How to Rip a Vertex in Blender

Ripping a vertex in Blender allows 3D artists to disconnect geometry and split meshes without deleting existing faces. By using the Rip tool, you can break a single vertex into multiple unattached vertices to create seams, holes, or separate mesh sections easily. This guide covers the step-by-step process for ripping vertices, controlling the direction of the split, and using related tools like Rip Fill.

Step-by-Step Guide to Ripping a Vertex

  1. Enter Edit Mode: Click on your 3D object and press Tab to switch into Edit Mode.
  2. Select Vertex Select Mode: Press 1 on your top-row number keys or click the Vertex Select icon in the upper-left area of the 3D Viewport.
  3. Select the Vertex: Click on the specific vertex you want to disconnect.
  4. Press the Rip Shortcut: Press V on your keyboard.
  5. Move the Mouse: Drag your mouse to position the newly separated vertex.
  6. Confirm the Position: Left-click to place the vertex in its new location. If you want to detach the vertex but leave it in its original spatial coordinates, right-click instead.

Controlling the Direction of the Rip

The trajectory and mesh separation caused by the Rip tool depend on the position of your mouse cursor relative to the target vertex when you press V.

Blender detaches the vertex along the side closest to your mouse cursor. If the geometry splits along the wrong edge:

  • Press Ctrl + Z to undo the operation.
  • Reposition your mouse cursor closer to the edge or face you wish to detach from.
  • Press V again to execute the rip in the desired direction.

How to Use Rip Fill

If you want to split a vertex or edge while automatically generating new faces across the newly created gap, use the Rip Fill feature.

  1. Select the vertex or edge in Edit Mode.
  2. Press Alt + V (or Option + V on macOS).
  3. Move your mouse to pull the new geometry away. Blender will automatically fill the resulting gap with new polygonal faces.
  4. Left-click to confirm the move.