Boolean feature iconBoolean

Modify parts by merging parts or surfaces together (Union), removing a part/surface from a target (Subtract), or calculating the intersection between two or more parts or surfaces (Intersect).

This functionality is available on Onshape's browser, iOS, and Android platforms.

In the Feature toolbar:

Feature toolbar with Boolean feature icon highlighted

Modify parts by merging parts or surfaces together (Union), removing a part/surface from a target (Subtract), or calculating the intersection between two or more parts or surfaces (Intersect).

  1. Click .

    Step 1 to using Boolean tool

  2. Select an operation type:
    • Union - Merge parts or surfaces.
    • Subtract - Remove parts, allowing for an offset between parts or surfaces, if desired.
    • Intersect - Merge parts or surfaces, keeping material only where intersections exist.
  3. Select tools.
    • If the operation is Subtract, also select:
      1. Targets - The part or surface being acted upon
      2. Offset (optional) - Create a gap between the remaining parts or surfaces
      3. Keep tools (optional) - Check to keep the entities, or uncheck to remove the entities from the Part Studio

        If you select Offset, also select Faces to offset, Offset distance, Direction of offset, and optionally toggle Reapply fillet.

    • If the operation is Intersect, optionally select Keep tools.
  4. Click Green Checkmark.

Boolean to merge.

Before:

example of entities before using Boolean tool to merge parts

After:

example of entities after using Boolean tool to merge parts

Boolean to remove parts.

Before:

example of entities before using Boolean tool to remove parts

After:

example of entities after using Boolean tool to remove parts

Boolean to remove parts and apply an offset between parts (or surfaces).

Before:

example of entities before using Boolean tool to remove parts and apply an offset between parts

After:

example of entities after using Boolean tool to remove parts and apply an offset between parts

Boolean to merge parts or surfaces, keeping material only where overlapping geometry exists.

Before:
example of entity before using Boolean tool to merge parts and keep material only where overlapping geometry exists

After:

example of entity after using Boolean tool to merge parts and keep material only where overlapping geometry exists

  • With the Subtract option, you have the choice to use the Keep tools checkbox to keep the parts or surfaces used to cut the main entity. This is useful when creating fitted parts or surfaces within the Part Studio.
  • Use the Intersect option to keep only the material that intersects the selected parts or surfaces.
  • When parts or surfaces are merged and as a result some entities no longer exist, the attributes of the earlier selected entity (such as part name) are retained.
  1. Tap Boolean tool.

    Boolean tool icon

    Boolean dialog

  2. Select an operation type:
    • Union - Merge parts or surfaces
    • Subtract - Remove parts or surfaces
    • Intersect - Merge parts or surfaces, keeping material only where intersections exist.
  3. Select tools.

    If the operation is Subtract, also select: 

    • Targets
    • Offset (optional)

    • Keep tools (optional)

      If you select Offset, also select faces to offset, offset distance, direction of offset, and optionally toggle reapply fillet.

    If the operation is Intersect, also select:

    • Keep tools (optional)
  4. Tap checkmark.

Boolean to merge parts or surfaces.

Before:

Example before Boolean union

After:

Example after Boolean union

Boolean to remove parts or surfaces.

Before:

Example before Boolean subtract

After:

Example after Boolean subtract

Boolean to merge parts or surfaces, keeping material only where intersections exist.

Before:

Example before Boolean intersect

During:

Example during Boolean intersect

After:

Example after Boolean intersect

  • With the Subtract option, you have the choice to use the Keep tools checkbox to keep the parts or surfaces used to cut the main entity. This is useful when creating fitted parts or surfaces within the Part Studio.
  • Use the Intersect option to keep only the material that intersects the selected parts.
  • When parts or surfaces are merged and as a result some entities no longer exist, the attributes of the earlier selected entity (such as part name) are retained.
  1. Tap Boolean tool.

    Boolean tool icon

    Example of Boolean dialog

  2. Select an operation type:
    • Union - Merge parts or surfaces
    • Subtract - Remove parts or surfaces
    • Intersect - Merge parts or surfaces, keeping material only where intersections exist.
  3. Select tools.

    If the operation is Subtract, also select: 

    • Targets
    • Offset (optional)

    • Keep tools (optional)

      If you select Offset, also select faces to offset, offset distance, direction of offset, and optionally toggle reapply fillet.

    If the operation is Intersect, also select:

    • Keep tools (optional)
  4. Tap checkmark.

Boolean to merge parts or surfaces.

Before:

Example before using Boolean union to merge parts

After:

Example after using Boolean union to merge parts

Boolean to remove parts or surfaces.

Before:

Example before using Boolean subtract to remove parts

After:

Example after using Boolean subtract to remove parts

Boolean to merge parts or surfaces, keeping material only where intersections exist.

Before:

Example before using Boolean intersect to merge parts

During:

Example during using Boolean intersect to merge parts

After:

Example after using Boolean intersect to merge parts

  • With the Subtract option, you have the choice to use the Keep tools checkbox to keep the parts or surfaces used to cut the main entity. This is useful when creating fitted parts or surfaces within the Part Studio.
  • Use the Intersect option to keep only the material that intersects the selected parts.
  • When parts or surfaces are merged and as a result some entities no longer exist, the attributes of the earlier selected entity (such as part name) are retained.