Slice

Sice by edge
Slice horizontally
Merge split elements
Slice by offset
Slice by another element
Slice freehand

The Slice widget contains tools to slice design model components into smaller elements based on the requirements of construction planning and estimating. This is a non-destructive process where the sliced elements still maintain the relationship with their parent.

Sliced elements are organized under a separate hierarchy in the Visibility Tree, under Construction data.

Properties after slice operation

After slicing, the new child element has calculated area, volume, and a few properties copied from the parent element. Slice by edge, Slice horizontally tools additionally create property 'Length of slice'. To review all parent properties for the selected child elements, select the 'Parent' tab in the Properties widget.

Selected child element's properties -

Properties for parent element -

The slices are saved in the local cache and need to be synced to the cloud by clicking on the cloud  icon.  After sync, sliced elements from SYNCHRO Modeler are visible in SYNCHRO 4D Pro, as a child element of the original parent hierarchy and with updated quantities as User Fields.

Note: Sliced elements are not visible in Default View, but only the Parent elements.

Elements can be sliced using one of the following tools -

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By edge

Slices an element perpendicular to the selected edge of a selected element. The slices can be made using one of the following methods -

Single method creates a single slice (red cutting disk), by entering the Distance from a starting point of the element. Reverse start point can be used to flip the measurement direction from the other end.

Click Slice to complete the process.

Multiple method creates multiple even slices as per the specified Distance.

               

When the process is completed, individual sliced elements have their own calculated properties, like Surface Area and Volume. The Parent element still maintains all its original properties.

 

Video -

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Horizontally

Slices the selected element horizontally, on XY plane. The slices can be made using one of the following methods -

Single method creates a single slice (red cutting disk), by entering the Distance from a starting point of the element. Reverse start point can be used to flip the measurement direction from the other end.

Click Slice to complete the process.

 

Multiple method creates multiple even slices as per the specified Distance.

Note: For By Edge and Horizontal Method, only one element can be sliced at a single time.

Video -

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Merge split elements

Upon selecting a sliced element, it merges all the associated sliced elements back to its original parent.

 

By offset

Slices a single or multiple elements based off a defined offset distance. This tool requires the following steps -

1. Select all the elements that needs sliced.
2. Select the element that identifies the offset start point.
3. Select the edge of the element that will reference the offset distance.
4. Fixed method creates entered Number of slices based of the same Distance. Enter a positive or negative value depending on the direction of the slice.
   

 

Flex method has options to create multiple slices, each having their own variable offset distance, using the previous slice as a reference.
 

5. Click Slice to complete the process. 

Video - 

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By another element

Slices a single or multiple element based off a slicing plane defined by another element. This tool requires the following steps –

1. Select the elements that needs sliced and the element to form a slicing plane.
   
   
   
2. Identify the element to form the slicing plane.
   
   
   
3. Specify the edge of selected element to form the slicing plane.
   
   
   
4. Pick the plane position to slice either using the Single or Multiple.
    
   

5. Click Slice to complete the process and review the result in Visibility Tree.
    

Video - 

 

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Freehand

Slices can be made by drawing a custom rectangle, polygon, or line with exact dimensions.

Slices a single or multiple elements based off a slicing plane defined by another element.

 

This tool requires the following steps –

1. Select the elements that needs sliced and the element to form a slicing plane. We can select multi component by using CTRL button..

2. At this step, select one component where we will draw the cutting shape.

3. There are two options to draw the shape. Freehand and Rectangle. Select one of the option, and press Next.

4. Start draw the shape. Once it is finished, click Next button.

5. This is last step, it just to confirm the process.

6. Check the result. All five component now cut with same shape.

We can see the Volume and Surface Area in the property.

Video -