In Embird and in 5D you split after the digitising is done and you've generated the embroidery stitch files. In both you can let the software split the design automatically given the hoop size it's intended for or you can do it by hand, making a path that gives the neatest cuts through the design. And you can add a couple of alignment stitches. Printing out templates and using them helps the right placement too.

http://www.kennykreations.com/product-detail/kkembirdtutorial1/splitting-for-the-janome-gigahoop/ Yvonne, if you go to Kenny Kreations and see her free video tutorials she has one about splitting for the gigahoop. She is very good.
Yvonne G ( Do a copy and paste. )