Object Break

See also Circle Break.

Function Syntax brk / brko
Current Version 1.0
Download ObjectBreakV1-0.lsp
View HTML Version ObjectBreakV1-0.html
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Program Description

A generalisation and enhancement of my Circle Break program, this program enables the user to break a selected object either at two specified points, or at two points of intersection with another selected object, and apply a set of properties to the selected portion of the object.

As per my Circle Break program, the motivation for creating this program was to streamline the procedure of displaying hidden sections of geometry. Previously, an object would need to be broken separately at two points (perhaps using the AutoCAD break command), before selecting the resulting section and applying a set of properties to indicate hidden detail.

This manual method is suitable for polylines and open objects (such as lines, arcs & elliptical arcs); however, since an arc or elliptical arc cannot span a full circle, circles & ellipses cannot be broken at a single point and hence the hidden section would need to be manually recreated.

This program offers two commands to facilitate this operation:

brko: Break with Object

This command will prompt the user to select either a Line, Circle, Arc, Ellipse, Elliptical Arc or LWPolyline at the section to be broken, and then to select a second object which intersects the first in at least two places.

The program will then break the first selected object at the two closest points of intersection located either side of the point of selection, before applying the set of properties to the selected section.

Demonstration of brko Command

Object Break Demo 1

brk: Break at two points

Upon issuing this command, the user may select a compatible object (as listed above) at the section to be hidden, and then select two break points. The selected object is then broken between the two points and a set of properties are applied to the selected section.

And now to challenge the program...

Demonstration of brk Command

Object Break Demo 2

 

Furthermore, both of the above described commands as offered by this program will operate successfully under all UCS & Views, and with objects constructed in any UCS plane.

Properties of Broken Section

The set of properties (Layer, Linetype, Lineweight etc.) to be applied to the hidden section of geometry are listed at the top of the program source code (beneath the code header) and may be altered to suit the requirements of the user. If properties are omitted from the list, the 'hidden' section of geometry will inherit these properties from the selected source object.

 

See also Circle Break.

Instructions for Running

Please refer to How to Run an AutoLISP Program.

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Designed & Created by Lee Mac © 2010