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Objective:

Learn how to extract bodies from imported CAD for use in workflows.

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Applies to:

  • CAD Parts
  • CAD Assemblies
  • CAD Faces

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Procedure:

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Extraction by Properties:

1. Open up the Properties Panel for the imported part2. Use the “CAD View” checkbox to isolate the CAD bodies list3. Use the drop-down arrow next to the bodies list to show the items in the list.4. Drag out the single body property chipA gif showing how to extract a CAD body from the properties panel of the Import Part block. The gif highlights how the CAD View feature can be used to find the body property chip quickly.

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Common Mistake: Using the CAD Body List

We commonly see users experiencing issues downstream in their workflow where they can’t insert a variable into an input. This is usually due to the variable being a list. Please ensure that the original CAD body that you extracted is a single body and not a list.\A common mistake when extracting a CAD body from an import part block. Users shouldn't extract the CAD Body list, they should extract the single body property chip.Back to top

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Extraction by manual selection on screen:

To extract CAD Faces:
  • Single: Click on the face you want to extract
  • Multiple: Hold SHIFT or CTRL and click on the faces you want to select
  • R-click and choose the option “Create CAD Face Variable” or “Create CAD Face List Variable” if multiple selected A gif example showing how to create CAD face variables from an imported CAD part.
To extract CAD edges or vertices:
  • Single: Click on the edge or vertex you want to extract
  • Multiple: Hold SHIFT or CTRL and click on the edges or vertices you want to select
  • R-click and choose the option “Create CAD Vertex Variable” or “Create CAD Edge Variable.” A gif example showing how to create CAD edge variables from an imported CAD part.
To create an Implicit Body or CAD Body:
  • Single: Double click on the body (or just select a face on the same body if converting to Implicit)
  • Multiple: Hold SHIFT or CTRL and double-click on the bodies you want (or choose just a face on the same body if converting to Implicit)
  • Implicit: Right-click and choose “Convert CAD Body to Implicit Body” or “Convert CAD Bodies to Implicit Bodies.”
  • CAD: Right-click and select the option “Create CAD Body Variable” or “Create CAD Body List Variable.” A gif example showing how to create Implicit Body variables from an imported CAD part.
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In nTop 5.8, we released a series of new blocks that are designed to help users interact with CAD bodies more efficiently.To extract CAD Faces:Use the Get CAD Faces block:An image of the Get CAD Faces block being used to extract faces from an imported part.To extract CAD Bodies:Use the Get CAD Bodies block:An image of the Get CAD Bodies block being used to extract bodies from an imported part.You can also use the Get CAD Bodies by Name block to further refine your selections:
Note: When exporting CAD from other softwares, use STEP if you need to export with Color and Name properties.
An image of the Get CAD Bodies by Name block being used to extract bodies from an imported part based on a specified name.Back to top
You can extract CAD Faces and CAD Bodies using our two color-based blocks:
  • Get CAD Faces by Color
  • Get CAD Bodies by Color
Note: When exporting CAD from other softwares, use STEP if you need to export with Color and Name properties.
In the GIF below, the Color property chip is extracted from the face/body. We recommend this method as it directly links to color, as opposed to inputting the RGB values of an empty Color block.A gif demonstrating how to use the Get CAD Faces by Color and Get CAD Bodies by Color blocks.If you import your CAD part and it doesn’t have any color, make sure you change the Display Mode to “CAD Color”.A gif showing how to change the Display Mode in nTop using the Display tab in the Right Side Panel.Back to top
And that’s it! You’ve successfully extracted parts from your imported CAD Body for other workflows. Are you still having issues? Contact the support team, and we’ll be happy to help!

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Keywords:

import cad face implicit part variable body edge use bodies working vertex vertices extract