Trimming entities

You can clip, or trim, entities so they end at one or more implied cutting edges defined by other entities. You can also trim entities to the point at which they would intersect an implied cutting edge. When trimming entities, you first select the cutting edges and then specify the entities to trim, selecting them either one at a time or using the fence selection method.

You can trim arcs, circles, lines, open two-dimensional and three-dimensional polylines, and rays. Arcs, circles, lines, polylines, rays, infinite lines, and viewports on a Layout tab can act as cutting edges. An entity can be both a cutting edge and one of the entities being trimmed.

To trim an entity

1 Do one of the following to choose Trim ():

On the ribbon, choose Edit > Trim (in Modify).

On the menu, choose Modify > Trim.

On the Modify toolbar, click the Trim tool.

Type trim and then press Enter.

2 Select one or more cutting edges, and then press Enter.

3 Select the entity to trim.

4 Select another entity to trim, or press Enter to complete the command.


To trim entities, select the cutting edge (A), and then select the entities to trim (B).		Result.

To trim an entity to an implied boundary

1 Do one of the following to choose Trim ():

On the ribbon, choose Edit > Trim (in Modify).

On the menu, choose Modify > Trim.

On the Modify toolbar, click the Trim tool.

Type trim and then press Enter.

2 Select one or more cutting edges, and then press Enter.

3 In the prompt box, choose Edge Mode.

4 In the prompt box, choose Extend.

5 Select the entity to trim.

6 Select another entity to trim, or press Enter to complete the command.


Select the implied boundary edge (A), and then select the entities to trim (B).		Result.

To trim several entities using the fence selection method

1 Do one of the following to choose Trim ():

On the ribbon, choose Edit > Trim (in Modify).

On the menu, choose Modify > Trim.

On the Modify toolbar, click the Trim tool.

Type trim and then press Enter.

2 Select one or more cutting edges, and then press Enter.

3 In the prompt box, choose Fence.

4 Specify the first point of the fence.

5 Specify the second point of the fence.

6 Specify the next fence point, or press Enter to complete the command.


Select the boundary edge (A), and then specify the first point (B) and second point (C) of the fence.		Result.

Use the Quick Trim command.
You can trim all entities to the edge of a cutting entity in a single operation. Choose the Quick Trim express tool or type extrim.