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ForcedLoop

Plane-based cutting tool that creates loop cuts through entire objects

What is it?

ForcedLoop is an interactive cutting tool that creates loop cuts by slicing the entire object with a plane defined by the face under the cursor. Unlike standard loop cuts that follow edge flows, this tool forces cuts through the entire geometry regardless of topology, making it perfect for creating new edge loops where none existed before. The tool works reliably in all viewport modes including Local View, X-Ray, and with objects that have unapplied transforms.

Access and Shortcuts

  • Pie Menu: Edit Mode section → "ForcedLoop"
  • Operator: damtools.forced_loop
  • Requirements: Edit mode with mesh object
  • Modal Keys:
  • Mouse Move: Position cutting plane
  • Wheel: Rotate cutting plane
  • Click: Add cutting plane to queue
  • Enter: Execute all queued cuts
  • Esc/RMB: Cancel

Workflow

  1. Enter Edit mode with a mesh object
  2. Activate ForcedLoop from the pie menu
  3. Hover over a face to define the cutting plane orientation
  4. Use mouse wheel to rotate the plane if needed
  5. Click to add the cutting plane to the queue
  6. Repeat to add multiple cuts
  7. Preview shows all planned cuts in real-time
  8. Press Enter to execute all cuts
  9. Press Esc or Right-click to cancel

Plane-based cutting with real-time preview and multiple cut queuing

Parameters

Cutting Plane: - Position: Defined by face under cursor - Orientation: Based on face normal - Rotation: Adjustable via mouse wheel

Queue System: - Multiple cuts can be queued before execution - Each cut shows visual preview - All cuts execute simultaneously

Tips

  • Hover over faces with desired cutting direction normals
  • Use wheel rotation to fine-tune cutting angles
  • Queue multiple cuts for complex slicing operations
  • Works on any mesh topology, not limited to edge flows
  • Perfect for creating new topology where loop cuts can't reach
  • Works reliably in Local View (isolation mode) for precise editing
  • Functions correctly with X-Ray mode enabled for occluded geometry
  • Handles objects without applied transforms correctly
  • Useful for architectural modeling and hard surface work
  • Great for breaking up large flat surfaces into manageable sections

Suggested Images

  • Before/after showing forced loop cuts through complex geometry
  • Multiple queued cuts preview
  • Comparison with standard loop cuts vs forced cuts
  • Plane rotation demonstration

Known Limitations

  • Requires Edit mode with mesh objects
  • Very complex geometry may result in slower execution
  • Cut quality depends on mesh density at intersection points
  • May create n-gons that require further subdivision

See Also

  • Blender's standard Loop Cut and Slide
  • Knife tool for freehand cutting
  • Bisect tool for single plane cuts
  • Other DAMTools Edit mode operators