Tutorial PDF

CADfix 9.
Introductory User Tutorial
Version 1.0
Date: 9 Nov 2012
2012 TranscenData Europe Ltd
CADfix 9.0 Introductory Tutorial
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Contents
1
2
3
Introduction and Scope of Tutorial ....................................................................... 3

Different ways to use CADfix ............................................................................... 3
Mode 1: Fully Automatic Translation ................................................................... 4
3.1 CADfix Terminology: The CADfix Wizard Process ....................................... 4
3.1.1
Import .................................................................................................... 5
3.1.2
Repair ................................................................................................... 5
3.1.3
Transform .............................................................................................. 5
3.1.4
Prepare ................................................................................................. 5
3.1.5
Export .................................................................................................... 5
3.2 Performing a Fully Automatic Translation ..................................................... 6
3.2.1
File Import Options ................................................................................ 8
3.2.2
Select Target System for Export ........................................................... 8
3.2.3
Select Target Format for Export ............................................................ 8
3.2.4
Select Target Quality Standard ............................................................. 9
3.2.5
Changing Wizard Process Options ....................................................... 9
3.3 Just importing the model with no processing ................................................ 9
3.4 When the Automatic Translation process is not successful........................ 10
4 Mode 2: Diagnostic Driven Interactive Processing ............................................ 11
4.1 CADfix Terminology: Topology and Geometry ........................................... 11
4.2 CADfix Basics: Viewing the Model ............................................................. 13
4.2.1
Connectivity display ............................................................................ 13
4.2.2
Picture controls ................................................................................... 14
4.2.3
View controls ....................................................................................... 15
4.3 Overview of Diagnostic Driven Interactive Processing ............................... 16
4.3.1
Scan Results/Problem Tree ................................................................ 16
4.3.2
Severity Indication ............................................................................... 16
4.3.3
Diagnostics Scan Target ..................................................................... 17
4.3.4
Diagnostic Summary ........................................................................... 17
4.3.5
Problem Description ............................................................................ 17
4.3.6
Possible Fix Methods .......................................................................... 18
4.4 Diagnostic Driven Manual Repair ............................................................... 19
4.4.1
Example 1 - Closing a Large Edge Gap .............................................. 19
4.4.2
Example 2 - Building Missing Faces and Solids .................................. 25
4.5 Diagnostic Driven Manual Prepare and Export Processing ........................ 29
4.5.1
Example 3 - Faces with Intersecting Loops (Partially Collapsed) ........ 30
4.5.2
Example 4 - Reducing High Degree Surfaces ..................................... 35
4.5.3
Example 5 - Fixing Self-intersecting Surfaces ..................................... 38
5 Mode 3: Manual Interactive Processing............................................................. 42
5.1 CADfix Basics: Screen picks ...................................................................... 42
5.1.1
Dynamic Selection .............................................................................. 43
5.1.2
Basic Selection.................................................................................... 45
5.1.3
Smart Selection ................................................................................... 45
5.2 The Diagnostic Checks Tab ....................................................................... 47
5.2.1
Filtering the Criteria ............................................................................. 48
5.3 The Tools Tab ............................................................................................ 49
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1 Introduction and Scope of Tutorial

The aim of this tutorial is to give new CADfix users some basic guidance on getting
started with CADfix. It will cover the various ways in which CADfix can be used to
translate and process models.
The tutorial is based on a hands-on approach that uses a set of example models that
can be found with this tutorial. We recommend that you follow the steps of the tutorial
whilst processing the various example models.
Whilst this tutorial aims to give the user enough information to get started with CADfix
and perform some of the more common operations, it does not aim to cover all
aspects of CADfix. In particular the Manual Interactive Processing mode is only
briefly touched upon. For more complete details on using CADfix please refer to the
CADfix training material and/or the on-line HTML help manual.
2 Different ways to use CADfix

CADfix has been designed around the principle of providing users with alternative
levels of using the program, depending on their needs, experience and expertise.
There are three main levels, or modes, of using CADfix. These three modes increase
in the amount of knowledge and expertise that is required from the user. It is
recommended that users start with the simplest level and progress through to the
more complex levels as they require.
Mode 1. Fully Automatic Translation

