rotate the planes by moving the slicer or by typing the values into the dedicated text boxes.
Save
This option saves the current position and the angle of a given cutting plane, allowing you to add another, similar cutting plane to customize the cut further. With this option, you can cut the object multiple times with a single use of Cut with Plane.
Advanced Settings
Copy profile
Copy Profile changes the function of the tool. By enabling it, instead of cutting the object, you create a custom profile at the intersection point where the cutting plane meets the object. This feature works well with tools like Sweep or Follow Path, as it allows you to create custom ornaments for the object.
Cut mesh
This option becomes available only when you enable the Copy Profile option. Enabling it will cut the object's topology in addition to creating a custom profile at the intersection point between the cutting plane and the object. It allows you to do both things at once.
Split object
Enabling this option will split the object into pieces based on the positions of the cutting planes. Each piece will become a separate object, ready for further editing.
Fill cuts
This option becomes available after enabling the Split objects option. Enabling it will seal the gaps in the objects created by the cut, ensuring that every split part of the object has a solid, watertight surface. You can achieve a similar result by using the Fill Polygons tool if you forget to enable it when customizing the cut.
Load planes
It allows you to load previously stored cutting plane settings. With this option, you can quickly apply a series of cuts without having to modify the plane settings every time.
Save
It allows you to store the current cutting planes setup so you can reuse it later without having to set the planes to the same position.
And that’s about it for the Cut with Plane. After reading this article, you should know the basics of the Cut with Plane tool and how to use it, know about its different applications and what is more important, know how to implement and customize its advanced settings.
That's all I have for you today. I wish you success in your future projects. See you, and stay tuned for more content to come!