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Module 01: Core Skills

Introduction to ANSYS SpaceClaim Direct Modeler

1 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Overview

In this module we will learn about:

• Pre-processing Workflow using ANSYS WB tools
• What is SpaceClaim Direct Modeler (SCDM)?
• Launching SCDM
• Interface
• File Operations
• Working with Assemblies
• Shared Topology
• Working with Layers
• Display and managing views
• SpaceClaim Main Tools

2 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Overall Process
FEA Modeling
Module 4
Creating
Geometry
Module 2
Core
Skills CFD Modeling
Module 1 Repairing Module 5
Geometry
Module 3

SCDM to
Workbench
Module 6

3 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 What is SpaceClaim Direct Modeler? Sketching Modeling
• Industry leading direct modeling tool for rapid
concept design and geometry manipulation

• Analysis-focused tools to repair, prepare, and

optimize models

• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) – like approach to

create new models OR Import CAD models
without CAD connection
CAD Import
• Dead model parameterization & Clean-up
– No need of native CAD data for parameterization
• Freedom to explore solutions without relying on CAD team
– More flexibility to make unplanned and local changes
• No features + No constraints = No regeneration failures

• Short learning curve for engineers without CAD

background

4 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Launching SpaceClaim Direct Modeler
Standalone Session From Geometry cell of any System

ANSYS SpaceClaim
Direct Modeler is
supported only on the
‘Windows’ platform

• ANSYS SCDM is launched within Workbench

• Right click on “Geometry” and select “New SpaceClaim
Geometry”

5 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 SpaceClaim Interface
Quick Access Toolbar

Ribbon Toolbar

Structure Panel

Options Panel

Properties Panel
Graphics
Window

Status Bar

6 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Quick Access Toolbar (QAT)

• Open, Save, Undo, Redo options available by

default on the QAT

• Undo (CTRL-Z) can be used to undo your last

action. Redo (CTRL-Y) can be used to repeat it.

• Frequently used tools can be added to the QAT

– Select the down arrow to the right of the Quick
Access Toolbar (QAT)
– Choose “Customize Quick Access Toolbar” from the
drop down list

7 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Ribbon Toolbar

• Familiar ribbon UI design

Display Tab
• Tools categorized in a series of Tabs
– File handling
– Designing
– Displaying Repair Tab
– Repairing
– Etc.
Prepare Tab
• Each Tab displays relevant tools in
organized sections

8 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Structure Panel

SpaceClaim Direct Modeler is not a feature-based modeler

• Operations are not stored under Structure Tree
– This is characteristic of history-based or feature-based modelers
• Structure Tree shows the objects/entities
– Bodies (solid, surface)
– Curves (sketch curves, 3D curves)
– Assembly constraints
– Origin
– Plane

9 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Options Panel and Properties Panel

Options Panel
• Displays options for modifying functions of active SpaceClaim
tool
– E.g., Pull tool contains option for add material, subtract
material, create fillet, chamfer, etc.

Properties Panel
• Displays properties of selected entity in Graphics window or
Structure panel
• Modify property values
– Color

10 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Tool Guide and Mini Toolbar Mini Toolbar

Mini Toolbar
• Contains frequently used options of active tool

Tool Guide
• Contains different options to change behavior of active tool
– E.g., Tool guide of “Pull” tool contains option for Revolve,
Sweep, Scale, etc.

Tool Guide

11 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Status Bar

Quick Selection Selection

Measurement List options

Status Error/Warning View

Message Message controls

Status Message: Displays message and progress information about current tool
Quick Measurement: Displays simple measurement of selected entities (distance, angle)
Error/Warning Message: Displays error and warning messages
Selection List: Displays list of currently selected objects to the right and being hovered over at the left
Selection Options: Hosts various options for selection
View Controls: Controls for spin, pan, zoom, and switch to previous or next views

12 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Selection

• You can select vertices (including centers of circles and ellipses, midpoints of lines, and points on splines),
edges, planes, axes, faces, surfaces, rounds, solids, and components.
• Most commonly used selection methods are:
– Click to select an object.
– Double-click to select an edge loop. (Double-click again to cycle through alternate loops.)
– Triple-click to select a solid.
– Drag to create a selection Box (can also use Lasso, Polygon, and Paint). If you draw the box from left to right,
all objects fully enclosed within the box will be selected. If you draw the box from right to left, all objects
touching the box will be selected.
– Press CTRL+A to select all similar objects, such as faces, edges, or points on the same solid or surface part.
– Hold CTRL and select to add or remove items from the selection. Ctrl with box-selection toggles the selection;
Shift with box-selection adds to the selection.

