Simplify Command

Use the Modeler > Model Preparation > Simplify command to converts a complex MCAD object into simpler primitives which are easy to mesh and solve. The operation can be applied on any selected object and not just imported objects. You can specify the type of simplification as Bounding Box, Primitive Fit, or Polygon Fit.

The History tree shows the Simplify command as being applied to the object.

Any parameters you specify in the dialog you can also edit in the Properties dialog for the History tree Simplify command to get a different simplification. The properties display in the docked properties window and include only the parameters that are used by your currently selected Simplify command type. None of the parameters of simplify operation accept variables.

1. Select an object.

This enables the Simplify command on the Modeler > Model Preparation submenu.

2. Click Modeler > Model Preparation>Simplify or on the Model ribbon, select Simplify.
   

This opens the Simplify Bodies dialog box. A drop-down menu lets you select the degree of simplification, from Bounding Box, Primitive Fit, or Polygon Fit.

Bounding Box Simplify Type

If you select Bounding Box as the Simplify Type, there are no additional parameters. The object is replaced by its exact bounding box as computed in operation’s coordinate system. You can change the operation CS to get a bounding box in an appropriate orientation. For the Non History Operation options, see below.

Primitive Fit Simplification

For Primitive Fit simplification the object is replaced by a set of primitives shapes like Prism, Cylinder, Cone and so forth. This simplification type typically produces the simplest geometry with highest number of primitives. Primitive fit has the following options: Cleanup and Allow Splitting, whether to Separate Bodies and Purge History, and if so, whether to clone original objects before the operation.

For Primitive Fit, the parameters are:

• Whether to Cleanup - This option allows you to clean the model before performing simplification. Cleanup include removing small features like rounds, fillets, chamfers in a solid body. It is recommended to set this option to get more simplified result.
• Whether to Allow Splitting - This option controls if object should be split during during simplification. If this option is selected, complex object will first split into multiple pieces and each piece will be further simplified. Setting this option will result in an object which will match more closely with original object. It is recommended to set this option.
• For the Non History Operation options, see below.

Polygon Fit Simplification

For Polygon Fit simplification, the object is replaced by set of polygon swept along normal and other primitives like box and cylinder. This simplification type typically produces geometry closest to original object with highest number of primitives. If you select Polygon Fit as the Simplify Type, the parameters are Clean Up, Allow Splitting, Extrusion Axis, Interior Points on Arc, and Length Threshold. For the Non History Operation options, see below.

For Polygon Fit, you specify parameters for

• Whether to Cleanup - This option allows you to clean the model before performing simplification. Cleanup include removing small features like rounds, fillets, chamfers in a solid body. It is recommended to set this option to get more simplified result.
• Whether to Allow Splitting - This option controls if object should be split during during simplification. If this option is selected, complex object will first split into multiple pieces and each piece will be further simplified. Setting this option will result in an object which will match more closely with original object. It is recommended to set this option.
• Extrusion Axis, whether Auto selected, or X, Y, or Z. - This option specified a normal plane in which polygon profile is looked for. The default is Auto which allows an algorithm to determine best possible plane for polygon profile. You can specify a axis to help the algorithm, particularly when there is a draft or chamfer in the extrusion direction. The polygon profile is then swept in the extrusion direction.
• Interior Points on Arc - This specifies number of interior points created when a curve on the polygon profile is represented by line segments. The range is 1 to 100 with default being 3. Total number of points used to represent a curve is 5 when number of interior points is 3. This number specifies the maximum number of interior points to add. The number of points added could be less if the Length Threshold is already met.
• Length Threshold % - This specifies the length of edge as percentage of maximum length of an edge in the profile. It is specified as percentage of maximum edge length. If length of edge is more than the specified threshold, more interior points are added until the number of “Interior Points on Arc” is met.
• For the Non History Operation options, see below.
  
  

Non History Operation Options

The Non History Operation options are available for all Simplify Types.

With this option selected, the input body is simplified into multiple primitives (or polygon shapes) and a new part is created for each simplified shape. This option also purges the history of original part and it is not possible Edit Properties of the Simplify operation. You can choose to clone original object before simplification to retain history of original part. You can also choose to generate Primitive History.

Use of Coordinate System

By default, the current working CS is used as the Simplify operation CS, but you can also change operation CS through the Simplify command property window or Property dialog.