3D Modifications

Although ProStructures makes its own 3D-base elements, it may occur nevertheless that you must use 3D-base elements (ACIS solids) in your model. If this involves only the determination of some interfering edges or the representation of machine parts in 2D-overviews, then you can do that without special measures. However, if you later need dimensioned component part drawings of these objects, then you must create an ACIS body reference. The ACIS body is then assigned parts list characteristics and its own component coordinate system is available in the DetailCenter as a stand-alone component. An extended form is the ACIS bodies reference for massive construction, which can also cover reinforcement elements.

Linkage with ACIS body

After activation of the function you must first select the ACIS component which you want to connect. Subsequently, you determine the component coordinate system. For this, you select first and second points of the desired x axis as well as an additional point which is situated on the positive XY-plane of the coordinate system. Instead of selecting the point on the XY-plane, you can have it determined from the current view in the model by pressing <ESC>. The x-axis you selected then remains valid and the current view direction becomes the z-axis of the component coordinate system.

The coordinate system later has an effect on the orientation and dimensioning of the 2D-workshop plans. In particular with irregular bodies a practical orientation can be determined in this way.

Default values

It is also possible to refer back to the calculated inertia axes of the body geometry if the alignment of the axes does (or should) correspond or if a particular alignment is not required. Do this by pressing <ESC> when determining the first point of the x-axis. Then the inertia axes determine the x, y and z-axis of the component coordinate system based on the size of their moments of inertia. After you determined the axes, the ACIS body reference is represented as a symbol at the center of mass of the ACIS component and the dialog for processing the ProStructures component characteristics is opened.

You have access to the characteristics via the symbol. The original ACIS component remains unchanged and is the definitive object. That is, if this is deleted, then the reference is also deleted.

In the following example you see the effects of the component axes on the result of the elaboration:

Setting	Description
3D-Model	In the 3D-Model an irregular ACIS body is positioned diagonally in the space. By picking the points X1 and X2 the x axis (x) of the ACIS body reference is determined. The y axis (y) results from selecting the point XY.
2D-drawing	The ACIS body reference now allows creation of a component part drawing and the x axis determines the horizontal orientation. The view of the XY-plane is always the front view. All standard views of a component can be represented.
Repeat Partial view	Here you indicate whether a partial view (e.g. top view) is to be represented repeatedly. No repetition - only one view is presented. If concrete reinforcement - One view each of the upper and lower layer of the reinforcement is presented, if several layers are used.