Performing Boolean operations on sets or surfaces

You can select a group of sets or surfaces from the Model Tree and use Boolean operators to combine them into a single set or surface. The following operators are available:

Union

Use the Union operator to create a set or surface that merges the contents of your selections.

Intersection

Use the Intersection operator to create a set or surface containing the items common to all your selections.

Difference

Use the Difference operator to create a set or surface by subtraction. You must designate the first set or surface, and Abaqus/CAE subtracts the remaining selections from it.

For example, you can use the Union operator to combine all of the top faces from a linear pattern of part instances into a single surface.

Related Topics
Using the Set and Surface toolsets
Selecting objects within the viewport

  1. From the Model Tree, expand the Sets or Surfaces container associated with a part or with the assembly.

  2. Select all of the desired sets or surfaces. You can use a combination of drag-select, ShiftClick, and CtrlClick to select the desired sets or surfaces. You cannot combine sets with surfaces. For more information, see Drag-selecting multiple objects.

  3. Click mouse button 3 over the Model Tree, and select Boolean from the menu that appears.

    Abaqus/CAE displays the Sets Boolean or Surfaces Boolean dialog box.

  4. In the dialog box, enter the name of the new set or surface and select the desired operator.

  5. If you selected the Difference operator, click the arrow to the right of the First set or First surface field and specify the set or surface from which Abaqus/CAE will subtract your remaining selections.

  6. Click OK.

    Abaqus/CAE creates the new set or surface, and it appears in the Model Tree.