Create composite 3D
objects by combining, subtracting, or finding the intersecting mass
of two or more 3D solids, surfaces, or regions.
Composite solids are created from two or
more solids, surfaces, or regions through any of the following commands: UNION, SUBTRACT, and INTERSECT.
3D
solids record a history of how they were created.
This history allows you to see the original forms that make up composite
solids. For more information, see Display Original Forms of Composite Solids.
Show Me: Subtract a Solid
from a Surface
Methods for Creating Composite
Objects
Three
methods are available for creating composite solids, surfaces, or regions:
- Combine two or more objects.
With UNION, you can combine
the total volume of two or more objects.
- Subtract one set of solids
from another.
With SUBTRACT, you can remove
the common area of one set of solids from another. For example,
you can use SUBTRACT to add holes to a mechanical part by subtracting
cylinders from the object.
- Find
the common volume.
With INTERSECT, you can create
a composite solid from the common volume of two or more overlapping
solids. INTERSECT removes the portions that do not overlap and creates
a composite solid from the common volume.
Create Composites from
Mixed Object Types
In addition to creating
composite objects from the same object types, you can also create
composites from mixed surfaces and solids.
- Mixed intersections. Combining
a solid and a surface through intersection results in a surface.
- Mixed subtractions. Subtracting
a 3D solid from a surface results in a surface. However, you cannot
subtract a surface from a 3D solid object.
- Mixed unions. You
cannot create a union between 3D solid and surface objects.
You cannot combine solids
with mesh objects. However, you can convert them to 3D solids in
order to combine them with solids.
If a selection set of
mixed objects contains regions, the regions are ignored.
To combine objects
- Select the 3D solid,
surface, or region objects to combine. Press Enter.
To subtract objects from
one another
- Select the 3D solid,
surface, or region to subtract from. Press Enter.
- Select the 3D solid,
surface, or region to subtract. Press Enter.
To create a compound object
from the intersection with other objects
- Select the 3D solid,
surface, or region to intersect. Press Enter.
CommandsINTERSECT
Creates
a 3D solid, surface, or 2D region from overlapping solids, surfaces,
or regions.
SUBTRACT
Combines
selected 3D solids or 2D regions by subtraction.
UNION
Combines
selected 3D solids, surfaces, or 2D regions by addition.
System VariablesSHOWHIST
Controls the Show History
property for solids in a drawing.
SOLIDHIST
Controls the default
history property setting for solid objects.
