Working with regions and SUBTRACT command

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I am trying to optimize a process of cleaning up an array when is intercepted by other objects. The attached .dwg file shows the before and after of my exercise.

I work on AutoCAD LT 2019 and I have been using he SUBTRACT command which work great but partially fulfilling my needs.

The tall rectangles in the drawing (the “subtracted”) are the subject for cleanup and will need to be removed completely whenever another object like the yellow polygon in the drawing (the “subtractor”) intercept them. SUBTRACT command does what is designed to do: a partial removal as opposed to total removal.

Also, I need the “subtractor” object to remain in the drawing as opposed to what SUBTRACT command does which is deleting it.

Note: The array has already been “exploded” so all rectangles of all three sizes are independent regions. The “interceptor” polygon is also a region of course.

I am not criticizing the SUBTRACT command. I just need some hints on how to achieve my goals combining it with some other commands or procedures.

Thank you very much in advance

AG

[pendean]

That's an unusual use for the SUBTRACT tool, especially on a bunch of closed polylines.

Is this a school assignment by chance?

[Anonymous]

Hi pendean
Yes, I realize it is a complex and unusual task for the SUBTRACT command. I
was not pretending to get this command to solve all of my needs in this
exercise. Instead, I was just calling for expert support and advice on how
to achieve what I was looking for.
And no, it is not a school assignment. I design solar photovoltaic power
plants and I do these layouts almost everyday. Sometimes there are
obstructions in the ground, like critical topography, wetlands, roads and I
need to keep the solar tables (the long rectangles) from those
obstructions. When the plant is not too large or obstructions are not too
many is easy to deal with the layout but believe me, there are some other
cases in which I can spend easily between one and three hours making sure I
fit as much solar tables as possible and making sure they are not placed
where they shouldn't.
Currently ,what SUBTRACT command does, is of great help but as I mentioned
before, I'd like to find a way to get the intercepted rectangles removed
completely and the obstructions not to be deleted.
In any case, thank you very much for looking at my request and for comment
about it.
AG

[pendean]

I'd love to see how you use SUBTRACT with your polylines in a video to better understand how you get to your result as shown in the CAD file. If you have the time to record it of course.

SUBTRACT is a region-objects editing tool, which you appear to not have in your file: I am not personally vested in your failure or success, I was actually hoping you'd simply show me how you actual use a tool not designed for any of the objects in your file to get what you want. I enjoy learning new things if they are truly useful.