Model-Info

Use the Model-Info tool to display the volume, surface area, and dimensions of models and parts. Use the material database to calculate the weight of parts. Copy all information to other applications.

The Model-Info tool is located in the Analysis group of the 3D-Mode tab.



 Display and Copy Information

 Assing Materials / Weight Calculation

Display and Copy Information

Selection
To display information select models, assemblies, or parts from the Model Tree.

Alternatively browse through the Model Tree by clicking:
<<   >>  Next/previous model
<<  >>  Next/previous element

Info Units
The following info units can be selected to be displayed:

  • mm - g (Millimeter and Gram)
  • mm - kg (Millimeter and Kilogram)
  • cm - g (Centimeter and Gram)
  • cm - kg (Centimeter and Kilogram)
  • m - g (Meter and Gram)
  • m - kg (Meter and Kilogram)
  • in - g (Inch and Gram)
  • in - kg (Inch and Kilogram)
  • in - lbm (Inch and Pound)
  • ft - lbm (Inch and Pound)


The info units will be changed and the values will be converted, if the units differ from the model units (mm or inch) specified in the 3D-Tool Preferences. 

Please note that the values are only reliably if the models loaded, are:

  • in a file format that provides information on the units used,
  • or its info units suit the modell units set in the 3D-Tool Preferences.

More information can be found in section Preferences > Common > Model Units.

Information
The following information is displayed within the tool and the information display.for models and parts:

  • The number of parts of models and assemblies
  • The assigned material
  • The number of open edges
  • The dimensions in X, Y and Z
  • The center of mass (requires an assigned material)
  • The weight (requires an assigned material)
  • The volume
  • The surface area

If a part contains open edges, the information for this part as well as the assembly, in which the part is located, are marked with the information that these values might be incorrect. The volume and thus the weight information is only accurate for closed parts and assemblies. Open edges and flipped surfaces may distort the results of the analysis. This problem can mainly occur when importing IGES files.

If a model contains parts with open edges the weight, volume, and surface area are marked with the information that these values might be incorrect. Mass, volume and area information is only reliable for closed parts and models. Open edges and twisted planes will distort the volume calculation and could lead to incorrect results. This is most likely to happen when importing IGES files.

 Copy Info
Copy the information of the current selection to the Clipboard. For models and assemblies information on all contained parts will be copied. This information can be pasted to a spreadsheet or text document.

Assign Materials / Weight Calculation

Assign material
To assign a material, first select a part or assembly in the Model Tree and then choose a material from the drop down list. For faster selection, you will find the 5 most recently selected list entries at the top of the list. If you assign a material to an assembly, the material will be assigned to all its parts. The green check mark  indicates that all parts of an assembly have a material assigned and the weight is calculated and displayed for all such parts and assemblies.

Remove material assignment
To remove an assigned material, select "---Remove material --" from the drop down list. With "--- No density---" you set the density of the selected part or assembly to 0.

Create a new material
To create a new material open the material list, scroll down to its end and select ...New material ... In the following dialog enter the name and the density of the material and click OK. The material will be added to the list and will be assigned to currently selected parts and assemblies.

Edit the material database
To comfortably edit the material database, use the Material Database Editor. Start the editor by clicking the small [...] button top of the material list.
[More information]

Note
The density values of the database delivered with 3D-Tool have been specified to the best of knowledge. However, because the values underlie a certain manufacturing variability we will take no responsibility for their accuracy.

Material Properties of Native Models

If materials are saved for a native model, they will be imported into 3D-Tool and displayed in the Model Info tool. This requires that the model is imported with the import settings: "High Quality", "Low Quality" or "Custom". Loading material properties into the viewer does not work with the import settings "CAD - Graphical Data" and "NoHeal".

  Note
Material names and densities are supported for native models from CATIA V5/V6, Pro/Engineer, Creo, Siemens/UG NX, Inventor and SolidWorks.