# Splitting an imported object

**URL:** <https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/splitting-an-imported-object/7130>\
**Category:** Modeling Questions\
**Created:** [April 9, 2020, 12:00am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/splitting-an-imported-object/7130 "2020-04-09T00:00:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Tici](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@Tici](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Tici)\
**Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 12:00am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/splitting-an-imported-object/7130/1 "2020-04-09T00:00:38Z")

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I’m having trouble splitting an object that I imported (.stl). I followed the instruction in one of Shapr3D’s videos on YouTube but the steps don’t work for me as I can not properly copy the imported object. Does anyone have an idea on how to solve this?  
Many thanks in advance 🙂

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**Author:** ![Victor\_Shapr3D](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/victor_shapr3d/32/3502_2.png) [@Victor\_Shapr3D](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Victor_Shapr3D)\
**Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 8:32am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/splitting-an-imported-object/7130/2 "2020-04-09T08:32:27Z")

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Hi, if you have access to the original design I will recommend that you export in STEP or IGES format instead since you need to further edit the design. The STL format is more of a final output file format and does not best support design editing.

Workarounds can be to try spliting the design using the subtract Boolean tool: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JVbtFBuCPs&t=1s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JVbtFBuCPs&t=1s)

or converting the STL file to an STEP file using Freecad so that you can properly edit the design. Here’s how to go about the conversion using FreeCAD:  
[https://grabcad.com/tutorials/how-to-convert-stl-to-step-using-freecad](https://grabcad.com/tutorials/how-to-convert-stl-to-step-using-freecad)

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**Author:** ![Tici](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@Tici](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Tici)\
**Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 12:04pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/splitting-an-imported-object/7130/3 "2020-04-10T12:04:14Z")

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Thank you very much 🙂 I’ve found a way that I’m happy with

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**Author:** ![Peter\_b](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/85f322/32.png) [@Peter\_b](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Peter_b)\
**Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 6:08am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/splitting-an-imported-object/7130/4 "2024-03-19T06:08:32Z")

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This is the way.  
Which way was that?