Import-STL

Standard Triangle Language (STL) format provides an approximation of a curved surface model, with accuracy and level of detail controlled through a tolerance setting. Import-STL maps this format onto AVEVA E3D Design primitives. Hence a 100% accurate translation of the source model into AVEVA E3D Design geometry cannot be guaranteed.

Import-STL is for translating stereolithography (STL) files, that have been generated from non-AVEVA Mechanical CAD systems, into macro files that can be input to AVEVA E3D Design.

The input to Import-STL consists of STL files generated from/by non-AVEVA Mechanical CAD systems. Some non-AVEVA Mechanical CAD systems have an inbuilt facility for generating STL files, others do not, and the generation of STL files from these systems involves the use of a separate translator program, such as CADfix® from ITI TranscenData.

The STL files normally have the extension .stl and can be either ASCII or binary in format. Import-STL reads both ASCII and binary STL files.

The Import-STL program works in read-only mode and the original STL files are not changed in any way.

The output from Import-STL consists of a macro file that is suitable for input to the Model module of AVEVA E3D Design.

Solid Polyhedron

The definition of the Solid Polyhedron is a set of faces that have to make a complete solid, for example, all edges of the faces have to have corresponding edges from other faces. The Solid Polyhedron has the following characteristics:

• It is more economical to store in DESIGN databases than a corresponding POHE/POGO arrangement.

• It is faster to manipulate in the Model module.

• The clash detection is better than POHE/POGO because it can detect parts that are completely inside the polyhedron.

• It allows the use of invisible edges which is a facility that:

  • Edges are not displayed in wireline mode in Model.

  • In colour-shaded mode in Model the parts are displayed with smooth shading between faces that share invisible edges.

  • Drawings produced using Draw show the visible edges and any silhouette edges only.

    Note:
    By default Solid Polyhedron generation is switched on.