Division using lines

[deanbad]

So, as a preface I'm pretty sure this isn't possible in the manner I'm looking for. I've done a fair amount of searching and the closest option I've found is creating a line with the pen tool and going to Layer > Expand stroke before doing division.

I'm transitioning from Inkscape to Affinity Designer. In Inkscape you can use a line, of any stroke thickness, to divide an object. It will not affect the gap, it will simply divide the object from the center of the line (desired behavior in this case).

In Affinity I'm left with a gap the thickness of the line (undesired). The only way I've found to achieve the desired affect is by dividing with rectangles that have no stroke which is a more tedious process.

Am I missing something or am I correct that the line tool will not allow me to perform divisions like it did in Inkscape?


This is how it looks when done in Affinity:

This is how it works in Inkscape:

[R C-R]

You are not missing anything.

[Joachim_L]

Maybe there are better ways than mine.

1. Pull a guide line to where you want to divide.

2. Convert circle to curves if not done already.

3. Click with the node at the top of the circle and select Open Curve from the context bar.

4. Do the same for the bottom of the circle.

5. Done.

At this point I would like to see custom lines to be converted to guide lines.

[PixelPest]

Coming from Inkscape this is quite an amount of steps:

[R C-R]

10 minutes ago, PixelPest said:

Coming from Inkscape this is quite an amount of steps:

There is a simpler way to do this in Affinity, but it still involves a few steps:

1. If the object to be divided has not been converted to a curve, do that first.
2. Draw a straight line through the object, as you would in Inkscape.
3. Lock the line (optional but it simplifies things a bit).
4. With the appropriate snapping options enabled, select the object & with the Node tool add a pair of nodes at the two intersections of the line & the path of the object.
5. Select these two new nodes & from the Context toolbar, select the "Break Curve" action.
6. Delete or hide the line.

I am too lazy to figure out ATM which snapping options are essential to insure that the two new added nodes snap to the intersections, so I usually just enable all of them. 

The attached Divide with line.afdesign has the history with the last few steps saved with it so you can see how it works. Using this method the line can be at any angle.

[PixelPest]

4 hours ago, R C-R said:

There is a simpler way to do this in Affinity, but it still involves a few steps:

1. If the object to be divided has not been converted to a curve, do that first.
2. Draw a straight line through the object, as you would in Inkscape.
3. Lock the line (optional but it simplifies things a bit).
4. With the appropriate snapping options enabled, select the object & with the Node tool add a pair of nodes at the two intersections of the line & the path of the object.
5. Select these two new nodes & from the Context toolbar, select the "Break Curve" action.
6. Delete or hide the line.

I am too lazy to figure out ATM which snapping options are essential to insure that the two new added nodes snap to the intersections, so I usually just enable all of them. 

The attached Divide with line.afdesign has the history with the last few steps saved with it so you can see how it works. Using this method the line can be at any angle.

You´re funny aren´t you?

This is even in AD too much effort for such simple cut - and just owed by missing a basic knife tool.

Actually it´s.

1. Draw your shape

2. add a straight line as cutting guide

3. Snapping set to: Align to nodes of selected curves (1. icon)

4. when shape selected follow curve with node-tool till it become highlighted at the "crossing"; click and second click on the other side

5. select both new points - then it´s just "break curve" followed by 6. "Close Curve" - done - phew!

 

[R C-R]

3 hours ago, PixelPest said:

You´re funny aren´t you?

Sometimes, but I was just suggesting an alternative to adding a rectangle which saves a few clicks. As for the missing knife tool, in the "How to - split Ellipse" topic, I said that we really need a proper knife tool.

[PixelPest]

I believe we´re in sync.

 

Cheers