# Segmenting canine turbinates using mask volume

**URL:** https://discourse.slicer.org/t/segmenting-canine-turbinates-using-mask-volume/15928
**Category:** Support
**Tags:** segmentation
**Created:** [February 10, 2021, 12:49am UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/segmenting-canine-turbinates-using-mask-volume/15928 "2021-02-10T00:49:43Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Showing post:** 16

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### Author: ![lassoan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/lassoan/32/13_2.png) [@lassoan](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/lassoan)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2021, 2:36am UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/segmenting-canine-turbinates-using-mask-volume/15928/16 "2021-03-03T02:36:13Z")

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STL can only store a surface mesh. If the surface is closed then it appears from outside as a solid object, but it is really just an infinitely thin shell.

If Rhino3d can interpret the imported STL file as a solid then when you cut it, the cut surfaces will be capped to it will appear that it has thickness. However, if Rhino3d interprets the imported STL file as a surface mesh then when you cut it, then you will see that the mesh is just an infinitely thin shell.

In Slicer, you can cut a model and cap the cut surface using Dynamic modeler module’s “Plane cut” tool, which will keep the surface closed (thereby preserving the solid-like appearance). You can do Boolean operations on models (union, intersection, difference) using the new experimental module in Sandbox extension: [New experimental feature: Boolean operations (union, intersection, difference) on meshes](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/new-experimental-feature-boolean-operations-union-intersection-difference-on-meshes/16048)

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