Many 3D shapes can be created by subtracting simple 3D objects. For example, if you are drawing a wall that contains windows and doors, it is much simpler to draw a solid wall and then subtract the windows and the doors.

To start the subtract command, you can type the command name, SUBTRACT, or just type SU and then press Enter. Alternatively, you can click on the Subtract button found in the Edit panel in the 3D Basics workspace, as shown in the following screenshot:

If you are using the 3D Modeling workspace, you will find the Subtract button in the Solid Editing panel on the Home tab, or in the Boolean panel on the Solid tab.

Once you start the command, perform the following steps:

1. You will be prompted to select the objects to subtract from. Select the desired objects and then press Enter.
2. You will be prompted to select the objects to be subtracted. Select the desired objects and then press Enter.
3. The objects will be subtracted and the command terminates.

The following diagram is an illustration of the previous steps:

Similar to the union command, the subtract command can be used to subtract either a group of 3D solid objects or a group of 2D surfaces (regions), but it can't create an object by subtracting a mix of both. Also, it can't be used with mesh objects. But in case you do select a mesh object, you will be prompted to convert it to a 3D solid or surface.

Also, the created object will have no grab points, even if the objects used in the subtract operation had grab points, as mentioned previously in the Using the union command section.

Now, let's look at the final command in the Boolean group, which is the intersect command.