Cutting multiple boards with a shape

[tricky]

I have a bunch of floor boards that I have modelled in a herringbone pattern. They are simple single rectangular polys (1 poly per board) with a uvw map on them. Each one is instanced and then moved into position.

I now want to 'cut' the boards to fit my walls. Is there any good way I can simply draw a shape in the top viewport that traces out all of my walls, and use this to cut all my instanced floor boards? I had hoped 'shapemerge' might work, but it seems not. I think that only works with selecting single objects.

Any tips?

[Da_elf]

if your boards are how you like them cant you just convert to editable poly and attach them all to be 1 object to cut?

[mikeh]

boolean (intersection) them as one piece would work...maybe not the way you want but that is how i have done 3d roof tiles.
mh

[suurland]

If it's one poly object I would just use quickslice.

/Thomas

[Raven]

If you really want to keep them all as separate objects. I would select all of them and add a slice modifier, this would be an instance on all the objects and the object would become a reference.
Repeat for each wall.

[tricky]

if your boards are how you like them cant you just convert to editable poly and attach them all to be 1 object to cut?

I suppose I just wanted flexibility in case I add detail at some future point. Converting to single poly may be much simpler. Thanks.

[tricky]

If you really want to keep them all as separate objects. I would select all of them and add a slice modifier, this would be an instance on all the objects and the object would become a reference.
Repeat for each wall.

Yes - this is the route I was thinking of taking. It just becomes a pain selecting only the planks that need cutting.