---
title: "Shaping"
url: "https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/TOOLKNIFEPATH-MDATA_KNIFEPATH_SHAPING_GROUP.html"
section_path: "Mesh Menu > Path/Loop Cut > Shaping"
element_id: "TOOLKNIFEPATH"
group_id: "MDATA_KNIFEPATH_SHAPING_GROUP"
description: "Let's say you want to place a loop cut on a sphere. If this option is disabled, a cut as shown at the left of the image above will be created: the cut is …"
---

## Shaping

### Preserve Curvature

Parameter ID: `MDATA_KNIFEPATH_PRESERVE_CURVATURE`

### Tension

Parameter ID: `MDATA_KNIFEPATH_PRESERVE_CURVATURE_TENSION` · Range: [-5.00..5.00]

![Image: 040547.jpg](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/040547.jpg)

Let's say you want to place a loop cut on a sphere. If this option is disabled, a cut as shown at the left of the image above will be created: the cut is located on the same plane as the neighboring edges. Not exactly what one imagines for a sphere. If the option is enabled, the cut will accommodate the neighboring curvature, which results in a convexity (green line) of the cut edge. The degree to which the convexity should be calculated is defined by the **Tension** setting. Negative values can be used to move the curvature in the other direction. The **Number of Cuts** value can be increased to more precisely define the green curve's shape.

### Profile

Parameter ID: `MDATA_KNIFEPATH_SPLINE_USE`

![Image: 040548.jpg](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/040548.jpg)

Enable this option if the cut or cuts should follow a specific profile and adjust the curve accordingly.

### Depth

Parameter ID: `MDATA_KNIFEPATH_SPLINE_EXTRUSION` · Range: [-∞..+∞m]

![Image: 040549.jpg](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/040549.jpg)\
Increasing **Depth** values from left to right (at left a negative value).

If the profile curve corresponds to the cut's profile, the **Depth** value defines the shape's amplitude. Negative values can also be used, which will invert the curve accordingly.