Add a zen Set, add a function to subtract parts

Zen Sets
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1

Add a pick parts function to Zen Sets, supporting union, intersection and boolean operations between different parts. When I select one part and then another, I can perform picking or various boolean operations.

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2

Hi, we are using elements selection to perform boolean operations.

  1. Operation in Viewport 3D:
  • use hotkeys Alt + F2 - select primary group, Alt + F3 - append to selection
  • use Zen Sets tool
  1. Operation in N-Panel
3

In the example above, I showed the Union operation, which is possible in Parts mode.

However, Intersection and Difference are not possible in Parts mode because each mesh element can belong to only one group. These operations require elements to be able to belong to multiple groups.

If you need Boolean-like operations such as Intersection and Difference, please use Sets mode, where a mesh element can belong to multiple groups.

4

For example, I have three groups in the Edge Part. I want to perform boolean operations like subtraction or intersection between them.

5

Let’s take a simple example with three edge groups in Parts mode:

  • Group A: edges {1, 2, 3}

  • Group B: edges {4, 5}

  • Group C: edges {6, 7}

In Parts mode, every edge must belong to exactly one group.

Now suppose you want to perform:

A − B

What should the result be?

A contains {1, 2, 3}, while B contains {4, 5}. Since there are no common edges, the result would simply be:

{1, 2, 3} − {4, 5} = {1, 2, 3}

But this does not actually demonstrate a meaningful subtraction.

More importantly, consider this situation:

  • Group A: {1, 2, 3}

  • Group B: {3, 4, 5}

This cannot exist in Parts mode, because edge 3 cannot belong to both A and B at the same time.

This is exactly why Subtract / Difference between groups is not supported in Parts mode. The operation becomes meaningful when groups can overlap.

For example, in Sets mode:

  • A: {1, 2, 3}

  • B: {3, 4, 5}

Then:

A − B = {1, 2}

because edge 3 belongs to both sets and is removed from A.

So if you want to perform operations such as Subtract, Intersection, or Difference, you need to use Sets mode. The key difference is that Sets allow the same mesh element to belong to multiple groups, while Parts do not.

6

Yeah, I might have misspoken and misunderstood earlier. What I mean is how to perform boolean selection operations on sets. For instance, if I want to get the intersection between two sets, how should I do it? Or how to subtract one set from another?

7


Here is shown intersection between Group C and B, and then between C, B and A

8


In the given example I show subtraction A - B and then - C

9

Alright, I see. I need to turn off auto-select.