Boolean Modifier for 2D curves
I would like to be able to do vector-graphics style drawing in blender, as it would be much more convenient to draw right on shapes (perhaps using a shrinkwrap modifier) then to import svg files. The only thing really missing from Blender to be able to do this would be non-destructive booleans between curves. Evaluated in 2D only, for 2D curves only. If one could subtract filled curves from each other in boolean hierarchies just like mesh boolean hierarchies, one could draw complex vector graphics shapes with a fully non-destructive workflow, making use of linking and multi-object editing and all the other UI niceties that us blender users have grown acustom to.
There is already a python addon that can do this destructively, being able to do it non-destructively would be a gamechanger!
(Demo screenshot is a regular imported SVG courtesy of shopcraftables.com/products/free-flowers-svg-cut-file/ )
12 Comments
This is not impossible. I was already thinking of having the new Booleans detect when everything is in one plane and switching to 2d Booleans in that case. The main thing missing then would be the ability for the modifier to turn Curves into Meshes in order to use the Mesh-oriented Boolean code. The new Boolean code has built into it a robust 2d intersection routine.
* @Howard Trickey * I think it would be preferable to do booleans on the beziers themselves, as then you could still use the curve's bevel and extrusion options. Or is that what you meant? Are bezier modifiers even supported yet?
While it would be preferable to do the booleans at the Bezier level, I agree, that's not what I meant. That requires a large amount of work and math.
Ask this person, youtube.com/watch
* @mrajendra2150 * this is a good tip, but does not solve the problem i am thinking of
* @cerebral * why, whats the problem with that...
Oh yes a better toolset to work with paths f.e. to combine, join 2d 3d path in edit mode booleanising with and without modifiiers... drawing general manipulatIng tools .(.ahmmm Pablo style Tools ) Thats all with the all node system even with parametric editing and creating system..ahh dream..haa hh yesh..I go to sleep...
While I'm not much of a grease pencil user, it seems like all the 2D Editing stuff is going to grease pencil. I think there already is a feature to non-destructively subtract 2 grease pencil shapes from each-other.
I would like more flexibility with curves though. They still haven't fixed the weird default bezier shape that makes no sense, so I think it's going to be awhile before we get improvements
* @Zach Hixson * Yes aha, the default boolean shape is such a pain to work with.
Yes, 2D holes need to be easier, but not only for curves, for meshes too.
I found the way to do this.
* @mrajendra2150 * this only works for concentric holes, it's not the same as having booleans. For example, there's no way to non-destructively union two curves with this system. There's also no way to subtract a curve from another curve if the cutter isn't completely inside the other, which means you can't use this for notching the silhouette of the base shape.