The Knife tool lets you insert new points into curves, split closed curves, and cut curves at specific points or along defined cutting lines. It works with both Handmade fills and mask contours.
Activating the Knife Tool
Access the Knife tool by selecting its icon from the toolbar or via Tools -> Knife in the main menu.
Tool shortcut : K
Curve Selection
The Knife tool works on selected curves that are part of a Handmade fill or a mask. Select curves with the Editor tool or directly with the Knife tool by clicking on them.
To better see the curves while editing, turn off visible fills and strokes. Do this through the View menu or by clicking the button on the right side of the toolbar.
Add Point by Click
Hover over a curve to see a handle point where a new point can be added. Click at that location to insert the point without changing the curve's shape.
| hover mouse | click |
|---|---|
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Add Points by Line
Click and drag to draw a line across selected curves. Points will be added at all intersections.
| drag mouse | release mouse |
|---|---|
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Hold the ⇧ (shift) key to create a perfectly vertical or horizontal line.
Splitting Curve at a Point
Hover over a point and click to split the curve. Closed curves will open, and open curves will divide into two separate curves.
| hover mouse | click |
|---|---|
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After splitting, only one of the curve segments remains selected.
Splitting Curves with Intersecting Line
Hold the ⌥ (alt) key and drag to create a cutting line. Selected curves will split at all intersection points with this line.
| drag with pressed ⌥ (alt) | released |
|---|---|
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