Cutting tool seem very limited

[ray salmon]

have custom end cuts on some trellis beams

but the cut tool will not cut the beams from a void profile

isn't this what the tool is for....

i have tried dim lumber, solid extrusions, etc .... but no

r

[Steve_Stafford]

The Cut Tool is for Solid/Void relationships in families and can be used to cut one wall into another host wall. It does not arbitrarily cut another element and it does not cut something without something else to define how to cut.

You can:

Create a component with the correct end detail
Use the Opening > Opening by Face Tool - You can cut a Roof, Floor, Ceiling, Beam or Column

[sbrown]

I prefer to add the void to the beam family. That way its flexible and all beams can be edited at one time.

[ray salmon]

not sure what you mean by this

it is beams that I want to cut
with a rounded custom cut on the ends...

be nice it could a profile cut then could just change the profile it change all the cuts..

r

[cliff collins]

Do you mean something like this?

cheers........

[Steve_Stafford]

I'm not sure which of us you are referring to...

If there are many it is probably best to add a void to define the shape your framing needs at the end(s) in the family itself and save it as a new family.

If there are just a few then the Opening tool - Opening by Face would work. I've attached the steps in images for this tool.
Images Left to Right

1) Start the tool (Modeling Design bar 2009, Modify Ribbon tab 2010)
2) Choose the Face (vertical in this example)
3) Sketch the shape
4) Finish the Sketch (note error message because the boundary is also outside the extent of the beam)
5) Final result

[ray salmon]

thanks all

the advice got what needed
works great

r