Slice is so weird. Here are a few things I've discovered about
Slicing.
Interestingly, you can Slice anything. You do not have to have
multiple objects to perform a slice.
So what? Well, most of the slice problems I've run into arise
from messed up object geometry. For instance, say you want to use
boolean functions to create a complex object, *NEVER* Join and Merge
objects you want to later Slice. It doesn't create sliceable geometry,
always Slice objects together and then Merge, this usually insures
good geometry.
To find out whether an object will perform well under a Slice,
perform Slice on the single object itself, if you get errors the object
will not Slice well in the future.
If that single object actually separates into multiple parts it
means the object didn't have continuous geometry to begin with. Usually
because of duplicate points. It probably won't slice well in the future.
Here's an example. Slice a primitive sphere, it should result in
one sphere.
Now take two spheres, Join and Merge them and Slice. You'd think
it would act like a single object. It should Slice to itself. If you do
not get an error you'll get multiple objects proving that the object
geometry was bad.
In any case you must fix the geometry. If your object errors you
are fairly screwed unless you have a saved copy of the object with good
geometry (i.e. an object saved before a function messed with its
geometry).
If your object splits into multiple objects you must Merge those
objects to create continuous geometry. Here's where I'm not sure what is
really true. Can someone confirm this?
If you Merge an object duplicate points are not erradicated, if
you Merge an object in Points Mode duplicate points WILL be erradicated.
Is this true? If so, then to Join Sliced objects you should Merge
objects AND points.
So, as advice try Slicing each individual object to be sliced.
Make sure those are okay. If they are, Slice 'em. Merge (or Join and
Merge) the resulting objects/parts the way you want (deleting
unneccesary parts), and Slice the new object. If THAT'S okay then the
next Slice should work.
I've gotten into the habit of testing the 'Sliceability' of
every object I will Slice and every object I have Sliced. I rarely run
into problems.
The one downside to Slicing everything (as opposed to just
Joining) is that your poly count goes way up.
Imagine does need a better Slice/Boolean function...
Of course, if it's an edge to close to an edge problem you could
just offset one of the objects to be sliced slightly...
Hope some of this helps...
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