Boolean difference
Subtract a cutter mesh from the first selected mesh using Boolean Difference.
Before you start
Prepare a base mesh and one or more cutter meshes in Object Mode, with active modifiers applied. The current Boolean operation subtracts later operands from the first.
Use the operation
Cut a hole, recess, or notch out of a solid.
- Move the cutter through the base where material should be removed. For a through-hole, extend the cutter beyond both sides.
- Clear the selection, then select the base first and add the cutter. Open Boolean and choose Subtract.
- Inspect which volume remains. If operand order was wrong, undo and select again; with Codex, name the base and cutters explicitly.
Controls and choices
| Controls | What changes |
|---|---|
| Operand order | Base minus cutter and cutter minus base produce different results. The first operand also supplies the result material. |
| Cutter depth | A cutter that stops inside the base creates a recess; one crossing the base can create a through-hole. |
| Input geometry | Use closed, non-self-intersecting meshes where possible. Coincident surfaces and very thin regions need closer inspection. |
Try it in your scene
Overlap a cube with a smaller cutter, select the intended base first, and inspect the opening after Difference.
Check the result
Inspect the inside walls, opening size, and remaining thickness. Preserve enough material around the cutout for the next modeling step.
Practice in Show3D
Open the editor and follow the steps with your own scene.