This is a Pro only feature.
Performing a union
A union is the merging of two or more solid volumes into a single solid volume.
The result of a union is similar to the result of an outer shell. However, the result of a union can contain internal geometry whereas an outer shell can only contain external faces.
The following image shows two square tubes on the left, a union of the tubes in the center, and an outer shell of the tubes on the right:
Activate the Union tool from the tool palette (Mac OS X), the Solid Tools toolbar (Microsoft Windows) or the Tools > Solid Tools menu.
The following image shows two groups:
The following image shows these two groups when they overlap:
The following image shows the overlapping geometry of these two groups using X-Ray mode:
To perform a union:
- Select the Union tool (). The cursor changes to an arrow with a circle and a slash (
) if you are not over a group or component or a arrow with the number 1 (
) if you are over a group or component. - Move the cursor over on of the groups or components. The cursor changes to an arrow with the number 1 ().
- Click on the group or component. The first group or component is selected.
- Click on the second group or component. The resulting union of the geometry remains.
Performing a union by preselecting groups or components
You can also preselect the groups or components before performing a union. To preselect groups and components and perform a union:
- Select the Select tool (
). The cursor changes to an arrow. - Select all of the intersecting groups or components. The selected entities are highlighted in blue.
- Context-Click on one groups or components. The context-menu appears.
- Select Solid Tools > Union. The union of the components or groups remains.
