Splitting Parts (2025 SP3)

Additional options let you customize the part splitting functionality when selecting facets in large parts.

Splitting is essential because you cannot assign appearances to faces (or to anything in the hierarchy lower than the part level). If you want to assign multiple appearances to a single part, splitting is required.

When you use part splitting, you can:
  • See geometry more easily. SOLIDWORKS Visualize renders all parts in the scene in wireframe against a dark background for a better understanding of the underlying mesh structure.
  • Specify parts to split. The software shows a preview of the split mesh in blue wireframe and the part to split in red wireframe. Any part that is not in the part splitting display shows as faded wireframes.
  • Use specified tools for more control over face selection. You can specify Facet or Paint Brush Mode to select faces.
To split parts:
  1. Do one of the following:
    • Click Tools > Split Part.
    • In the viewport or Palette, right-click a part and click Edit > Split Part.
    • Press CTRL+ALT+P.
  2. In the dialog box, specify the Selection Mode:
    Option Description
    Facet Lets you click part facets to split. Adjust the Facet Angle Tolerance to specify the part tolerance.

    You can also use box selection in Facet mode.
    Paint Brush Lets you click and drag to select multiple part facets to split. Adjust the Paint Brush Radius to fine tune the selection area.
    Show Only Active Part Displays only the split mesh and the part undergoing the split instead of the entire part. Remaining geometry is hidden or rendered in gray wireframe.
  3. In the viewport, click a face or drag a selection area to see a preview of the split part.

    The split mesh changes to a blue wireframe and the part undergoing the split turns to a red wireframe.

  4. Optional: Press SHIFT to remove portions from the mesh selection or CTRL to add portions to the mesh selection.
  5. Click Execute Split.