Dialog: Model / Mechanism Options

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Dialog: Model / Mechanism Options

Model / Mechanism Options

See known bugs - 16.1.268

Use the Model-Options dialog to confirm the file-name and path of the CAD-Solids that you have imported onto CAD-Lines - see Synchronize CAD-Files tab

Also, use the Model-Options dialog to change the lighting of the graphics-area - see Lighting tab

Terminology:

CAD-Solid :

A 3D CAD model that we import as an STL file that onto a CAD-Line.

You can import the CAD model directly from SOLIDWORKS, or you can browse to find and import an STL file.

- see CAD-Line dialog
tog_minusHow to open the Model Options dialog

1.Double-click the Model or a Mechanism element in the Assembly-Tree

OR

1.Right-click the Model or Mechanism element at the top of the Assembly-Tree

2.Click Edit element in the shortcut menu

The Model Options dialog is now open.

Model Options dialog.

Model Options dialog

Model Options dialog

There are two tabs.

tog_minusSynchronize CAD Files

There is a list of the CAD file names that you have imported onto CAD-Lines with the CAD-Line dialog.

Notes

We use the generic name of CAD-Solids, for a CAD model that you have imported onto a CAD-Line.

We import all 3D CAD files onto CAD-Lines as STL files.

There are two methods to import the STL file onto a CAD-Line:

Method 1 - use CAD-Line dialog > SOLIDWORKS tab

You open the CAD model open in SolidWorks.

When you click the Import icon, we save the SolidWorks SLDPRT or SLDASM model to disc as an STL file and then we import the STL file onto the CAD-Line.

Method 2 - use CAD-Line dialog > STL Import tab

You browse with “Windows File Explorer” to find and import an STL file.

 

STL files and the SolidWorks files have a time-stamp.

When you open the Model Option dialog, we compare for you:

•the time-stamp of the SOLIDWORKS SLDPRT or SLDASM file on disc

with the

•the time-stamp of the STL file on disc

CAD models:

Element-Name

The CAD-Line, with a status icon:

MD-Dialog-ModelOptions- CADx - the time-stamp of the SOLIDWORKS file is newer than that of the STL file

MD-Dialog-ModelOptions-SynchCAD-OK - the time-stamp of the SOLIDWORKS file is the same as that of the STL file

MD-Dialog-ModelOptions-FileNotFound - the STL file is not on your hard-drive in the place expected

SOLIDWORKS CAD File name

The SOLIDWORKS SLDPRT or SLDASM file is either:

MD-Dialog-ModelOptions-PurpleCross  - Not found on your hard drive

MD-Dialog-ModelOptions-SynchCAD-Fond - Found on your hard drive

STL File name

The STL file is either:

MD-Dialog-ModelOptions-PurpleCross  - Not found on your hard drive

MD-Dialog-ModelOptions-SynchCAD-Fond - Found on your hard drive
Model Option dialog

Model Option dialog

Control Buttons:

Use the control buttons to re-import or find SolidWorks files if they are not up-to-date.

Synch. all files

1.Click Synch. all files button to check you have the most up-to-date SolidWorks files.

The files import again, if needed.

Synchronize Selected Files

In the Element Name list:

1.CTRL + Click each of the CAD-Line that you want to make sure has the latest CAD-Solid

2.Click Synch. Selected Files

We re-import for you the files on each CAD-Line you select.

Find Selected File

1.Click a CAD-Line in the list

2.Click Find Selected File... button

3.Browse to find a file that MechDesigner cannot find.
tog_minusLighting

Group Lights Editor 

Model Options > Lighting tab

Model Options > Lighting tab

The sliders control those Affected Lights that have a check in the check-box

1.Click each Affected Light check-box to make lights active.

2.Use the sliders to change their:

•Ambient, Diffuse, and Specular Light Levels

2.Move your mouse-pointer over the graphics-area to update the lighting

Note:

It is frequently better to decrease Ambient Light Levels, and increase Diffuse and Specular Light Levels to view MD-Solids and CAD-Solids.

 Individual Light Editor 

MD-Dialog-EditModel-Lighting-Individual

To turn on or off each light and to control its source point:

1.Use the drop-down box to select a light (Light 1 to 6)

2.Click the check-box to turn the light that is in the drop-down list on or off.

3.Enter numbers into the X, Y, Z and W Position boxes to change the direction of the light in the drop-down box.

•±X, ±Y ±Z directions for each light

•W - not sure how this works!

4.Move your mouse-pointer over the graphics-area to update the lighting

An External link to Light : Good Luck!