subtractFunction in std::solid

Subtract removes tool solids from base solids, leaving the remaining material.

subtract(
  @solids: [Solid; 1+],
  tools: [Solid],
  tolerance?: number(Length),
): [Solid; 1+]

Performs a bool subtraction operation, removing the volume of one or more tool solids from one or more base solids. The result is a new solid representing the material that remains after all tool solids have been cut away. This function is essential for machining simulations, cavity creation, and complex multi-body part modeling.

Arguments

Name	Type	Description	Required
`solids`	`[Solid; 1+]`	The solids to use as the base to subtract from.	Yes
`tools`	`[Solid]`	The solids to subtract.	Yes
`tolerance`	`number(Length)`	Defines the smallest distance below which two entities are considered coincident, intersecting, coplanar, or similar. For most use cases, it should not be changed from its default value of 10^-7 millimeters.	No

Returns

[Solid; 1+]

Examples

// Subtract a cylinder from a cube using the stdlib functions.


fn cube(center, size) {
  return startSketchOn(XY)
    |> startProfile(at = [center[0] - size, center[1] - size])
    |> line(endAbsolute = [center[0] + size, center[1] - size])
    |> line(endAbsolute = [center[0] + size, center[1] + size])
    |> line(endAbsolute = [center[0] - size, center[1] + size])
    |> close()
    |> extrude(length = 10)
}

part001 = cube(center = [0, 0], size = 10)
part002 = cube(center = [7, 3], size = 5)
  |> translate(z = 1)

subtractedPart = subtract([part001], tools = [part002])

Rendered example of subtract 0

// Subtract a cylinder from a cube using operators.
// NOTE: This will not work when using codemods through the UI.
// Codemods will generate the stdlib function call instead.


fn cube(center, size) {
  return startSketchOn(XY)
    |> startProfile(at = [center[0] - size, center[1] - size])
    |> line(endAbsolute = [center[0] + size, center[1] - size])
    |> line(endAbsolute = [center[0] + size, center[1] + size])
    |> line(endAbsolute = [center[0] - size, center[1] + size])
    |> close()
    |> extrude(length = 10)
}

part001 = cube(center = [0, 0], size = 10)
part002 = cube(center = [7, 3], size = 5)
  |> translate(z = 1)

// This is the equivalent of: subtract([part001], tools=[part002])
subtractedPart = part001 - part002

Rendered example of subtract 1

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