Tutorials -- Using Boolean Operations

Using Boolean Operations with 3D Canvas Pro

Sometimes the easiest way to add, or remove detail from a model is by using Boolean operations. With Boolean operations you can literally add, or subtract, one object to another.

We will start with the model created in the Cross Section Modelling tutorials.

The first goal is to add the wheel well.

Our shape matches our background image well, but the wheel wells and pantograph wells were not modeled and need to be added to this otherwise complete model.

Add a cube to the scene and scale it as shown. It should completely pass through our model.

Position it and resize it so that it is the shape of our wheel well.

We will be subtracting the area where the cube and model intersect from the model.

Click the cube, then the

subtract operation and then the main model. The result is a wheel well.

Now add a cube to the roof. Make it the width of the pantograph well.

Extrude the cube three times to create a T. Make sure that the T extends out the right and left sides of the model and as long as necessary for the pantograph well.

Subtract the T from the model.

We have a completed half of our model.

Copy and paste the model to create a duplicate. We will be using this duplicate to create the other end of the train engine.

Or if you would like to skip the rest of the tutorial you can mirror your object using the

Mirror operation.

Use the

Flip operation to flip the newly created object. Do not rotate the object since small differences between the right and left cross sections can cause difficulties. The flip operation ensures that the edges of the front and back sections will meet exactly.

Snap Scale

both models so that their size matches the snap-to interval. This is critical to ensure that we can join the two models together exactly.

Turn on Snap-To

on the main toolbar.

Position the objects so that they meet. Each object has to be moved at least once after a Snap Scale is applied to ensure proper grid snapping.

Use a wireframe view to ensure you have an exact match between the front and rear of the model.

Use the Boolean union to join the models together. Do not use a merge, because a merge will not remove interior faces.

This union resulted in a few faces that are unnecessary. We can remove them using point reduction techniques if desired. See the Point Reduction tutorial for more information.

With the model essentially complete it can be useful to use the Weld To Range plug-in to close any tiny gaps between faces. It will ensure that points that are very close are welded together so there are no gaps. If your version of 3D Canvas Pro did not come with this plug-in it can be downloaded at the Amabilis web site. Use the Optimize operation after the Weld To Range plug-in to ensure any welded points are removed.

Our completed model. Ready for texturing.

Using Boolean Operations with 3D Canvas Pro Sometimes the easiest way to add, or remove detail from a model is by using Boolean operations. With Boolean operations you can literally add, or subtract, one object to another.

Using Boolean Operations with 3D Canvas Pro

Sometimes the easiest way to add, or remove detail from a model is by using Boolean operations. With Boolean operations you can literally add, or subtract, one object to another.