Splitting a shape that has a contained graphic using existing cut pattern

High Corel
over 2 years ago

Hi All,

If I have a shape (similar to the snip below), and I wish to cut it in half using the squiggly line below, I can do it easily using the Virtual Segment Delete Tool.

With the result being shown below (ie. I now have the original shape, cut into 2 pieces, using the sqiggly line as the cut shape):

Now for my question. 

If I have a similar shape but it has a graphic included (see snip below), I cannot use the Virtual Segment Delete Tool, as it does not work on the graphic. In my example, the graphic was an imported SVG file, but I have also tried a PNG file. (The Knife Tool will only cut a straight line). I want a similar result to the above, but with the graphic split over the 2 resulting pieces. 

Thanks for any assistance. 

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    You can PowerClip content into a Curve shape.

    For your example:

    1. Draw a Rectangle.
    2. Draw a squiggly line.
    3. Use the squiggly line to Trim the Rectangle. The result is a Curve shape that has two closed subpaths.
    4. PowerClip your graphic into the Curve shape.
    5. Break Apart the Curve shape to get two independent PowerClip shapes (one for each of the subpaths).
  • +1 over 2 years ago

    Eskimo's solution is great but here's another way to do it:

    Group the shape and graphic together.
    Select the cut line and then the group.
    Use Trim (Object > Shaping, or from Shape docker).
    Ungroup and Break Apart the resulting objects.

    I would do this in a slightly different way myself though:

    Instead of using a "cut line", I would make it a closed object instead, that covers one half of the group.
    I would then use first Intersect on the group to create a duplicate of everything that is underneath the "punch" object.
    Then I would select the punch and group once again, and use Trim to cut away everything underneath.
    May sound complicated but since I have assigned shortcut keys to Intersect (Alt+A) and Trim (Alt+C), it can be done in seconds and there is no need to break apart afterwards.

© Corel Corporation. All rights reserved. The content herein is in the form of a personal web log ("Blog") or forum posting. As such, the views expressed in this site are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of Corel Corporation, or its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents. Terms of Use / Privacy​ ​/ ​Cookies / Terms and Conditions / User Guidelines.