OpenVSP Planar Slice
The information below describes OpenVSP's Planar Slice analysis and how you can define the inputs and geometry for this tool. A brief discussion of non-traditional use cases is also provided.
Encyclopedia
Updated Sep 30, 2025
Use and Behaviors
The Planar Slice tool analyzes the as-displayed wireframe of the OpenVSP model, with the set tessellation and clustering shown in the workspace, as opposed to operating on the Bezier surfaces themselves. This means that higher surface resolution is needed to obtain more accurate slice areas. Planar Slice also detects whether a slice passes into or out of a body including cases where geometries wrap back on themselves such as with flow-through components. Similar to other triangulation operations like Comp Geom, Planar Slice will also analyze imported meshes.
Planar Slice can be used in very interesting ways within your model and analysis system. Although the analysis is limited to only X, Y, or Z directions, nothing is stopping you from rotating your model to slice along custom vectors. A common use case is to slice a geometry and apply area-mass to the slices to obtain a rough mass distribution in a body. For example, slice vertically and look at a Conformal wing tank to check different fuel level weights.
Brandon Litherland
Aerospace Engineer