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DMU Optimizer
DMU Optimizer
Preface
What's New?
Getting Started
Basic Tasks
Advanced Tasks
Workbench
Description
Preface
DMU OPTIMIZER is a product dedicated to improve user's productivity by computing an
optimized geometrical representation of data for mockup verification in the context of the
immersive and collaborative design review environment of the full digital mockup. DMU
OPTIMIZER facilitates the full integration of Digital Mockup centric processes within the global
engineering environment of the customer.
DMU OPTIMIZER is a dedicated DMU Navigator workbench and is available on both UNIX and
Windows NT environments.
This guide is organized as follows:
Getting Started
Provides a scenario allowing you to get acquainted with the product.
Basic Tasks
Provides a step-by-step guide for using DMU Optimizer. Useful tips are given for getting the
most out of the product.
Workbench Description
Describes menu commands and workbench toolbars that are useful for DMU Optimizer.
Using This Guide
More Information
Conventions
Certain conventions are used in CATIA, ENOVIA & DELMIA documentation to help you
recognize and understand important concepts and specifications. The following text
conventions may be used:
The titles of CATIA, ENOVIA & DELMIA documents appear in this manner throughout the
text.
File -> New identifies the commands to be used.
The use of the mouse differs according to the type of action you need to perform.
Use this
mouse button, whenever you read
Select (menus, commands, geometry in graphics area, ...)
Click (icons, dialog box buttons, tabs...)
Double-click
Shift-click
Ctrl-click
Check (check boxes)
Drag
Drag and drop (icons onto objects, objects onto objects)
Drag
Move
Right-click (to select contextual menu)
indicates a warning.
indicates information.
indicates the end of a task.
indicates functionalities that are new or enhanced with this Release.
Enhancements can also be identified by a blue-colored background in the left-hand
margin.
What's New?
New: Capability to interrupt the computation while using DMU Optimizer commands (except
for Thickness and Offset commands)
See Generating a Wrapping
New: Possibility to save every geometry resulting from a DMU Optimizer command in WRL
format.
See: Generating a Wrapping
Enhanced: Free Space
You can now compute the available space inside a geometry representation regarding to the
connectivity and selecting a point.
Enhanced: Managing an Alternate Shape
Getting Started
Before getting into the detailed instructions for using DMU Optimizer, the following tutorial
aims at giving you a feel of what you can do with the product. It provides a step-by-step
scenario showing you how to use key functions.
The main tasks described in this section are:
Starting a Session
Generating a Silhouette
Generating a Wrapping
Generating a Thickness
Generating an Offset
Generating a Silhouette
This task will show you how to calculate new geometry and in this case generate a
silhouette.
Insert the *.cgr files (except SWEPT*.cgr and Tank*.cgr) from the samples folder.
(Use Insert-> Existing Component...)
(Optional)
You can manage the Silhouette result as alternate shape automatically.
For more details, please refer to Managing an Alternate Shape.
1.
Click the Silhouette icon
from the DMU Optimizer toolbar.
The Silhouette dialog box appears:
2. Select Product1 in the specification tree. (the number of triangles representing the
tesselated shape of the selected product is displayed in the Number of triangles
field.)
3. Enter the desired value in the Accuracy field for instance 2mm.
4.
Click the more button
to display the View Multiselection dialog box.
5. Select the desired views. The 6 views for instance.
6. Click OK to confirm your operation.
The progress bar is displayed letting you monitor and, if necessary, interrupt
(Cancel option) the calculation.
The Preview window is also displayed.
Generating a Wrapping
This task will show you how to generate a Wrapping representation.
1.
Insert the *.cgr files (except SWEPT*.cgr and Tank*.cgr) from the samples
folder.
(Optional)
You can manage your Wrapping result as alternate shape automatically.
Please refer to Managing an Alternate Shape.
Select Product 1 in the specification tree.
2.
Click the Wrapping icon
from
the DMU Optimizer toolbar.
The Wrapping dialog box appears:
The number of triangles
representing the selected product is
displayed in the Number of triangles
field:
3.
4.
5.
6.
Click OK.
The Save As dialog box appears:
7.
