Eraser Tool

The Eraser Tool allows you to remove, modify, or cut elements by drawing eraser strokes across them. It's particularly useful for quick edits, removing portions of shapes, and creating custom cutouts.

Activating the Eraser Tool

• Select the Eraser from the toolbar
• Or press E to activate
• The cursor changes to an eraser icon

Basic Usage

1. Activate the Eraser tool (E)
2. Click and drag across elements you want to erase
3. Elements touched by the eraser stroke will be modified or deleted
4. Release to complete the erase operation

Eraser Modes

The Eraser tool can perform different operations depending on what it touches:

Delete Mode

• Complete Deletion - Elements fully crossed by the eraser stroke are deleted
• Quick Removal - Drag across unwanted elements to remove them
• Multiple Elements - One stroke can delete multiple overlapping elements

Modify Mode

• Path Cutting - Erase across vector paths to slice them
• Shape Trimming - Remove portions of shapes where eraser crosses
• Edge Refinement - Clean up shape edges with precise eraser strokes

Add Mode

• Element Creation - In some contexts, eraser strokes can create new elements
• Splitting - Divide shapes into separate pieces

Eraser Properties

Customize the eraser behavior in the Properties Panel:

• Brush Size - Control eraser width
• Hardness - Adjust edge softness (hard edges for precision)
• Mode - Choose between delete, modify, or add modes
• Precision - Enable snap-to-path for accurate erasing

Working with Paths

The Eraser tool is especially powerful with vector paths:

• Path Slicing - Drag across a path to cut it at intersection points
• Segment Removal - Erase specific segments of compound paths
• Node Creation - Cutting paths creates new anchor points
• Clean Cuts - Eraser strokes create precise, editable cuts

Undo & Redo Support

All eraser operations are fully undoable:

• Uses EraserCommand for complete undo/redo support
• Cmd/Ctrl + Z to undo eraser operations
• Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + Z to redo
• Each eraser stroke is a single undoable operation

Visual Feedback

• Stroke Preview - See the eraser path as you draw
• Hit Highlighting - Elements highlight when touched by eraser
• Deletion Preview - Visual indication of what will be removed
• Real-time Updates - See results immediately as you erase

Common Use Cases

Quick Cleanup

• Remove construction lines after finishing a design
• Delete multiple small elements in one stroke
• Clean up imported artwork

Shape Editing

• Create custom cutouts in shapes
• Trim overlapping elements
• Remove unwanted shape portions

Path Manipulation

• Split paths into multiple segments
• Create gaps in strokes
• Break complex paths into simpler pieces

Icon Design

• Remove portions of icons for negative space
• Create custom icon variations
• Quick shape subtraction effects

Modifier Keys

• Shift - Constrain eraser to horizontal or vertical strokes
• Alt/Option - Toggle between erase modes
• Shift + Alt - Erase in straight line from last point

Tips

• Zoom in for precise erasing on detailed work
• Use smaller brush sizes for fine control
• Combine with other tools - Use eraser with pen tool for complex path editing
• Undo freely - Full undo support means you can experiment without risk
• Multiple passes - Make several eraser strokes for gradual refinement

Differences from Other Tools

Tool	Purpose
Eraser (E)	Stroke-based deletion and modification
Cut Tool (C)	Precise point-based path splitting
Delete Key	Removes entire selected elements
Boolean Operations	Shape-based subtraction with crisp edges

Troubleshooting

• Eraser doesn't work - Make sure elements aren't locked
• Wrong elements erased - Check layer order; elements on top are erased first
• Incomplete erase - Stroke needs to fully cross element boundaries
• Can't undo - Each stroke is one undo step; use Cmd/Ctrl+Z

Related Topics

• Cut Tool - Precision path splitting
• Pen Tool - Path creation and editing
• Boolean Operations - Shape combination methods