Is there something about boolean features that make them unsuitable for mirroring and patterning?

StephenG

I am attempting to replicate a feature created via a boolean on the opposite side of the part.

Here is an image of a simplified example of what I am attempting....



I have also tried mirroring but that also does not work.

john_mcclary

There may be something specific about boolean that is preventing this.

But boolean in built into mirror and pattern also. So you can bypass this issue by mirroring or patterning the part you used for your boolean, then choose remove/add/intersect in the mirror or pattern feature.

Mirror won't remove the first instance though. so you will need to boolean remove that separate. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

bradley_sauln

Remember the boolean must use a body to work with. When you mirror the boolean feature, what body is onshape using as the tool on the other side of the part? There is none. You must also select the extrude feature in the feature mirror for it to work appropriately. 

Alternatively, a face mirror/pattern would be more performant with more complex features.

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/09eb93fac4bead5e071c5474/w/215b312d3838152630afea1d/e/adb091141462cac76ffe3b85

john_mcclary

Selecting the extrude also isn't intuitive,  can there be a more clear error message for this?