Select the format to obtain either a cgr or a wrl file. Select cgr and click Save.
Generating a Thickness
This task will show you how to generate a thickness object.
Load SCENARIO01.model from the samples folder using the Insert -> Existing Component... command.
Use the Fit All In icon
to position the model geometry on the screen.
(Optional)
You can manage automatically the Thickness result as alternate shape.
Please refer to Managing an Alternate Shape.
1.
Click the Thickness icon
from the DMU Optimizer toolbar.
The Thickness dialog box appears.
2. Select SCENARIO01.model in the specification tree.
The Orientation constraints option is deactivated by default. The constraint propagation is done
automatically.
7. Click Apply.
The propagation of constraints is not complete. The surfaces concerned are highlighted.
8. Reactivate the Orientation constraints option. This lets you define constraints on the initial representation.
9. Define constraints for the corresponding surfaces:
Drag the cursor onto the surface
When you are satisfied, click the left-hand mouse
button.
The constraint is created.
At anytime, you can delete a constraint, what you need to do is to click on the white square.
Note that if you click the arrow, you invert the constraint orientation.
10. Click Apply when done. The surfaces are correctly positioned.
Generating an Offset
This functionality lets you add an offset to a selected set of products. You can define
the orientation in which the offset will be applied. This orientation can be changed
manually or automatically afterwards.
Insert SCENARIO01.model document from the samples folder.
Use the Fit All In icon
1.
Click the Offset icon
from
the DMU Optimizer toolbar.
The Offset dialog box is
displayed:
Basic Tasks
The table below lists the tasks you will find in this section.
Simplifying a Representation
(Using Silhouette or Wrapping
Functionalities)
About Representation Simplification: gives background information about representation
simplification
Generate a Silhouette: click the Silhouette icon and select an object in the specification
tree then enter the desired value in the grain field from the Silhouette dialog box. Click
Apply. When done, click Ok to save the silhouette representation.
More About Silhouette: provides examples and explanations about silhouette
functionality
Generate a Wrapping: click the Wrapping icon and select an object, then enter the
desired value in the precision accuracy field (Wrapping dialog box). Move the slider to
the right to set the ratio. Click Apply. When done, click Ok to save the wrapping
representation.
More About Wrapping: provides examples and explanations about wrapping functionality
Generating a Silhouette
Silhouette functionality:
allows to select a part or an assembly and only keeps the external facets of
the selection. When in interaction with other parts, the same accuracy is
kept while the file size is significantly reduced. For reviewing, the outer
aspect of the part is identical to the original model (surface appearance,
color...)
lets you work on the Accuracy parameter in order to optimize the number of
removed facets inside the silhouette
allows you to work with 1 to 6 standard views and to use a camera from
DMU Navigator to create an additional view of the silhouette. You can
easily keep track of details that might have been lost with the standard
views: for example you can set a camera on a hole axis in order to
visualize data hidden from most views.
For more detailed information, please refer to More About Silhouette Functionality
This task will show you how to use silhouette functionality to simplify a geometric
representation.
Insert the *.cgr files (except SWEPT*.cgr and Tank*.cgr) from the samples
folder.
(Optional)
You can manage automatically your Silhouette result as an alternate shape of the
initial component.
1.
Click the Silhouette icon
from
the DMU Optimizer toolbar.
The Silhouette dialog box appears:
About selection:
you can select any node within the specification tree (terminal/non terminal) but
note that you can select only one node at a time.
2. Select the product you need to simplify (i.e.Product1) in the specification tree or in
the geometry area.
The number of triangles representing the selected product is displayed in the
number of triangles field.
Setting the Accuracy:
lets you define the silhouette calculation accuracy. A lower value results in slower
computation time, but a "lighter" silhouette representation.
3. Enter the desired value in the Accuracy field for instance 2mm.
Please refer to More About Silhouette Functionality-Step 1
4.
The progress bar is displayed letting you monitor and, if necessary, interrupt
(Cancel option) the calculation.
8. Click OK.
The Save As dialog box is displayed:
Note: you can now save your result in wrl format
9. Select cgr and click Save.
Alternate Shape:
(Optional)
You can manage automatically your Silhouette result as an alternate shape of the
initial component.
