To make a plane cut

Define where to cut

There are two ways to set up a plane cut:

• Using the clip planes: Only available before cutting is opened
• Using the plane placement modes: Only available while cutting is active

Using the clip planes

1. Move the clip planes so that at least one of them intersects with the parts to cut. There are multiple ways to specify the clip plane position:
   • Move the sliders.
   • Enter a numerical value into the input fields. The numbers set here are absolute and refer to the whole buildroom.
   • Right-click the slider of the desired axis, choose Set cut in X, Y, or Z, depending on the clicked slider, and then click on the part to set that plane to the clicked position.
2. Optional: In the context area, set the dropdown selection to Cut all parts or Cut only selected parts to match your desired behavior.
3. Enter cutting by clicking the Plane Cut button in the context area, or choosing Modify > Cut > Plane cut from the main menu.

Placement modes

1. Enter cutting by clicking the Plane Cut button in the context area, or choosing Modify > Cut > Plane cut from the main menu.
2. Create cutting plane by 3 points: Click on three positions on a mesh surface through which the plane should go.
   Tip: The cutting plane is generated when you release the mouse click from placing the final point, the cut plane is created. To see a preview of the plane keep the mouse button held down for the last point. The center of the plane is placed at the same location as the final point.
3. Create cutting plane tangential to surface: Click on a single location on a mesh surface. This places the cutting plane flatly onto the location (the triangle) that you clicked.
4. Create cutting plane vertical to surface: Click on a single location on a mesh surface. This places the cutting plane vertically onto the location (the triangle) that you clicked.
   Note: The initial orientation of the plane around the vertical (the normal) of the selected triangle is dependent on your current camera orientation. You can still adjust it further.

Optional: Adjust at what angle and how wide to cut

If the plane is already in the right position, you can proceed to cutting. If not, adjust the plane using any of these methods:

Rotation and size

• Optional: Using left-click, drag the corner points of the plane to rotate the plane about its normal axis. This adjusts the plane's rotation axis for the next step:
• Using left-click, drag the edge points to rotate the whole plane about the axis tangential to the edge point.
• Using right-click, drag the edge and corner points to resize the plane. Useful if you want to cut only a section of a part while leaving the rest alone.

The cutting plane cuts at any angle you require.

Optional: Specify the behavior during cutting

Netfabb's cutting does not only insert new border edges to split meshes, you can also choose how to proceed with the newly generated halves.

• Put halves into a group
• Close holes created by cutting meshes.
  Note: Rarely, complicated cross-sections may confuse the automatic closing of holes. When this happens, try cutting without closing, then close the holes manually using Repair.
• Generate surface features for alignment and assembly, like pins & holes, or groove joints.
• Cutting always generates new parts. Use Remove original parts to control what to do with the original ones.

To learn more about the switches and options to customize cutting, consult the Cutting Reference.

Perform the cut

In the context view, click Cut.

This cone frustum has been cut in half.