The fastest way to split symmetrical parts

Here is a quick tip on how to go about splitting symmetrical parts very, very quickly. Now the question you may have is why? Why would I want to split in halves, quarters or more? Well, this may be required some some modeling techniques.

For example, you need to edit a model using Direct Editing techniques (on either a native SOLIDWORKS or imported model) and those changes have to be symmetrical. Well, you could start by splitting the model in half, do the changes and when you are done, mirror the part back to get the full model.

Another common application is for Finite Element Analysis (FEA). When using FEA, the bigger the model, the longer the solution time gets. So splitting symmetrical models is common practice for people doing FEA. So here is how you would go about it.

First, with your part opened, launch the Symmetry Check from the Tools menu. Another quick way to get to it is to use the Command Search from the top right search.

In the Symmetry Check properties, you want to select Automatic symmetry split.

This will split the model you have opened in as much symmetrical entities as it can. In this example, I have 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8.
  
Now you just need to select the split body to keep and you are done! Note that the model can be in any orientation to start with, it doesn’t have to be oriented towards a specific plane or origin, SOLIDWORKS will create the split planes it needs to. Later, you can reuse those same planes to mirror back the model if needed.