DMU Optimizer Page 1 DMU Optimizer - uCozbndtechsource.ucoz.com/.../DMU_Optimizer/dmoug2.pdf · DMU Optimizer is a product dedicated to improve users' productivity by computing an

DMU Optimizer

Overview

Conventions

What's New?

Getting Started

Starting a Session Generating a Silhouette Generating a Wrapping Generating a Thickness Generating an Offset Generating a Free Space

User Tasks

Simplifying a Representation About Representation Simplification Generating a Silhouette More about Silhouette Generating a Wrapping More about Wrapping Using Simplification Command More about Simplification Merging Tree Representations

Thickness and Offset Generating a Thickness More about Thickness Generating an Offset Along Normal Vectors More About Offset Along Normal Vectors Generating an Offset Along Fixed Vectors More About Offset Along Fixed Vectors

Swept Volume Creating a Swept Volume Creating a Swept Volume from a Moving Reference Using Wrapping and Simplification in Swept Volume Filtering Swept Volume Positions More about Swept Volume

Using Vibration Volume Capability Generating a Vibration Volume Generating a Vibration Volume from a Track More about Vibration Volume

Generating a Free Space About Saving Operations

1Page DMU Optimizer Version 5 Release 13

Creating 3D Cuts Writing Macros Managing Alternate Shapes in VPM Working with ENOVIA LCA Working with CGRs in DMU

Workbench Description

DMU Menu Bar DMU Optimizer Toolbar Sectioning Toolbar

Sectioning About Sectioning Creating Section Planes Creating Section Slices Creating Section Boxes More About the Section Viewer Creating 3D Section Cuts Manipulating Planes Directly Positioning Planes Using the Edit Position and Dimensions Command Positioning Planes On a Geometric Target Snapping Section Boxes to Planes Snapping Planes to Points and/or Lines Saving Section Results Managing the Update of Section Results More About the Contextual Menu

Customizing for DMU Optimizer

DMU Optimizer Customizing Cache Settings

Index


OverviewWelcome to the DMU Optimizer User's Guide. This guide is intended for users who need to become quickly familiar with the DMU Optimizer Version 5 product.

This overview provides the following information:

● DMU Optimizer in a Nutshell

● Before Reading this Guide

● Getting the Most out of This Guide

● Accessing Sample Documents

● Conventions Used in this Guide

DMU Optimizer in a NutshellDMU Optimizer is a product dedicated to improve users' productivity by computing an optimized geometrical representation of data for mockup verification in the context of the immersive and collaborative design review environment of the full digital mockup. DMU Optimizer facilitates the full integration of Digital Mockup centric processes within the global engineering environment of the customer.

DMU Optimizer is a dedicated DMU Navigator workbench and is available on both UNIX and Windows environments.

Before Reading this GuideBefore reading this guide, you should be familiar with basic Version 5 concepts such as document windows, standard and view toolbars. Therefore, we recommend that you read the Infrastructure User's Guide that describes generic capabilities common to all Version 5 products. It also describes the general layout of V5 and the interoperability between workbenches. You may also read DMU Navigator User's Guide

You may also like to read the following complementary product guides, for which the appropriate license is required:

● DMU Space Analysis User's Guide.

● DMU Fitting Simulator User's Guide

● DMU Space Analysis User's Guide


To get the most out of this guide, we suggest you start reading and performing the step-by-step tutorial Getting Started. This tutorial will show you how to create mechanisms and joints from scratch.

Once you have finished, you should move on to the next section: User Tasks dealing with the main capabilities of DMU Optimizer product (representation simplification, thickness, offset, free space swept volume, 3D cuts...) You might be interested in reading the Interoperability section which can

be accessed directly from the table of contents using the following icon . It may be also a good idea to take a look at the section describing the menus and toolbars: Workbench Description

Accessing Sample DocumentsTo perform the scenarios, you will be using sample documents contained in the online\dmoug_*X2\samples folder

When samples belong to capabilities common to different products, those samples will be found in the online\cfysa_X2\samples folder.

*Where X can be C for CATIA, D for DELMIA or E for ENOVIA.

For more information about this, refer to Accessing Sample Documents in the Infrastructure User's Guide.

Conventions Used in this GuideTo learn more about the conventions used in this guide, refer to the Conventions section.

Getting the Most out of this Guide


ConventionsCertain conventions are used in CATIA, ENOVIA & DELMIA documentation to help you recognize and understand important concepts and specifications.

Graphic Conventions

The three categories of graphic conventions used are as follows:

● Graphic conventions structuring the tasks

● Graphic conventions indicating the configuration required

● Graphic conventions used in the table of contents

Graphic Conventions Structuring the Tasks

Graphic conventions structuring the tasks are denoted as follows:

This icon... Identifies...

estimated time to accomplish a task

a target of a task

the prerequisites

the start of the scenario

a tip

a warning

information

basic concepts

methodology

reference information

information regarding settings, customization, etc.

the end of a task

functionalities that are new or enhanced with this Release.

allows you to switch back the full-window viewing mode.

Graphic Conventions Indicating the Configuration Required

Graphic conventions indicating the configuration required are denoted as follows:

This icon... Indicates functions that are...


specific to the P1 configuration



Graphic Conventions Used in the Table of Contents

Graphic conventions used in the table of contents are denoted as follows:

This icon... Gives access to...

Site Map

Split View mode

What's New?

Overview

Getting Started

Basic Tasks

User Tasks or the Advanced Tasks

Workbench Description

Customizing

Reference

Methodology

Glossary

Index

Text Conventions

The following text conventions are used:

The titles of CATIA, ENOVIA and DELMIA documents appear in this manner throughout the text. File -> New identifies the commands to be used. Enhancements are identified by a blue-colored background on the text.

How to Use the Mouse

The use of the mouse differs according to the type of action you need to perform.

Use thismouse button... Whenever you read...


● Select (menus, commands, geometry in graphics area, ...)

● Click (icons, dialog box buttons, tabs, selection of a location in the document window, ...)

● Double-click

● Shift-click

● Ctrl-click

● Check (check boxes)

● Drag

● Drag and drop (icons onto objects, objects onto objects)

● Drag

● Move

● Right-click (to select contextual menu)


What's New?This section identifies what new or improved capabilities have been documented in the Version 5 Release 13 of DMU Optimizer User's Guide.

Enhanced Functionalities

All Commands

Working with ENOVIA LCAOptimal PLM Usability for DMU Optimizer: all data created in DMU Optimizer can be correctly saved in ENOVIA V5.

3D Cuts

Creating 3D cutsTwo new options are available in the 3D Cut dialog box: visual feedback (in the definition tab page) and automatic reset (in the positionning tab).

Swept Volume

Using wrapping and simplification in swept volumeTwo new options are available in the swept Volume dialog box: silhouette and spatial split.


Getting Started

Before getting into the detailed instructions for using DMU Optimizer, the following tutorial aims at giving you a feel of what you can do with the product. It provides a step-by-step scenario showing you how to use key functions. The main tasks described in this section are:

Starting a SessionGenerating a SilhouetteGenerating a WrappingGenerating a ThicknessGenerating an Offset

Generating a Free Space


Starting a DMU Optimizer Session

Before starting this scenario, you should be familiar with the basic commands common to all workbenches. These are described in the DMU Navigator User's Guide.

This first task will show you how to enter the DMU Optimizer workbench and select your models.

