One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for merging intersecting meshes of primitives. The technique involves determining an intersection boundary that is defined by an intersection between a first mesh of primitives and a second mesh of primitives. The technique further involves determining that a first plurality of primitives included in the first mesh of primitives and a second plurality of primitives included in the second mesh of primitives are proximate to the intersection boundary. The technique further involves removing the first plurality of primitives to form a first mesh boundary associated with the first mesh and removing the second plurality of primitives to form a second mesh boundary associated with the second mesh. Finally, the technique involves connecting a first plurality of vertices associated with the first mesh boundary to a second plurality of vertices associated with the second mesh boundary to form a joined boundary.