What Do Beginners Need To Know On Boolean (Part Workbench)?

A boolean, sometimes known as a bool, is a data type in computer science that takes on true or false values. It bears the name George Boole after the English mathematician and logician whose algebraic and logical frameworks constitute the foundation of all contemporary digital computers. 

What is Boolean (Part Workbench)?

Boolean operators are strong tools that you will need to employ at some point in the design modeller. To pick different solids to subtract or add, use the suppress solid option. You can locate the body operation option under the create heading. 

In this article, we explore the Boolean Workbench at a beginner level especially the common errors.

Error - Feature Involved In An Update Cycle

While working on boolean exercises, you may encounter the error - feature involved in an update cycle. The following example will indicate that we need to break the relation of the projected construction element to achieve the required result.

The required result and current progress of the situation we are dealing with are shown in the above images.

Now the only operation remaining is to pad two stands left and right of the main body.

For that, we will create two similar rectangular portions by taking reference from our main body. Here first, we will project the outer edge using a project 3d element and then will make it into construction. Now with that reference, we will create two similar rectangles.

We are projecting it because we want to get the exact outer edge for drawing the two rectangular sketches.

Now, we will insert a new body and will pad it

Now the actual problem arises when we are trying to use the boolean add to join the newly extracted pad with the main body.

After updating the new boolean operation, we will encounter a new error mentioning ‘Feature Involved In an Update Cycle’. 

Error mentioning ‘Feature Involved In an Update Cycle’

This error can occur in some other situations too. But here the reason for this error is due to the relation issue that happened when we projected the edge from our previous body.

How can we rectify this error? Click on the edit option for the sketch that is showing error. Here it is sketch 3 having the issue.

Just select those 3 projected construction element and delete them.

Now constrain them again properly without disturbing their actual position. Make them iso-constrained.

Now we need to go back and update the model for the final result with no error. What we did here is that we are removing some unwanted relations so that the update cycle can perform without any error.

Tree Arrangement (Boolean/Part Design)

Tree is arranged for the convenience of the user to access the model in a much easier manner. By arranging them, your tree looks standard and easier to access. The tree arrangement purely depends on the person, especially the naming of the geometrical set according to his understanding. A person can go with a detailed naming, including an explanation if required. Here what is mentioned below is a simple explanation of one of the ways in which we can arrange the tree.  For boolean/part design, let's see how the tree is arranged properly. 

First, let’s rename the default geometrical set as the main one. While renaming, the most common pattern is to type in small letters followed by an underscore between each word.  

 Eg:- main_geometrical_set

         base_bracket

Now insert a projection point for the position sketches by defining main_geometrical_set.

Note:-Since the point.1 is used as a common projection point for all the sketches that we are about to create, let's put that point inside the main_geometrical_set itself.

Now insert a new geometrical set inside the main geometrical set by defining it(define in work object). Let's give the name “base”.

Give the parent as the main geometrical set and name it as base. If you already have the sketch that needs to be added inside the newly created geometrical set, then we can click over Features and select the sketch that needs to be inside of it.

Now create a positioned sketch inside the “base” geometrical set. Use the xy plane to create the sketch and draw a rectangle. Use any dimension for the rectangle and exit the sketch.

Now pad it. Either you can define the part workbench and then pad it or directly go with pad operation and click ok for the warning “The current in work object isn’t in a body…….” Give a 10mm pad length.

So here we have the same sketch inside both pad operations as well as inside the geometrical set “base”. 

Note:-After creating the pad, if the sketch is not showing under pad means you have enabled the hybrid mode.

Since we are following boolean, the first operation cannot be left as an open pad. So let's put the pad inside the assembly boolean. For that, right click on the pad and select pad 1 object. From there click on insert in new.

Now let's create 4 pillars. For that let's create a sketch directly this time without inserting a new geometrical set. For that lets define the main geometrical set by right-clicking and selecting define in the work object.

Create a new position sketch using the same plane and projection point. Let's create 4 rectangular pillars and exit the sketch.

Here we deliberately put the sketch inside the main geometrical set. But what if we accidentally put the sketch outside(here inside the main geometrical set)  rather than creating a separate geometrical set for the sketch? Still, we can put the sketch inside a new geometrical set that we are about to create afterwards. For that let's insert a new geometrical set.

Inside the name, option let’s give a name pillar. The parent will be the main_geometrical_set and for features, click over the newly created sketch, here it is sketch 4. Click on and the sketch will go inside the pillar geometrical set. 

Now insert a new body and rename it as pillar. Pad the new sketch with a height of 100mm.

Now define the part body and right-click the pillar body to join with the base using boolean.

Repeat the same procedures for all the new sketches you are about to create. The same steps apply for booleans.

Let’s add one more boolean and see how the tree looks like.

Final Tree

3. The Advantage Of Using Boolean Over The Regular Part Operations

Let's take the following example.

Here in this model, I need to pattern small circular holes of dia.10mm throughout the white region. Also need to make sure that it is not going beyond the frame which is represented in coral colour. 

Let's try this with normal part operations. 

First, I need to create a circle inside the sketcher workbench and constrain it properly.

Next, we need to pocket that hole and pattern it throughout the white region.

Even though we got the result, the issue here is that the holes are crossing the white surface borders and creating the pocket over the Cora frame region. This is not acceptable based on our requirements. We want the holes/pocket(pattern) to be constrained inside the white region and not to go beyond that.

Now let's try boolean and see if we can achieve this.

First, let's create the pad and put that inside the assembly boolean using the insert in a new.

Now let's insert a new body and pad the rectangular sketch in it.

This time, we are not adding the newly created body inside the main part body. We will add it in the final stage.

Now, let's create one more body and this time we pad the circular sketch instead of pocketing it.

Now pattern the pad.

For better understanding, let's hide the main body and change the colour of the circular body.

Define body 3 and remove body 4 using the remove boolean.

Now define the main body(part body) and add body 3 to it.

So, without removing the frame, we were able to pocket the inside plate. This cannot be achieved if we are using regular part operations.