Model Simplification Settings

Use the functionality available from the Settings window to define the Simplification Settings (Configuration, Simplification Level, Cylindrical, or Box simplification and which elements of the models are to be removed).

Define the Simplification Settings

1. Select a configuration from the list of available configurations to add a new configuration, or delete an existing one.

   

2. Select the level of simplification for the imported model:

   • Basic: Cylinder and Box simplification are applied to only small components.

   • Intermediate: Cylinder and Box simplification are applied to small and medium components.

   • Aggressive: Cylinder and Box simplification are applied to even large sized components.

     Depending upon which simplification level is selected determines which elements are to be removed, their size, and whether the element's shape (Cylindrical or Box) will be simplified. (These settings are supplied by AVEVA as ‘out of the box’, you can modify these if required).

     

3. Select how the size limits for various aspects of the simplification are controlled.

   

   • Fixed values (default recommended for most production use): This functionality specifies how the size limits for the various aspects of simplification are controlled. To modify these values, use the Advanced tab.

     Note: While simplifying multiple CAD models of different size and complexity into the same E3D Design project, it is recommended to use a consistent set of sizes.

   • Auto calculated values: Use for experimentation and demonstrations, models will simplify well in their own context. But if combined with other simplified models of different sizes will seem inconsistent. Sizes are set from the overall size of the CAD Model. For example, a small model (a small value) will use smaller sizes while a large model (a conveyor) will use much larger sizes.

4. From the Base tab (default), you can choose if the cylindrical, box, extrusion, or profile elements of the imported model are to be simplified. Select the relevant checkbox to uncheck it.

   Notes:
   The simplification checkboxes in the Apply pane are automatically checked or unchecked dependant upon the selection made in Simplification Level pane (see step 2). For example, the Cylindrical or Box checkboxes are selected if the Basic, Intermediate, or Aggressive simplification levels are selected.

   Cylindrical Simplification now also controls simplification to cones, dishes, and similar shapes.

   Extrusion Simplification identifies the parts of the model that are sufficiently close to the extrusion of a single face. For example, remove small fillets/chamfers and so on.

   Profile Simplification is an additional feature for the Extrusion Simplification. That is, the further simplification of the extruded profile. For example, removing notches and other 2D features.

   

5. From the Advanced tab, you can choose which elements of the imported model can be removed corresponding to their size. Select the relevant checkboxes to clear them, or modify the element’s dimension.

   

6. The Internals checkbox is selected (default) if the model has internal components to be removed.

   Note: If you have selected Auto calculated values (step 3), the sizes are set automatically depending on the overall size of the model.

7. From the Process Stage dropdown list, select the stage in the internal removal process the internals will be removed (Start, End, or Both).

   • Start: Internals are removed early in the process, so internal objects can be discarded if they cannot be seen through a gap bigger than the specified size. This can save processing time if there are complicated internal objects, as no attempt need be made to simplify the internal object.

   • End: Holes are removed before Internals are processed, so more internals by be identified as they are no longer visible from the outside.

   • Both: The internal removal process is run twice, to remove as many internals as possible, while avoiding simplification of internal components when possible.

8. From the Geometry tab, you can choose which elements of the imported model can preserve connection geometry. All checkboxes are selected by default.

   

   

9. If you want to add a new configuration, do the following:

   1. Select Add.

      The New Configuration window is displayed.

   2. Enter a name for the new configuration, and then select Save to save the current configuration to the simplified CAD project data.

      If the save process is successful, an Information window is displayed to confirm this.

10. Select Next to display the Import window.

    You can also select Back to return to the Source window.

See Import for further information.