@Sergey yeah that's pretty much exactly what I want, except as a live effect so I can apply it to a bunch of paths automatically:

Interesting. That's why I wrote a free SplitPath script in 2018.

Sometimes you just want to do a boolean operation that results in an open path, and you want to embed it in a complex appearance stack.

This could be an entirely new entry in Effect > Pathfinder, or it could be a switch added to existing pathfinder effects.

Another solution that we have an access to — free SplitPath script by Sergey Osokin: https://github.com/creold/illustrator-scripts/blob/master/md/Path.md#splitpath
It uses a clever way to utilize Live Paint to do the work, and automatically removes unneeded pieces, subtracting from lines or intersecting with them.

Almost the same as https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/39762262

There is also a plugin solution provided by AstuteGraphics with their set of plugins, Path Intersections: https://youtu.be/SM7s0JVN5fk

I will support Egor. So far we have to use JS script to trim open paths.

Jeremy, while it should definitely be a native thing, here’s a brilliant free script that could help you: https://youtu.be/1_vUUFkTwxk

It turns out RJ graffix has already made a plug-in that allows us to 'fence cut' along multiple paths. His plug ins are amazing, and i at least recommend anyone who wants this to trial some of them.

https://rj-graffix.com/downloads/plugins/. (cutting tools)

I often need to cut paths to the edge of the artboard, or within a shape – especially when making guides.

In my example I show an isometric grid that I'd like to appear in a circle.

If I mask it, the strokes will still exist inside the mask. I can't make guides from a masked object.

If I use pathfinder and outline it, I will get points along every intersection, which in the case of an isometric grid slows illustrator down immensely (and may not be appropriate in any case).

I'd like to be able to 'cut multiple paths along a key path'. Whether its a closed shape (which would crop) or an open path (ending up with multiple anchor points along a line). The anchor points would only appear where the key path intersects the others.

Option to cut, trim or divide open paths (lines).
For example if "Divide objects below" worked on open paths as well.
Or if the Knife could cut open paths, and cut straight as well.

In attached example, I would have liked to cut my lines with the circle. Instead, I had to cut every single line individually in the intersection, locking the circle and using the Outline View.

Creating interesting designs, we have just as much need for trimming/cutting lines as filled objects.

Hi Jeremy,
I learned the other day that you can achieve what you want with tools already there in Illustrator.
However it will definitevely require some extra steps:

Have the star shape stacked above all open paths.
Have a rectangle that covers all your open paths and the star shape on top.

Select the star shape and the rectangle.

Use pathfinder tool to punch out a star shape from the rectangle.
Use the first tool from the right in the first row from the bottom of all pathfinder tools.
In my German version this is "Hinteres Objekt abziehen" ( Minus Back ).

Now select the open paths plus the new shape with the punched out star and use the pathfinder tool left to the tool you used before, in my German version called: "Kontur aufteilen".

Problem with all that: You have to remove a lot of paths after ungrouping. That's tedious.

Regards,
Uwe

Hi Jeremy,
voted! A very good idea!

Pathfinder should work with open paths. That would make it easy to cut a number of open paths to form. Can be very performant for preparing threaded text paths for curved prints like adhesive labels, stickers or price labels where text must follow the outer shapes.

Alternatively: Allow text wrapping with text on text paths!

Best,
Uwe Laubender
( ACP )