There are three typical methods for working with mesh bodies:
- Workflow #1
Import a mesh file
(*.stl, *.obj, *.ply, *.ply2, or *.3MF) as a graphics body that you clean up to use as is for
physical or visual reference.
- Workflow #2
Reverse engineering. Import a mesh body as
a graphics body. Clean up the graphics body while attempting to create
standard BREP geometry by referencing the graphics body or by using tools,
such as Surface from Mesh
.
- Workflow #3
Continuing engineering. Import a mesh body
as a graphics body. Clean up the graphics body and convert it to mesh BREP.
Add features to the mesh BREP to create a hybrid mesh model. The unchanged
regions of the body from the original mesh are mesh BREP, while the regions
of the model where you added standard BREP features are standard BREP
geometry.
You can create a hybrid solid or surface body that includes
mesh BREP geometry and standard SOLIDWORKS BREP
geometry.
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.
- Add coordinate axes, reference axes, and reference
planes.
- Select mesh vertices when sketching and add sketch
relations.
- 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.