AutoCAD TRIM Command: Quick Mode, Options and Tips

Trims objects to meet the edges of other objects, removing the excess parts.

Command: TRIM
Aliases: TR
English name: Trim

The AutoCAD TRIM command removes the parts of objects that extend past the edges of other objects. Start it with TRIM or the alias TR. It is one of the most used editing commands in 2D drafting.

Since AutoCAD 2021, Quick mode is the default. You do not need to select cutting edges first: every object acts as a potential cutting edge, and you simply click the segment you want to remove. In Quick mode, clicking an object that does not intersect anything deletes it entirely. If you prefer the classic workflow of selecting cutting edges first, switch to Standard with the mOde option.

Hold Shift while clicking an object and TRIM works like EXTEND, lengthening the object to the nearest boundary. This lets you trim and extend without switching commands.

How to use it

Type TRIM or TR and press Enter.
In Quick mode, click the segment you want to remove.
To trim several segments at once, press and drag through empty space to draw a freehand path across them.
Hold Shift and click to extend objects instead.
Press Enter or Esc to finish.

Options

cuTting edges: Lets you select the objects that act as cutting edges yourself.
Crossing: Trims objects touched by a rectangular crossing window defined by two points.
mOde: Switches between Quick and Standard mode. The default mode is also controlled by the TRIMEXTENDMODE system variable.
Project: Sets the projection used to find intersections in 3D: None, UCS or View.
eRase: Deletes selected objects without leaving the TRIM command.
Undo: Reverses the last trim without leaving the command.

Notes and tips

Set TRIMEXTENDMODE to 0 to always use the pre-2021 TRIM behavior.
In Quick mode, clicking an object that crosses nothing erases it; use U to bring it back if that was a mistake.
The current Projection, Edge and Mode settings are shown on the command line when TRIM starts.