1. Select Digital Mockup -> DMU Optimizer from the Start menu.

The DMU Optimizer workbench is loaded and an empty document opens:

1. Select Insert -> Existing Component... from the menu bar.

If the menu item cannot be selected, select and right-click product1 in the specification tree and select Existing Component... from the contextual menu.


2. Select the desired model files by clicking the first one then shift-clicking the last one you

want. Here, select the following .cgr files:

❍ ATOMIZER.cgr

❍ BODY1_2.cgr

❍ BODY2_2.cgr

❍ LOCK.cgr

❍ NOZZLE_1_1.cgr

❍ NOZZLE_1_2.cgr

❍ REGULATOR.cgr

❍ REGULATION_COMMAND.cgr

❍ TRIGGER.cgr

❍ VALVE.cgr

3. Click Open to open the selected files.

The specification tree is displayed showing all the selected products.

Use the Fit All In icon to position the model geometry on the screen.


Generating a Silhouette

This task will show you how to calculate new geometry and in this case generate a silhouette.

Insert the following .cgr files, using Insert-> Existing Component...)● ATOMIZER.cgr

● BODY1_2.cgr

● BODY2_2.cgr

● LOCK.cgr

● NOZZLE_1_1.cgr

● NOZZLE_1_2.cgr

● REGULATOR.cgr

● REGULATION_COMMAND.cgr

● TRIGGER.cgr

● VALVE.cgr

They are to be found in the online documentation filetree in the DMU Optimizer sample folder dmoug/samples(Optional)You can manage the Silhouette result as alternate shape automatically.

For more details, please refer to Managing an Alternate Shape.

You can simplify your silhouette result within the Silhouette dialog box.For more detailed information, please read Using Simplification Command and More About Simplification

1. Click the Silhouette icon in the DMU Optimizer toolbar.

The Silhouette dialog box appears:

2. Select Product1 in the specification tree. (The number of triangles representing the tesselated shape

of the selected product is displayed in the Number of triangles field.)


3. Enter the desired value in the Accuracy field, for instance 2mm.

4. Click the View(s) button to display the View Multi-selection dialog box.

5. Select the desired views. The 6 views for instance.

6. Click OK to confirm your operation.

7. Click Preview to obtain a silhouette preview.


The progress bar is displayed letting you monitor and, if necessary, interrupt (Cancel option) the calculation.

The Preview window is also displayed.

The number of triangles representing the silhouette result is displayed in the Number of triangles field as shown below:

8. Click Save

The Save As dialog box is displayed

9. Set the Type to .cgr

You can save your result as a .stl file.

This format can be reused and imported in other CATIA products for design purposes.For instance, with Digitized Shape Editor you can recreate exact surfaces from the imported point shell.

10. Click Close to exit the silhouette command.

11. Identify the folder in which you want to save the file

12. Enter a file name


13. Click Close to exit the silhouette command.


Generating a WrappingThis task will show you how to generate a Wrapping representation.

Insert the following .cgr files from the samples folder.● ATOMIZER.cgr

● BODY1_2.cgr

● BODY2_2.cgr

● LOCK.cgr

● NOZZLE_1_1.cgr

● NOZZLE_1_2.cgr

● REGULATOR.cgr

● REGULATION_COMMAND.cgr

● TRIGGER.cgr

● VALVE.cgr

(Optional)You can manage your Wrapping result as alternate shape automatically. Please refer to Managing an Alternate Shape.

(Optional) you can customize wrapping color using Tools->Options...You can simplify your wrapping result within the Wrapping dialog box.For more detailed information, please read Using Simplification Command and More About Simplification

1. Select Product 1 in the specification tree.

2. Click the Wrapping icon in the DMU Optimizer toolbar.

The Wrapping dialog box appears:


The number of triangles representing the selected product is displayed in the Number of triangles field:

3. Set the grain accuracy by entering a value, 4mm for example.

Setting the Ratio

The Ratio determines the wrapping representation. A lower ratio results in a thinner wrapping coverage.

4. Move the slider to the right (set the ratio to 0.40 for example)

5. Click Preview



The number of triangles representing the wrapping result is displayed in the Number of triangles field as shown below:

The Preview window is also displayed:

6. Click Save.

The Save As dialog box appears

7. Select the desired format type from the drop-down list. i.e. .cgr file and click Save


8. Click Close to exit the wrapping command.


Generating a ThicknessThis task will show you how to generate a thickness object.

Load SCENARIO01.model from the samples folder using Insert ->Existing Component command

Use the Fit All In icon to position the model geometry on the screen.(Optional)You can manage automatically the Thickness result as alternate shape.Please refer to Managing an Alternate Shape.

1. Click the Thickness icon from the DMU Optimizer toolbar.

The Thickness dialog box appears.

2. Select SCENARIO01.model in the specification tree.

3. Enter the Offset values. In our example, keep the default values:

❍ Offset 1=2mm

❍ Offset 2= 0mm

4. Click Preview to generate the thickness representation.The preview window is displayed.

The Orientation constraints option is disabled by default. The constraint propagation is done automatically.


5. Zoom to visualize better the thickness result:

You are not satisfied with the result.

You are still in the Thickness command.

6. Select the Orientation constraints check box:

7. Click Preview.The propagation of constraints is not complete. The surfaces concerned are highlighted.

8. Select again the Orientation constraints check box. When turned on you can define constraints on the

initial representation.

9. Define constraints for the corresponding surfaces:

❍ Drag the cursor onto the surface

❍ When you are satisfied, click the left-hand mouse button.The constraint is created.


At anytime, you can delete a constraint, what you need to do is click on the white square.Note that if you click the arrow, you reverse the constraint orientation.

10. Click Preview when done. The surfaces are correctly positioned.


11. Click Save. The Save As dialog box is displayed

❍ Set the Type to .cgr

You can save your result as a .stl file.

This format can be reused and imported in other CATIA products for design purposes.For instance, with Digitized Shape Editor you will be able to recreate exact surfaces from the imported point shell.

❍ Identify the folder in which you want to save the file

❍ Enter a file name

12. Click Save.

13. Click Close to exit the Thickness dialog box


Generating an OffsetThis functionality enables to add an offset to a selected set of products. You can define the orientation in which the offset will be applied. This orientation can be changed either manually or automatically.

Insert SCENARIO01.model document from the samples folder.


1. Click the Offset icon from the DMU Optimizer toolbar.

The Offset dialog box is displayed:

2. Select SCENARIO01 in the specification tree.

3. Enter the Offset value, 2mm for instance.

Note: you can now define an offset along fixed vectors, please refer to the Generating Offset Along Fixed Vectors

4. Click Preview


5. Select the Orientation constraints check box in the dialog box still displayed:

6. Click Preview.

Orientation Constraints

❍ The Orientation constraints option is disabled by default. (The propagation of default orientation constraints is done automatically).

❍ The constraints define the orientation of the offset (positive).

7. Click Save. The Save As dialog box appears

8. Enter a meaningful name, select the format type. In our example, select .cgr

9. Click Save.


10. Click Close to exit the offset command


Generating a Free SpaceThis task will show you how to calculate a free space for two different purposes

● You need to calculate a free space (volume) which will be assigned a new functionality (analysis...)(in box option)

● or a free space which corresponds to a capacity (in nearly closed geometry option)

Open TankClosed2.CATProduct document.


1. (Optional)

You can automatically manage your free space result as alternate shape. For this:

1. Select Tools->Options from the menu bar.The Options dialog box displays.

2. Expand the Digital Mockup category from the upper-left tree.3. Select DMU Optimizer item to display the corresponding tab.4. In the Free Space field, select the Manage as alternate shape and the

Activate shape check boxes to turn on the options. When the Activate shape option is turned on, the free space representation is the one visualized in the session.