The simplest mode of using CADfix is the Automatic Model Translation
mode, which attempts to process a model from input CAD system to the
target CAD system with the minimum of user input.
For the cases where an automatic translation is not possible, usually due to
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problems with the CAD model, then the Automatic Model Translation mode
will automatically put the user into the next level of CADfix use, the
Diagnostic Driven Interactive Processing.
Mode 2. Diagnostic Driven Interactive Processing
For models that do not process automatically, or if users want to have more
control over the translation process, then the Diagnostic Driven Interactive
Processing mode is the next level of using CADfix. In this interactive mode
the user will see the model displayed and be able to query its structure.
The user is guided through the problems in the model based on automatic
diagnostic scanning. Once all problems have been resolved by the user, with
help and advice from the CADfix Wizard, then the model can be exported.
For more complex problems that are not easily resolved through the
diagnostic driven process, the user may then use the lowest level of
processing with CADfix.
Mode 3. Manual Interactive processing
This mode allows the user full access to all the tools available in CADfix. It
requires more knowledge and experience from the user, so is not
recommended for the novice.
This mode is primarily for cases where the diagnostic driven processing
could not identify the problem or the problem requires an unusual fix that was
not on the list of recommended solutions from the diagnostic scan.
This mode also allows the user access to the interactive model simplification
tools such as hole removal, face joining, splitting, and more (provided these
are available in the CADfix license).
Each of these modes of working with CADfix will be explained in the following
sections. Each section will make use of example models that are supplied with this
tutorial.
3 Mode 1: Fully Automatic Translation

The Fully Automatic Translation mode is the simplest mode of using CADfix and
requires the bare minimum of inputs from the user. It uses the CADfix Wizard
process to automatically control the translation process.
3.1 CADfix Terminology: The CADfix Wizard Process

The engineers requirement is to take a CAD model from one upstream system and
to be able to re-use it in another downstream system, often for a different
application. In CADfix this translation process has been broken down into five
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distinct steps Import, Repair, Transform, Prepare and Export.
This process is controlled and automated by the CADfix Wizard, which forms the
heart of the Fully Automatic Translation mode.
3.1.1 Import
A model can be imported into CADfix from a number of native CAD system formats
and also neutral formats such as STEP and IGES. By default, the import stage will
also perform some rudimentary model fixing operations, such as merging duplicate
points and edges at an appropriate tolerance.
3.1.2 Repair
The repair stage attempts to stitch the model into a valid solid, or shell of faces, by
predominately fixing the model TOPOLOGY.
3.1.3 Transform
Once the model has been topologically repaired to a valid solid, or shell of faces, the
optional transform stage can be used to defeature the model as required for the
downstream application. For example, the model may need to be defeatured by
removing all short edges and sliver faces to facilitate meshing in the downstream
system.
3.1.4 Prepare
This is the process of preparing (or flavouring) the model GEOMETRY so that it can
be successfully imported into the downstream system.
3.1.5 Export
Having prepared the model to suit the requirements of a particular downstream
system the model is exported by writing a file in the appropriate format.
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The five steps of the CADfix process can each be configured by the user through the
Process options settings.
3.2 Performing a Fully Automatic Translation

After starting CADfix there are just four steps to performing a simple automatic
translation:
1. Select the import file type (e.g. IGES)
2. Select the file to process (e.g. auto.igs from the tutorial examples)
3. Select the target system (e.g. IDEAS NX 12. Note, format will default to
IGES)
4. Press Go to start the translation
4
1
Once the translation has started a Progress Monitor dialog will appear that will show
how the translation is going:
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After the Import stage of the automatic processing has been completed the model will
be displayed in the CADfix graphics window:
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The Progress Monitor will show the model passing through the Repair and Prepare
stages of the Wizard process and finally being exported by the Export stage. The end
result will be a fully automatically processed model ready to take into the target
system, in this example I-DEAS NX 12.
The following sections explain some of the options that can be changed during the
automatic translation process.
3.2.1 File Import Options

Each file format that can be imported has a set of options for configuring the import.
The options can be found under the Import link in the Wizard Process options:
These options typically contain settings for importing unused/free lines and points,
attributes such as colour and label. These options only need to be changed if the
model did not import the expected parts. For example if a Pro/E model contains open
shells as well as solids then the default setting is to only import the solids.
3.2.2 Select Target System for Export

The target system can be selected from the pull-down menu of available systems.
When a system is selected the format will also be changed automatically to the
recommended value.
Some systems will appear greyed out if they are not available in your CADfix licence
file.
3.2.3 Select Target Format for Export

The target format can be selected from the pull-down menu of available formats for
the selected system. CADfix automatically selects the recommended option when
you change the target system.
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3.2.4 Select Target Quality Standard

If a target quality standard is selected then CADfix will automatically run a diagnostic
scan against the quality standard AFTER the model processing has finished. This
option does not change the way that the model is translated; it only controls what
additional criteria should be scanned against.
The quality standard can be one of the fixed systems (for example the Japanese
automotive PDQ standards JAMA), or a user defined quality standard.
3.2.5 Changing Wizard Process Options

CADfix will automatically configure the CADfix Wizard process settings based on the
selected import file and the target system. To see and/or modify the settings for the
various stages of the Wizard Process use the Process options
Click in the checkbox to turn each step on off. Click on the blue link next to the
checkbox to see the options for that stage of the process. For most cases you will not
need to modify these process options.
3.3 Just importing the model with no processing

