How to Split Polyline into a number of Segments or at Intervals?

Divide/Break Objects

How to Split Polyline into equal segments? How to Divide a Line into 3 parts? Can I split a circle into for example 5 arcs? How to Break a Polyline into 3? Is it possible to Break a line at an interval? Today we are answering these and every other question related to dividing objects in AutoCAD!

As an example, imagine you have a Fence and you need a column every 10 feet, how would you divide the object at 10 feet intervals?

Another Example will be, a Polyline needs to be split into 5 equal parts, how to split it?

AutoCAD has lots of tools built-in, luckily it has just the right tools we need to complete our tasks  MEASURE and DIVIDE commands. By default, these commands use AutoCAD points to mark lengths. However, we can set them up to place blocks of our choice, they also provide the option to align our blocks to the polyline.
Note: If you decide to use point objects, it would be great to set up the point style first. If you are going to use blocks you will need to create one first, and be sure that the block’s insertion point is right where you want it to be!

Divide an Object into a Number of Segments – DIVIDE

The first command we are going to look at is DIVIDE, it places points or blocks Dividing our objects into equal parts. It’s important to notice that this command won’t affect the object in any way! To use it, follow the steps below:

1. Firstly, type on the command line DIVIDE
2. AutoCAD will ask to select an object to divide. Here you can select the Polyline/Spline/Line object that will be divided.
3. The next step will be to Either to Enter the number of the segments or [Block].
   If you want to use a Block object hit “B“, if an AutoCAD Point object is enough, just enter the number of segments.
   If the block option is selected, continue with steps 4, 5, 6:
4. AutoCAD will prompt to Enter name of block to insert: Type in the Block name (tip: choose easy names so you can remember them).
5. Then, at Align block with object? Choose either Yes or No.
6. And finally, at Enter number of segments: Enter the desired number.
   

Split an Object at specific lengths – DIVIDE

The MEASURE command is similar to DIVIDE the difference is that it places the points (blocks) at an interval of your choosing. To use it, follow the steps below:

1. Firstly, type on the command line MEASURE
2. AutoCAD will ask to select an object to Measure. Here you can select the Polyline/Spline/Line object that will be divided into intervals.
3. The next step will be to Either to Specify length of segment or [Block]:
   If you want to use Block object hit “B“, if an AutoCAD Point object is enough, just enter the length of the segments.
   If the block option is selected, continue with steps 4, 5, 6:
4. AutoCAD will prompt to Enter name of block to insert: Type in the name of the block that will be used.
5. Then, at Align block with object? Choose either Yes or No. The same way as with DIVIDE
6. And finally, at Specify length of segment: Enter the desired Length.
   

Break Polyline (or any Object) using LISP

MEASURE and DIVIDE work great in most cases, however, if you want to Break the Object at specific intervals or into several segments, these Built-in commands won’t be enough. This can be done very easily with one small AutoLISP. Just follow the steps below:

1. First, Download the Lisp from Here.
2. Load the LISP into the AutoCAD. (How to Use AutoLISP in AutoCAD)
3. In order to Split an Object into equal Segments type in the command line DIVCUT. To Break an Object at specific intervals type in the command line MESCUT.
4. Then AutoCAD will ask you to select an object to break.
5. Finally, after selecting an object, you either type in the number of segments, or the length of segments.
   

Note: The Lisp can be used with Splines too, however, it will turn the Spline into a 2D Polyline with lots and lots of vertexes. How to Remove Polyline Vertexes (Remove Multiple Vertexes at Once!!)

Lisp is created by the great French guy Gilles, from cadxp.com. If you like the lisp and want to help the developer in his work feel free to contact him!

The only thing I decided to change is the prompt text because it was in French. All the explanations in Lisp info are written in French too.

Hope you find the advice useful!
Don’t forget to check out our other AutoCAD Tips and Share the post with your Colleagues!