CATIA - Surface extract 1

[spartan2674]

I am creating a CATPart which is to contain surface geometries from a large number of different solids. I extract surfaces using the surface extract command (GSD). I am not even 25% complete and my file weighs in at around 500mb. Is there any way I can reduce the size ? Or is there a way I can extract non-detailed surfaces from bodies in order to keep the size of my file at a minimum ?

 

[Azrael]

Have you tried with "create datum" toggled on, if that helps you decrease the size

 

[spartan2674]

Yes I did, I create all my surfaces as Datum surfaces. Is there anything I can do further ?

 

[Azrael]

You could join what you have so far and "copy - paste special as result" and delete the input surfaces

 

[spartan2674]

Thats what I did. I create the Datum surfaces, paste them as Result and then delete the "source" part/surface. Can the "resolution" of the surfaces be changed in CATIA ?

 

[jackk]

how about converting the original file (with solids) into IGES format, so you end up with surfaces only?

 

[solid7]

Try using the "disassemble" command. You won't have to manually pick, and the surfaces will already be created as datum.

On the other hand, surfaces are surfaces, so the file is going to be heavy, no matter which method you use. One way to get around this, is to cut your geometry into sections, (perhaps 4 quadrants) and save each piece out as a separate file. Use the disassemble command on each one, and decide what you can live with/without once you have what you need. (when deciding how to re-use or re-assemble the part, if at all)

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[solid7]

Also, the "resolution" of the surfaces can be changed, if you have FSO (FreeStyle Optimizer 2) workbench. You can use the "converter wizard" tool to change parameters of surfaces.



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[spartan2674]

solid7, with respect to your second tip; I have the "Freestyle" workbench under Start---> Shape.
I see the convertor wizard icon. I created a datum surface extract and clicked on the convertor wizard, but the options are grayed out. Its obvious I am doing something wrong, but what ?

 

[spartan2674]

This disassemble command divides a single surface into multiple "surfaces" instances. Although datum, its difficult to work with so many of them.

"Das Beste Oder Nichts"

 

[solid7]

The disassemble command breaks either a solid (when the the part body is selected) or surface into its base components. That is, every individual surface. Extract allows the extraction of surfaces based on propagation. (none, tangent, curvature, point)

There is nothing "hard" to work with about a disassembled surface, except that they may be smaller pieces than what you have extracted previously. They are exactly the same data.

As for the converter wizard - you have to go through the function one step at a time. (segments, order, tolerance) Check the online docs for in-depth details on how to use the command. This is how we modify surface attributes which directly affect file size. (but it will also affect accuracy)



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