For this:
a. Select Tools->Options from the menu bar.
The Options dialog box displays.
b. Expand the Digital Mockup category from the left-hand tree.
c. Select DMU Optimizer item to display the corresponding tab.
d. In the Silhouette field, check the Manage as alternate shape button and check
the Activate shape option.
This image illustrates the result you obtain if you select 1 view
The table below shows the accuracy impact on the silhouette calculation
Accuracy
Computation Time
Greater
Shorter
Less
Lower
Smaller
Longer
More
Higher
Generating a Wrapping
Wrapping functionality:
Lets you select a part or an assembly and wrap it through an additional tessellation
in order to generate a light external envelope of the part. The resulting envelope is
a unique volume.
Provides a selectable tessellation (Grain parameter) which lets you manage the file
size against precision of the wrapped representation
Through this functionality, you can:
drastically reduce the size of your assembly
roughly reserve room for a component not completely designed yet
protect your data confidentiality when sending information to partners
by hiding confidential details of your product
For more detailed information, please refer to More About Wrapping.
This task will show you how to simplify a representation using the Wrapping functionality.
Insert the *.cgr files (except SWEPT*.cgr and Tank*.cgr) from the samples folder.
(Optional)
You can manage automatically your Wrapping result as an alternate shape of the initial
component.
About selection:
you can select any node within the specification tree (terminal/non terminal) but note that
you can select only one node at a time.
1. Select the product to you want to wrap (i.e. Product1) in the specification tree or in the
geometry area.
2.
from the DMU Optimizer toolbar.
Click the Wrapping icon
The Wrapping dialog box is displayed.
The number of triangles representing the selected product is displayed in the number of
triangles field:
4.
The number of triangles representing the wrapping result is displayed in the Number of
triangles field as shown below:
6.
Click OK.
The Save As dialog box is automatically displayed:
7. Click Save to obtain either a cgr file or a wrl file. In our example keep cgr as format type.
Alternate Shape:
(Optional)
You can manage automatically your Wrapping result as an alternate shape of the initial
component.
For this:
a. Select Tools->Options from the menu bar.
The Options dialog box is displayed.
b. Expand Digital Mockup category from the left-hand tree.
c. Select DMU Optimizer to display the DMU Optimizer tab.
d. In the Wrapping field, check the Manage as alternate shape button and check the
Activate shape option.
The wrapping result will be added as a new representation of the initial component.
For more details, please refer to Customizing DMU Optimizer Settings and Managing as
an Alternate Shape.
Remember you can customize wrapping settings at any time.
The following example aims at illustrating these three steps as well as the impact of grain and offset
ratio parameters on the final result.
Cubic option:
If you check the cubic option, you will obtain a voxel (cubic) representation of the envelope. The voxel
size equals the grain parameter. The offset ratio is not used.
This image illustrates the wrapping result with the cubic option checked:
The table below shows the grain parameter impact on the wrapping calculation:
Grain
Value
Computation Time
Used Memory
Resulting Size
(number of
triangles)
Greater
Shorter
Less
Smaller
Smaller
Longer
More
Bigger
The table below shows the offset ratio impact on the wrapping calculation:
Offset
Ratio
Value
Computation
Time
Used
Memory
Resulting
Geometric
Size
Resulting
Size (number
of triangles)
No Change
No Change
Bigger
No change
No Change
No Change
Smaller
No Change
Greater
Smaller
Cubic Mode
Shorter
Less
Includes entirely
the original
geometry
No Change
Generating a Thickness
Thickness functionality:
Allows to create a volume type representation of a selected surface type model
in order
Allows to create a volume typed representation of a selected surface typed
model in order to perform realistic analysis (such as clash, contact check...)
Offsets are applied on both faces of the original 2D surface
Ability to define the orientation in which the offsets are applied. These
orientations can be changed manually or automatically to correct the possible
lack of uniformity between the orientations of the different surfaces.
This functionality is dedicated to all industries where the design is created using
surfaces and where the user needs volume to perform realistic analysis such as
clash checks or measures (volume, inertia...) on the digital mockup. This is for
example the case for the body in white process.
