Lesson 3-06 – Solid Editing Tools

🧱 Lesson 3-06: Solid Editing Tools

Modify 3D solids using powerful modeling operations such as UNION, SUBTRACT, INTERSECT, SLICE, and PRESSPULL.

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📚 What You’ll Learn

By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to:

• Combine multiple solids using UNION
• Remove one solid from another with SUBTRACT
• Create common volumes using INTERSECT
• Use SLICE to cut solids along a plane
• Modify faces of solids with PRESSPULL
• Understand when and how to use each tool in your design workflow

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🧰 Tools You’ll Use

Tool / Command	Description
UNION	Combines two or more solids into a single unified object
SUBTRACT	Removes the volume of one solid from another
INTERSECT	Creates a new solid from the overlapping portion of two solids
SLICE	Cuts a solid into parts using a plane
PRESSPULL	Extrudes or depresses faces or closed 2D boundaries into 3D solids
UCS	Defines custom cutting planes for slice operations

❗ Why It Matters

Solid editing tools are essential for refining and manipulating 3D geometry. They allow you to take basic primitives or swept/lofted solids and turn them into detailed, practical components by combining, trimming, reshaping, or breaking them apart. Mastery of these commands is a must for precision modeling in mechanical design, architecture, or product development.

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🔄 Command Overview

Command	Function	Example Use
UNION	Merges solids into one	Combining a beam and column
SUBTRACT	Removes one solid from another	Drilling a hole using a cylinder
INTERSECT	Keeps overlapping volume only	Complex joint or contact surface
SLICE	Cuts a solid in half	Sectioning a model
PRESSPULL	Pushes/pulls faces or closed 2D regions	Editing a wall thickness or window hole

🔧 Using the Commands

UNION Example

1. Create two overlapping solids (e.g., boxes)
2. Type UNION and select both
3. Press Enter – they become a single solid

💡 Great for fusing components before exporting or rendering.

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SUBTRACT Example

1. Create a base solid (e.g., box) and a second solid (e.g., cylinder) as the cutting tool
2. Type SUBTRACT
3. Select the base solid, press Enter
4. Select the cutting solid, press Enter – the base now has a hole

💡 Use for notches, holes, or removal features.

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INTERSECT Example

1. Place two solids so they overlap partially
2. Type INTERSECT
3. Select both and press Enter
4. Result: Only the overlapping volume remains

💡 Useful for determining precise joint overlaps or fit tests.

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SLICE Example

1. Create a solid to cut
2. Type SLICE
3. Select the solid
4. Define slicing plane (XY, custom UCS, or two points)
5. Choose which half to keep (or both)

💡 Ideal for creating section views or cutting parts for fabrication.

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PRESSPULL Example

1. Hover over a face or closed 2D boundary
2. Type PRESSPULL and click the region
3. Drag upward or downward (or type a value)
4. Solid adjusts dynamically

💡 Excellent for quickly adding or removing volume without redrawing.

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🛠️ Practice Activity

Objective: Model and modify a basic mechanical part using all solid editing tools.

Instructions:

1. Create a large box as the base
2. Use SUBTRACT to remove a cylindrical hole
3. Add another box and UNION it with the base
4. Create an overlapping sphere and INTERSECT it with the previous shape
5. Use SLICE to cut the model in half along a diagonal plane
6. Use PRESSPULL on the top face to add thickness

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🛠️ Best Practices

Tip	Why It’s Useful
Use clean, non-overlapping geometry	Prevents Boolean errors during UNION/SUBTRACT
Always double-check which solid is the base	SUBTRACT deletes the second selected object
Use UCS to define custom slice planes	Ensures accurate angled cuts
PRESSPULL works best on planar surfaces	Avoid errors by selecting flat, well-defined areas

🗺️ Visualizing Edits

Tool	Purpose
3DORBIT	Inspect intersections and cuts from all angles
HIDE/REALISTIC	Simplify view to see modifications clearly
SECTIONPLANE	Create cross-sections for presentations or printing
PROPERTIES	Review volume, area, or part structure

📌 Quick Review

Command	Purpose
UNION	Combines multiple solids into one
SUBTRACT	Removes one shape from another
INTERSECT	Keeps only the overlapping volume
SLICE	Cuts a solid into parts
PRESSPULL	Modifies a 3D solid face or region

📦 Sample Use Cases

• UNION → Combine shaft and base into one part
• SUBTRACT → Hollow out a box to create an enclosure
• INTERSECT → Analyze overlapping space in complex assembly
• SLICE → Cut for cross-section in blueprints
• PRESSPULL → Raise floor thickness or carve recesses in surfaces