Changing Object's Shape

Cut an Object with the Knife Tool

The Knife tool can cut paths and objects into parts. This tool also works with groups and compound groups.

To activate the Knife tool, click on the Knife icon in the Tools panel.

To cut an object or path, select it. Then draw a cut line over that object or path.

Using the Knife tool to split an object into parts — Drawing with the Knife tool

To have a straight cut, press the Option key before drawing a cut line. In order to snap the cut line to 45, 90 degrees and so on, hold down the Option and Shift keys.

If you cut a closed path, paths of created objects will also be closed. The program will automatically add new path segments where they are needed.

Modifier Keys and Shortcut Summary

Shortcut:

K activate the Knife tool.

Knife tool modifier keys:

Space switches to the Pan mode.
Command switches to either Move or Selection tool depending on which of them was active most recently.
Option lets you make a straight cut.
Option-Shift allows you to make a straight cut directed at 45 and 90 degrees.