Functionality

The C3D Modeler geometric kernel constructs a geometric model that contains a description of the shape of the modeled object, a description of relations between elements of the geometric model, the model construction history, and attributes of geometric model elements.

To describe the shape of the modeled object, the C3D Modeler geometric kernel uses boundary representation (Boundary Representation). The geometric kernel also supports polygonal representation (Polygonal Representation). To construct a geometric model, it uses solid modeling methods (Solid Modeling), surface modeling methods (Surface Modeling), direct modeling methods (Direct Modeling), and sheet metal modeling methods (Sheet Metal Modeling).

The methods used to construct a model, their sequence, and the required source data are stored in the construction log. The construction log makes it possible to edit a geometric model by completely rebuilding the model with new parameters.

Additional information about geometric model elements is stored in attributes. Objects of a geometric model as well as individual elements of these objects are supplied with attributes.

The C3D Modeler geometric kernel constructs a polygonal model based on its boundary representation. The polygonal model is constructed by triangulating geometric model elements and is used for visualization and computations. In addition, the geometric kernel constructs planar projections of a geometric model (Mapping), computes inertia properties of a geometric model (Inertia Properties), and detects collisions between model elements (Collision Detection).

The C3D Solver parametric kernel imposes variational relations on geometric model elements. These relations are called geometric constraints (Geometric Constraints). Geometric constraints work with three-dimensional and two-dimensional objects of a geometric model. Geometric constraints represent conditions applied to model elements and expressed by equations. Geometric constraints make it possible to create assemblies by applying dependencies to their component parts. Dimensions of one or several parts can be related by equations, which makes it possible to edit geometric model elements synchronously. If almost all degrees of freedom of a geometric model are constrained and a law of variation is defined for the remaining degrees of freedom, then the geometric model can be moved and a mechanism can be simulated.

The C3D Converter module provides data exchange with other systems by reading and writing a geometric model in ACIS, IGES, STEP, X_T, VRML, OBJ, SAT, X_B, STL, JT, 3MF, and SAB formats. ACIS, IGES, STEP, X_T, SAT, X_B, and SAB formats transfer information about the geometric shape of a modeled object using boundary representation. STL, VRML, OBJ, and 3MF formats transfer the geometric shape of a modeled object using polygonal representation. JT format can store a model both in boundary representation and in polygonal representation.

The C3D Vision visualization module is responsible for visual representation of geometric models and for operation of a graphical user interface of an engineering application. The component controls the rendering quality of geometric models using mathematical, software, and hardware tools, which increases the performance of software when it works with large assemblies. Using C3D Vision in development opens up a number of new capabilities for managing three-dimensional scenes, makes it possible to use an existing construction tree of 3D models, animation, interactive tools for manipulating a scene in the “user–computer” mode, as well as virtual devices that are an integral part of a modern engineering software interface.

The C3D B-Shaper module converts polygonal models into solid models with boundary representation. As a result of executing the algorithms, a user can edit the obtained model with familiar CAD system tools while significantly reducing data complexity and size.