2. Click the Free Space icon from the DMU Optimizer toolbar.

The Free Space dialog box and Free space box are displayed:


The box appears in the geometry area

3. Select Product1

4. Keep the default type ( in box area)

5. Keep the default value in the accuracy field.

Note that if you change the accuracy value (because you are not satisfied with

the first value you entered), you need to use the command from the standard toolbar. You are still in the free space command and you can then enter a new accuracy value.

6. Define the free space, You can either:

❍ enter coordinates values in the Free space box,

❍ resize the box with the manipulators within the geometry area,

❍ or click

7. Click


8. Click Preview to generate the free space. The progress bar is displayed letting you

monitor and, if necessary, interrupt (Cancel option) the calculation.

The preview window shows the result:

9. Click Save.The Save As dialog box automatically appears


10. Enter a meaningful name and click Save to generate a .3dmap file.

11. Click Close

For more detailed information, please refer to Generating a Free Space in the Basic Tasks section.


User Tasks

The table below lists the tasks you will find in this section.

Simplifying a RepresentationThickness and Offset

Swept VolumeUsing Vibration Volume Capability

Generating a Free SpaceAbout Saving Operations

Creating 3D CutsWriting Macros

Managing Alternate Shapes in VPMWorking with ENOVIA LCAWorking with CGRs in DMU


Simplifying a Representation (Using Silhouette, Wrapping or Simplification Functionalities)

About Representation Simplification: gives background information about representation simplificationGenerate a Silhouette: click the Silhouette icon and select an object in the specification tree then enter the desired value in the grain field from the Silhouette dialog box. Click Preview. When done, click Save to save the silhouette representation.

Generating a Silhouette using a Reference ProductMore About Silhouette: provides examples and explanations about silhouette functionalityGenerate a Wrapping: click the Wrapping icon and select an object, then enter the desired value in the precision accuracy field (Wrapping dialog box). Move the slider to the right to set the ratio. Click Preview. When done, click Save to save the wrapping representation.More About Wrapping: provides examples and explanations about wrapping functionalityUse Simplification Command: click the Simplification icon and select an object, then enter the desired value in the precision accuracy field (Simplification dialog box). Move the slider to the right to set the ratio. Click Preview. When done, click Save to save the wrapping representation.More About Simplification: provides examples and explanations about simplification functionality

Merging Tree Representations


About Representation Simplification

DMU Optimizer lets you simplify a geometric representation with the two following functionalities:

● Silhouette: keeps only the external representation of a model.The result obtained is as precise as the initial geometric representation.

● Wrapping: provides a simplified external representation of a geometry through an additional tessellation computation. Depending on the computation parameters selected, the result obtained can be very "light" (but less accurate) or more precise (but "heavier").

● Simplification: provides a simplified representation of a geometry through an additional tessellation computation.

These three powerful functionalities allow the user to improve his productivity at any stage of the digital mockup review by significantly reducing the size of the mockups.

They also offer an easy solution to protect confidential information by replacing accurate models with their simplified representation.The following examples aim at illustrating the gain obtained with these functionalities:

Initial geometry

19348 triangles

Section

Silhouette Silhouette section

Accuracy= 0.2mm Result= 3868 triangles


Wrapping

Before wrapping After wrapping


This simple example shows you how triangles are significantly reduced during simplification operation

Simplification

Initial geometry

19348 triangles

Simplification

Accuracy= 0.5mm Result= 7416 triangles

Note: the simplification result contains the inner parts of the mobile phone, therefore the number of triangles is higher than it is in the silhouette result.


Generating a Silhouette

Silhouette functionality:

● allows to select a part or an assembly and only keeps the external facets of the selection. When in interaction with other parts, the same accuracy is kept while the file size is significantly reduced. For reviewing, the outer aspect of the part is identical to the original model (surface appearance, color...)

● lets you work on the Accuracy parameter in order to optimize the number of removed facets inside the silhouette

● allows you to work with 1 to 6 standard views and to use a camera from DMU Navigator to create an additional view of the silhouette. You can easily keep track of details that might have been lost with the standard views: for example you can set a camera on a hole axis in order to visualize data hidden from most views.

● you can select the reference axis system along which the computation will be done

For more detailed information, please refer to More About Silhouette Functionality

This task will show you how to use silhouette functionality to simplify a geometric representation.

Open the Mobile_Phone.CATProduct from the samples folder

(Optional)You might find useful to manage automatically your Silhouette result as an alternate shape of the initial component and specify a directory/path to save your result (see Customizing DMU Optimizer Settings)

Note: If your are not working in alternate shape mode, it is strongly recommended to use the Reference Product option to avoid positioning problems when reinserting products. Please read About Reference Product

1. Click the Silhouette icon from the DMU Optimizer toolbar.

The Silhouette dialog box appears:

2. Select the product you need to simplify (i.e. Mobile phone) in the specification tree or in the geometry area.


Click the More button:

The Input Products dialog box is displayedThe listed selection corresponds to the those products you selected before you launched a calculation

❍ While the Input Products dialog box is active, you can change the selection in your session: the listed selection will be accordingly modified, for example:

❍ Likewise, if you change the selection in the Input products dialog box, the selection in your session will be correspondingly modified.

❍ You can select the Preview check box to see a preview of you product selection, for example:

Note: neither the Input Products dialog box nor the Preview check box are available when working in alternate shape mode.

You can select any node within the specification tree (terminal/non terminal) and even multi-select them provided that you are not working in alternate shape mode.

3. Enter the desired value in the Accuracy field for instance 2mm.

Please refer to More About Silhouette Functionality-Step 1


Setting the Accuracy:

Specify the silhouette calculation accuracy. A lower value results in a slower computation time, but a "lighter" silhouette representation.

4. Click the View(s) button to display the selection list. Please refer to More About Silhouette Functionality-Step 2

5. Select the desired views. The 6 views for instance.

6. Click OK to confirm your operation.

7. Click Preview to launch the calculation


The Preview window is also displayed.

The number of triangles representing the silhouette result is displayed in the Number of triangles field as shown below:

You can simplify your silhouette result within the Silhouette dialog box. For more detailed information, please read Using Simplification Command and More About Simplification

8. Select the Accuracy check box in the simplification area.

9. Enter a new value if needed.

In our example enter 0.2mm


The number of triangles representing the simplified result is displayed in the Number of triangles area. If you are not satisfied, click once in the accuracy field, enter a new value, press Enter and then click Preview.

10. Click Save. The Save As dialog box is displayed:

❍ Set the Type to .cgr. You can also save your resulting shape in .wrl, .model .stl formats



11. Click Save

Alternate Shape:

(Optional)You can manage automatically your Silhouette result as an alternate shape of the initial component.

For this:

1. Select Tools->Options from the menu bar.The Options dialog box appears.

2. Expand the Digital Mockup category from the upper-left tree.3. Select DMU Optimizer item to display the corresponding tab.

The Alternate Shapes Management is available:4. Select the Silhouette check box: the option "Activate" is automatically turned on.

The silhouette result is going to be added to the initial component as a new representation. For more details, please refer to Customizing DMU Optimizer Settings and Managing as an Alternate Shape.

Remember you can customize silhouette settings at any time.


More about Silhouette How is the silhouette representation calculated?

