> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ntop.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to work with CAD bodies

## Objective:

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

## Applies to:

* CAD Parts
* CAD Assemblies
* CAD Faces

## Procedure:

#### **Extraction by Properties**

## **Extraction by Properties:**

1. Open up the Properties Panel for the imported part

2. Use the "CAD View" checkbox to isolate the CAD bodies list

3. Use the drop-down arrow next to the bodies list to show the items in the list.

4. Drag out the single body property chip

![A 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.](https://files.learn.ntop.com/help-articles/implicit-modeling/29254610055827.png)

#### **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.](https://files.learn.ntop.com/help-articles/implicit-modeling/29254579517459.png)

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#### **Extraction by Manual Selection**

## **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.](https://files.learn.ntop.com/help-articles/implicit-modeling/1500001915341.png)

**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.](https://files.learn.ntop.com/help-articles/implicit-modeling/1500001868802.png)

**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.](https://files.learn.ntop.com/help-articles/implicit-modeling/1500001915641.png)

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#### **Extraction by Blocks**

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.](https://files.learn.ntop.com/help-articles/implicit-modeling/38449123090579.png)

**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.](https://files.learn.ntop.com/help-articles/implicit-modeling/38449065784595.png)

You can also use the **Get CAD Bodies by Name**block to further refine your selections:

<Note>
  *Note: When exporting CAD from other softwares, use STEP if you need to export with Color and Name properties.*
</Note>

![An image of the Get CAD Bodies by Name block being used to extract bodies from an imported part based on a specified name.](https://files.learn.ntop.com/help-articles/implicit-modeling/38449123095059.png)

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#### **Extraction by Color**

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>
  *Note: When exporting CAD from other softwares, use STEP if you need to export with Color and Name properties.*
</Note>

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.](https://files.learn.ntop.com/help-articles/implicit-modeling/38449123096979.png)

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.](https://files.learn.ntop.com/help-articles/implicit-modeling/38449123104531.png)

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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](https://support.ntopology.com/hc/en-us/requests/new), and we'll be happy to help!

## Keywords:

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