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JollyPanda
Inspiring
January 12, 2026
Answered

Divide oval/ellipse into equal segments

  • January 12, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 396 views

Hi there,

 

I am looking for a way to divide ellipse into equal segments. Unlike circle, I cannot use angle to divid, which would yield different length on the ellipse. I've also tried Object -> Path -> Add anchor points, but I cannot specify the number of segments. I was looking for a way to do this (hopefully without any expensive plugins). Has anyone achieve this before and if so, could you share the method? All the tutorial I found online are based on circle, not oval.

 

The ability to add anchor point at specific distance distance also works since I can manually calculate the length of the segment. Another way that I found is to draw number of lines matching the number of segments I need, then use Objegs on Path to place them onto the ellipse then manually add anchor points there. As you can image, this is pretty cumbersome, so  hopefully there is an easier and better way to do this.

 

Tjhank you

Correct answer Bobby Henderson

Thank you for the suggestion. Using Pathfinder -> Outline command splits the path afterwars. For example, if I have an oval and three lines evenly distributed onto it using objects on path, I have something like this:

JollyPanda_0-1768444113805.png

 

I have one oval, and 3 lines, which is expected. However, if i use pathfinder -> outline command, then i have soemthing like this:

JollyPanda_1-1768444197241.png

The oval has been split into individual segments and they are all broken apart. I could join the anchor points together and get the oval back, but I feel like that's similar to what I had originally but just the opposite? Not sure if I am doing something wrong here?

 


You're not doing anything wrong. The process I described simply cuts the oval in even length segments automatically rather than anchor points having to be manually set. You'll get more accurate results. Joining anchor points in split apart paths might seem backward to manually adding the anchor points to a closed path. But the difference is adding the points manually won't be as accurate.

3 replies

B
Community Expert
Bobby HendersonCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 14, 2026

You could try the new Objects on Path tool to attach a specific number of vertical open line segments to the oval. The Objects on Path tool will spread them evenly around the oval. Pathfinder operations (Pathfinder>Outline) can be used to make the line segments slice the oval into separate segments, which would leave behind anchor points at those positions. The Document Info panel can be used to check path length (turn on Objects in the flyout menu). Then it's just a simple matter of joining the anchor points (using the Ctrl+J keyboard shortcut) to make the oval a closed path again.

J
JollyPandaAuthor
Inspiring
January 14, 2026

Thanks Bobby. This is the method I am currently using. It works great but it does requrie a few extra steps like drawing paths used to divide and then add anchor points manually to each spot that intersects. I am trying to see if there is any other easier and more ceonvenient way of doing this.

B
Community Expert
Bobby HendersonCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 14, 2026

You shouldn't have to manually add anchor points to the oval using the method I described. New anchor points will be left at the positions where the lines slice the oval using the Pathfinder>Outline command.

 

When I created the example image I posted earlier I merely used a rectangle to create the open path lines. I used the Scissors tool to cut the four anchor points to leave the lines I wanted. Then I made a number of copies to end up with 12 line segments. I aligned/distributed the line segments for good measure just because I'm a neat freak. After applying the lines to the oval using the Objects on Path tool I expanded the effect and then selected all 12 line segments can turned them into a compound path. Then I used the Pathfinder>Outline command to make them slice thru the oval. I had to add a new line stroke to the resulting artwork because the existing strokes on both objects disappeared when the Pathfinder operation was applied. Anyway the end result left the oval sliced in 12 separate curved line segments with nearly identical path lengths. The variations are in a couple thousandths of inches.

Jacob Bugge
Community Expert
Jacob BuggeCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 13, 2026

JollyPanda,

 

As I (mis)understand it, you can use the Divide script in this free set of scripts by 佐藤浩之 (Satō Hiroyuki), either here or here,

 

https://github.com/shspage/illustrator-scripts/tree/master/etc

https://shanfan.github.io/Illustrator-Scripts-Archive/

 

    renél80416020
    renél80416020
    Inspiring
    January 13, 2026

    Oui le script de (2006-2009 SATO Hiroyuki) est vraiment une référence, on peut le remercier vivement.

    Je m'en suis beaucoup inspiré.

    renl80416020_0-1768326707179.png

    renl80416020_0-1768327134580.png

    René

    J
    JollyPandaAuthor
    Inspiring
    January 13, 2026

    As you can see, divide 3 in this case divide each segment, ending total 12 anchor points, but I would like to split the oval itself.

     

    However, as I write this reponse, I realized that this might not be poissible since changing number of segments means that it might not be able to maintain the oval shape anymore because the number of anchor point is changing. hum...

    Kurt Gold
    Community Expert
    Kurt GoldCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 12, 2026

    Can you provide a sketch that shows exactly what you mean by dividing an ellipse into equal segments?

     

    What does "equal" mean in your case?

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