You obtain the silhouette of a specific geometry by:

1. calculating a discrete envelope of the inital representation (discretization parameter = accuracy)

2. filtering the triangles of the geometry which:

● do not belong to this envelope

● are not seen from the selected view (s)

The following example aims at illustrating these two steps as well as the impact of accuracy and view parameters on the final result.

Step 1: Envelope calculation (using the Accuracy parameter)

Case 1: You select a small accuracy value Case 2: You select great accuracy value


Step 2: Filtering triangles (using the View parameter)

Case 1: Case 2:This image illustrates the result you obtain if you select 4 views

This image illustrates the result you obtain if you select 1 view


The table below shows the accuracy impact on the silhouette calculation

Accuracy Computation Time Used Memory Simplification Rate

Greater Shorter LessLower

Smaller Longer MoreHigher


Generating a Wrapping

Wrapping functionality:

● Lets you select a part or an assembly and wrap it through an additional tessellation in order to generate a light external envelope of the part. The resulting envelope is a unique volume.

● Provides a selectable tessellation (Grain parameter) which lets you manage the file size against precision of the wrapped representation

● Through this functionality, you can:

● drastically reduce the size of your assembly

● roughly reserve room for a component not completely designed yet

● protect your data confidentiality when sending information to partners by hiding confidential details of your product

For more detailed information, please refer to More About Wrapping.This task will show you how to simplify a representation using the Wrapping functionality.

Open the Mobile_Phone.CATProduct from the samples folder.

1. (Optional)

You can manage automatically your 'Wrapping result' as an alternate shape of the initial component. In this case, the wrapping result will be

automatically reinserted and will replace the initial component (provided the Activate check box is selected, it is by default)

Note: If your are not working in alternate shape mode, it is strongly recommended to use the Reference Product option to avoid positioning

problems when reinserting products. Please read About Reference Product

Alternate Shape:

1. Select Tools->Options from the menu bar.The Options dialog box is displayed.

2. Expand the Digital Mockup category from the upper-left tree3. Select DMU Optimizer item to display the corresponding tab.

The Alternate Shapes Management is available

4. Select the Wrapping check box: the wrapping is automatically treated as an alternate shape

2. (Optional)

You can customize your wrapping result color easily selecting the Tools->Options...

1. Expand the Digital Mockup category from the upper-left tree.2. Select DMU Optimizer item to display the corresponding tab.3. Change the default color as shown below:

About selection: you can select any node within the specification tree (terminal/non terminal) and even multi-select them provided that you are not working in alternate shape mode.

3. Select the product to you want to wrap (i.e. Battery.1) in the specification tree or in the geometry area.

4. Click the Wrapping icon from the DMU Optimizer toolbar.

The Wrapping dialog box is displayed.


❍ The number of triangles representing the selected product is displayed in the number of triangles field.

❍ The Alternate shapes management field appears.

Note: Neither the Input Products dialog box nor the Preview check box are available when working in alternate shape mode.

5. Set the grain by entering a value, 4mm for example.

Setting the Grain

The grain determines the precision of the wrapping representation. The grain parameter determines the size of the triangles used to represent the wrapping. A lower setting results in slower computation time, but a more precise calculation of the wrapping.

For more detailed information, please refer to More About Wrapping-Step 1.

Setting the Offset Ratio

The Ratio enables to inflate the wrapping representation. A lower ratio value results in a less enveloping representation.If you check the cubic option, you will obtain a coarse wrapping representation (voxel) but enveloping the product entirely.

Please refer to More About Wrapping-Step 2.

6. Set the ratio:

1. Move the slider to the right to set the ratio to desired value (0.40, for example).or if you need a wrapping enveloping entirely the geometry:

2. Select the Cubic check box to obtain a voxel representation of the envelope (the Offset ratio option is grayed out).


7. Click Preview to obtain a preview.


The preview window lets you see the resulting wrapping:This is what you obtain with 0.40 as offset ratio value: This is what you obtain if you checked the cubic option :

About wrapping color customizationLet's see the result you obtain if you customized the wrapping volume color before launching the calculation

Default option:The option is turned off, the check box is cleared.

The option is turned off, the check box is cleared but you change the default color using the drop-down list:

You selected the 'Use part when possible, otherwise...' check box: in this case, there are three colors in the original model (light grey, blue and dark gray). The color chosen is the default one (see picture opposite)

You selected the 'Use part when possible, otherwise...' check box and selected a color of your choice:


8. Check the number of triangles representing the wrapping result. It is displayed in the Number of triangles field as shown below:

9. You can simplify your wrapping result. For more detailed information, please read Using Simplification Command and More About Simplification

We assume you performed step.6 1.Select the Accuracy check box in the simplification field.

Enter a new value if needed. In our example, keep the default value

10. Click Preview

11. Click Save. The Save As dialog box is displayed. You can identify a specific path/ directory to save your resulting shape using Tools-

>Options... Please read Saving Operation...

1. Set the Type to .cgr2. Identify the folder in which you want to save the file3. Enter a file name

12. Click Close to exit the wrapping command.

The wrapping result is automatically inserted


13. Right-click Battery.1 in the specification tree and select Manage-> Representations to check your wrapping is treated as alternate shape

Remember you can customize wrapping settings at any time using Tools->Options...


More about Wrapping

How is the wrapping representation calculated?

You generate a wrapping from existing geometric elements by:

1. computing a set of points regularly spaced on the envelope of the original geometry (distance between points = grain parameter)

2. offsetting these points to obtain a inflated result which better includes the original geometry (offset value = grain * offset ratio)

3. building triangles from the set of offset points.

The following example aims at illustrating these three steps as well as the impact of grain and offset ratio parameters on the final result.

Step 1: Computing points (using the Grain parameter)


Step 2: Offsetting points (using the Offset Ratio parameter)

Step 3: Building the result

Case 1: Offset Ratio = 0.0 Case 2: Offset Ratio = 0.5

Cubic option:

If you select the cubic check box, you obtain a voxel (cubic) representation of the envelope. The voxel size equals to the grain parameter. The offset ratio is not used.


This image illustrates the wrapping result with the cubic option turned on:

The table below shows the grain parameter impact on the wrapping calculation:

Grain Value Computation Time Used Memory Resulting Size (number of triangles)

Greater Shorter Less Smaller

Smaller Longer More Bigger

The table below shows the offset ratio impact on the wrapping calculation:

Offset Ratio Value Computation Time Used Memory

Resulting Geometric Size

Resulting Size (number of triangles)

Greater

No Change No Change Bigger No change

Smaller

No Change No Change Smaller No Change

Cubic Mode

Shorter Less

Includes entirely the original geometry

No Change


Using Simplification Command

Simplification functionality:

● Lets you select a part or an assembly and simplify it through an additional tessellation in order to generate a lighter mesh of the part.

● Provides a selectable tessellation which lets you manage the file size against precision of the representation

● Through this functionality, you can drastically reduce the size of your assembly

This functionality can applied on documents from the following types:

● .CATPart

● .cgr

● .vrml

● .model

and on

● silhouette

● wrapping

● vibration volume

● merger result

Please refer to Generating a Silhouette and Generating a Wrapping

For more detailed information, please refer to More About Simplification

This task will show you how to simplify a representation using the simplification functionality.

Open SIMPLIFICATION.CATProduct document

(Optional)You can manage automatically your Simplification result as an alternate shape of the initial component. In this case, the simplification result will be automatically reinserted and will replace the initial component (provided the Activate check box is selected, it is by default)

Note: If your are not working in alternate shape mode, it is strongly recommended to use the Reference Product option to avoid positioning problems when reinserting products. Please read About Reference Product


About selection:

You can now select any node within the specification tree (terminal/non terminal) and even multi-select them provided that you are not working in alternate shape mode.

