Performs Boolean operations between surfaces and solids (a trimmed surfaces set without gaps between edges). The result is part of a Construction Tree. You may specify difference between the first and the second selected object, difference between the second and the first object, intersection, union and merge.
When you have two solids the operation performed is a Regularized Volumetric Boolean.
Union
Intersection
Difference
You can also perform Boolean operations between surfaces and solids. The following pictures give the results for the operations
Solid Union Surface yields the solid plus the portion of the surface outside of the solid.
Solid Intersect Surface yields the portion of the surface which is inside of the volume of the solid.
Solid Difference Surface yields the solid plus the portion of the surface inside of the solid. In some cases this may cut the solid into multiple regions (volumes).
Surface Difference Solid yields the portion of the surface not inside the solid.
How to use
1. Click the Boolean icon or choose the Tools > Surfaces > Boolean command.
2. The program console prompts Pick Surface 1.
3. Pick the first surface: it turns green.
4. The program console prompts Pick surface 2.
5. Pick the second surface. It turns green.
6. The program console prompts Diff1(1), Diff2(2), Inters(I), Union(U), Merge(M). To choose the operator, type the character between brackets.
Options
Curve
To change the first object.
Views / Modeling Tool panel. Switch the Replace check button on and pick another object in the scene.
Surface
To change the second object.
Views / Modeling Tool panel. Switch the Replace check button on and pick another object in the scene.
Operator type
To choose the boolean operation to perform. In the pictures below we display the result of each operation in red while deleted parts are represented in green.
Modeling Tool panel. Switch the chosen radio button on. You the following options:
Difference 1st - 2nd. Performs boolean difference between the first and the second object you selected.
Difference 2nd - 1st. Performs boolean difference between second and first object selected.
Intersection. Performs boolean intersection.
Union. Performs boolean union.
Merge. Combines two separate objects trimming on intersection curves. Merge operator differs from boolean operators because Merge does not remove object parts.
Modeling Tolerance
This tolerance controls intersection precision.
The default value is the surface modeling tolerance of solidThinking (see also Preferences panel, Units tab, Modeling precision section). If the command fails you can try to change this tolerance. The suggested tolerance is a value that is 4 to 6 decimal places in accuracy depending on the size of the model. For example if your model is 10 units, a good tolerance would be between 1e-3 (10 * 1e-4) and 1e-5 (10 * 1e-6). Be careful on setting this tolerance too small because you can obtain too many points on objects and on border edges.
Modeling Tool panel. Set the value either by moving the slider or by typing it in the data field and pressing Enter.
Boolean Sew Tolerance
If the above command fails, the problem could be due to edge gaps. Try to raise Boolean Sew tolerance by multiplying it for 10 and, if this is not enough, multiply another time for 10. Be careful not to use a Boolean Sew Tolerance value much higher than Modeling Tolerance in order not to slow down the program.
Modeling Tool panel. Set the value either by moving the slider or by typing it in the data field and pressing Enter.