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Welton168

: There Must Be A Way: Trimming Groups Of Lines To Fit Complex Shape - Illustrator This doesn't seem complex, and I'm not a beginner but can't figure it out or find answer online. I want to

@Welton168

Posted in: #AdobeIllustrator #Cs6 #Shapes

This doesn't seem complex, and I'm not a beginner but can't figure it out or find answer online.

I want to be able to trim a series of lines to fit in a complex shape (lay the shape over a group of stroked paths and trim them so only segments that are within the shape remain). I want actual truncated line segments left so that I can apply strokes, widths, profiles and brushes to what's left.

I understand clipping masks (but they don't leave new endpoints for width/brushes) and envelopes (which bend/distort lines to fit) and have tried all of the pathfinder options with no luck. I can of course just use scissors and cut-cut-cut at each intersecting point, but this isn't a one-off shape it's a process that I want to be able to repeat often across several works.

Essentially it should just be a clipping mask that cuts/deletes line segments outside it and leaves actual line segments (not shapes) behind...seems simple and an obvious function, but I'm stumped. (I'm in CS6)

Thanks for any help!

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@Margaret771

select all the lines to be trimmed and the shape

grab the Shape Builder Tool, and Alt+Drag from A to B with it






repeat on other places as necessary
on more complex shapes, where Alt+Dragging in a straight line is not possible, you can Alt+Click on individual lines to delete one by one.

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@Nimeshi706

I hope this is very simple to answer


Just make a series of line
Make your complex shape above that series of line
By selecting that shape go to OBJECT > Path > Divide Object Below
By selecting Divide Object Below Command It will cut all that lines in that particular shape


You will be left with that shape of lines.

For more clear view watch this Video

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