# BREAK in AutoCAD

> How AutoCAD's BREAK (BR) works, prompt by prompt: the pick is the first point, then the second, or First point; break at a point. Try it free online.

BREAK cuts a gap out of an object, or splits it in two. Select the object: as in AutoCAD, the point you picked it at is the first break point, so the next prompt asks only for the second, and the part between the two is removed. A line, an arc, an open polyline, an elliptical arc or a spline loses the part between the points and becomes two objects; a circle or an ellipse loses the part running counter-clockwise from the first point to the second, and a closed polyline the part between them in the order of its vertices: each becomes one open object. A point off the object is taken at its nearest point, and one past an end cuts to that end. While you give the second point, the part BREAK would keep is shown over the object. The break is one step that Undo takes back.

- **Command:** `BREAK`
- **Aliases:** `BR`
- **Panel:** [Modify](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands.md#modify)
- **Try it:** [Open the editor](/draw), type `BR` and press Enter.

## At the command line

The engine draws it and writes its history as you would type it: the prompts in AutoCAD 2027's order, with the same option letters.

A line broken between two points given with First point, and a circle broken from where it was picked counter-clockwise to a second point.

```text
Command: BREAK
Select object:
Specify second break point or [First point]: F
Specify first break point: 40,0
Specify second break point: 60,0
Command: BREAK
Select object:
Specify second break point or [First point]:
```

## Options

### `First point` (`F`)

At the second break point: give the first break point again, then the second, when where you picked the object is not where the gap starts.

## What it does not do yet

An arc, a circle or an ellipse that does not lie level with the UCS, which AutoCAD breaks and MellowCAD does not find. A whole ellipse that [`MIRROR`](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands/mirror.md) has turned over, which AutoCAD breaks the other way round.

[What it does and still lacks, in detail (in English)](https://github.com/ovelilla/mellowcad/blob/main/docs/coverage/modify.md#break--br--breakatpoint--es-parte--p--partirenpunto--pt-br-quebrar--qu--quebraremponto)

## Questions

### What is the shortcut for BREAK in AutoCAD?

`BR`, then Enter or Space. The full name works too, and `_BREAK` in any language of AutoCAD.

### How do I break a line at a point?

Run `BREAKATPOINT`, select the line and give the point: it becomes two lines that meet there. In BREAK, type `@` at the second break point for the same.

### How do I break a line between two points?

Select the line, choose `First`, then give the first and the second point: the part between them is removed. Or pick the line at the first point, and give only the second.

### Why can't I break a block or a text?

BREAK breaks lines, arcs, circles, polylines, ellipses and splines. A block reference says `Can't break a block`, and a text, a dimension or a hatch `Object can't be broken`; [`EXPLODE`](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands/explode.md) a block first to break its pieces.

### Which way does BREAK cut a circle?

Counter-clockwise, from the first point to the second, as in AutoCAD. Give the points the other way round to keep the other part.

## Related commands

- [BREAKATPOINT](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands.md#breakatpoint): Break at point
- [TRIM in AutoCAD](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands/trim.md)
- [JOIN in AutoCAD](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands/join.md)
- [ERASE in AutoCAD](https://mellowcad.com/docs/commands/erase.md)