Use this option to alter a shape or track so that a selected segment reaches a picked line or arc, this may involve extending the segment out to reach it or trimming it back so that it ends on the line or arc.
The line you are extending to is the infinite line along the picked segment, or a circle if the picked segment is an arc. If the selected segment is parallel to the line, both ends are altered so that it is moved onto the line.
Shortcuts
Default Keys: None
Default Menu: Utilities
Command: Trim Extend
Locating this option
Available from: Utilities menu > Trim Extend option
How To Trim or Extent a Single Segment
- Pre-select a single segment that you wish to alter on a shape or track.
- Right click the mouse and select Trim or Extend Segment, or use the Trim or Extend option from the Utilities menu.
- Pick the shape segment, track segment, or construction line that you wish to extend or trim the selected segment to.
- The shape or track will be altered so that the selected segment reaches the infinite line or circle passing through the picked segment.
If extending a segment to reach the line, the end of the segment nearest to the line will be moved to the line. If trimming a segment back to a line that crosses it, the end of the segment that is nearest to the position where it was picked will be moved back to be on the line.
Once a track has been selected, from the context menu, select Trim or Extend Segment. A modal cursor is displayed. Select the segment you wish to trim or extend to.
These examples show how the one segment has been trimmed back to the shape and the other segment extended to meet the shape (in the right hand side example).
You can also select segments to trim back to, to make them parallel:
How To Trim or Extent Multiple Segments
Trim or Extend can be used in a latched mode to alter multiple segments to reach the same line or circle. To do this use the following procedure:
- Do not pre-select anything and use the Trim or Extend tool from the Utilities menu.
- You will now have the special trim or extend cursor and will be prompted to select a segment to create the line or circle to trim or extend to.
- Click on the required segment and an infinite guide line or circle will be drawn passing along the picked segment. You will now be prompted to pick the segment to be extended or trimmed.
- Click on the required segment and it will be altered to reach the displayed line or circle.
- Repeat the previous step until all segments have been altered.
- When you have finished press the Escape key. You may now select a new line to extend to, or press the Escape key again to exit the Trim or Extend option.