For more detailed information, please refer to More About Thickness.
5.
If you are not satisfied with the result (because of gaps between surface patches
or bad offset orientation)
You may use the Orientation constraints option
Orientation Constraints
The Orientation constraints option is deactivated by default. (The default
normal vectors are used)
Through this functionality, you can define the orientation of the offset (on
every surface patch).
If you check the Orientation constraints option (without defining
additional vectors): the normal vector orientation is done
automatically. The first normal vector found defines the reference
orientation which is propagated on the neighboring surfaces.
If the automatic propagation is still incomplete (for example, certain
surfaces are not correctly connected), you need to define manually
normal vectors.
You are still in the Thickness command.
6. Activate the Orientation
constraints option in the dialog
box still displayed:
If you change any of the dialog
box parameters, the initial
representation is displayed
7. Click Apply.
Alternate Shape:
(Optional)
You can manage your Thickness result as alternate shape automatically of the
initial component.
For this:
a. Select Tools->Options from the menu bar.
The Options dialog box appears:
b. Expand the Digital Mockup category from the left-hand tree.
c. Select DMU Optimizer to display the DMU Optimizer tab.
d. In the Thickness field, check the Manage as alternate shape button and
activate the Activate shape option.
Result: If the surface patches are not correctly designed, there might be gaps between the different surface patches. In this
case, you need to use the orientation constraints option (automatic mode)
NB. You should study the result preview carefully to detect inconsistencies.
Result: If the surface patches are not correctly connected, there might still be remaining gaps between surface patches. In
this case, you need to use the orientation constraints option and to define manually constraint vectors.
NB. The surface patches are not correctly connected are highlighted in the result preview.
Case 3: you checked the orientation constraints option and defined two orientation
constraint vectors.
The orientation constraint vectors define the offset orientation references. This resulting orientation is propagated to the
neighboring surfaces of each constraint
NB. The constraint vectors defined manually appear as red arrows on the picture.
Result: The surface patches are now correctly connected (there is no longer highlighted surfaces)
Generating an Offset
Offset functionality:
Allows to add an offset to a selected set of shapes (surfaces or volumes), this provides a security
margin around these shapes
Enables to define the orientation in which the offset is applied. This orientation can be changed
manually or automatically to correct the possible lack of uniformity between the orientation vectors of
the different surfaces.
For more detailed information, please refer to More About Offset.
This task will show you how to generate offsets on a surface or volume using the offset functionality.
The result can be surface or a solid. The type of the offset result will be the same.
3. Enter the Offset value, 2mm for instance.
4.
Click Apply to generate the offset representation.
The Preview window is displayed:
Orientation Constraints
The Orientation constraints option is deactivated by default. (The default normal vectors are used)
Through this functionality, you can define the orientation of the offset (on every surface patch).
If you check the Orientation constraints option (without defining additional vectors): the normal
vector orientation is done automatically. The first normal vector found defines the reference
orientation which is propagated on the neighboring surfaces.
If the automatic propagation is still incomplete (for example, certain surfaces are not correctly
connected), you need to define manually normal vectors.
7. Click Apply.
The Propagation is not complete. The surfaces concerned are highlighted.
8. Reactivate the Orientation constraints option. This lets you define constraints on the initial representation.
Alternate Shape:
(Optional)
You can manage automatically your Offset result as alternate shape of the initial component.
For this:
a. Select Tools->Options from the menu bar.
The Options dialog box displays.
b. Expand the Digital Mockup category from the left-hand tree.
c. Select DMU Optimizer to display the DMU Optimizer tab.
d. In the Offset field, check the Manage as alternate shape button and activate the Activate shape option.
The Offset result will be added as a new representation of the initial component.
For more details, please refer to Customizing DMU Optimizer Settings and Managing as an Alternate Shape.
Remember you can customize offset settings at any time.
Result: If the surface patches are not correctly designed, there might be gaps between the different surface patches. In this
case, you need to use the orientation constraints option (automatic mode)
NB. You should study the result preview carefully to detect inconsistencies.
