prevent solids intersecting

[Anonymous]

I have drawn some 3D ladders - I need to find out how many I can stack together into a shipping container.

Question - is there any way to prevent two 3D solids from overlapping and occupying the same space, if I move (push) the two ladders together - just as though they were physical solids that would obstruct each other from occupying the same physical space?

[nestly2]

Welcome to the Autodesk forums.

As far as I know, there's not any way to prevent two or more solids from occupying the same space, but you can use the INTERFERE command to detect  overlapping objects.  INTERFERE also allows the "interference object" to be retained, which you can then use to precisely OSNAP the object(s) to a position where they touch, but do not overlap.  It may be helpful to create a new layer and make it active before using INTERFERE command if you're going to create the interference objects for easy cleanup afterward.

[JDMather]

If you have access to Autodesk Inventor - you can do this through activating Contact Sets.

This example is a bit beyond what you need to do - but I thought it was cool that you can also simulate Gravity and Friction.

[Anonymous]

Excellent reply and solution Nestly2 - please accept this Virtual tankard of Heineken lager - thanks Glenn

[Anonymous]

Thanks JDMather - Inventor looks pretty cool - I'll check it out some more

Glenn