How To Use The Subdivide Tool in Blender

Writer
Updated on: November 10, 2022

Have you ever wondered how to divide a primitive in Blender without affecting the original size?  Do you want to know how to create more edges, vertices, or faces quicker and easier with a few clicks? Well, then, you need to know how to use the Subdivide Tool.

Once you have a model or a mesh object, verify you’re in Edit Mode, then right click to bring up a menu. You will find the Subdivide option in the third place.

Image 33.1

Note: Remember that depending on which mode (Edit, Object, Render, etc.) you are in, your right click will bring up a different menu.

Something wonderful about subdividing is you can see a similar and effortless result of horizontal and vertical cuts with fewer steps than the manual operation of the Loop Cut Tool. Thus, subdividing will automatically split selected edges and faces of your whole model by cutting them in half or more and adding new vertices and edges into smaller units.

Image 33.2

Also, you can find the Subdivide Tool in any of the Selection Modes. But be careful. You cannot subdivide a single vertex even if you can see that option in the Vertex Context Menu. Remember, a vertex is a point in the existing 3D space, is a coordinate, and in Shakespeare's words, a vertex is or not is, as simple as that.

But, after selecting two or more vertices, you can choose the Subdivide Tool on the Vertex Context Menu and then subdivide the edges between them.

Image 33.3

Moreover, when subdividing you will notice a little pop-up at the left corner on the bottom that shows the settings of the Subdivide Tool.

Note: Remember that the little menu will show you only the last action you have done with the tool. Unfortunately, you cannot see the prior ones.

So, if you select the Number of cuts, you’re telling Blender how many times you want to subdivide. Moreover, the smoothness will be zero by default because the program assumes that you won’t transform your model in any way during this operation. Still, if you increase that value, the subdivisions will curve your model.

Image 33.4
With more numbers of cuts
Image 33.5
The greatest smoothness in a cube

There you have it! Put this new tool into practice and see how your model can be transformed! Good luck!

Lorena M. Rodas leverages her experience across film, writing, and production to make complex tech concepts accessible through storytelling. With a background spanning sci-fi, AI, and emerging tech, Lorena translates her depth of knowledge into engaging, educational content. She is an expert at decoding high-level topics to reach broad audiences.
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