Boolean Modifier

The Boolean Modifier performs operations on meshes that are otherwise too complex to achieve with as few steps by editing meshes manually. The Boolean Modifier uses one of three Boolean operations that can be used to create a single mesh out of two mesh objects:

The Union, Intersection and Difference between a Cube and a UV Sphere, with the modifier applied to the sphere and using the cube as target.

Usage

To use the Boolean Modifier select the desired mesh Object then add a Boolean Modifier. When you add the Boolean Modifier for an object, Blender will need a second object to be the target of the operation. You can use open or closed meshes, as long as they have available face normals for the calculations to take effect. You can add one or more modifiers of this type for an Object but you can only apply one operation for the Boolean Modifier at a time.

Tip

This is a dynamic real-time modifier!

If you have marked your Objects to show the Edges (in Properties Editor ‣ Object ‣ Display, enable Wire), you will see the Edge creation process while you are moving your Objects. Depending on your mesh topology, you can also enable X-Ray and Transparency and see the topology being created in real-time.

Options

Boolean Modifier options.

Operations

Operation

Which boolean operation will be used.

Difference

The modified mesh is subtracted from the target mesh.

Union

The target mesh is added to the modified mesh.

Intersect

The target mesh is subtracted from the modified mesh.

Object

The name of the target mesh object.

Solver

Determines what set of algorithms are used to calculate the boolean operation. Carve uses the external Carve Library while BMesh uses Blender’s built-in library and should give better results.

Known Limitations

Boolean operates best on water-tight meshes, where inside/outside is clearly defined.

The following characteristics are known to give bad output.

• Open volumes.
• Overlapping geometry.
• Self-intersections.
• Zero-area faces.

While they may not fail in all situations, they aren’t guaranteed to work properly.