How to Break Entities in BricsCAD

Quick answer: BREAK removes a portion of an entity, splitting it into two parts. Works on arcs, circles, ellipses, lines, polylines, rays, and infinite lines. Requires two break points; by default, the point you use to select the entity becomes the first break point, though the First option lets you choose a different one.

What Happens to Different Entity Types When Broken

Breaking a circle converts it into an arc. Breaking a ray produces a ray and a line. Breaking an infinite line produces two rays.

Breaking an Entity

1. Launch BREAK. You’re prompted to select the entity to break.
2. Select it. You’re prompted for a second break point, or to choose First break point, or same as first point (@).
3. Choose First break point. You’re prompted for the first break point.
4. Specify a point. You’re prompted for the second break point.
5. Specify a point; the portion of the entity between the two break points is removed.

Using @ for the second break point sets it identical to the first, splitting the entity into two parts at that single location without actually removing any visible portion, useful for adding a break point without a visible gap.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I break a circle? It converts into an arc, since removing a portion of a closed circle naturally leaves an open curve.

Can I choose a different first break point than the one I used to select the entity? Yes, choose the First break point option after selecting the entity.

How do I split an entity into two parts without removing any visible portion? Use @ (same as first point) for the second break point, which splits the entity at that single location without creating a visible gap.

What happens if I break an infinite line? It splits into two rays, each extending infinitely in one direction from the break point.