Segment Mesh PropertyManager

You can use the Segment Mesh PropertyManager to specify options when you segment mesh BREP bodies that you import into SOLIDWORKS.

To access the Segment Mesh PropertyManager, do one of the following:
  • Import a mesh BREP file.
  • Convert a graphics body to mesh BREP on import.
  • Use the Convert to Mesh Body tool.
Then in the FeatureManager design tree, right-click the mesh BREP body or the Imported feature and do one of the following:
  • Select Segment Imported Mesh Body
  • Click Insert > Mesh > Segment Imported Mesh Body

User Interface

If you have not previously segmented the model, the display of mesh BREP bodies and hybrid mesh bodies does not change.

  • Standard BREP and graphics bodies are optionally hidden.
  • Selected faces are highlighted using the Selected Item 1 color specified in Tools > Options > System Options > Colors > Color scheme settings.

After the first round of segmenting the model, the following display changes apply:

  • A legend appears to explain the colors used for recognized and unrecognized faces.

  • The software uses the Recognized mesh face and Unrecognized mesh face colors that you specify in Tools > Options > System Options > Colors > Color scheme settings.

Segmenting

  Dynamic Help Displays pop-up tooltips when you move the pointer over the controls.
Crease Angle Segments a mesh to define faces based on the angle between their adjacent grouped facet edges. Under Options, move the Crease Angle Tolerance slider to adjust the value.
Planar Segments Creates planar segments by grouping facets that represent planes.
Cylindrical Segments Creates cylindrical segments by grouping facets that represent cylinders.
Facet Shape Creates segments by grouping adjacent facets based on the shape difference, where large differences typically indicate a boundary between two regions in the model used to create the mesh file.
Select Faces Specifies faces to segment into planes, spheres, cylinders, or cones.
Select Seed Facets Specifies some seed facets that represent planes, spheres, cylinders, or cones.
Select Body Specifies the body to segment into planes, spheres, cylinders, or cones.

Options

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Crease Angle Tolerance Specifies the angle between adjacent facet edges. If the angle between adjacent facets exceeds this value, the segmenting functionality adds an edge between the facets. This edge defines a boundary between the faces that are created from the facets on either side of the edge.
Tolerance (Planar Segments and Cylindrical Segments) Defines faces. A higher value (Coarse) detects fewer segmented faces, A lower value (Fine) detects a greater number of segmented faces.
Perimeter (Facet Shape only)

Lower value versus higher value

 Defines faces based on the shape difference between adjacent facets. A higher value detects a greater number of segments.