PBRKALL-bgol (Break All Intersecting Polylines)

Command Type: AutoLISP routine (works in AutoCAD, BricsCAD, ZWCAD and most AutoLISP-compatible CAD platforms)
Developed by: BGol Community, bgol.in

Inspired by the general concept of batch break-at-intersection utilities used in CAD/survey drafting. This is an original, independently written routine, new file name, new command name, new source code, created so the CAD community has a free, editable, open-source alternative.

Overview

PBRK finds every point where two or more selected polylines cross one another and breaks each polyline into separate straight segments at those points, all in a single command, instead of running BREAK by hand at every crossing.

How to Use

1. Load PBRKALL-bgol.lsp into your CAD session (drag-and-drop the file onto the drawing window, or use the APPLOAD command).
2. Type PBRK at the command line and press Enter.
3. Select two or more LWPOLYLINEs that cross each other.
4. Press Enter to finish the selection.
5. Every selected polyline is rebuilt as a set of individual segments broken at each mutual intersection point, placed on a dedicated layer, BGOL-PBRK (colour green). The original polylines are removed.

Why Use It

• Batch operation, breaks many crossing polylines at once instead of repeating BREAK manually at every intersection.
• Topology-ready output, produces individually editable segments at every junction, a common prerequisite for GIS import or network analysis.
• Time savings, turns a slow, error-prone manual editing task into one command run.

Where to Use It

• Preparing road, drainage or utility networks for GIS import where segments (not continuous polylines) are needed at each junction.
• Any drafting task requiring polylines to be split wherever they cross other selected polylines.
• Cleanup step before running routines that expect pre-segmented, non-overlapping geometry.

Notes

• Only LWPOLYLINE entities are considered; select all polylines you want checked against each other in a single selection.
• Intersections are found using each pair's ActiveX IntersectWith method, so line, arc and curve segments within the polylines are all handled correctly.
• Original polylines are deleted after breaking; keep a backup copy of the drawing if you want to preserve the un-broken originals.
• Source code is fully open, feel free to study, modify, and redistribute it under the same open, free-for-all spirit.

Credits

Developed and shared for the CAD community by BGol Community. Website: https://bgol.in/ Free and open-source, use it, modify it, share it, for personal or commercial work alike.