Selection Selection
List options

13 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Selection

Selecting entities
• Select vertices (including centers of circles and
ellipses, midpoints of lines, and points on
splines), edges, planes, axes, faces, surfaces,
rounds, solids, and components.

14 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Power Selection
• Selection Panel: Use the Selection panel to select objects in the same part that are similar or related to
the object currently selected. The results list is based on the geometry you select for the search.
• The relations available are displayed in the Selection window as per the item selected and items

15 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Power Selection
Category Description Example Selection types
• Coaxial Hole, Protrusion, Cylinder
• Coaxial protrusion
Coaxial Faces Objects with the same axis
• Coaxial cylinder
• Coaxial surfaces
• Edges with same length
• Edges with same length and same
Edges that are like the currently orientation
Edges
selected edge • Edges with same length in same face
• Surface edge loop
• Hard sheet metal edges
• Protrusion
Groups of faces that form protrusions,
• Depression
Features depressions, inner faces, or that enclose
• Inner faces
other faces
• Enclosed by

• All offset baseline faces

Faces that have an offset relationship • All offset faces
Offset faces
defined • Faces with same offset
• All coincident faces

16 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Power Selection
Category Description Example Selection types
Pattern members, entire
patterns, or recognized • Pattern member
patterns • Recognized pattern
Patterns • All pattern members

• Equal radius rounds

• Equal or smaller radius rounds
• Equal or smaller-sized chamfers
Rounds Rounds and chamfers • Variable radius round
• Faces and chains of faces even if they are
composed of a mix of constant and
variable faces
Same curve Curves of the same color, • Faces with the same color as the
type type, and length originally selected face

Beams based on the This category is useful when the display is set to
Beams profile of the currently Wire Beams, or when you have several profiles Beams
selected beam that are only slightly different

17 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Power Selection
Category Description Example Selection types
Faces of the same
Same color • Faces
color

Standard Holes with

Same hole
the same Hole • Standard holes
dimensions
Dimensions

• Miter corners
Sheet metal Sheet metal objects • Same Junction type and parameters
• Beads and forms with the same parameters
• Equal radius cylinder
• Equal radius hole
Faces that have the
Same size • Equal radius protrusion
same radius or area
• Faces with the same area
• Holes equal to or smaller than

Finding zero thickness faces and surface bodies

Midsurface faces with
Midsurface allows you to verify that thickness has been
the same thickness • Faces and Bodies
Face Thickness assigned to all faces and surface bodies in the
(including zero)
model.

18 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Mouse and View Controls
• Easy-to-use Mouse and View controls to speed up operations
and manipulate graphics
• Controls listed in “Quick Reference Card”
• “Quick Reference Card” can be accessed during SCDM launch

Notice: The controls shown here are true after doing a ‘Reset
All’ in File/SpaceClaim Options/Navigation. They can be
changed to match those of your CAD Software by changing the
Theme or can be customized.

19 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 File Handling File Formats

SpaceClaim Options
• Supports import from major CAD
packages (CATIA, Pro/E, NX, Solid
Works, etc.)
- Separate license not required
except for CATIA V5 and V6, JT, and
PDF3D

• Neutral file formats like STEP and

Parasolid are also supported

• Additional options for controlling

import/export of file formats
available in SpaceClaim Options panel

20 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Working with Assemblies (1)

• Components are shown on the structure tree and are created automatically

• Components can be created manually by:

– Right-click any component and select New Component
– Right-click an object and select Move to New Component, it will create a
component within the Active Component
– Ctrl+click multiple objects, then right-click and select Move Each to New
Components to create a new component for each object

