CompuServe Thread

Multiple Object Boolean!

10 messages in this thread
#160186From: zack lyonMar 22, 1995 8:57 AM
I am fairly new to 3D Studio and I am trying to do a multiple object boolean subtractive operation. I have basically created a deck (like on hte back of your house) of 2x4s and I want to trim a corner away. I created the cut object and tryed to select multiple boards to have the object be subtracted from. I can't figure out how to select multiple objects for boolean operation is basically my problem. Any one out there know how to do this. I know there is a way but I couldn't find it in the manual under boolean operations. Thanks, Zack
#160197From: LEE STEELMar 22, 1995 9:46 AM
You might try attaching all the boards together before doing the boolean. It is very important that you hold before turning boolean loose as you can never be 100% sure what the outcome is likely to be. -Lee
#160264From: Paul Sanford [LVL5]Mar 22, 1995 2:51 PM
If you are just trying to trim off the ends of some of the boards, I would suggest scaling them instead. Select the boards to be trimmed, then choose modify/axis/align/object and select the opposite end of one of the boards to be trimmed. Then select modify/object/2d scale, hit the space bar, hit tab so the arrows face just two directions, and scale the selected boards to the desired length. If your boards have mapping applied, acquire mapping from them, then reapply it. Otherwise your shortened boards will have had the wood grain scaled down also. Paul S.
#160273From: zack lyonMar 22, 1995 3:39 PM
Imagine cutting the corner of a piece of paper off at a 45 degree angle. Well, that is what I am trying to do, but I have a bunch of boards that make up the corner and 7 to 8 of them will be trimmed in one function if at all possible. I understand scaling, but that would not be appropriate for this operation. Got any other suggestions? Zack
#160274From: Jonas Ruikis [ADESK]Mar 22, 1995 3:56 PM
Hi Zack, << cutting multiple objects.. >> Have you checked out… File Info for GOLD_C.EXE Section: IPAS Usage Contributor: 100114,2730 Size: 859839 Submitted: 11/3/94 Type: Binary Accesses: 71 Title: Scalpel IPAS DEMO Keys: SCALPEL IPAS3 This is another Scalpel Demo, but with new Option Clean Faces. It looks amazing. Try it with your original! Any comments? This takes some time to download but its worth the try! [dl time at 2400 baud: 53 min] File Info for HAUS.TIF Section: IPAS Usage Contributor: 100114,2730 Size: 490670 Submitted: 2/21/95 Type: Binary Accesses: 21 Title: SCALPEL IPAS Demo PICTURE Keys: SCALPEL IPAS3 A nice cut! made with SCALPEL IPAS from cebas soon available from digimation . . .–> you know them [dl time at 2400 baud: 30 min] File Info for SCALP_.TIF Section: IPAS Usage Contributor: 100114,2730 Size: 314020 Submitted: 2/21/95 Type: Binary Accesses: 31 Title: SCALPEL in Action! Keys: SCALPEL IPAS3 Another nice Picture made with SCALPEL!
#160278From: Constance R. RothMar 22, 1995 4:24 PM
Hi, Zack. Try this: set your boolean object, make copies of it (for however many boards you need to cut) in the same location (on top of each other), then do your booleans for each board with one of the copies…voila!:) If this explanation is unclear, let me know. Regards, Connie
#160378From: zack lyonMar 23, 1995 6:32 AM
I understand this method, Constance (very cool name by the way), but wouldn't that increase my file size unecessarily? Zack
#160510From: Constance R. RothMar 23, 1995 6:50 PM
Hi, Zack. I re-created your problem using 6 boards, and used the technique I suggested — result: the file size did not increase. (The vertex count did increase slightly from 48 to 54). BTW, your name's cool, too!:) Regards, Connie
#160741From: david W. mennenohMar 24, 1995 5:05 PM
Jack, No, Constance's method wouldn't increase your file size at all. Once you do your booleans the cubes you used to cut your boards will be gone. BTW – that was exactly the method I was going to recommend. It's about the only way you're going to get it work anyway. DM
#160459From: Paul Sanford [LVL5]Mar 23, 1995 1:17 PM
I would select all of the far end vertices of the boards to be cut, except the vertices that will stay put on the first board to be cut (clear? <g>). Then move/vertex (selected) to get the appropriate angle for the first board… the other boards will now be the same length as the shortest length of the first board. Select none, then select all of the end vertices except the "long" vertices of the second board, then move/vertex (selected) again, the same distance as before to keep the angle the same. Do this for all of the boards. A 45 degree angle should be easy… either do the math to determine how far to move the vertices, or use the disply/tape. You can align one end of the tape to the far corner of the first board, move the other end so the tape is at 45 degrees, and see where it intersects the opposite side of the board. That is the point at which to move your vertices the first time. Paul S.