Minus front not working - Trying to create a half-circle line

[FlexPackPRO]

I'm trying to take a circular path and cut it in half to create a half-circle line.

So, I drew a circular path, and then a straight line over it.  I selected both, and then selected Minus Front from the Pathfinder panel, but when I do that the line just disappears and the circular path remains intact.  It doesn't get split in half the way I was anticipating.  If anyone can please tell me what I'm doing wrong here, that would be much appreciated!

[Myra Ferguson]

For this kind of operation, it's usually more intuitive to use the Shape Builder Tool (Shift+M). Select both the circle and the line, and select the Shape Builder Tool. Hold down Alt and drag over the area you want to remove.

[FlexPackPRO]

Thank you for the suggestion but the shape builder is not letting me delete the necessary portions of the shape either.

[FlexPackPRO]

This video shows exactly what I'm trying to do, but for some reason when I try to do it the line that I've drawn over the circle just disappears, rather than breaking up the circular path...

ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR TUTORIAL: How to cut a circle into different parts in Illustrator. - YouTube

[Jacob Bugge]

FlexPackPRO,

You can just select the line and Object>Path>Divide Objects Below

[FlexPackPRO]

Just tried dividing the Path, but then I end up with two half-circles (shown below), but what I need is an open curved line.  Like a C turned on it's side, rather than two closed half-circles.

[Jacob Bugge · Accepted solution]

FlexPackPRO,

For an exact half circle, you can just cut at the side Anchor Points with the Scissors Tool and delete the unwanted half.

[FlexPackPRO]

Thank you very much!  That worked

[Jacob Bugge]

You are welcome, FlexPackPRO.

Or even more easily, you can just deselect, then with the Direct Selection Tool Click (or ClickDrag over) the bottom (or top) Anchor Point and press Delete.