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O
Community Expert
Oh.N8Community Expert
January 6, 2026
Answered

scissor bits

  • January 6, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 203 views

Screenshot 2026-01-06 at 20.09.11.png

 

the scissor tool... not sure why I am getting these left over bits.
Just going from one end to the other end.

Cheers

Nate

Correct answer Jacob Bugge

Nate,

 

I agree with Hans-Jürgen.

 

One way of a vertical gap is by using the Object>Path>Divide Objects below.

 

You can:

 

1) Create a rectangle of the desired width and higher than the cut height,

2) Place it where you wish to cut, then (with the brown shape unselected) Object>Path>Divide Objects below,

3) Delete the middle part, then Direct Select both the vertical segments on either side of the gap and delete them if you wish to get rid of those parts of the Stroke as in your image.

 

You can also use straight vertical paths and apply Object>Path>Divide Objects below to each to the same effect, or you can have either or both slanting.

 

As far as I can see, the right side of the gap is a wee bit off vertical, about -0.5 degree.

 

 

With regard to the protruding stroke part, what happens if you Ctrl/Cmd+E (toggles between GPU and CPU)?

 

3 replies

O
Community Expert
Oh.N8Community ExpertAuthor
January 7, 2026

Thanks @Jacob Bugge  @pixxxelschubser 

 

It was just a simple cut from the top down. Nothing spectacular hahaha. I will impliment your suggestions. 
Good to know... avoid using the scissor tool on circles. 🙂

Cheers
Nate

Jacob Bugge
Community Expert
Jacob BuggeCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 7, 2026

For my part you are welcome, Nate.

 

Now you have at least me wondering, especially with "just a simple cut from the top down": the two parts of the curved path are apart (and the end Anchor Points seem to be further apart at the top) consistent with two sets of Scissor Tool cuts so that is what I assumed. One complication is that it takes special effort to ensure that the cuts are parallel (easiest done with a rectangle, or with two straight paths using the Pen Tool or the Line Segment Tool with Shift for vertical, then rotated for slanting cut).

 

I ruled out (maybe wrongly) your moving the two parts apart because of the angle difference, and the protruding stroke part must have another cause than both the use of the Scissors Tool and the rounded/elliptic path.

 

So I believe we still have a riddle, and "using the scissor tool on circles" in itself is fine and no troublemaker.

 

This brings us back to what Hans-Jürgen asked for, and whether Ctrl/Cmd+E makes a difference.

 

    O
    Community Expert
    Oh.N8Community ExpertAuthor
    January 7, 2026

    Hey @Jacob Bugge 

     

    I am taking a course online and the instructor was showing different ways on how to seperate objects/ cut them in 1/2 for example. No special project. 

    Having some exposure to Illustrator, I am looking to upgrade my understanding of the tools and then create other project.

     

    I would most often use the knife tool: it works. Struggle to figure out how to use the scissors properly.  The eraser to erase big a messy.

    Today the tools are co operating. Ahh the joys of working w software. 

    Jacob Bugge
    Community Expert
    Jacob BuggeCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    January 6, 2026

    Nate,

     

    I agree with Hans-Jürgen.

     

    One way of a vertical gap is by using the Object>Path>Divide Objects below.

     

    You can:

     

    1) Create a rectangle of the desired width and higher than the cut height,

    2) Place it where you wish to cut, then (with the brown shape unselected) Object>Path>Divide Objects below,

    3) Delete the middle part, then Direct Select both the vertical segments on either side of the gap and delete them if you wish to get rid of those parts of the Stroke as in your image.

     

    You can also use straight vertical paths and apply Object>Path>Divide Objects below to each to the same effect, or you can have either or both slanting.

     

    As far as I can see, the right side of the gap is a wee bit off vertical, about -0.5 degree.

     

     

    With regard to the protruding stroke part, what happens if you Ctrl/Cmd+E (toggles between GPU and CPU)?

     

      pixxxelschubser
      Community Expert
      pixxxelschubserCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      January 6, 2026

      Hi Nate,

      Scissors are not necessarily the best tool for separating round paths with fill and stroke (the ends of the strokes adapt to the curve).

       

      However, you want to know why the overlaps occur. To do this, we need to know how you “cut” the oval and see the anchor points (all selected with the white arrow) and also see the layers panel (expanded).

       

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