1. Select the product to you want to simplify (i.e. Product1) in the specification tree or in

the geometry area.

2. Click the Simplification icon in the DMU Optimizer toolbar.The Simplification dialog

box is displayed

The number of triangles representing the selected product is displayed in the number of triangles field:

Setting the Accuracy:

defines the simplification calculation accuracy. A lower value results in slower computation time, but a "lighter" simplification representation.

3. Enter the desired value in the Accuracy field for instance 2mm.

4. Click Preview. The progress bar is displayed letting you monitor and, if necessary,

interrupt (Cancel option) the calculation.


The number of triangles representing the simplification result is displayed in the Number of triangles field as shown below:The simplification representation is coarse but the number of triangles has been drastically reduced.


❍ Set the Type to .cgr




6. Click Save in the Save As dialog box

7. Click Close to exit the simplification command

8. Select File->New... and select product from the list of types in the New dialog box

9. Click OK.

10. Insert in the new CATProduct (Insert->Existing components) from the samples

folder


❍ SIMPLIFICATION.CATProduct document

❍ Product1_SIMPLIFICATION.cgr document

This is what you should have:

Now,we are going to compare the two products, please refer to "Comparing Products" in DMU Space Analysis User's Guide

11. Select Start->Digital Mockup->DMU Space Analysis...

12. Click the Compare Products icon in the DMU Space Analysis toolbar: Visual

comparison is the default comparison mode.The Compare Products dialog box appears.

13. Select one of the products you want to compare

14. Select the other product (new version), Product1_SIMPLIFICATION1.1


You are not satisfied with the result, you are going to simplify again with a finer accuracy value

15. Click Close to exit Compare Product command

16. Switch to DMU Optimizer workbench selecting Start->Digital Mockup->DMU

Optimizer


17. In the SIMPLIFICATION.CATProduct window, click the Simplification icon in the

DMU Optimizer toolbar.

18. Enter the desired value in the Accuracy field, this time 0.6mm.

19. Click Preview to obtain a preview.The progress bar is displayed letting you monitor

and, if necessary, interrupt (Cancel option) the calculation.

The number of triangles representing the simplification result is displayed in the Number of triangles field as shown below: This time the simplification representation is finer and the number of triangles result is still valid in terms of performance gains.You are satisfied with the result

20. Click Save. The Save As dialog box is automatically displayed:

21. Select .cgr file from the Save as type drop-down list and enter a meaningful name if

needed.


Alternate Shape:

(Optional)You can manage automatically your Simplification result as an alternate shape of the initial component.

For this:

1. Select Tools->Options from the menu bar.The Options dialog box is displayed.


The Alternate Shapes Management is available4. Select the Simplification check box: the simplification is automatically treated as an

alternate shape

Remember you can customize simplification settings at any time.

The simplification result will be added as a new representation of the initial component.For more details, please refer to Customizing DMU Optimizer Settings and Managing as an Alternate Shape.


More about Simplification

Simplification functionality:● You can select a part or an assembly and simplify it using an additional tessellation to

generate a coarser mesh.

● Provides a selectable tessellation which lets you manage the file size against precision of the representation

● Through this functionality, you can drastically reduce the size of your assembly

How is the simplification representation calculated?

You generate a simplification representation by:

1. computing a new mesh of the original geometry using an approximation error (= accuracy parameter)

2. removing and/or merging the existing triangles of this geometry

The following example aims at illustrating these two steps as well as the impact of accuracy parameter on the final result.


Merging Tree Representations

Merger

This new functionality lets you simplify the tree representation by merging its visualization structure.

● available in interactive and batch mode

● the result of this operation can be saved in cgr, VRML, CATIA V4 mockup Surface. It can be managed as an alternate shape.

This new functionality can be very useful especially

In Clash context:

● you can now work on bigger models by optimizing other Multi-cad cgrs

In Track context, when distances specifications are defined and activated if you perform a merging operation:

● you will obtain significant performances gain

This task will show you how to use the merger

Insert the Keypad.cgr document. This cgr file is to be found in in the online documentation filetree in the DMU Optimizer samples folder online\dmoug_*X2\samples

Alternate Shape:

(Optional) You can manage automatically your result as an alternate shape of the initial component.

For this:

1. Select Tools->Options from the menu bar. The Options dialog box is displayed.2. Expand the Digital Mockup category from the left-hand tree.3. Select DMU Optimizer item to display the corresponding tab. The Alternate Shapes Management is

available4. Select the Merger check box: when activated the Merger representation is the one visualized in

session.


1. Click the Merger icon from the DMU Optimizer toolbar.

The Merger dialog box is displayed:

❍ Edges: this check box is selected by default, the edges are kept.

❍ Decoration: this check box is selected by default

❍ Levels of detail: if checked, the calculation takes into account the levels of detail. If the selected product does not include levels of detail, please note these will be calculated when launching the command, therefore the cgr size will be larger.

Note: If you manage the Merging operation result as an alternate shape, the Merger dialog box will be slightly different from the above dialog box, click on the image below:

❍ In this case, the resulting merger representation will replace the initial component.

❍ In our scenario, we decided not to treat the merger representation as an alternate shape

2. Select the Product you want to be merged either in the geometry area or in the specification tree

(i.e. keypad.1)


3. (Optional) Simplify your merger representation:

❍ Select the Accuracy check box in the simplification area.

❍ Enter a new value if needed.

4. Click Save.

The save as dialog box is displayed:❍ Set the Type to .cgr. You can also save your resulting shape in .wrl, .model .stl formats




5. Click Save

6. Reinsert the merger representation (Keypad.1_MERGER.cgr) you just saved in Product1

❍ Right-click Product1, select Components->Existing Component...

❍ Select Keypad.1_MERGER.cgr in the File Selection dialog box and click Open

❍ use the 3D compass manipulation handle to obtain two different keypads in the geometry area (For more information, see Moving Objects using the 3D Compass in the Infrastructure User's Guide)

7. Compare the size of the two cgr documents:

Before merging operation After merging operation

The cgr is optimized and much lighter. The number of triangles is identical:


Thickness and OffsetGenerate a Thickness: click the Thickness icon and select an object, then enter the offset values in the Thickness dialog box. Click Preview to generate the thickness representation. If you are not satisfied, define constraints manually if necessary. When done, click Save and save.More About Thickness: provides examples and explanations about thickness functionality.Note: From V5R11, the calculation changes: offset1 and offset2 values make the selected surface move to two opposite directions (i.e. two positive values equal to 2mn will result in a thickness of 4mm).Generate an Offset Along Normal Vectors: click the Offset icon and select an object, then enter the offset value in the Offset dialog box. Click Preview. When done, click Save to save the offset representation.More About Offset Along Normal Vectors: provides examples and explanations about offset functionality using the " Along normals" option ( corresponds to the version V5R5 offset creation method)Generate an Offset Along Fixed Vectors: click the Offset icon, select an object and an axis system, then enter offset values in the Offset dialog box. Click Preview. When done, click Save to save the offset representation.More About Offset Along Fixed Vectors: provides an example and explanations about offset functionality using the "Along Fixed vectors" option.


Generating a Thickness

Thickness functionality:

● Allows to create a volume type representation of a selected surface type model in order to perform realistic analysis (such as clash, contact check...)

