CorelDRAW Knife Tool Line Deletion Modes

The Knife tool in CorelDRAW provides versatile options for slicing vector objects, paths, and text, allowing designers to choose whether cut portions are preserved or removed. When making a cut across an object or line, the Property Bar offers specific line and object retention modes that determine which portion of the separated graphic is kept and which portion is deleted.

Keep Both (Retain All)

By default, the Knife tool is set to retain both sides of a sliced object or line. When this mode is active, cutting across an outline or closed curve divides the path into two distinct, independent objects without deleting any segments.

Keep Left (Delete Right)

This mode automatically discards the right or lower portion of the sliced path while retaining the left or upper portion. When a cut is completed, CorelDRAW immediately deletes the secondary section, eliminating the need to manually select and delete the unwanted line or object afterward.

Keep Right (Delete Left)

Working inversely to the previous mode, this option retains the right or lower segment of the cut path and automatically deletes the left or upper segment. It is ideal for trimming away starting points or unwanted trailing paths with a single slicing action.

Path Behavior and Auto-Close Modes

When applying these deletion modes to open lines or closed outlines, the Knife tool also allows you to control how the remaining cut boundaries are handled:

• Auto-Close: Automatically closes the resulting segment by creating a connecting line between the cut points, ensuring the remaining shape forms a closed vector curve.
• Keep Open: Retains the cut lines as open curves, leaving the sliced endpoints unjoined.

These deletion and closure options can be applied whether using the 2-Point Line, Freehand, or Bézier cut modes on the Property Bar.