Control over model creation or export from source tool

This is where the E3D Design user has control over, or can influence, the creation and export of the mechanical CAD models from the authoring tool, for example where mechanical equipment are designed in-house within the same company or in close collaboration with an external company.

• If possible try to make the exported model as light-weight as possible by removing unnecessary details already in the source tool before export, or where there are export options to reduce the level of detail.

  • There is one exception to this – where it is intended to use AVEVA Model Simplification for import, as this tools typically works best with a full solid model B-Rep model. In this case it may still be good to reduce the detail level before export, but avoid using shrinkwrap or any other simplification in the source tool that will produce an inconsistent or pre-joined exported model.

  • For Autodesk Inventor specifically:

    • Avoid using the function remove internal faces. This may make the model look okay when shaded and viewed from standard directions, but can break up b-rep models, making them open-shells.

    • Also see the INTERFACES_Inventor-to-E3D_BestPractices document.

• For large or complex models, where suitable try to split it up and export / import as separate files rather than one big file. This can for example be done by area or discipline. Consider the final deliverables to help determine the original model separation. For example, there is often a requirement to be able to identify individual tagged objects further downstream in the information chain. Even if a complex module might be acceptable to handle as a single unit during the design of the plant, the OO typically wants to be able to identify the main tagged components within. This is often more achievable when importing the model in pieces than as one huge model.

• As the MultiCAD Import supports a wide range of native CAD formats in parallel with more generic formats such as STEP, it is recommended to try out several options to find the transfer format that gives the best results. Tests carried out by AVEVA have indicated that using native CAD format models can often give better results than more generic STEP files.

• Avoid importing models that have been through several format conversions, as this can often reduce the fidelity of the data as well as introduce errors in the import process. It is better to consistently use models directly from the original source tool where they have been created.

• When using Model Simplification to import to E3D Design:

  • This function typically provides better results with B-rep solid models that are not pre-joined or shrink wrapped.

  • Models may generally contain B-Rep solids, Shells (open or not water tight bodies) and faceted bodies. A higher degree of B-Rep and less faceted bodies would yield better results. Open or not water tight bodies should also be avoided if possible as these do not process very well in Model Simplification.

• The above guidance should be considered when preparing and exporting the CAD models from the source authoring tool. However, the results may vary depending on model properties and with different file formats, so we recommend trying different approaches to find the best option for your use case.

  

  Notes:
  The Model Simplification feature is based on CADFix PPS from ITI. ITI also offers an interactive version of this tool, allowing more detailed analysis of models to be simplified. The image displayed shows an example of a model with a lot of red icons in the Model Tree.

  These red icons indicate open, non-watertight bodies that are not possible to simplify, and will explain why this model does not simplify very much. As mentioned above, AVEVA recommends customers to obtain models suitable for simplification containing watertight closed bodies only.