How do I prevent 3D solids material from merging together?

[Woodward4]

We're building a storage rack to hold laminate sheets at our shop and I want to create a 3D model of the wood frame.  I'm doing this using 3D solids.  The problem is the material (fir-framing) is merging with each adjacent piece of the frame so you can't distinguish one piece from the next in any 3D rendering views.  How do I keep the material layer from merging so you can see each individual part?

[scottharris]

Can you post your plan?

[DBCooper]

You need to use different materials.  They don't need to look different though so all you have to do is make a copy of the one you are using.

 

[robdyck]

3d solids seem flexible but they aren't always the best tool. If the rack is being built out of lumber and the pieces are rectangular, you might want to try using general framing members and other framing members. The material will automatically run the right way and you won't have the material merging issue. You can also use a framing post for vertical pieces and you'll have the cross box in plan view which can be helpful when doing the layout. Also, framing members can be selected when cut in section view whereas 3d solids cannot.

Plus, you can generate a schedule / cut list if using framing members.