There are three typical methods for working with mesh bodies:
- Workflow #1
Import a
mesh file (*.stl, *.obj,
*.ply, *.ply2, or
*.3MF) from a 3-D scanner, a mesh-based modeling
software application or another CAD product, and convert it into a mesh BREP
body.
- Workflow #2
Import a
mesh file (*.stl, *.obj,
*.ply, *.ply2, or
*.3MF) and convert it into a SOLIDWORKS graphics
mesh body.
Use the graphics mesh body as a physical
or visual reference to design a model. You cannot modify or undo any
revisions to a graphics mesh body.
- Workflow #3
Select a
standard SOLIDWORKS BREP body, or a graphics closed or open body, and
convert it to a mesh body. It is recommended that you complete all
modifications to the SOLIDWORKS body first and convert it to mesh as the
last step in the modeling process.
Working with Mesh
You can manipulate mesh geometry in a similar way as to how you work
with SOLIDWORKS geometry and tools such as:
- Determine mass properties.
- Create reference planes for mesh BREP bodies (not graphics bodies).
- Select mesh vertices when sketching. Create sketch relations to a mesh
facet vertex of a graphics body or a mesh BREP body.
- Measure distances between mesh elements, using the Measure
tool.
You cannot create sensors for mesh bodies.
- Create section views.
- Trim surfaces.
- Shell, offset, and thicken mesh elements.
- Apply appearances and render.
- Detect interference.
Perform Boolean Operations
To combine, intersect, split, move, copy, and cut surfaces, you need
to perform these tasks as Boolean operations; that is, create a solid volume before
removing geometry.
You cannot combine or perform other Boolean operations on
bodies with different geometry types. If you have standard SOLIDWORKS solid or
surface bodies, you must convert them to BREP solid or surface bodies with mesh
surfaces before performing Boolean operations with other mesh BREP
bodies.