How to Split a Part in SOLIDWORKS

The Split feature in SOLIDWORKS divides one part into multiple bodies or separate part files. It is useful for creating left and right halves, separating tooling pieces, breaking a casting into machining operations, or turning a master model into related components.

Prepare the splitting tool

Before using Split, create the geometry that will cut the part. The splitting tool can be a plane, surface, sketch, or face depending on the design. The tool must intersect the body in a way that creates the bodies you expect.

For a simple half split, a reference plane may be enough. For an irregular split, a surface or sketch-based tool gives more control. Check the tool from several angles before running the feature.

Use the Split command

1. Open the part.
2. Create or select the plane, surface, or sketch that will split the body.
3. Go to Insert > Features > Split.
4. Select the trim tool.
5. Click Cut Part to preview the resulting bodies.
6. Choose which bodies to keep and save.

Choose which bodies to keep

After the split is calculated, SOLIDWORKS shows the resulting bodies. You can keep all of them or only selected bodies. Review the preview carefully so you do not discard a body that should remain in the model.

If the preview creates extra sliver bodies, the splitting tool may be crossing the model in an unintended way. Clean up the tool geometry before saving separate parts.

Save split bodies as files

Split bodies can stay inside the same multi-body part, or they can be saved as separate part files. If you save them externally, choose clear file names and save locations. Broken references are much easier to avoid when split files are organized from the beginning.

When split bodies are saved as external files, those files may remain linked to the original part. Decide whether that link is useful for the project or whether the new files should be made independent later.

Check downstream references

If drawings, assemblies, or derived parts depend on the original model, check them after splitting the part. A split can change body names, face references, mass properties, and file references. This is especially important when the split bodies are used as released part files.

Also check material, custom properties, and part numbers. A body created from a master model may need its own metadata before it is used in a BOM or drawing.

Troubleshooting

If the Split feature does not create the expected bodies, check whether the splitting tool fully intersects the solid. Extend surfaces or sketches if needed. If the wrong side is kept, edit the Split feature and review the selected bodies.

Use Split when the design relationship between the bodies should remain connected. If the new part should be completely independent, save a copy and remove references intentionally.

Before release, open each saved body file and rebuild it. This confirms that the references resolve correctly and that each new part contains the expected geometry.

If the split is part of a manufacturing workflow, also verify the drawing for each saved body. The model split is only complete when the downstream files describe the new parts correctly.