Geometric Modeling

Geometric Modeling

is mathematical representation of the

geometry of an object using software.

Types of geometric modeling

methods
Wireframe modeling
Surface modeling
Solid modeling

Why Geometric modeling is needed

Geometric (3D) models are easier to interpret.

Simulation under real-life conditions.
Less expensive than building a physical model.
3D models can be used to perform finite
element analysis (stress, deflection, thermal)
3D models can be used directly in
manufacturing, Computer Numerical Control
(CNC).
Can be used for presentations and marketing.

Wireframe Modeling
Wire-frame modelling uses points and curves (i.e. lines,
circles, arcs) to define objects.
The user uses edges and vertices of the part to form a 3-D
object

Wireframe model

Part

 1960 s for 2D-Designed to automated drafting

and simple NC.
From 1970 s 2D to 3D.
Thin wires made an object.

Wireframe modeling - Advantages

Can quickly and efficiently convey information than
multi view drawings. (orthographic view)
Simplicity to construct.
Does not require as much computer time and memory.
Consider as natural extension of traditional methods of
drafting.
Does not require extensive use of training.

 Can be used for finite element analysis.

Can be used as input for CNC machines to
generate simple parts.
Contain most of the information needed to
create surface, solid and higher order models.
CPU time required to retrieve, edit or update is
small.

Wireframe modeling - Disadvantages

Tend to be not realistic
Do not represent an actual solids (no surface and
volume).
Cannot model complex curved surfaces.
Cannot be used to calculate dynamic properties.
Ambiguity
complex model difficult to interpret.
Represent mathematically in computer is difficult.

Wireframe modeling - Disadvantages

Do not represent an actual solids (no surface and
volume).
Cannot model complex curved surfaces.
Cannot be used to calculate dynamic properties.
Ambiguous views (Hidden line removal need).

Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Wireframe modeling - Disadvantages

Uniqueness problem.

Mechanical Engineering Dept.

10

Wire frame entities

Analytic entities - Lines, Circles, Hyperbolas.

Synthetic Entities- Curves.

Disadvantage of wire frame modeling is

Topological and geometrical data needed to

construct wireframe models.

Applications
2D related drawings.

2. Surface Modeling

A surface model represents the skin of an object, these

skins have no thickness or material type
Component is represented by its surfaces.
Surface modeling is extension of wire frame modeling.
Surface modeling is more sophisticated than wireframe
modeling in that it defines not only the edges of a 3D object,
but also its surfaces.
In surface modeling, objects are defined by their bounding
faces.

 Standard surface types available for surface

modeling are Box, Pyramid, Wedge, Dome,
Sphere, Cone, Torus, Dish and Mesh.
Surface modeling techniques are available for
interactive modeling and editing of curved
surface geometry.
Surfaces can be created through
- An assembly of polygonal meshes
- Surface modeling techniques like B-Splines
or NURBS.

Surface Entities

Analytic entities include :

Plane surface
Ruled surface
Surface of revolution
Tabulated cylinder.

Synthetic entities include

Hermite Cubic spline surface

B-spline surface
Bezier surface
Coons patches.

Note: Splines- Series of cross section would be

blended by smooth curves.

Surface modeling - Advantages

Eliminates ambiguity and non-uniqueness present in
wireframe models by hiding lines not seen.
Renders the model for better visualization and presentation,
objects appear more realistic.
Provides the surface geometry for CNC machining.

Provides the geometry needed for mold and die design.

Can be used to design and analyze complex free-formed
surfaces (car bodies)

Surface properties such as roughness, color and reflectivity

can be assigned and demonstrated.

 More complete and less ambiguous than

wireframe models.

More suitable for Engineering and design

applications.

Surface modeling is the extension of wire

frame modeling.

Surface modeling - Disadvantages

Surface modeling defines only geometry of

object. They store no information regarding the
topology of the objects.
Surface models provide no information about
the inside of an object.
Cannot be used to calculate dynamic
properties.
They do not allow points in space as inside or
outside an object.

Applications
Aerospace product design and automotive

design.
Development of manufacturing codes for

automobile panels.
Dies and moulds.

Surface representation schemes

The most elementary of surface types is the
flat plane:
Defines in number of ways.
1. Between two parallel lines
2. Through three points or through a line and a
point.

Surface definition
Falls in three categories

1.

Surfaces are fitted array of data points called control points.

- Surfaces are generated either to pass through or to interpolate the points.

2.

Surfaces which are based on curves

- Surfaces may be imagined as forming a skin on top of a wire-frame

skeleton.
3.

Surfaces are defined to interpolate between other surfaces

- Definition of blends
- Includes chamfer surfaces and Fillet surfaces.
- Considered to be the result of rolling a sphere around the intersection
between two surfaces.

Analytic and Synthetic

Analytic curves are defined as those that can be described
by analytic equations such as lines, circles, and conics.
Synthetic curves are the ones that are described by a set of

data points (control points) such as splines and Bezier

curves.
The need for synthetic curves in design arises on two
occasions: when a curve is represented by a collection of
measured data points and when an existing curve must

change to meet new design requirements.

 Analytic curves are usually not sufficient to meet

geometric design requirements of mechanical
parts.
Synthetic curves provide designers with greater

flexibility and control of a curve shape by changing

the positions of the control points.

Products such as car bodies, ship hulls, airplane

fuselage and wings, propeller blades, shoe insoles,

and bottles are a few examples that require freeform, or synthetic, curves and surfaces.

 Spline is a flexible curve that can change

shape easily to pass through a series of design
points known as control points.
If the curve is created by
smoothly connecting the
control points, the process is
called interpolation.
If the curve is created by
drawing a smooth curve
passing through most control
points, but not all of the
control points, the process is
called approximation.

Synthetic Curves-Free form curves

Cubic spline

Bezier curve

B-spline curve

Plane surface

Ruled (lofted) surface. This is a linear surface. It interpolates

linearly between two boundary curves that define the surface.

Surface of revolution. This is an axisymmetric surface that can

model axisymmetric objects. It is generated by rotating a planar
wireframe entity in space about the axis of symmetry a certain
angle.

Tabulated cylinder. This is a surface generated by translating a

planar curve a certain distance along a specified direction (axis of
the cylinder).

Bezier surface. This is a surface that approximates given input

data. It is different from the previous surfaces. It is a synthetic
surface. It does not pass through all given data points. It is a general
surface that permits, twists, and kinks . The Bezier surface allows
only global control of the surface.

B-spline surface. This is a surface that can approximate or

interpolate given input data. It is a synthetic surface. It is a general
surface like the Bezier surface but with the advantage of permitting
local control of the surface.

 A computer representation of a wire-frame

structure consists essentially of two types of

information:

1. Metric or geometric data which relate to the 3D

coordinate positions of the wire-frame node

points in space.
2. The connectivity or topological data, which

relate pairs of points together as edges.