Landscape Design Software - Using Booleans to Create Complex Shapes

Landscape Design Software

Using Booleans to Create Complex Shapes

Use the Boolean commands to add, subtract, and intersect shapes. This is useful, for example, to cut a hole into a deck to make room for a hot tub.

These commands only work with shape-based objects, such as decks and patios. They do not work with non shape-based objects such as accessories, nor do they work with shapes that cannot be closed such as fencing and hedges.

To use these commands, you'll need to select exactly two objects. The selection order is important. The first object you select is the object you want to change. The second object is the one with the shape you want to use to make the change.

The second object is only used for its shape – the actual type of object does not matter. For example, when cutting a circular hole in a deck, the object with the circular shape can be any type, such as a patio, fill region, deck, and so forth. Important: The second object will be deleted, so be sure to copy it first if you want to keep it.

Note: The Add, Subtract, and Intersect Shape buttons are on the Main toolbar tab.

To add shapes:

1. Select the first object by clicking to select it. This is the object you want to change.

2. Select the second object (hold Shift while clicking to add to the selection). This is the object with the shape you want to combine with the first object.

3. Click the Add Shape button, or select Edit > Shape > Boolean Add.

To subtract shapes:

1. Select the first object by clicking to select it. This is the object you want to change.

2. Select the second object (hold Shift while clicking to add to the selection). This is the object with the shape you want to subtract from the first object.

3. Click the Subtract Shape button, or select Edit > Shape > Boolean Subtract.

To intersect shapes:

1. Select the first object by clicking to select it. This is the object you want to change.

2. Select the second object (hold Shift while clicking to add to the selection). This is the object with the shape you want to intersect with the first object.

3. Click the Intersect Shape button, or select Edit > Shape > Boolean Intersect.

The following example shows four copies of a square deck and round patio.

The Add, Subtract, and Intersect commands were used on three of the copies. The results are shown below.