• Activating a component (right-click Activate Component) allows to work with the

objects within that component

• Components can be copied, cut, pasted, mirrored, renamed and deleted

21 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Working with Assemblies (2)
Components
• Reorder bodies/components using
drag and drop

Active Component
• Allows to work with objects
within that component
• Other components get greyed out
• To activate, right click on the
component and select “Activate
Component”

22 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Working with Assemblies (3)
Open Component
• Ability to work on a specific
component by opening it in a
new session
– Right click and select “Open
Component”
• Changes made to the component
objects get reflected in the Component Changes made Changes reflected
original model opened in new to component in original model
session (added fillet)

23 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Working with Assemblies (4)

Replace Component
• Replace an existing component with
another saved component
– Reuse existing models

24 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Shared Topology (1)
• Shared Topology
– SpaceClaim can share topology (face, edge, and vertex
connections) between bodies and surfaces in contact
that are transferred to Workbench
– Shared topology is the only way to achieve a
conformal mesh where bodies meet
– Shared topology also applies to volume and surface
bodies that are enclosed within other volume or
surface bodies. This situation is common in analyses
involving fluid flow
– Shared Topology is passed from SpaceClaim to
Workbench when the shared topology property for
the parent Component is set to ‘Share’
– Solids or Surfaces under the same component will be
treated as a multi-body part and will share topology
when the property is set

25 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Shared Topology (2)
• Shared Topology Settings
– None (default): does nothing to geometry during
transfer to ANSYS/Workbench
– Merge is used for Baffles:
• It merges surfaces with solids and trims away any
parts of the surfaces outside of the solid
• Faces do not need to intersect
• Surfaces that are completely inside a solid are
merged with that body
– Share: imprints and merges all bodies in the
components the result to ANSYS as multi-body part
– Group: groups all bodies in the components into a
multi-body part but does not merge or share faces and
edges of the bodies with each other

26 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Shared Topology (3)
• Shared Topology Examples
– Mesher meshes two blocks with shared topology.
The blue block will gain a new imprinted face
which will be shared between the green and blue
blocks.
– Mesher creates separate meshes for two parts
because they are in different components and the
root part has Shared Topology set to None.
– The mesh for shared topology is not the same as
merged geometry. Here the boxes are merged,
and you can see that the mesh is different than it
is for two bodies with shared topology.
– Note: If a solid body is taken out of parent
component which is set to shared topology, it will
have no imprints and no shared faces/edges with
the previous parent part

27 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Beams and Shared Topology
Beams can share topology with surfaces when:
• The end point of the beam lies on the surface:

• The path of the beam lies in the surface

• The beam intersects a surface at a point
• The beams and surfaces must be in the same component which must be set to share

28 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Show Contact

• Show contact
– This tool in the CAE group on the Prepare tab displays a preview of topology sharing. ‘Show
Contact’ lets you see – before sending to Workbench – exactly what topology would be shared.
– Allows you to modify/correct the geometry so that it is transferred to Workbench as intended

29 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Show Contact
• Show Contact - Options
Show Contact settings Display
in the Options Panel color
Edge Options
Show Edge Junctions Blue
Show Laminar Edges Red
Show Free Beams Orange (i.e. coincident to an edge or
Vertex Options
Show Beam Junctions Blue
Show Beam Ends Red Non-shared endpoints of Beams.
30 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016
Description
Edge options control the display of
connected and disconnected paths
(i.e. edges, sketch curves, Beam paths.
Shared edges of solids or surfaces and
Beams
Edges of surface bodies that are not
connected to anything
Beams that are not entirely connected
embedded within a face.
Vertex options control the display of
connected endpoints (Beam
endpoints and intersections).
Shared points on Beams (i.e. shared
endpoints or interior intersections).
 Working with Layers
Layers
• Useful for grouping objects based on visual characteristics
– Visibility
• Click bulb icon to change visibility
Objects are hidden
Objects are visible
– Color
– Linestyle, not for 3D objects
• Right click in Layers panel and select “New” to create a new
layer
– Set appropriate layer color
– All new objects created in this layer will have the same layer
color
• To add selected objects to a layer, right click on the desired
layer and select “Assign To Layer”

