[CONNECT] How do you cut multiple slabs with a profile?

Hi Paul,

I agree wtih Carl that in this case, to use Fence is the simplest solution. But it can be used only because shapes you want to use to cut slabs are equal to fence, so the result will be the same.

I found alternative and more general (but not necessary better ;-) solution:

1. Unit all slabs into one solid: Select all slabs and start Unite tool. Fortunately solids can be united even when they are separate and have no connection.
2. Cut this united solid, in this scenario you can identify both cutting shapes using Ctrl key.
3. In Properties dialog, delete Union feature.
   

You should be aware of two issues in this workflow:

• Some operations are lengthy: To unite is quite fine, but e.g. to reverse back the unite requires quite long time. I assume an optimization can be to unite not all slabs, but only the closest ones.
• When the unite is removed, slabs inside the shapes (not cut) will be back, so you have to delete them manually.

On the other hand, you can use any profile / curve in this workflow ;-)

With regards,

  Jan

Or, the tool should just work properly, no lengthy workarounds. 

If you open the legacy solids tools (Ctrl+T) the old v8 cut solids by curves tool works correctly, allowing you to select multiple solids using Ctrl and then cut using a single profile. 

Or, the tool should just work properly, no lengthy workarounds. 

If you open the legacy solids tools (Ctrl+T) the old v8 cut solids by curves tool works correctly, allowing you to select multiple solids using Ctrl and then cut using a single profile. 

Hi Duncan,

thanks for mentioning the old tools.

Are you aware of any issue? These tools are marked as legacy from some reasons, so I guess maybe there are some situations when they do not work properly with new objects (parametric curve cuts parametric solid and to maintain the parameters?).

Regards,

  Jan

No issue whatsoever Jan, in fact I regularly use these as the new parametric equivalents commonly are unable to perform simple tasks that these can do without issue(most common being extrude along path). Of course it depends what your aim is

Added advantage to these is that performing an action does not turn your solid into a parametric, keeps it as smart solid. I do not want or need every simple solid to be parametric! 

Every now and then a parametric solid just f*cks up, so I will convert these to smart solids which removes all the unnecessary parameters that are confusing each other

I created a ribbon tab to include these alongside the parametric ones as I fall back onto them quite regularly.