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      Using the Trim Shapes Tool in LightBurn

      Efficiently Cut and Join Line Segments in Your Workspace

      The Trim Shapes Tool lets you cut vector line segments back to their intersections with other lines. If a shape does not intersect with any other lines, the tool deletes the entire shape. This feature is ideal for cleaning up designs and creating precise intersections in your laser projects.

      How to Access the Trim Shapes Tool

      QuickRef-TrimShapes

      Toolbar and Menu

      • Tools Toolbar: Click the scissor icon.
      • Menu: Tools → Trim Shapes

      Keyboard Shortcuts

      • Windows: Ctrl + K
      • Mac: Cmd + K

      Keyboard Modifiers

      • Hold Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac): Disables Auto-joining while trimming.

      Using the Trim Shapes Tool

      Ref-TrimShapes-InToolbar

      Enable the Tool

      1. Click the Trim Shapes icon in the Tools Toolbar or press Ctrl/Cmd + K.
      2. Hover over any vector object in the Workspace to see a preview of the tool’s effect.

      Preview and Trim

      • When you hover over a valid line segment, the cursor changes to a scissor icon, and the segment to be removed is highlighted in red.

      Ref-TrimShapes-DeleteWholeShape

      • Click to delete the highlighted segment.

      Ref-TrimShapes-BasicDemo

      Key Features

      Trimming Entire Shapes

      • If a shape does not intersect with any other lines, the entire shape is highlighted in red and deleted when you click.

      Primary Shapes

      • The tool works with Primary Shapes (e.g., rectangles, ellipses, polygons), but using it converts them into paths, removing their editable Shape Properties.

      Auto-Joining

      • By default, Trim Shapes joins the resulting vector objects at their intersection points, creating a single continuous path.
      • Joined shapes are automatically selected, indicated by an animated dashed outline.

      Ref-TrimShapes-AutoJoin

      Tip: Hold Ctrl/Cmd while clicking to disable Auto-joining.

      Troubleshooting

      • Grouped Objects: Trim Shapes does not work on grouped objects. You’ll need to ungroup them first by selecting the object and using the Ungroup command.
      • Intersecting Paths: Ensure lines intersect; otherwise, the tool may delete entire shapes instead of trimming segments.

      Conclusion

      The Trim Shapes tool in LightBurn simplifies vector editing by trimming unwanted segments and auto-joining paths where possible. Whether you’re cleaning up designs or creating precise intersections, this tool is an essential feature for enhancing your laser projects.