The Combine feature in SOLIDWORKS allows you to add, subtract, or find the common volume between multiple solid bodies. This modeling approach follows the principles of Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG).
The Combine command is located at Insert > Features > Combine.
For the examples below, a part containing two solid bodies is used as the starting point.
Note: A part must contain at least two solid bodies to use the Combine feature. The command also supports three or more bodies in a single operation.
1. Add
- The Add option merges all selected bodies into a single solid body.
- Selection order does not matter.
- This is the simplest Combine operation.
2. Subtract
- The Subtract option removes material from one body using another body as the cutting tool.
- Selection order matters.
- One body is defined as the main body, and the other is the body to subtract.
3. Common
- The Common option creates a body from the shared volume of all selected bodies.
- Selection order does not matter.
- This can be thought of as the 3D equivalent of a Venn diagram intersection.
