Boolean Subtraction

Calling the command:

The result of this operation is formed by removing from the first operand its parts coinciding with the second operand.

Operands can be either solids or surface bodies. By selecting various combinations of operands and using different options, you can get a variety of results of a Boolean operation.

Note that in certain cases, inadmissible combinations of operand types in a Boolean will not produce a valid result.

Below, we review possible operand combinations and corresponding results of the Boolean operation:

Solid - Solid

The result of the Boolean Subtraction of one solid from another one will be the target body with the removed tool portion of the volume.

1. Target body

2. Tool body

3. Result of Boolean solid-solid Subtraction

When creating the Boolean Subtraction, the system guards from a situation in which the target body would have portions with zero-thickness walls. This would break the model topology.

1. Target body

2. Tool body

3. Tangent contact of operands would break topology as a result of the Boolean

Surface - Solid

When a solid is subtracted from a surface, an opening is created in the surface, repeating the shape of the solid tool.

1. Surface target body

2. Solid tool body

3. Result of Boolean Subtraction of sold body from sheet body

Solid - Surface (with specifying direction of normal)

Subtracting a surface body from a solid leaves a part of the solid body cut off by the sheet. In this case, the direction of the normal should be specified for the sheet body. Depending on the specified direction, either the upper or the lower portion of the solid remains. This type of the Boolean is analogous to the Cut operation.

Result of Subtraction operation of surface body from solid body. Option Behind Normal is surface for sheet body

Result of Subtraction operation of surface body from solid body. Option By Normal is surface for sheet body