Lecture 2

Introduction to Solid Modeling

Dr. Mohamad Kasim Abdul Jalil

kasim@fkm.utm.my
 What is Solid Modeling?

Concept of Solid – A solid is an object that divides

physical space into sets of points : points inside the solid
and point outside the solid

© Dr. MKAJ, FKM, UTM

Geometry Representation
 Geometric Representation

Object Geometry may be represented as:

• Wireframe – use only boundary lines to represent solid.
Disadvantage: possible ambiguity, inside/outside unclear
• Surface – use boundary lines and surfaces to represent
solids. Disadvantage: possible ambiguity, again unclear
inside/outside
• True Solid – use sufficient information to resolve all
possible ambiguities e.g. boundary lines, surfaces and
inward normal

© Dr. MKAJ, FKM, UTM

 Geometry Representation

1. Boundary/Topological Representation

geometry only defines the geometric properties of the entity

topology provides its association with an underlying object.

Geometry Topology

Point Vertex
Line Edge
Surface Face

In this representation the boundary surface is used to represent the

surface. The boundary is usually stored as a set of faces, where a face is
defined as an orientable surface. The surface can be defined by an equation
and/or the boundary lines (edges) and the orientation by an inward/outward
pointing normal.

© Dr. MKAJ, FKM, UTM

 Geometry Representation
2. Constructive Solid Geometry
(CSG)
In this technique a solid is represented as a composite of
several elementary solids composed using the Boolean
operations of union, difference and intersection. These
elementary solids are called CSG primitives and are usually
blocks, cylinders cones, spheres and other bodies with
quadric surfaces (surfaces that can be described by
quadratic equations). The quadric surfaces make an
excellent choice since most elementary manufacturing
operations produce such surfaces.
Notice that CSG is a procedural model - we specify how to
create the model from basic shapes as opposed to
specifying the exact model in terms of its boundary or
topology.

© Dr. MKAJ, FKM, UTM

Geometry Representation
3. Sweep Representation
Solids with an uniform section can be
created using a sweep technique where
the section is swept along a path. e.g. a
cylinder can be produced by moving a circle
along a straight line. The sections and paths
can both be very complex.

The figure below shows 2 examples of

complex sections swept along paths. In the
first a hexagon is swept along a circular arc.
In the second a freeform section is swept
along a freeform path

© Dr. MKAJ, FKM, UTM

 Geometry Representation

4. Spatial Enumeration
In this method each solid is built up of a huge number of cells of
regular geometry (e.g. cubes). This type of representation might
require a lot of information to be stored but is very useful for
creating finite element meshes.

© Dr. MKAJ, FKM, UTM

 Feature Modeling
What are features ?
Features are standard engineering constructs/objects e.g.
shafts, counterbored hole etc. A feature conveys to the
user geometric, topological and additional engineering
information. For the above example of a counterbored
hole the shape/manufacturing process is standard and
could be automatically generated.

© Dr. MKAJ, FKM, UTM

 Approaches to feature Modeling
1. Human assisted recognition :
The user interactively defines features and supplies non-geometric
information.

2. Automatic feature recognition:

The computer attempts to recognize features from geometric/topological
information and completes the description of objects.

3. Design by feature:
In this type of system designers create parts/assemblies using a
combination of user-defined and pre-defined features. Features are usually
combined using a CSG type of approach. Each new feature is created with
reference to existing features.

© Dr. MKAJ, FKM, UTM

 Parametric Modeling

In this type of modeling the user defines the geometry and

topology in terms of "parameters" . Values of these parameters and
their logical relationships determine the final shape and size of
these objects. Further, later modifications of any of these
parameters will cause automatic modification of related parameters.

© Dr. MKAJ, FKM, UTM

 Modeling with SolidWorks
Feature based modeling
 Base Features - can be a datum plane/coordinate axis or a
sketched feature. All future geometry will refer to this feature
directly/indirectly.
 Sketched Features - These are user created features using a
sweep/blend technique from 2D sections. Sweep => extrude,
revolve ...
 Referenced Features - These features reference existing features
and do not have to be drawn. e.g. holes, chamfers ...
 Datum Features - Features used only to provide a reference
for other features.

© Dr. MKAJ, FKM, UTM

 Modeling with SolidWorks

Assembling features and parts

 Features are joined together into parts which in turn are
assembled into assemblies.

© Dr. MKAJ, FKM, UTM

 Modeling with SolidWorks

Capturing design intent

 Implicit Relationships - established when new features are
created with respect to old features.
 Patterns - geometrically predictable pattern of features need not
be drawn multiple times. SolidWorks will pattern the feature. e.g. a
hole at every 60 degrees on a circular rim.
 Explicit Relationships - user specifies an explicit relationship
mathematically by entering an equation.
 Family Tables - generic part can be created and then a whole
family may be generated.

© Dr. MKAJ, FKM, UTM

 Modeling with SolidWorks

Sketcher
 Used for initial creation of 2D sections that may be then
swept(extruded/revolved) to create a basic solid feature. Additional
referenced features (e.g. holes, cuts) or sketched features may be added
to complete the part. All parts must be constrained in shape, orientation
and location. The sketcher enforces this by making sure all necessary
information is provided before you are allowed to finish a sketch.
However, you do not have to provide every single dimension and locate
every point/line! SolidWorks will locate most lines and points using
implicit rules.
 The new intent manager goes a step further in "guessing" dimensions
based on what it perceives to be your design intent.

© Dr. MKAJ, FKM, UTM