Split Object Shape

The shape of an object (including multiple selected objects or groups) can be split into multiple regions using the Object -> Shape -> Split Object Shape command.

When splitting object shapes into regions, a new object is created for each region, using the source object style.

The geometry of these splitting regions will be a grid by default, but alternate geometries can be defined by the user.

To split an object or a group into regions, select the objects and select the Object -> Shape -> Split Object Shape command.

The following options are common to all splitting geometries:

• Scheme - Select the splitting geometry mode. This list also contains previous saved shape splitting presets.
• Expand Clipped - Expand clipped groups first.
• Expand Content - Expand linked vector content first.
• Expand Stroke - Expand stroke first.

In the grid splitting scheme, the object shapes are split into a grid of columns and rows.

Splitting into a grid

The Columns and Rows sections contain the options for setting the number and spacing for the columns and rows of the grid:

• Number - Set the number of columns or rows.
• Width / Height - Alternatively, if the Fixed mode is enabled, set the width of columns or height of rows.
• Spacing - Set the spacing between columns or rows.
• Margin - Set the horizontal or vertical extension of the grid, relative to the object boundary.
• Fixed Width or Fixed Height - Set the grid columns or rows to have fixed size.
• Direction - Set the direction (angle) of the grid.

Splitting into closed regions

The Inside splitting scheme can be used to split the objects into a set of regions delimited by closed shape. The closed shapes can be selected from a symbol, or can created using the Create Inside Split Scheme command of the Path panel menu.

The following options are used:

• Symbol - Select a symbol to get the closed shapes for the regions.
• Direction - Set the direction (angle) of the regions.
• Margin - Set extension margin of the regions, relative to the object boundary.
• Adjust Size - Check to adjust the extent of the splitting regions to the object boundary.
• Proportional - Check to adjust the splitting region extent proportionally.

Cutting into curved sections

The Cut splitting scheme can be used to split the objects into a set of sections delimited by open shapes. The open shapes can be selected from a symbol, or can created using the Create Cut Split Scheme command of the Path panel menu.

The following options are used:

• Symbol - Select a symbol to get the open shapes for the sections.
• Fixed Sections - Check to use fixed sections sizes to cut the shape.
• Proportional - Use proportional scaling of the cutting shapes to adjust them to the object size.
• Alternating Side - Check to use alternating sides when multiple side shapes are defined.
• Count - Set the number of sections to cut the objects into, enabled when the fixed sections check box is off.
• Thickness - Set the size of the sections to cut the objects into, enabled when the fixed sections check box is on.
• Spacing - Set the spacing between the cutting sections.
• Amplitude - Set the vertical stretching of the open shapes used for cutting.
• Scaling - Set the scaling of the cutting shapes in proportional mode.
• Margin - Set the cutting margin relative to the object boundary.
• Direction - Set the direction (angle) of the cutting sections.

Cutting into waved or zig zag sections

The Waving and Zig Zag splitting schemes can be used to split the objects into a set of sections delimited by a waving or a zig zag shape.

The following options are used:

• Fixed Sections - Check to use fixed sections sizes to cut the shape.
• Proportional - Use proportional scaling of the cutting shapes to adjust them to the object size.
• Alternating Side - Check to use alternating sides when multiple side shapes are defined.
• Randomize - Check to randomize the parameters of the wave or zig zag shapes.
• Count - Set the number of sections to cut the objects into, enabled when the fixed sections check box is off.
• Thickness - Set the size of the sections to cut the objects into, enabled when the fixed sections check box is on.
• Spacing - Set the spacing between the cutting sections.
• Amplitude - Set the vertical stretching of the open shapes used for cutting.
• Scaling - Set the scaling of the cutting shapes in proportional mode.
• Margin - Set the cutting margin relative to the object boundary.
• Direction - Set the direction (angle) of the cutting sections.
• Frequency - Set the frequency along the wave or zig zag shapes.
• Shapes - Set the number of randomized sides to generate.
• Seed - Set the seed value for randomization.