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Slice Apart

In one sentence: Cut a Base shape using a Tool shape and create separate independent objects for each resulting fragment.

Overview

Workbench: Part
Menu: Part → Split → Slice Apart
Shortcut: none

Cuts a Base shape using a Tool shape and replaces the Base with two or more separate Part::Feature objects — one per fragment. Unlike Slice to Compound, the fragments become independent model-tree objects rather than a compound.

Intuition

Like using a bandsaw: the cut piece falls into two separate pieces that you can pick up and move independently. The original Base shape is gone; in its place are the individual fragments.

Use Slice Apart when the fragments need to be processed independently after splitting — moved, hidden, filletted, or exported separately.

When to use it

  • Splitting a casting at a parting line to analyse mould halves independently.
  • Cutting a solid into slices that will be placed on different layers or exported as separate files.
  • Any case where you need the fragments as independent model-tree objects.

When NOT to use it

  • Don't use it if you want to keep fragments together — use Slice to Compound, which keeps all fragments in one compound object.
  • Don't use it if you need to keep the original Base shape — Slice Apart replaces the Base. Use Slice to Compound, which is non-destructive.

Step-by-step

  1. Select the Base shape (the shape to cut).
  2. Ctrl+click the Tool shape (the cutting shape — can be a face, wire, or solid that defines the cut plane/surface).
  3. Choose Part → Split → Slice Apart.
  4. The Base is replaced by two or more separate Part::Feature objects in the model tree.

Parameters

Parameter Description
Base The shape to be cut (replaced by fragments in the tree)
Tool The cutting shape (remains in the tree unchanged)

Common mistakes and pitfalls

Base shape is replaced (destructive)

Unlike Slice to Compound, Slice Apart removes the original Base from the tree and replaces it with fragments. Use Ctrl+Z to undo if this is unintended.

Tool shape must intersect the Base

If the Tool shape does not cross the Base, no slice is performed and the result is the unchanged Base shape.

Tool can be a face or wire, not just a solid

Any shape that creates a cutting surface works as the Tool — a datum plane, a sketch, a flat face extracted from another solid.

See also