Boolean operations in Autocad 3d modeling refer to the ability to add, subtract or intersect solids together. These have wide ranging applications in creating complex models, some of which we cover in our Autocad 3d courses.
Boolean operations are named after the 19th century English mathematician George Boole who created the Venn diagrams familiar to most people from high school geometry. In 3d modeling software they describe the operations used in building and subtracting necessary in creating complex 3d forms, whether in architecture, mechanical engineering or product design.
In the bracket example above we add three rectangular cuboid shapes, then subtract a cylinder and cuboids. There is no intersection in this example. The edges are then either chamfered or filleted, both of which we cover in another blog post.
Create the base box by selecting the Box tool and creating a box with dimensions of 50 x 40 x 10mm. The upright box has values of 10, 40 and 50mm. And the overhang box is 5 x 40 x minus 5. We then join all three boxes via the 3D Make panel > Union.
To create the hole in the bottom box, we first need to create a Cylinder to use as the cutting object, like a cookie cutter. In order to align the Cylinder’s centre, we first use the Line tool to draw a construction line diagonally across the top surface of the base. Then a cylinder is created using the Cylinder tool from the centre of the guide line, height -10. We cut the cylinder out via the 3D Make panel > Subtraction: first click on the main object (the Box) > Enter. Then we click on the subtracting shape (the Cylinder) > Enter. You should now have a circular hole in the base. If necessary we switch to the Visual Style panel > Realistic to see how it looks.
Boxes are also used for the groove cut outs using the Subtract tool as before. Some edges can be chamfered with the Chamfer tool and a distance of 2mm. Other edges may be fileted with the Fillet tool and a radius of 2mm.
The 3d interface in Autocad is user-friendly and easy to learn, and we take time to teach a broad range of applications in our classes including modeling, materials, lighting and animation. See many examples of our clients’ work on our Facebook page. For more information there are lots of resources on the web, but try the Autodesk site to begin with: www.autodesk.com. Support options and user forums are also available from the home page.
Other related Autocad 3d Blog Posts:

• Autocad 3d introduction
• Autocad 3d modeling
• Autocad 3d blocks
• Autocad 3d commands
• Autocad 3d basics