● Offsets are applied on both faces of the original 2D surface

● Ability to define the orientation in which the offsets are applied. These orientations can be changed manually or automatically to correct the possible lack of uniformity between the orientations of the different surfaces.

● This functionality is dedicated to all industries where the design is created using surfaces and where the user needs volume to perform realistic analysis such as clash checks or measures (volume, inertia...) on the digital mockup. This is for example the case for the body in white process.

For more detailed information, please refer to More About Thickness.

Insert SCENARIO01.model from the samples folder.

Use the Fit All In icon to position the model geometry on the screen.(Optional)You can manage automatically your Thickness result as alternate shape of the initial component.

In this case, the thickness result will be automatically reinserted and will replace the initial component

(provided the Activate check box is selected, it is by default)

Note: If your are not working in alternate shape mode, it is strongly recommended to use the Reference

Product option to avoid positioning problems when reinserting products. Please read About Reference

Product

In our example, the Manage Alternate Shape option is activated for Thickness.

1. Click the Thickness icon from the DMU Optimizer toolbar.

The Thickness dialog box is displayed.

2. Select the surface(s) you want to work on (i.e. SCENARIO01.model) in the specification tree or in

the geometry area.

Note: only 2D surface(s) can be selected.

About selection:

You can select any node within the specification tree (terminal/non terminal) and even multi-select them provided that you are not working in alternate shape mode.


3. Enter the Offset values:

For instance:

Offset 1=2mmOffset 2=0mm

Setting the Offset values:

Depending on the surface design, you can define any value meeting your needs (negative, positive, or null)

Please refer to More About Thickness

4. Click Preview to generate the thickness representation. The preview window is displayed.


5. Zoom to visualize better the thickness result:

If you are not satisfied with the result (because of gaps between surface patches or bad offset orientation)You can turn on the Orientation constraints optionOrientation Constraints

❍ The Orientation constraints option is disabled by default. (The default normal vectors are used)

❍ Through this functionality, you can define the orientation of the offset (on every surface patch).■ If you select the Orientation constraints check box (without defining additional vectors): the

normal vector orientation is done automatically. The first normal vector found defines the reference orientation which is propagated to the neighboring surfaces.

■ If the automatic propagation is still incomplete (for example, certain surfaces are not correctly connected), you need to define manually normal vectors.

You are still in the Thickness command.


If you change any of the dialog box parameters, the initial representation is displayed

7. Click Preview.


The Propagation is not complete.The surfaces concerned are highlighted.

8. Select the Orientation constraints check box again to define constraints on the original

representation.

9. Define constraint vectors for the corresponding surfaces in the document window:

❍ Drag the cursor onto the surface.

❍ When you are satisfied, use the left mouse button.The constraint vector is created.

At anytime, you can delete a constraint vector, what you need to do is to click on the white squareNote that if you click the arrow, you reverse the constraint vector orientation.

10. Click Preview when done. The calculation is based on the orientation of the constraint vectors.

This time, the result is correct (there are not any highlighted surfaces displayed):


11. Click Save.

The Save As dialog box is displayed:




12. Click Save.

13. Click Close to exit the thickness command

Alternate Shape:

(Optional)You can manage your Thickness result as an alternate shape

For this:

1. Select Tools->Options from the menu bar.The Options dialog box appears:


The Alternate Shapes Management is available4. Select the Thickness check box: the thickness is automatically activated as an alternate shape

The Thickness result will be added as a new representation of the initial component.For more details, please refer to Customizing DMU Optimizer Settings and Managing as an Alternate Shape.

Remember you can customize thickness settings at any time.


More about Thickness

How is the thickness representation calculated?

To obtain a thickness representation:

● select the offset values depending on the surface design:

surface = solid (neutral- fibred)surface = solid (surface limit)

The thickness value can take any positive or negative value

The following example aims at illustrating the impact of the offset values on the final result.

Case 1: offset 1 value>0 and offset 2 value>0 (or the opposite)

The surface is assigned offsets on both sides

Note: From V5R11, the calculation changes: offset1 and offset2 values make the selected surface move to two opposite directions (i.e. two positive values equal to 2mn will result in a thickness of 4mm).

Case 2: offset 1 value>0 and offset 2 value=0 (or the opposite)

The surface is assigned an offset on one side

Now, if offset 1 value=0 and offset 2 >0 this is what you obtain:


Case 3: offset 1 value>0 and offset 2 value

Case 2: the orientation constraints option is checked (automatic mode)

The first default normal vector defines the offset orientation reference. This orientation is automatically propagated to the neighboring surfaces.

Result: If the surface patches are not correctly connected, there might still be remaining gaps between surface patches. In this case, you need to use the orientation constraints option and to define manually constraint vectors.

NB. The surface patches are not correctly connected are highlighted in the result preview.

Case 3: you checked the orientation constraints option and defined two orientation constraint vectors.

The orientation constraint vectors define the offset orientation references. This resulting orientation is propagated to the neighboring surfaces of each constraint

NB. The constraint vectors defined manually appear as red arrows on the picture.

Result: The surface patches are now correctly connected


Generating an Offset Along Normal Vectors

Offset functionality:

● Allows to add an offset to a selected set of shapes (surfaces or volumes), this provides a security margin around these shapes

● Enables to define the orientation in which the offset is applied. This orientation can be changed manually or automatically to correct the possible lack of uniformity between the orientation vectors of the different surfaces.

For more detailed information, please refer to More About Offset Along Normal Vectors.

This task will show you how to generate offsets on a surface or volume using the offset functionality.

Insert SCENARIO01.model from the samples folder.

Use the Fit All In icon to position the model geometry on the screen.(Optional) You can manage automatically your Offset result as alternate shape of the initial component. In this case, the offset result will be automatically reinserted and will replace the initial component (provided the Activate check box is selected, it is by default)

Note: If your are not working in alternate shape mode, it is strongly recommended to use the Reference Product option to avoid positioning

problems when reinserting products. Please read About Reference Product

1. Click the Offset icon in the DMU Optimizer toolbar.

The Offset dialog box is displayed.

2. Select the solid or surface you want to work on (i.e. SCENARIO0. model) either in the specification tree or in the geometry area.

The result can be surface or a solid. The type of the offset result will be the same.

3. Enter the Offset value, 2mm for instance.

Note: you can define an offset along fixed vectors, please refer to theGenerating Offset Along Fixed Vectors

4. Click the More button:

The Input Products dialog box is displayedThe listed selection corresponds to the those products you selected before you launched a calculation


You can select the Preview check box to see a preview of you product selection

5. Click Preview to generate the offset representation.

The Preview window is displayed:

6. Zoom to visualize better the offset result.

If you are not satisfied with the result (because of gaps between surface patches or bad offset orientation)You may use the Orientation constraints optionOrientation Constraints

❍ The Orientation constraints option is disabled by default. (The default normal vectors are used)

❍ Using this functionality, you can define the orientation of the offset (on every surface patch).■ If you select the Orientation constraints check box (without defining additional vectors): the normal vector orientation is

calculated automatically. The first normal vector found defines the reference orientation which is propagated to the neighboring surfaces.

■ If the automatic propagation is still incomplete (for example, some surfaces are not correctly connected), you need to define manually normal vectors.


8. Click Apply.


The Propagation is not complete. The surfaces concerned are highlighted.

9. Select the Orientation constraints check box again to define constraints on the initial representation.

10. Define constraint vectors for the corresponding surfaces in the document window:

❍ Drag the cursor onto the surface.

❍ When you are satisfied, click the left-hand mouse button.The constraint vector is created.

At anytime, you can delete a constraint vector, what you need to do is to click on the white squareNote that if you click the arrow, you reverse the constraint vector orientation.

11. Click Apply when done. The calculation is based on the orientation of the constraint vectors.

This time, the result is correct (there is no longer highlighted surfaces):

12. Click OK.


13. Enter a meaningful name and save in .cgr format.


14. Click Save

Alternate Shape:

(Optional) You can manage automatically your Offset result as alternate shape of the initial component.

For this:

1. Select Tools->Options from the menu bar.The Options dialog box is displayed


The Alternate Shapes Management is available4. Select the Offset check box: the offset is automatically treated as an alternate shape

The Offset result will be added to the initial component as a new representation (it will replace the original component). For more details, please refer to Customizing DMU Optimizer Settings and Managing as an Alternate Shape.

Remember you can customize offset settings at any time.


More about Offset along Normal Vectors

How is the offset representation calculated?

The offset representation is obtained by:

1. Adding an offset to a selected set of shapes (surfaces or volumes), this provides a security margin around these shapes2. defining the orientation in which the offset is applied.

or/and if necessary

3. changing this orientation manually or automatically to correct the possible lack of uniformity between the orientation vectors of the different surfaces.

The offset value can take any positive or negative values.

The following example aims at illustrating the impact of the offset value on the final result.

Case 1: offset value> 0

Case 2: offset value

Result: If the surface patches are not correctly designed, there might be gaps between the different surface patches. In this case, you need to use the orientation constraints option (automatic mode)

NB. You should study the result preview carefully to detect inconsistencies.

Case 2: you checked the orientation constraints option

The first default normal vector defines the offset orientation reference. This orientation is propagated to the neighboring surfaces.

Result: If the surface patches are not correctly connected, there might still be remaining gaps between surface patches. In this case, you need to use the orientation constraints option and to define manually constraint vectors.

NB. The surface patches are not correctly connected are highlighted in the result preview.

Case 3: you checked the orientation constraints option and defined two orientation constraint vectors

NB. The constraint vectors defined manually appear as red arrows on the picture.

Result: The surface patches are now correctly connected (there is no longer highlighted surfaces)


Generating an Offset Along Fixed Vectors

Offset functionality:

● Allows to add an offset to a selected set of shapes (surfaces or volumes), this provides a security margin around these shapes.

● Enables to define the vectors along which the offset is applied. These vectors are defined either from the product main axis system or from any axis system in a .CATPart document (Part Design workbench, Axis System command).

Please refer to... the Part design User's Guide

For more detailed information, please refer to More About Offset Along Fixed Vectors.This task will show you how to generate offsets along fixed vectors through the offset command.

Open mastervac_offset.CATProduct document

Use the Fit All In icon to position the model geometry on the screen.(Optional) You can manage automatically your Offset result as alternate shape of the initial component. In this case, the offset result will be automatically reinserted and will replace the initial component (provided the Activate check box is selected, it is by default)

Note: If your are not working in alternate shape mode, it is strongly recommended to use the Reference

Product option to avoid positioning problems when reinserting products. Please read About Reference

Product

1. Click the Offset icon from the DMU Optimizer toolbar.

The Offset dialog box is displayed.

2. Select the solid or surface you want to work on (i.e. MASTERVAC (MASTERVAC.1) in the

specification tree or in the geometry area.


3. Select the Along fixed vectors check box. The along fixed vectors frame is no longer grayed out.

Note: Refer to Generating an Offset Along Normal vectors for the Along Normals mode

4. If necessary, click in the Axis system area and select the axis system which defines the offset

directions (the default axis system is the product main axis system)

❍ i.e. select Axis System.1either in the geometry area or in the specification tree.

5. Enter the required offset values in the x, y and z fields:

❍ x min: -20mm

❍ x max: 20mm

❍ y min: 0mm

❍ y max: 0mm

❍ z min: 0mm

❍ z max: 0mm

For more detailed information please refer to 'Fixed vectors' in More About Offset.

6. Click Preview to generate the offset representation.

The Preview window is displayed:

7. Zoom to visualize better the offset result.


8. Click Save to save the result.


9. Enter a meaningful name and save in the desired format (.cgr, .vrml or.CATIA model)

For more detailed information, please read About saving operations

10. In our example, save your result MASTERVAC.1_OFFSET in cgr format.


11. Click Close to exit the offset command

Alternate Shape:

(Optional) You can manage automatically your Offset result as alternate shape of the initial component.

For this:

1. Select Tools->Options from the menu bar. The Options dialog box is displayed


The Alternate Shapes Management is available4. Select the Offset check box: the offset is automatically activated as an alternate shape

The Offset result will be added to the initial component as a new representationFor more details, please refer to Customizing DMU Optimizer Settings and Managing as an Alternate Shape.

Remember you can customize offset settings at any time.


More about Offset Along Fixed VectorsWhen an object is moving along known directions (translations only) you can use the offset command with "Along Fixed Vectors" option to calculate the object envelope.

How is the offset representation calculated?

You obtain an offset representation by:

1. Adding an offset to a selected set of shapes (surfaces or volumes) along selected vectors.2. Defining the offset values along each vector.

The vectors used in the command are defined by an axis system.

The values xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax , zmin and zmax correspond to the offset values along the vectors of the axis system.

The offset values can take any positive or negative values.The following example aims at illustrating the impact of the offset values on the final result.


Swept VolumeDefine a Swept Volume: click the Swept Volume icon, then select a product to sweep using the more button if necessary. Click Preview to generate the swept volume. When done, click Save to save your swept volume in cgr format.Define a Swept Volume from a moving Reference: click the Swept Volume icon, then select a product to sweep and a reference product. Click Preview to generate the swept volume. When done, click Save to save your swept volume.Use Wrapping and Simplification in Swept Volume: click the Swept Volume icon, then select a product to sweep. Click Preview to generate the swept volume. Apply a wrapping When done, apply a simplification and click Save to save your swept volume.Filter Swept Volume Positions: click the Swept Volume icon, then select a product to sweep using the more button to display the Multi-selection dialog box, then check the Filter Positions option and enter a value in the Filtering precision field. Click Preview to generate the swept volume. When done, click Save to save your swept volume.More About Swept Volume: provides examples and explanations about swept volume functionality

Initial geometry with a track Swept volume generated from a track


Creating A Swept Volume

Swept volume functionality:

lets you generate the swept volume of a moving part using an open simulation created using external defined motion. For more detailed information, please refer to More About Swept VolumeThis task will show you how to create a swept volume.

Open the Mobile_Phone.CATProduct document.

1. Manage automatically your result as an alternate shape. For this:

❍ Select Tools->Options from the menu bar.The Options dialog box is displayed.

❍ Expand the Digital Mockup category from the left-hand tree.

❍ Select DMU Optimizer item to display the corresponding tab. The Alternate Shapes Management is available

❍ Select the Swept Volume check box: it is automatically activated as an alternate shape. When activated the swept volume representation is the one visualized in session.

2. Select the products to sweep. In our example, select the battery track in the specification tree

Note: you can select or deselect products directly in the main window


3. Click the Swept Volume icon .

The Swept Volume dialog box is displayed.


4. (Optional) Click the more button to display the Multi-selection dialog box.

When you are satisfied with your selection, click OK.

5. (Optional) Select a reference product if necessary

Please refer to Creating a Swept Volume from a Moving Reference

6. Click Preview to generate the swept volume. The progress bar is displayed letting you

monitor and, if necessary, interrupt (Cancel option) the calculation.

