How to work with CAD bodies

Objective:

Learn how to extract bodies from imported CAD for use in workflows.

Applies to:

  • CAD Parts
  • CAD Assemblies
  • CAD Faces

Procedure:

Extraction by Properties

Extraction by Properties:

1. Open up the Properties Panel for the imported part

2. Use the "CAD View" checkbox to isolate the CAD bodies list

3. Use the drop-down arrow next to the bodies list to show the items in the list.

4. Drag out the single body property chip

Single Part.gif

Common Mistake: Using the CAD Body List

We commonly see users experiencing issues downstream in their workflow where they can't insert a variable into an input. This is usually due to the variable being a list. Please ensure that the original CAD body that you extracted is a single body and not a list.
Common Mistake.jpg

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Extraction by Manual Selection

Extraction by manual selection on screen:

To extract CAD Faces: 

    • Single: Click on the face you want to extract
    • Multiple: Hold SHIFT or CTRL and click on the faces you want to select
    • R-click and choose the option "Create CAD Face Variable" or "Create CAD Face List Variable" if multiple selected

extract_cad_face.gif

To extract CAD edges or vertices:

    • Single: Click on the edge or vertex you want to extract
    • Multiple: Hold SHIFT or CTRL and click on the edges or vertices you want to select
    • R-click and choose the option "Create CAD Vertex Variable" or "Create CAD Edge Variable."

extract_edges.gif

To create an Implicit Body or CAD Body:

    • Single: Double click on the body (or just select a face on the same body if converting to Implicit)
    • Multiple: Hold SHIFT or CTRL and double-click on the bodies you want (or choose just a face on the same body if converting to Implicit)
    • Implicit: Right-click and choose "Convert CAD Body to Implicit Body" or "Convert CAD Bodies to Implicit Bodies."
    • CAD: Right-click and select the option "Create CAD Body Variable" or "Create CAD Body List Variable."

cad_implicit_extract.gif

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Extraction by Blocks

In nTop 5.8, we released a series of new blocks that are designed to help users interact with CAD bodies more efficiently.

To extract CAD Faces:

Use the Get CAD Faces block:

Get CAD Faces.jpg

To extract CAD Bodies:

Use the Get CAD Bodies block:

Get CAD Bodies.jpg

You can also use the Get CAD Bodies by Name block to further refine your selections:

Get CAD Bodies by Name.jpg

 

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Extraction by Color

You can extract CAD Faces and CAD Bodies using our two color based blocks:

  • Get CAD Faces by Color
  • Get CAD Bodies by Color

In the gif below, the Color property chip is extracted from the face/body. We recommend this method as it directly links to color, as opposed to inputting the RGB values of an empty Color block.

Get CAD by Color.gif

If you import your CAD part and it doesn't have any color, make sure you change the Display Mode to "CAD Color".

Toggle CAD Color.gif

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And that's it! You've successfully extracted parts from your imported CAD Body for other workflows

Are you still having issues? Contact the support team, and we'll be happy to help!

More on this topic:

Keywords:

 import cad face implicit part variable body edge use bodies working vertex vertices extract 
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