Subtracting from a solid

You can subtract the following from a solid:

• Inactive solids — after the operation, the inactive solid no longer exists.
• Surfaces — PowerShape converts the surface into a solid before subtracting it from the active solid.
• Symbols —all solids and surfaces within the symbol are copied and subtracted from the active solid.
  Note: The symbol itself is not changed or deleted. If you use a symbol, its subtract feature is non-scalable in the solid.

You can use Boolean subtraction on:

• The active solid.
• A pre-selected inactive solid, when the active solid is hidden.

To subtract from a solid:

1. Click Solid tab > Feature panel > Subtract to display the Boolean Subtraction dialog:

   

   If there is a visible active solid, this is automatically used as the Primary selection. If you pre-select an inactive solid while the active solid is hidden, the inactive solid is used as the Primary selection.

2. Select a secondary object.

   If necessary, click Swap Objects to reverse the Primary and Secondary selection objects.

3. Click OK to confirm your selection and close the dialog.

   A Subtract feature icon representing the operation appears in the solid feature Tree Window.

   If the subtracted solid has features, they are added as a sub-tree next to the Subtract feature icon.

   This example shows an active solid intersected by an inactive solid :

   

   In this example, the new active solid is given below: