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# MTKSubmesh

A container for the index data of a Model I/O submesh, suitable for use in a Metal app.

```
class MTKSubmesh
```

## Overview

The [`MTKSubmesh`](/documentation/MetalKit/MTKSubmesh) class provides a container for a segment of mesh data that can be rendered in a single draw call. A submesh can only be initialized as part of a [`MTKMesh`](/documentation/MetalKit/MTKMesh) object. Each submesh contains an index buffer with which the parent’s mesh data can be rendered. Actual submesh vertex data resides in the submesh’s parent mesh. For more information on Model I/O submeshes, see <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/ModelIO/MDLSubmesh>.

## Topics

### Parent Mesh

[`mesh`](/documentation/MetalKit/MTKSubmesh/mesh)

The parent mesh containing the vertex data of this submesh.

### Properties used to Draw Indexed Primitives

[`indexBuffer`](/documentation/MetalKit/MTKSubmesh/indexBuffer)

The index buffer used to render the submesh object.

[`indexCount`](/documentation/MetalKit/MTKSubmesh/indexCount)

The number of indices in the index buffer.

[`indexType`](/documentation/MetalKit/MTKSubmesh/indexType)

The type of index data in the index buffer.

[`primitiveType`](/documentation/MetalKit/MTKSubmesh/primitiveType)

The primitive type with which to draw the submesh object.

### Identifying Properties

[`name`](/documentation/MetalKit/MTKSubmesh/name)

The name of the submesh.


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