Result: If the surface patches are not correctly connected, there might still be remaining gaps between surface patches. In
this case, you need to use the orientation constraints option and to define manually constraint vectors.
NB. The surface patches are not correctly connected are highlighted in the result preview.
Case 3: you checked the orientation constraints option and defined two orientation
constraint vectors
NB. The constraint vectors defined manually appear as red arrows on the picture.
Result: The surface patches are now correctly connected (there is no longer highlighted surfaces)
Swept Volume
Define a Swept Volume: click the Swept Volume icon, then select a product to sweep
using the more button if necessary. Click Apply to generate the swept volume. When
done, click Ok to save your swept volume in cgr format.
Define a Swept Volume from a moving Reference: click the Swept Volume icon, then
select a product to sweep and a reference product. Click Apply to generate the swept
volume. When done, click Ok to save your swept volume in cgr format.
Filter Swept Volume Positions: click the Swept Volume icon, then select a product to
sweep using the more button to display the Multi-selection dialog box, then check the
Filter Positions option and enter a value in the Filtering precision field. Click Apply to
generate the swept volume. When done, click Ok to save your swept volume in cgr
format
More About Swept Volume: provides examples and explanations about swept volume
functionality
For more detailed information, please refer to More About Swept Volume
This task will show you how to define a swept volume.
Open the Product1duo.CATProduct document.
You recorded a simulation and compiled it. You obtained a Replay object. Please
refer to the Fitting Simulator User's Guide.
.
1. Click the Swept Volume icon
The Swept Volume dialog box is displayed.
5. Click OK.
The Save As dialog box is displayed, select cgr and click Save.
Note you can now save your swept volume result in vrml (wrl) format.
The result shows clash detection, but you are note sure enough. You need to
define a swept volume using a moving reference. Go to the next task for more
details.
For more detailed information, please refer to More About Swept Volume.
This task shows how to define a swept volume from a moving reference.
Open the Product1duo.CATProduct document.
You recorded a multi-shuttle Simulation and compiled it. You obtained a Replay object.
You need to perform clash analysis between two items. You generated a simple swept volume.
Please refer to Defining a Swept Volume. You are not satisfied with the swept volume result as the
clash detection is not clear enough (see illustration below).
You need to generate another swept volume using the GARDENA,REGULATION_COMMAND.1 as
reference product.
In our example, we use
GARDENA,REGULATION_COMMAND.1
GARDENA, NOZZLE_1_2.1
.
1. Click the Swept Volume icon
The Swept Volume dialog box is displayed.
Click
7. Click OK.
The Save As dialog box automatically appears
8. Select cgr and click Save.
Note you can also save your result in vrml (wrl).
2.
Click the Swept Volume icon
.
The Swept Volume dialog box is displayed.
3. Click in the Product(s) to sweep spin box, the Product Multiselection dialog box lets
you select or deselect the products you want to sweep.
7. Click OK.
The Save As dialog box automatically appears
8. Select cgr as format type and click Save.
Note you can now save your swept volume result in vrml (wrl) format.
If you use the relative swept volume option and select the circle as the reference product, you can compute the square
swept volume in the circle system axis.
The result can now be relevant for clash analysis.
2.
from the DMU Optimizer toolbar.
Click the Free Space icon
The Free Space dialog box and Free space box are displayed:
3. Select Product1
4. Keep the default type ( in box area).
5. Keep the default value in the accuracy field.
Note that if you change the accuracy value (because you are not satisfied with the first value you entered),
command from the standard toolbar. You are still in the free space command and
you need to use the
you can then enter a new accuracy value.
6. Define the free space, You can either:
enter coordinates values in the Free space box,
resize the box with the manipulators within the geometry area,
or click
7.
Click
.
.
9. Click Ok.
The Save As dialog box automatically appears
10. Enter a meaningful name and click Save to generate a 3dmap file.
Now repeat the scenario from step 1 but select the nearly closed area option in the Free Space dialog box.
You are going to calculate the capacity of the tank.
