--- title: Trim slug: software/trim description: Trim is a tool in Carbon Design Engine removes all material outside the edges of a selected boundary mesh, which serves as a cutting surface. docTags: createdAt: 2024-06-06T00:05:50.163Z --- Trim **removes all material outside** the edges of the selected boundary mesh, which serves as a cutting surface. ::::VerticalSplit{layout="right"} :::VerticalSplitItem ### Using the Trim Feature - Click the **Trim** tool - The **Trim dialog **is added to the operations list - Select the **mesh to trim** - Select the **Boundary mesh **to serve as the **cutting surface** ::: :::VerticalSplitItem ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/goROjArkWi0vNfKJQct0N_trim-dialog-240712.png) ::: :::: # How Trim Works ::::VerticalSplit{layout="right"} :::VerticalSplitItem The boundary mesh (imported design space) is shown here in **orange**, while the generated lattice is shown in **green**. ::: :::VerticalSplitItem ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/uEb0XIen1NcgPK_53RQbR_image.png) ::: :::: ::::VerticalSplit{layout="middle"} :::VerticalSplitItem Lattice generation places the center of the strut on the boundary mesh surface, which means the **strut is protruding** from the boundary mesh **by 1/2 the strut diameter**. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/0ERz1vc38osaoTj0FQiVM_default-strut.png) ::: :::VerticalSplitItem When using the same input mesh that generated the strut lattice, as the boundary mesh, **Trim** will leave half of the strut inside your boundary and **remove the outer half**. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/fdpcVcdqSaMokz3FA_v-O_trimmed-strut.png) ::: :::: ### Lattice Before & After Trimming ::::VerticalSplit{layout="middle"} :::VerticalSplitItem ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/i2zO-UGXwpP6D3JrkX-ZZ_trimmed-v2-trans.gif) ::: :::VerticalSplitItem ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/qmM2m6QdlB9QMTHGgFaNH_trimmed-section-700.gif" size="70" width="698" height="700" position="center" caption="Section cut shown in red for clarity" showCaption="true"} ::: :::: :::hint{type="danger"} Note that when the **Trim** option is used in the Design Engine, you have a **half-size strut**. Smaller strut sizes may become too fragile for post-processing or for final performance. Reference [minimum strut size recommendations](docId\:f-f8ROxDabcRrBEUDh6Q1) for best results. ::: # Extrude Distance ::::VerticalSplit{layout="right"} :::VerticalSplitItem The Extrude distance option allows you to **extrude the trimmed surface outwards** to create a flat strut surface on all sides of the lattice mesh. ::: :::VerticalSplitItem ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/ZX3RYZDUnZe9dgoAZ4X9i_trimmed-extruded-strut.png) ::: :::: ### Lattice Before & After Trim + Extrude ::::VerticalSplit{layout="middle"} :::VerticalSplitItem ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/n2kLcuGuQ7eU06boI-RvV_trimmed-extrude-v2-trans.gif) ::: :::VerticalSplitItem ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/oISQuB66EdmiUDZ_JB9hq_trimmed-extrude-section-700.gif" size="70" width="698" height="700" position="center" caption="Section cut shown in red for clarity" showCaption="true"} ::: :::: :::hint{type="info"} This feature is similar to the [Apply Base](docId\:GOPjF6dmSrJFBPp1dSNCS) feature but achieves flat strut surfaces around the entire boundary. In addition, the extrude distance feature allows you to specify the extrusion distance, whereas the base feature extrusion is always 1/2 the strut diameter. :::