DMICKEY made the following request in another thread:

Would like to hear arguments pro & con about the boolean or no boolean approach to modeling.

(to avoid taking that thread down a tangent path, I've started a new thread)

Cons:

Boolean operations are not required for most part models. Features are either automatically added or removed based on the feature type

Boolean operations require too many steps. Must insert a new part body, then must add the operation.

Boolean operations add too much complexity and detail to the tree.  With boolean operations, features are at least 3 level deep into the tree.

Pros:

Boolean operations allow using multiple part bodies to break down a complex part model into several part bodies (or sub-sections).  This provides the option of displaying all the part bodies or only the current one.

Boolean operations permit importing linked solids from other files and combining this shared geometry into your current model.

 

 

I agree that sometimes boolean ops are overused with no good reason. They do have their place though...

Here are a couple more pros:

* Boolean op with a separate body is better for making a pattern of a complex shape (shape developed using more than one solid operation). While it can often be done without the extra body, it is not as easy to understand and make changes.

* Intersect is a very useful boolean op that is sometimes tough to avoid (produces a solid representing only the shared material between 2 solid shapes)

Also...just my 2 cents, but I don't like Assemble boolean ops. I like to use Add or Remove instead to clearly specify what is going on rather than letting the polarity of the body dictate what boolean op is going to be done.

-Mike

Has anyone done any performance studies with Boolean Operations? Do they take longer to Update? Open?

How about model size? Do Boolean Operations make CATIA files any smaller?

And what about exporting? Do Boolean Operations create problems with IGES or STEP files?

I have always promoted boolean features extensively for modeling complex moulded plastic parts and I can only add more pros to your list:

Faster updates. During update the unchanged boolean sub-branches do not need to update again.

Removing small fillets before FEA. It's easier to simplify your model by deactivaating these if they are mostly added in the boolean sub-branches.

Thor

 

 

 

Any chance someone could upload a .catpart with complex surfaces created with boolean ops?   

...or email  provenprogram@gmail.com

 

It would be nice if I could share that with the class as an example of a more advanced application of what we're learning out of a book.

Thanks.

 

Daniel

 

 

Daniel (maybe I'm missunderstanding your last post ???? )

Boolean operations apply to solids, not surfaces.

If you want to see a good example; get a Black&Decker drill (or any B&D power tool) and take a look at the cover housings. Those plastic molded parts are done with boolean operations (and there's some good examples of surfaces also)

 

Thats a good idea.

...I was hoping for a 'shareable' example in .catpart format though (ideally).

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Daniel

I will E-mail you 2 examples of a simple plastic part modeled with and without booleans. If you modify the first feature in each and do an update you will notice the difference. Remember that booleans should be organized in multiple layers to be really effective, and a certain number of features in each say 10-15 is ideal.


Thor