3D questions, boolean functions

[His Divine Shadow]

So I'm toying around in Blender and making some models, biggest problem is that the boolean function sucks. I need to use a proper boolean to get this the way I want it but I can't do it in blender. Infact it's so buggy sometimes that the functions for difference and union are reversed so you just gotta test and see which is which.

Probably should expect some issues when running the 2.5.5 beta version though. Still I couldn't stand the earlier version, the new one feels much better put together. I also understand boolean functions are blenders weak spot, can anyone tell me a good program for boolean functions. I really like blender otherwise and it's free, so I just want something I can export the model to, do the job, then back into blender.

[Jawawithagun]

Why do you need booleans?

It is very very hard to do a boolean function of a mesh object and get something clean out of it. Most programs with well-working boolean functions like Bryce or the various NURBS modellers depend on their parametric objects for that. What you get out of them for import into Blender then depends on how good their algorithms for converting the results into meshes are.

One program generally considered to be very good in that regard is Moment of Inspiration

Another program that looks to be having a good mesh converter is Groboto. But please be aware that boolean modelling is a new feature of Groboto3, which is currently in Beta. The new 'SeamNet' mesh feature is designed to put out a single welded mesh that can be taken into ZBrush for sculpting.

As for the aforementioned Bryce, handling is a bit peculiar and the mesh output can get you some mixed results but it's still worth to try it out in the free PLE version. Export isn't crippled in it AFAIK.

[His Divine Shadow]

Why do I need boolean, well I don't see any other way of doing what I desire, without moving vertices areound and doing everything manually. Which would be pain in the ass. I'm modelling an object of clear and defined surfaces, to be precise I am using my own 1911 and trying to make a realistic (albeit low-poly) replica of it.

I really like the boolean concept otherwise, it's like using cutters and tools in a mill or a lathe. Is it just me who thinks it's the most intuitive way of sculpting?

Thanks for the links though, I'll check them out.

[Kenny_10_Bellys]

Boolean is a vital tool in most model programs, but as you say it's not without problems. In lightwave I find most of the problems stem from issues with the mesh being cut. If it isn't absolutely water-tight you get the sorts of issues you describe. Most times I get close enough with the cut, and just need to clean up the edges with some welding of points.

[salm]

Most of the times Booleans create more work than they save. The meshen after a Boolean operation tend to be bad, and like Kelly_10_Bellys says, require a lot of cleanup work.

Most of the times pushing verts and polys by hand instead of booling is the quicker way. And it´s not really a pain in the ass, it´s just the standard procedure in modeling.

I can see the appeal of a good Boolean feature but i´ve never seen a decent one.

[Kenny_10_Bellys]

Yeah, best to model as much of the detail as you can without resorting to it, using it only where you have to. I suppose it depends just which technique you use to make your model.

[His Divine Shadow]

I ended up doing the whole thing manually. It wasn't as difficult as I thought once I got some basics of the program down, still took me a whole day to get right, but it was satisfying work atleast. I have to say that blender is really impressive software for work like this.

[Jawawithagun]

Now that you know how the next one will be considerably faster.