If you do not want to process a model using the Fully Automatic Translation mode
then there is an option to just import the model only. When the Import only option is
active then the Process options will be temporarily disabled.
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3.4 When the Automatic Translation process is not successful

Most CAD translations will process fully automatically through CADfix without
interruption, but if CADfix does detect a problem with the data during the automatic
Wizard processing that requires user intervention then the process is halted and
CADfix switches to the Diagnostic Driven Interactive mode.
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4 Mode 2: Diagnostic Driven Interactive Processing

When the Fully Automatic Translation mode finds a problem with the model that
cannot be automatically fixed then CADfix will switch into Diagnostic Driven
Interactive Processing mode. The first thing that CADfix will do when it switches from
Automatic mode into this mode is run a diagnostic scan of the current model. These
diagnostics will then be used to guide the user to interactively fix the problem
Results of Diagnostic Scan
4.1 CADfix Terminology: Topology and Geometry

Before progressing further with the Diagnostic Driven Interactive Processing it will be
helpful to introduce and explain some more CADfix terminology.
A CAD part is typically made up from two types of entity: topology or geometry.
There are various naming conventions in use today for the topological and
geometrical entities of a CAD part. The following diagram illustrates how CADfix
refers to these entities.
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Body
A CADfix body is a collection of faces that (usually) form a closed shell. The
faces may form more than one closed shell in which case one shell will be the
outer shell and the other shell(s) would be internal voids.
A body is a topological entity as it just represents a collection of other
entities.
Face
A CADfix face contains both an embedding surface and a collection of edges
that (usually) form a closed loop. The edges may form more than one closed
loop in which case one loop will be the outer and the other loop(s) will be
internal holes.
A face is a topological entity as it just represents a collection of other entities.
Surface
A CADfix surface defines the 3D shape of the interior of a face. There are
several types of surface in CADfix including: NURBS, analytic surfaces (plane,
cylinder, cone, sphere, torus) and blends (Coons, Barnhill and Gregory). A
NURBS surface is a self-contained entity that does not refer to any other
entity. The analytic surfaces refer to point entities to define their axis and/or
centres, and the blend surfaces refer to 3, 4 or 5 edges.
A surface is a geometrical entity as it just represents the 3D position of an
entity.
Edge
A CADfix edge defines the 3D shape of the boundary of a face or a wire
frame edge. The 3D definition of an edge is contained within the edge itself,
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unlike other systems that use a separate curve entity. The start and end
positions of an edge are defined by referring to two points.
An edge is both a geometrical entity (because it contains the 3D definition)
and a topological entity (because it contains the points that connect it to other
edges).
Point
A CADfix point is defined by 3D position (X, Y Z).
A point is both a geometrical entity (because it contains the 3D position) and
a topological entity (because it is used to connect edges together).
CADfix does not have explicit entities to represent shells, loops or curves although
these terms will be used to describe some of the problems found in a CAD model.
4.2 CADfix Basics: Viewing the Model

Once a model has been imported into an interactive session of CADfix then the user
is able to view and display the model in various ways. The common view and display
controls are available from the icon bar.
View controls: dynamic control,
spin centre, frame image, zoom
Basic
Display
Expand
Display
options
Display types: points, edges,

surfaces, faces and bodies
Picture controls: wipe, wipe

last, wipe menu, and repaint
4.2.1 Connectivity display

CADfix will automatically display a model as a colour coded wire frame model. The
colours of the edges tell you how many faces are connected to each edge, and are
the most informative way of displaying a model. In the majority of cases a healthy
model will have two faces connected to each edge and the edges will be drawn in
green. Gaps or overlapping parts usually result in red edges (connectivity 1) or yellow
or blue edges (connectivity 3 and 4). Note: the colours used for this connectivity
display can be changed through the Display Settings dialog found under the View
menu.
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4.2.2 Picture controls

CADfix has a very flexible approach for displaying the model in various ways. The
row of five icons and drop-down menus in the icon bar under the Advanced display
options (
) allow the user to build up a picture of the model by adding new
display types to the current picture.
Display
points
Display
edges
(connectivity)
Display
surfaces
(grids)
Display
faces
(shaded)
Display
bodies
(shaded)
The drop-down menus next to each display icon contain alternative ways of display
the type of entity. For example, points can be displayed with their CADfix label, or
surfaces can be displayed shaded, or faces and bodies can be displayed as wire
frame or partially transparent. Take a look at the drop-down menus to see the full
range of display type for each entity.
Display types can be removed or wiped from the current picture using one of the 3
wipe icons in the icon bar.
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4.2.3 View controls

CADfix allows the model view to be changed dynamically by using the mouse. Simply
click a mouse button inside the graphics window and drag. The three mouse buttons
have different actions. The default actions are:
Left button: Rotate view

