Systems and methods for merging and splitting intersecting solids and surfaces

A method of cutting geometry-only format CAD objects stored within a computer aided design modeling system and without related history information, using a single geometry modification tool and interface for splitting geometry-only format CAD objects, comprising:

• (a) displaying a plurality of CAD objects and a plurality of geometry modification tools, including the single geometry modification tool, within a graphical user interface of the computer aided design modeling system;
• (b) receiving an activation through a graphical user interface, from a user of the computer aided design modeling system, of a single geometry modification tool;
• (c) receiving a selection, from the user, of at least one face of a solid CAD object, while the single geometry modification tool active;
• (d) automatically merging, the at least one face of a solid object, into a cutting object, based on the received selection from the user;
• (e) extending the edges of the cutting object to create a cutting plane;
• (f) inferring the solid CAD object based on the received selection of the face of the solid CAD object;
• (g) automatically cutting the solid CAD object into at least two distinct CAD objects using the extended cutting plane;
• and
• (h) displaying the automatically generated CAD objects from the cut operation within the graphical user interface of the computer aided design modeling system.