Performing Boolean Operations on Polygon Meshes

Boolean operations let you create the difference, intersection, or union of two polygon meshes. There are two ways to combine polygon mesh objects using Boolean operations:

Create a new object using Create Poly. Mesh Boolean. The new object does not inherit materials, textures, or other properties.

or
Modify an existing one using Modify Poly. Mesh Boolean. The modified object retains its existing materials, textures, and other properties.

Types of Boolean Operation

There are three possible Boolean operations: difference, intersection, and union.

Original objects: scaled cube and cylinder

Difference

Difference subtracts the volume of the second object from the first.

Cube minus cylinder.

Cylinder minus cube.

Intersection

Intersection consists of the common volume contained by both objects.

Intersection of cube and cylinder.

Union

Union combines the volume of both objects.

Union of cube and cylinder.

Generating New Boolean Objects

The Difference, Intersection, and Union commands on the Create Poly. Mesh Boolean menu generate a new polygon mesh object. The new object does not inherit materials, textures, or other properties.

To generate a new polygon mesh using a Boolean operation

Select the first polygon mesh object, then add a second one to the selection. The order of selection is important only for the Difference operation.
Choose a Boolean operation from the Create Poly. Mesh Boolean menu.

If you did not select both objects in step 1, you are prompted to pick the remaining ones now.

Managing Input Objects

Whenever you generate a new object from other input objects, you can manage the inputs, for example, hide or delete them. See Managing Generator Inputs.

Applying Boolean Operations to Existing Objects

The Difference, Intersection, and Union commands on the Create Poly. Mesh Boolean menu apply a Boolean operator to the first selected polygon mesh object. The modified object retains its existing materials, textures, and other properties.

To apply a Boolean operator to an existing polygon mesh

Select the first polygon mesh object, then add a second one to the selection.
Choose a Boolean operation from the Modify Poly. Mesh Boolean menu.

If you did not select both objects in step 1, you are prompted to pick the remaining ones now.