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Parametric Modeling
Create 2D sketches, surfaces, and solids.
Geometry
Create and modify parametric surfaces and solids.
Slice
Slice a set of solid objects with a cutting plane or surfaces.

Welcome
What's New
Discover new features and enhancements.
Get Started
New to Inspire Form? Learn the basics here.
Tutorials
Start using Inspire Form with our interactive tutorials.
Variables
Create and assign variables to parametrize a model. This allows you to quickly iterate and compare design concepts by tweaking the values of the variables.
Parametric Modeling
Create 2D sketches, surfaces, and solids.
- Construction History
  View and edit the construction history of your model.
- Global References
  Global references are the global origin, axes, and planes shown in the modeling window. They can be helpful when creating and defining your model.
- Sketching
  Create and edit 2D parametric sketch geometry.
- Geometry
  Create and modify parametric surfaces and solids.
  - Reference Geometry
    Create and modify reference planes, axes, or points.
  - Extrude
    Extrude profiles or 2D surfaces in one or two directions to create solids or 3D surfaces with optional end caps. Create a new part or combine, merge, subtract, or intersect the extruded shape with existing parts.
  - Revolve
    Revolve one or more faces, sketches, lines, or 2D edges about an axis.
  - Extract
    Extract selected geometry features and transfer them to a new part.
  - Sweep
    Sweep a profile along a path to create a solid or surface. Create a new part or combine, subtract, or intersect the swept shape with existing parts.
  - Multi Sweep
    Sweep multiple profiles along a path to create a solid or surface. Create a new part or combine, subtract, or intersect the swept shape with existing parts.
  - Pipe
    Create a pipe along one or more edges/lines. The pipe has a uniform cross section that can be circular, square, rectangular, or triangular.
  - Loft
    Create a solid loft or a lofted surface from profiles and guide curves. Create a new part from the loft or combine, subtract, or intersect the loft with existing parts.
  - Patch
    Fill in a missing surface.
  - Pattern
    Create a linear or circular pattern of parts or faces.
  - Mirror
    Mirror parts across a symmetry plane.
  - Rib
    Extrude rib geometry from a sketch to stiffen your model. You can select an arc, curve, straight line, or curved surface.
  - NURBS Curve
    Create a NURBS curve, which is a free-form curve.
  - Blend Curve
    Create a free-form curve that blends into one or more existing curves, surfaces, or edges.
  - Offset Curve
    Create a copy of one or more curves at a specified distance from the source curves. This tool can be used on both 2D and 3D curves.
  - Helix Curve
    Create a helix (or a spiral if the top and bottom radii are different).
  - Extend Curve
    Extend a curve and modify the shape of the extension.
  - Face Curve
    Extract curves from a face in the U or V direction. This is useful for creating trim curves that run along a face.
  - Divide Curve
  - Intersect Curves
    Split intersecting curves or wire bodies into several curves.
  - Simplify Curves
    Simplify one or more curves by changing the number of control points and inverting their sequence, joining multiple curves, or by applying an arc length parametrization.
  - From Surface Intersection
    Extract curves from the intersection of two surfaces.
  - Boolean
    Create a new part by using one set of solids to edit another set of solids.
  - Fillets
    Create fillets or chamfers along an edge.
  - Trim/Split
    Remove part of a surface or solid by projecting a profile curve onto it. Or use a set of tool surfaces to split a set of target surfaces.
  - Slice
    Slice a set of solid objects with a cutting plane or surfaces.
  - Intersect
    Retain only the intersecting portions of one or more parts.
  - Shell
    Remove material and create thin walls to generate a shelled part.
  - Draft
    Add draft to one or more faces of a part.
  - Push/Pull
    Push, pull, or revolve a face, sketch, line, or 2D edge to extrude it into a solid or surface, create or resize a hole, eliminate rounds, or modify wall thickness.
  - Extend Surface
    Extend a surface along one or more edges. You can extend the surface to a curve or another surface.
  - Offset
    Offset surfaces or parts, thicken surface parts and convert them to solids, or thicken and hollow solid parts.
  - Move Faces
    Translate, rotate, copy, or extend features.
  - Partition
    Divide a solid part into design and non-design regions by selecting a hole, pocket, or face to offset.
  - Simplify
    Clean up problem areas in the geometry of a model before running an analysis.
  - Delete Faces
    Delete faces from solid or sheet parts.
  - Close Holes
    Use the Close Holes tool to fill in missing surfaces, or to remake bad or problematic surfaces.
  - Scale
    Resize parts in your model, which is useful when working with an imported model that is associated with a different default unit system.
  - Tags
    Assign or query tags (metadata) that can be associated with one or more entities in a model.
  - Deform
    Twist, bend, taper, shear, stretch, or drape parts within a specified region (deformation zone).
  - Replace Geometry
    Replace a part in your model with an alternative design.
Feasibility Setup and Simulation
Perform Feasibility, Blank Fit, and Blank Nesting analyses.
Die Face Design
Open any part in Studio to design the die, and import the die face design into Inspire Form from Studio.
Die Design
Use the Die Design ribbon to design and generate die surfaces.
Tryout Setup and Simulation
Perform tryout analyses to validate die designs.
Design Explorer
Evaluate designs by using geometric variables and applying a design-of-experiments (DOE) or optimization method. We recommend fully constraining your sketch when sketch variables are used in the design exploration.
Rendering
Adjust the materials, environment, and properties of objects in the scene to create a photorealistic image.
Geometric Analysis
Analyze the object geometry for negative draft, trim angle, and shortest distance between parts.
Simulation Results
Review forming outcomes through the Analysis Explorer.
Reference
View the glossary or frequently asked questions.
Keyboard Shortcuts and Mouse Controls
Learn keyboard shortcuts and mouse controls for common operations.

Slice

Slice a set of solid objects with a cutting plane or surfaces.

On the Geometry ribbon, select the Slice tool.
Note: The tool may be hidden in the dropdown menu. To access the dropdown menu, you can do one of the following:
- Select at the lower right corner of the currently displayed tool.
- Click and hold the currently displayed tool.
Tip: To find and open a tool, press Ctrl+F. For more information, see Find and Search for Tools.
In the guide bar, click for more Options:
- Extend Face/Surface: Completely cut the target by extending the laminar edges of the cutting surface or face.
Optional: By default, the targets are assumed based on where you position the cutting plane or surfaces. To select your own targets, click Targets on the guide bar, and then select one or more parts.

Tip: Select a part in the Model Browser to quickly select all of its entities. Hold Ctrl or Shift to select multiple parts.
Do one of the following:
- Click Faces on the guide bar, and then select one or more faces that intersect the target part.
- Click Surface on the guide bar, and then select a surface that intersects the target part. A surface can contain multiple faces.
- Click Plane on the guide bar, and then click on the part to define the cutting plane.
  Note: As you mouse over the target, a red circular saw appears to indicate where the cutting plane will be positioned. Hovering over an edge gives a perpendicular cutting plane, while hovering over a face produces a planar cutting plane.
Tip:
- To switch among selecting targets or faces/surfaces/planes, right-click or press Tab.
- Select an object in the Model Browser to quickly select a surface or plane.
Click Apply on the guide bar or microdialog.

All individual solids are placed into separate parts.

Tip:

To reposition the cutting plane using the Move tool, click .
To align the cut plane to the x-, y-, or z-axis, click .

Keyboard Shortcuts & Mouse Controls


To	Do this
Add to or remove from the selection	Ctrl
Exit tool	Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.