The preview window shows the result.



❍ Set the Type to .cgr.



8. Click Save

9. Click Close

This is what you obtain:

Your swept volume is managed as an alternate shape, therefore, it is automatically inserted into your product and replaces the original component (Battery.1)

10. Right-click Battery.1 in the specification tree. Select Representations->Manage

representations... from the contextual menu displayed:


The Manage Representations dialog box is displayed:The swept volume Battery.1_SWEPTVOLUME.cgr is the activated shape


Creating a Swept Volume from a Moving Reference

Swept Volume functionality:

lets you generate the swept volume of a moving part in the axis system of another moving part. It can be very useful if you need to perform clash detection or if you need to calculate the minimum distance between two products.For more detailed information, please refer to More About Swept Volume.This task shows how to define a swept volume from a moving reference.

Open the MeasureSpeedAcceleration.CATProduct document.Note: This sample include a Kinematics mechanism, therefore make sure you have a DMU Kinematics license.



2. Clear the Filter Positions check box, which is selected by default

3. Select the product you want to sweep. In our example, select:


❍ Exit_Shaft.1

❍ Knuckle.1

❍ Movement_Converter.1

When you are satisfied, click OK.

4. Click to display the Reference Product Selection dialog box:

5. Select Eccentric_Shaft.1 as reference product.

6. Click Ok to confirm your operation. The Swept Volume dialog box is automatically updated.

7. Click Preview to generate the swept volume. The Preview window shows the result.The progress


bar is displayed letting you monitor and, if necessary, interrupt (Cancel option) the calculation.

8. Click Save.

9. The Save As dialog box automatically appears

10. Enter a meaningful name (in our example add a suffix _MOVING_REF to every swept volume) and

save in the desired format (use the Save as type drop-down list, in our example keep .cgr format)


11. Click Save. Repeat step 9 with the following swept volumes:

❍ Knuckle.1_SWEPTVOLUME_MOVING_REF.cgr

❍ Movement_Converter.1_SWEPTVOLUME_MOVING_REF.cgr

12. Click Close to exit the Swept volume command

Now, insert the swept volume results into your product Note: a swept volume is created for each product selected:

❍ Exit_Shaft.1_SWEPTVOLUME_MOVING_REF.cgr

❍ Knuckle.1_SWEPTVOLUME_MOVING_REF.cgr

❍ Movement_Converter.1_SWEPTVOLUME_MOVING_REF.cgr, therefore, you can reinsert all swept volume documents in the product or only the one of your choice

13. For instance, Right-click Stamper in the specification tree.

14. Select Components->Existing Component from the contextual menu displayed.

15. Select Exit_Shaft.1_SWEPTVOLUME_MOVING_REF.cgr from the samples folder

(online\cfysa_X2\samples)



The Swept volume result is identified in the specification tree.


Using Wrapping and Simplification in Swept Volume

Benefits from wrapping and simplification in Swept Volume functionality:

The swept volume was heavy in terms of facets number thus its manipulation and export were expensive to perform. You can simplify the swept volume within the same command and wrap it to obtain a much cleaner swept volume. You can simplify the wrapped swept to make it even lighter.

Swept volume enhancements:

Two new options appear in the Swept Volume dialog box:

● silhouette

you can now compute a silhouette before the swept volume. Silhouette can be very useful by removing most of the triangles that lie inside the model, thiangles that are most of the time useless for swept volumes. The computation is therefore quicker and the result is simplified (fewer triangles)

● spatial split when handling large models (i.e. a model presenting tracks with numerous positions)

When performing a swept volume followed by a wrapping operation, you can now calculate both in one operation, with a parallelization of the computation and if necessary a saving operation of temporary files on disk. Thus, much longer tracks can be used and largest models too. Please refer to More about spatial split.

For more detailed information, please refer to More About Swept Volume.

This task shows how to use wrapping and simplification in a swept volume.

Open the Mobile_Phone.CATProduct document.






❍ Select the Swept Volume check box: it is automatically activated as an alternate shape. When activated the swept volume representation is the one visualized in session.

2. Select the products to sweep. In our example, select the battery track in the specification tree




4. (Optional) you can also compute a silhouette before the swept volume. This is very useful when

handling large models as the silhouette operation removes useless triangles.


The progress bar is displayed letting you monitor and, if necessary, interrupt (Cancel option)

the calculation.


Now you want to simplify the swept volume result, you are going to reduce the number of triangles used to create the resulting shape, first wrapping the swept volume and then applying a simplification on the wrapping result.

6. Select the Apply Wrapping check box

7. Set the grain by entering a value. In our example, keep the default value 4mm

8. Set the Offset Ratio. In our example, keep the default value

9. Click Preview


The number of triangles representing the wrapping result is displayed in the Number of triangles field as shown below:

10. Select the Apply Simplification check box (on the wrapped swept volume)

11. Enter 0.2mm in the simplification accuracy filed


12. (Optional, i.e when dealing with a track presenting numerous positions or dealing with a large

digital mockup), you can select the Spatial Split check box. In this case and if the Apply

wrapping option is selected: the initial model (i.e. track) is spatially split and each part is swept

separately and then added to the wrapping.

More about Spatial split:

The wrapping result is exactly the same:

13. Click Preview to launch the calculation. This is what you obtain:


The number of triangles representing the simplification result is displayed in the Number of triangles field as shown below:

The simplification representation is coarse but the number of triangles has been drastically reduced.

14. Click Save. The Save As dialog box automatically appears

15. Select cgr file from the Save as type drop-down list, enter a meaningful name and click Save.





Filtering Swept Volume Positions

Swept Volume functionality:

Enables to filter the number of pre-defined positions recorded in the simulation and to control the swept volume accuracy. It can be very useful if you need to reduce the computation time and the resulting size of the swept volume. This task shows how to filter swept volume positions.





❍ Check Swept Volume option: it is automatically activated as an alternate shape. When activated the swept volume representation is the one visualized in session.

2. Select the products to sweep. In our example, select the battery track in the specification

tree




4. Change filtering precision value to 3mm


The progress bar is displayed letting you monitor and, if necessary, interrupt (Cancel

option) the calculation.


6. Click Save. The Save As dialog box automatically appears

❍ Set the Type to .cgr. You can also save your resulting shape in .wrl, .model .stl formats





This is what you obtain, the positions are filtered:



More about Swept VolumeAbout Filter positions option:

This option can be used to simplify the swept volume computation when the replay object contains many positions or when you know what precision level you need to obtain.The "filter precision" defines the maximum distance allowed between the simplified trajectory and the initial one (= discretization precision)

1- Filtering swept volume positionsThe following example aims at illustrating the impact of the filter positions option on the final result

Case 1: the Filter positions option is not checked:

Case 2: the Filter positions option is checked Filtering precision = 5mm

Case 3: the Filter positions option is checked Filtering precision = 10mm


2- Relative swept volume About Relative swept volume:

You can compute the swept volume of a moving part in the system axis of another moving part.You can use this option when you need to analyze the swept volume of a product versus another product (moving or not)

Example: two moving parts: circle and squareWith the basic computation of the swept volumes, the clash analysis is not relevant:

the swept volumes clash but two objects may not be in the same clash area at the same time.


If you use the relative swept volume option and select the circle as the reference product, you can compute the square swept volume in the circle system axis.

The result can now be relevant for clash analysis.


Vibration Volume Generating a Vibration Volume

Generating a Vibration Volume from a TrackMore about Vibration Volume

Initial geometry Vibration volume

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