DesignBuilder provides some powerful modelling tools for combining blocks in various ways to create new more complex geometric forms. Boolean geometry (otherwise know as Constructive solid geometry or CSG) provides these functions:
The union operation can be applied to any block including building blocks, component blocks and outlines blocks.
The first step in using the boolean operations is to go to building level and select the 2 blocks to which the command is to apply.
The 2 blocks to be combined are shown above before the operation is started- a 3.5m height L-shaped block and a tall sports hall block.
When the 2 blocks are both selected the screen looks as above with the Boolean operations toolbar icon enabled.
Pressing on the toolbar icon at this stage starts the command and the Display options panel is displayed in the bottom left of the screen. On this panel there is a drop list with the 3 boolean functions available for selection. In the case where 2 building or component blocks are selected, only the Union operation is allowed. This is because building blocks cannot intersect and the difference and intersection options do not apply as they require blocks to intersect.
Once the command has been started the 2 blocks will become purple. To complete the operation, left-click once more on the edit screen with the mouse.
After the final click, the 2 blocks are joined into a single block (above).
This can be a very useful way to simplify building geometry avoiding use of multiple blocks and easing the creation of zones that may span what were multiple blocks.