Using the Intersect tool in SolidWorks 2013

A new powerful tool introduced SolidWorks 2013 is Intersect. Intersect enables you to perform complex operations to quickly combine surfaces, planes and solid bodies in practically any way you need without the need for multiple cut, trim and fill features. The tool’s visual interface allows you to do all the experimenting you’ll need in order to create the final shape you want. The following is an example of how Intersect can help you to quickly build a part from multiple intersecting bodies.

This is a junction box. The goal is to add four connection ports for the conduit that currently intersects the body of the junction box.

Start the Intersect tool (found on the Features toolbar).
Select the three solid bodies. As you select each one, they populate the Selections box in the PropertyManager.
Choose Intersect button.
A list of intersection regions is quickly generated in the Regions to Exclude box in the PropertyManager.
Regions may be included or excluded from the final result. In this example, select the regions of pipe that fall inside of junction box using two methods:
1. Select regions from the graphics area.
2. Select regions from the Regions to Exclude box.
As you select regions, they will highlight in the graphics area. Some regions may not be selectable in the graphics area because they fall inside of the body. In the case of this junction box, I recommend simply going down the list in Regions to Exclude box for visual identification before selecting the region.
Make sure Merge result is checked on the Options box in the PropertyManager.
Once you are satified with the previewed result, choose OK (green check mark button) to accept and apply.
The result is finalized. The entire operation appears as one new Intersect feature in the Freature Tree. Because Merge result was selected, the end result is one solid body.
Adjustments to your selections can be made at any time by editing the Intersect feature in the same manner as any other features are edited.