How to merge 3D Scenes? The importation of several 3D models on top of each other is the basic association to create a 3D scene. The principle of merging several 3D models together is gathered with a unique tool: the Combination of Surfaces. This unique tool will take any 3D objects and merge it with others to create new scnes as shown below. At the time of the 3D model importation, the file is shown as a Digitized Objects in the Dialog line: The Blue Cyan border color defines a 3D model area. When you double-click on the Blue Cyan border or slightly inside its limit, this activates the 3D module. Note once in the 3D module how the Blue Cyan has turned yellow. This yellow color defines the 3D activated zone. What this means is now by activating the 3D model, you activated the 3D area in which you are going to work in. 1
By adding a new 2D element, such as here a circle, you can notice if this element goes beyond the limits of the yellow border then you actually have an object which is outside the defined 3D area. If you then click on the Facet tool the closed circle which is also defining its own area will be filled with material. Here you can see how the yellow border stopped the progression of the Facet. The yellow line defines the limits of application of the 3D creation. This principle now known you understand that if you want to merge 3D objects together it needs to be done within the 3D area otherwise any outside object will be cut off. 2
Based on this understanding then you can merge any other 3D objects as you need it at the condition they are within the same yellow area. On the following example we will merge a 2 nd object from the 3D model library folder, using the Combination modes available in ArtClip3D. Position it in XY middle of the first one so they are within the same 3D area. The Replace mode creates a straight transition between the 3D models. This transition is mainly due to the fact that the 2 models are imported at the same Z level. They both do not have the same heigh/thicknesst, however they both start from Z zero. The computation result is then a connection between the 2 models as a straight transition to connect the 2 elements together with a consequent step. The Add mode creates a different result as you can see. In that combination mode the 2 objects can be at any Z position, the 2 nd object (Dog) will be added on top of the 1 st one. You can notice that this addition keeps the elements of the first object and are added to the 2 nd one at the time of the computation. Similar to a push up if you imagine a plastic bag you would push up with your fist to shape the plastic. 3
The Subtract mode creates another result which is the contrary of the Add mode. In that combination mode the 2 objects can be at any Z position, the 2 nd object (Dog) will be sucked up from the top of the first object. You can notice that the subtraction keeps the details of the first object; also note how the 2 nd object does appears added to the 1 st but subtracted from its top creating a shape as a cavity. The Maximum mode does not create a result in that example because the 2 nd object is actually smaller in height than the first one. The computation result is actually a merge within the 2 materials areas, the 1 st one covering the 2 nd. If the Dog was higher then we would have had this result: Read the How to position a 3D Scene along the Z Axis tutorial to learn more about Z positioning. 4
The Minimum mode creates a result which is similar in this example to the Replace mode. In that combination mode the 2 objects can be at any Z position, the 2 nd object (Dog) will be added by merging the 1 st object details which are at the same minimum level of the 2 nd object. If the Z position of the 2 nd object was slightly higher it would change the details located at the same height. Then they would both merged at that level which comparatively to the Replace mode allow smoother transitions between the 2 objects. On these 5 previous association examples you can see the various merging capabilities you can work with. Below the result achieved corresponds to a Z+ change of the Dog design above the rosette and a Maximum combination mode set. 5