31 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Managing Views

Views
• Change shortcuts for standard views Create View Panel
• Create custom views to save object
orientation and visibility
• Control visibility behavior for custom
views
– Leave Unchanged: New objects retain
their visibility
– Visible: New objects become visible
– Hidden: New Objects get hidden

32 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Display (1)

Display tab
• Hosts several features for managing Change Transparency
display of geometry
– Cut, Copy, Paste objects
– Standard and custom view
– Change object color
– Manage layers
– Change graphics mode
• Wireframe, shaded etc.
– Rendering options
– Change transparency
– Arrange graphics windows
– Etc.
Opaque Transparent

33 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Display (2)

Display tab
• Change face color
– Select face
– Right click and open Color panel
– Select “Face” target
– Select desired color

34 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Display: Clip with volume

• Enables you to create a clip volume around an object so that you can selectively isolate a
specific region of a design:
– Right click on the area you want to view and click Clip with Volume > Set using selection then release the
mouse
– Right click and select Clip with Volume > Select. In the Properties panel, you can choose between a
sphere and a cube and change the center and the radius.
– Right click and select Clip with Volume > Resize to change the dimensions

35 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 SpaceClaim Main Tools

There are 4 main Tools in SpaceClaim that must be known by all the users:
• Pull Tool

• Move Tool

• Fill Tool

• Combine Tool

Notice: In this Module we will just give a brief description of these tools
For more information, please consult the Module 2: Creating Geometry

36 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Pull Tool
• Used to convert sketches to 3D
– Pulling a line creates a surface
– Pulling a surface creates a solid

• Distort or deform existing geometry

• Drag the selected object in a chosen direction when

Pull tool is active

• Multi-functional tool
– Extrude, Revolve, Sweep, Offset and Draft faces
– Create Rounds (Fillets), Chamfers or Extrude edges
– Pull a point to create Line

• Several tool guides available to alter its behaviour

37 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Move Tool
• Multi functional tool
– Translate Translation movement
– Rotate
Move Handle
– Pattern
• Move handle guides the direction of
movement
– Translational movement along 3
“linear” axes
– Rotational movement along 3
“curved” axis Rotational movement
• Drag the selected object along the
Move handle axis (linear, curved) to
facilitate Move
• Distort or deform existing geometry
• Several tool guides available to alter
tool behaviour

38 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Fill Tool
• Fill selected region with surrounding
surface or solid

• Acts as a “healing” tool to remove:

– Fillets
– Chamfers
– Holes
– Protrusions
– Depressions

Notice: Sometimes a simple delete after

selecting the entities can replace the Fill Tool

39 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Combine Tool
• Perform Boolean operations Merge multiple objects
– Add
– Subtract
• By default, second selected
object acts as a cutter to
perform subtract operation
– Cutter tool guide gets activated once
a body is selected
• Select multiple objects using
“Ctrl” key to add them
– “Merge” tool guide gets activated
automatically Select cylinder Select region
• Option to delete or retain left as cutter to remove
over region after subtract
operation
– “Regions to Remove” tool guide
automatically gets activated after
subtract operation

40 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Summary

What have we learnt in this session?

• What is the normal Pre-processing Workflow within ANSYS WB tools?
• What is SpaceClaim Direct Modeler (SCDM)?
• Launching SCDM
• SpaceClaim Interface
• File Operations
• Working with Assemblies
• Shared Topology options
• How to work with layers?
• How to manage views?
• SpaceClaim Main Tools: pull, move, fill and combine

41 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Workshop 1.1 Basics

42 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Workshop 1.2 Sketching in SpaceClaim

43 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016

 Videos available (look for separate directory)

Module1_Basic_UI.mp4 Module1_Basic_Select.mp4
Module1_Partitioning.mp4

Demo of Basic UI Demo of Selection Demo of Partitioning

(10:38) (10:38) (07:52)

44 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. March 16, 2016