Add
Add mode is the default combine mode for all new primitives. Primitives that overlap in Add mode combine to form a single larger object.
Parameters:
- Blending
Last updated on
Oct 31, 2024
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A primitives combine parameters determine how a primitive interacts with other primitives. You can change the appearance of an individual primitive with shape parameters.
Combine parameters can be divided as follows:
- Combine mode determines how primitives interact with each other. Different combine modes can make different Blending sliders appear.
- Blending changes the appearance of the areas where primitives intersect.
- Order determines where in the hierarchy a primitive appears.
Note:
Order controls allow you to change where the current primitive sits in the hierarchy. You can learn more about order and how order affects primitives here.
Combine modes
Combine modes determine the basic behavior of the selected primitive and change how it will affect other primitives above it in the same container. There are currently 9 Combine modes available.
Basic combine modes
Carve
Carve subtracts the current primitive from other primitives.
Parameters:
- Blending
Intersect
Intersect only leaves the area where the current primitive overlaps other primitives in the container.
Parameters:
- Blending
Advanced combine modes
Advanced combine modes can exhibit more complex behavior, allowing you to create complex shapes that would otherwise require multiple primitives. Advanced combine modes often have additional parameters that allow you to tune their appearance.
Inset
Inset creates a depression where the current shape overlaps other shapes. You can use the Depth slider to change the Depth of the inset, and control the inner and outer blending radius independently.
Extrude behaves like the inverse of Inset.
Parameters:
- Inner blending radius
- Outer blending radius
- Depth
Extrude
Extrude creates a raised area where the current shape overlaps other shapes. You can use the Depth slider to change the height of the extrusion, and control the inner and outer blending radius independently.
Inset behaves like the inverse of Extrude.
Parameters:
- Inner blending radius
- Outer blending radius
- Depth
Groove
Groove creates an inset line where the surface of the current primitive intersects with other shapes. You can change the width and depth of the groove using the Depth and Width sliders.
Groove behaves like the inverse of Tongue.
Parameters:
- Inner blending radius
- Outer blending radius
- Depth
- Width
The Width slider works inwards from the surface of the active primitive. It is not possible to extend the groove beyond the boundary of the primitive set to Groove mode.
This image shows the same primitives but with a higher Width value on the active primitive. Notice that the outer perimeter of the groove remains the same, while the inner perimeter is smaller.
Tongue
Tongue creates an extruded line where the surface of the active primitive intersects with other shapes. You can change the width and depth of the extruded line with the Width and Depth sliders.
Tongue behaves like the inverse of Groove.
Parameters:
- Inner blending radius
- Outer blending radius
- Depth
- Width
Repel
Repel strikes fear into the hearts of other primitives, making them reluctant to get near the active primitive.
In order for the effect of the Repel combine mode to be visible, Blending needs to be set to a non zero value. If Blending is set to zero, Repel behaves the same as Add mode.
Repel behaves like the inverse of Avoid.
Parameters:
- Blending
Avoid
Avoid brings out the active primitive's introverted side by making it avoid touching other primitives.
In order for the Avoid effect to be visible Blending needs to be set to a non zero value. If Blending is set to zero, Avoid behaves the same as Add mode.
Avoid behaves like the inverse of Repel.
Parameters:
- Blending
Blending
Blending allows you to change the appearance of the point of intersection between overlapping primitives. Blending Type is always available, but different Blending sliders are available based on which Combine mode is selected.
Blending type allows you to select between smooth and chamfered blending. Smooth blending creates smooth, rounded edges, while chamfered blending creates harder edges.
Blending sliders
Inner and Outer blending
For combine modes that create two transitions between overlapping primitives, inner and outer blending are available so that each transition can be adjusted independently.
The videos below show the results of adjusting Inner blending and Outer blending respectively while the inset combine mode is selected.
Depth and Width
Depth is available for combine modes that create an inset or extrusion. Width provides further control for the Groove and Tongue combine modes which use the surface of the active primitive to create a line.