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I'm currently trying to model a simple die, but I've run into some trouble cutting out the holes on each face.

I started with a cube, added a Bevel modifier, then subdivided each face (3 times). I placed a cylinder for one of the dots, then used a combination of Array and Mirror modifiers to position the rest of the dots on each face.

current state of geometry

Now I want to cut the cylinders out of the faces. The Boolean modifier seems like the right tool for the job; however, it isn’t producing the correct results. I selected the cube and added a Boolean modifier in Difference operation.

Boolean modifier

Now I use the Eyedropper tool and select the object "6" cylinders on the top face and that yields:

cut out shape

If I use Fast instead of Exact solver, I get this

Fast instead

Which seems like it did nothing, but if I hide the 6 cylinders we see this instead:

weird result

Any clue where I am going wrong? It works on all other sides, except the side with 6 cylinders.

TODO

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  • $\begingroup$ Welcome! Not a solution to your problem, but I find it helps to set the Object > Viewport Display > Display As (in the right hand side bottom panel) to Wire on the objects I use to cut other objects using a Boolean modifier, because it helps with seeing what happens. $\endgroup$ Commented Apr 19, 2025 at 10:15
  • $\begingroup$ If you roll that die 6 will be more frequent and 5 which will be more frequent than 4 and so on... because of the extra weights, but the difference will be slight. $\endgroup$ Commented Apr 19, 2025 at 20:10

1 Answer 1

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Booleans only work reliably with perfectly manifold meshes. In your case, the object named "6" is not manifold due to overlapping duplicate vertices.

To fix this:

  • Press Tab to enter Edit Mode on the "6" object.

  • Press A to select all vertices.

  • Then press M > Merge by Distance.

This will remove the duplicate vertices, making the mesh manifold and allowing the Boolean operation to work correctly.

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    $\begingroup$ That worked wonderfully, thanks. I will have to read up on manifold meshes to understand why this was a problem so that I know for the future. I must've been lucky to not have this happen to the other cylinders. $\endgroup$ Commented Apr 19, 2025 at 10:39

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