# Clipping a model without reference geometry

**URL:** <https://discourse.slicer.org/t/clipping-a-model-without-reference-geometry/27891>\
**Category:** Support\
**Created:** [February 17, 2023, 11:54pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/clipping-a-model-without-reference-geometry/27891 "2023-02-17T23:54:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![DeepaKrishnaswamy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/deepakrishnaswamy/32/8913_2.png) [@DeepaKrishnaswamy](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/DeepaKrishnaswamy)\
**Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 11:54pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/clipping-a-model-without-reference-geometry/27891/1 "2023-02-17T23:54:09Z")

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Hi,

I have a set of STL files that I would like to clip. I’m in the process of trying to use the clipping planes within Models, and also the Dynamic Modeler under Surface Models. However, I do not have the underlying MR data or information about the reference geometry. Is it still possible to use these methods without the underlying data? If not, are there other methods that would be appropriate?

Thank you,

Deepa

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**Author:** ![DeepaKrishnaswamy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/deepakrishnaswamy/32/8913_2.png) [@DeepaKrishnaswamy](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/DeepaKrishnaswamy)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 12:46am UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/clipping-a-model-without-reference-geometry/27891/2 "2023-02-18T00:46:39Z")

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I think I figured out how to clip the model by converting to a segmentation node and then to a binary label map, and then using the clipping planes for the model. But when I go to save the clipped model, only the original one is saved. How do I save out the edited one?

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![tsehrhardt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/tsehrhardt/32/18470_2.png) [@tsehrhardt](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/tsehrhardt)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 12:47pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/clipping-a-model-without-reference-geometry/27891/3 "2023-02-18T12:47:03Z")

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You can install the EasyClip module and clip a 3D model without a reference volume. Even without the volume, you can use the sliders in the 3 views to set the coordinates or move the cutting plane.

 ![2023-02-18_7-44-16](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/slicer/original/3X/8/1/8126c196391a285c87f1a67182cdaaf9001c1ac3.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![tsehrhardt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/tsehrhardt/32/18470_2.png) [@tsehrhardt](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/tsehrhardt)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 12:49pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/clipping-a-model-without-reference-geometry/27891/4 "2023-02-18T12:49:24Z")

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You can also use Dynamic Modeler without a reference volume.

 ![2023-02-18_7-48-00](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/slicer/original/3X/8/4/8424d6b097764ec65a12b1f05be947a9dab1fc9b.jpeg)  
 ![2023-02-18_7-48-30](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/slicer/original/3X/7/b/7be8bb7e4ab5515448db79770f3d08a925cf82b1.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![slicer365](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/slicer365/32/67549_2.png) [@slicer365](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/slicer365)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 12:11am UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/clipping-a-model-without-reference-geometry/27891/5 "2023-02-20T00:11:28Z")

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I think this way can only be used for special plane.

Is there a way to cut the model along any curve created by mouse?

Way like the scissors in segmentEditor，of course, I dont want to import the model to a segmentation. It will change the primary shape.

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**Author:** ![tsehrhardt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/tsehrhardt/32/18470_2.png) [@tsehrhardt](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/tsehrhardt)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 2:54pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/clipping-a-model-without-reference-geometry/27891/6 "2023-02-20T14:54:02Z")

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Yes there is a curve option–the little scissors button right next to the plane cut button in Dynamic Modeler. You can define an open or closed curve in Markups, then go back to Dynamic Modeler and select the “Curve Cut” button, then call up the curve you created in Markups.

 ![2023-02-20_9-46-18](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/slicer/original/3X/7/5/756f92aaf5bf9c30183dbe1fef12324c30b2ca58.jpeg)  
 ![2023-02-20_9-47-07](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/slicer/original/3X/9/6/967543dccfe829eb7020654180e5d1df97f996ac.jpeg)  
Provide names if you want for the parts that will be generated. Click Apply then go to Models and see your parts. I just made a random curve so you can see what it does.  
 ![2023-02-20_9-47-39](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/slicer/original/3X/1/e/1ef84e8776cd49d26323ffd5e72ced355354838b.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![slicer365](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/slicer365/32/67549_2.png) [@slicer365](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/slicer365)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 11:33pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/clipping-a-model-without-reference-geometry/27891/7 "2023-02-20T23:33:28Z")

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It is a good idea, thank you!