Creating A Solid Mesh: Exercise
Creating A Solid Mesh: Exercise
This exercise uses the model file, model_gear.hm. This exercise illustrates how to
create a solid mesh by first splitting the solid into mappable regions and then use the
Solid Map panel.
The model consists of a surface geometry of a gear. Because the surfaces enclose a
volume, a solid can be created Notice that the model can be simplified by only working
with 1/6th of the model. The solid needs to be split into mappable regions and a shell
mesh can also be created as a guide for the solid mesh.
Step 2: Create a solid from surfaces that enclose a volume
1. Using the main menu, select Geometry > Create > Solids > Bounding Surfaces.
Notice that the solid is colored green, as that is the 3D Topology color for a solid.
Step 3: Split the solid into a repeatable region
1. Temporary nodes need to be created to help define the planes where the splitting will
occur. To create these nodes, select Geometry > Create > Nodes > Arc Center.
This allows us to create temporary nodes at center of the lines in the model.
2. Click on lines and then select the line indicated in the image below.
3. Select create. Notice that a node is created at the circle center of the selected line.
4. Repeat substeps 1-3 to create a node at the circle center of the two lines indicated in
the image below.
6. Select the node in the center of the small hole in the graphics area and then in the
Rotate panel select nodes >> duplicate.
7 Select the x-axis as the axis to rotate about and then click on B and select one of
the nodes in the center of the model.
8. Set the angle to 30 and then click on rotate + to rotate the node 30 degrees.
9. Repeat substeps 6-8, this time selecting rotate to rotate the node 30 degrees in
the opposite direction.
10. Select Geometry > Edit > Solids > Trim with Plane/Surfaces to enter the Solid
Edit panel.