Separating objects that have been unioned

Jim Canale

Yesterday I drew a couple objects on the same layer, but different colors.  I unioned them, then closed the drawing.  Today I realize I need the separate objects.  Is there any way to disassemble the two objects using their colors?  

Louis_Verdonck

 The separate command creates separated solids from a solid that exists of multiple isolated parts. Therefore first divide the solid, using the DmPushPull tool or create a solid that can be used as a subtractor.

Jim Canale

"Separate" command?   What is the name for it?   I started DmPushPull but couldn't seem to do anything with the unioned object.

Hans De Backer

"Separate' is an option of the SolidEdit command, though it has its own dedicated tool button on the 3D Solid Editing toolbar

Jim Canale

@Hans De Backer:

"Separate' is an option of the SolidEdit command, though it has its own dedicated tool button on the 3D Solid Editing toolbar

Thanks.  I found the "Separate" command, but it keeps "looping back" without ever doing anything.  Not sure I understand how to use it.  

Louis_Verdonck

 Jim

You have to split the solid the way you want it to be separated either using PushPull by dragging a closed polyline through the solid or by subtracting a 'cutting' solid from it. Then you end up with a single solid that exists of two separate parts. Now the Separate option of the Body option of the SolitEdit command creates two separate solids.

Jim Canale

@Louis Verdonck:

 Jim

You have to split the solid the way you want it to be separated either using PushPull by dragging a closed polyline through the solid or by subtracting a 'cutting' solid from it. Then you end up with a single solid that exists of two separate parts. Now the Separate option of the Body option of the SolitEdit command creates two separate solids.

Louis,

I'm just not understanding the use of PushPull.  And the Separate command keeps looping back on me, asking me to select a solid.

Louis_Verdonck

Dear Jim

Please watch the movie in attachment, showing two procedures to divide a solid into two separate parts. In the first procedure I us a rectangle which is then pushpulled through the solid. In the second procedure I use a very thin (0.01 drawing units) solid which is subtracted from the main solid, thus dividing it in two. After this the Separate tool on the 3D Editing toolbar creates two separate solids.

Since attachments are limited to 5MB, I uploaded the movie to WeTransfer: Download here...

Kind regards

Jim Canale

Louis,

I'm sorry.  I got re-assigned to different projects and let this slip my mind.   I returned today only to find that the movie you created is no longer available.   I did figure this out however, just yesterday, using the same process you recommended.   So thank you.