Combining bodies
Union, Subtract and Intersect combine exactly two bodies into one, using exact booleans on the solids.
| Operation | Result | Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Union | Both bodies merged into one. | ⌘1 |
| Subtract | The second body removed from the first. | ⌘2 |
| Intersect | Only the volume the two bodies share. | ⌘3 |
Base and tool
The order in which you select the two bodies matters for Subtract: the first body is the base and the second is the tool that is removed from it.
- Click the body you want to keep.
- ⇧-click the body to remove. In the viewport this needs the selection filter on Auto or Body; in the bodies list it always works.
- Check the names: while two bodies are selected, the bodies list shows which is the base and which is the tool, and the tool rail buttons repeat it in their tooltips.
- Press Subtract in the tool rail, choose Model ▸ Subtract, or press ⌘2.
The buttons are unavailable until exactly two bodies are selected.
Both operands stay editable
A boolean keeps both of its operands in the feature tree. You can still change the dimensions of either one afterwards, and the result is rebuilt. Select the boolean in the Parameters inspector to see its base and tool, or to change the operation.
Cutting with a sketch instead
To cut a hole or pocket into a body, sketching on its face and extruding with Cut is often quicker than modelling a separate cutter and subtracting it. See Extrude.