11. Select in nearly closed area option
You can now compute the free space between elements within the boundaries of a given area with a more
accurate definition, selecting a init point
14. Click Ok in the Edit Section Plane dialog box. The box is updated with the coordinates defined.
15. Enter 40 mm in the Accuracy value field.
14.
If you are satisfied with the result click Ok and then save in the Save As dialog box to obtain a 3dmap file.
15.
If you are not satisfied, use the
Advanced Tasks
The table below lists the tasks you will find in this section.
Managing an Alternate Shape
Writing Macros
5.
In DMU Optimizer, it is impossible to generate various alternate shapes with the same
name. Only the last generated alternate shape is taken into account.
Writing Macros
If you perform a task repeatedly, you can take advantage of a macro to automate it. A macro is a series of functions, written in a scripting
language, that you group in a single command to perform the requested task automatically.
This task will show you how to edit a macro created in the DMU Optimizer workbench.
Open the ThicknessMacro.CATScript from the sample folder
You stored your recorded macros in a text format file. For more details about recording, running macros please refer to the DMU Navigator
Infrastructure User's Guide.
You can easily modify the macro instructions specific to DMU Optimizer (strings of characters put in bold).
Here is an example:
Thickness Macro
THICKNESS MACRO
EXPLANATIONS
Language="VBSCRIPT"
Sub CATMain()
Dim productDocument1 As Document
Set productDocument1 = CATIA.ActiveDocument
Dim optimizerWorkBench1 As Workbench
SetoptimizerWorkBench1=productDocument1.GetWorkbench("OptimizerWorkBench")
Dim dMOThicknesses1 As DMOThicknesses
Set dMOThicknesses1 = optimizerWorkBench1.Thicknesses
Dim product1 As Product
Set product1 = productDocument1.Product
Dim products1 As Products
Set products1 = product1.Products
End Sub
End Sub
Open the SilhouetteMacro.CATScript from the samples folder
Dim arrayOfVariantOfDouble1(17)
arrayOfVariantOfDouble1(0) = 1.000000
arrayOfVariantOfDouble1(1) = 0.000000
arrayOfVariantOfDouble1(2) = 0.000000
arrayOfVariantOfDouble1(3) = -1.000000
arrayOfVariantOfDouble1(4) = 0.000000
arrayOfVariantOfDouble1(5) = 0.000000
arrayOfVariantOfDouble1(6) = 0.000000
arrayOfVariantOfDouble1(7) = 1.000000
arrayOfVariantOfDouble1(8) = 0.000000
arrayOfVariantOfDouble1(9) = 0.000000
arrayOfVariantOfDouble1(10) = -1.000000
arrayOfVariantOfDouble1(11) = 0.000000
arrayOfVariantOfDouble1(12) = 0.000000
arrayOfVariantOfDouble1(13) = 0.000000
arrayOfVariantOfDouble1(14) = 1.000000
arrayOfVariantOfDouble1(15) = 0.000000
arrayOfVariantOfDouble1(16) = 0.000000
arrayOfVariantOfDouble1(17) = -1.000000
Dim silhouette1 As Silhouette
Set silhouette1 = silhouettes1.Add(product2, 20.000000,
arrayOfVariantOfDouble1, "SILHOUETTE", 1, 0)
Workbench Description
This section contains the description of the icons and menus which are specific to the DMU Optimizer
workbench.
The DMU Optimizer window looks like this: (click the sensitive areas to see the related documentation).
Start
File
Edit
View
Insert
Tools
Analyze Windows
Help
Tasks corresponding to General menu commands are described in the DMU Version 5
Infrastructure User's Guide.
Edit
For...
Description...
Undo
Redo
Cut
Copy
Paste
Paste Special
Performs cut
Copy
Paste and
special paste operations.
Delete
Search
Links
Properties
Insert
For...
See...
Tools
For...
Formula...
Description...
Allows using
Knowledgeware capabilities.
Image
Allows capturing and
managing images for the
album.
Writing a DMU Optimizer
Macro
Macro
Allows customizing toolbars.
Customize... see DMU Infrastructure
User's Guide
Allows customizing settings.
Options... See Managing an Alternate
Shape
Search
Allows creating a document
Order...
search order.