Middle button: Pan view
Right button: Zoom view (move left to right)
When the mouse button is released the dynamic viewing will stop. For better
performance when viewing large models hold down the Control key or toggle the
dynamic manipulation icon in the icon bar
The view controls can be customised using the View Controls dialog found under
the main View menu. If you prefer the view controls to be similar to another system,
say your usual CAD system, then there is an Emulation mode that supports most of
the common CAD system settings.
Note that the I-DEAS controls of holding down F1, F2 or F3 are always available.
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4.3 Overview of Diagnostic Driven Interactive Processing
The Diagnostics mode menu is contained in the third tab of the CADfix tool set.
When CADfix invokes the Diagnostic mode it automatically Scans the model and
presents the user with all of the information required to complete the processing.
4.3.1 Scan Results/Problem Tree

The top half of the Diagnostics Panel shows the
results of the automatic scan and provides a list
detailing the problems encountered including:
-
a description of the problem

an indication of the severity of the problem
the number of entities exhibiting this problem
Items listed within the tree structure can be selected

with a left hand mouse button click and this will
highlight the problem visually on the model in the
graphics window.
The selection of an item in the top tree triggers the
display of the different possible fix methods in the
bottom half of the Diagnostics panel.
4.3.2 Severity Indication

The severity of the issues found is identified by a
colour-coded circle that provides a guide as to the
severity and order in which they should be resolved.
(red) Is a serious issue that must be resolved
(yellow) A less serious problem to be
considered
(cyan) May not be an issue but the user is
informed
The example shown indicates that the model has a
serious Connectivity problem with 6 poorly
connected edges. There are also 12 unused faces
(i.e. do not form part of any solid body) but this
classed as less serious than the connectivity issue.
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4.3.3 Diagnostics Scan Target

Immediately below the Diagnostics results window is an indication of criteria against
which the Diagnostic scan has been performed, e.g.
If the model fails to repair to a valid stitched solid part then the scan is performed
against the Valid Model criteria which looks for fundamental topological and model
construction issues that could prevent the solid being built.
If the model is successfully repaired but subsequent flavouring and export operations
identify edge or surface geometry issues that could be an issue for the downstream
target system, then the scan is undertaken against the Target System criteria.
It is possible to re scan the model manually against the specified target at any point
by selecting the button.
4.3.4 Diagnostic Summary

A Diagnostic Summary is presented to the
user below the Diagnostics results window.
This provides a summary of the overall scan
results and gives advise to the user.
You can minimize or reopen the text in the
Diagnostic Summary at any time by selecting
the Diagnostic Summary >> link.
4.3.5 Problem Description

When a specific problem is selected from the
main Diagnostic Results tree the text shown
in the Problem Description window provides
specific information on the problem.
Many problems have an accompanying
image as shown opposite that can be
accessed by clicking on the book icon with
the left hand mouse button.
The individual problem descriptions can be

minimised or opened by selecting the link for
Problem Description >>
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4.3.6 Possible Fix Methods

When a specific problem is selected for resolution
from the main Diagnostic Results tree, the bottom
of the Diagnostics panel presents the different fix
methods available.
The possible fix methods are ordered with the
likely preferred or best options at the top of the list.
However the user should be aware that problems
are specific to individual models and some of the
alternative resolutions might be more appropriate.
After all, if the first suggested fix always worked
then it would have
been automated in
the Wizard!
The example
opposite shows ten
different fix options
for resolving model
connectivity
problems.
Once the user has
decided which fix
method to use it is
selected with a left
mouse button click.
The specific fix controls and parameters made available at

the bottom of the Diagnostics panel and the fix can be
made.
The image opposite shows the display of the fix parameters when the user selects
Stitch at coarser tolerance from the menu.
If the chosen fix does not achieve the required resolution, then the user can go back
to the list of alternative fixes by selecting the double arrow icon, or by selecting the
problem description again in the top Diagnostics Results tree.
Once a fix operation has been completed CADfix will automatically update the model
scan and Diagnostic Problem tree to reflect the changes.
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4.4 Diagnostic Driven Manual Repair

If a model fails to repair it is usually as a result of a serious issue such as completely
missing entities, excessive edge gaps and badly distorted geometry. The following
examples demonstrate how such issues can be resolved using the CADfix Diagnostic
driven repair process.
4.4.1 Example 1 - Closing a Large Edge Gap

This example demonstrates the use of CADfix to complete the repair of a model
where a large edge gap exists that exceeds the automatic stitching tolerance.
Step 1. Set up and start the Automatic Translation
1. Start CADfix and select STEP as the file type for processing
2. Select the file edge-gap.stp
3. Select the target system as IDEAS NX 12 and format IGES
4. Press Go to initiate the translation
Numbers refer to screen image below. (also see section 3.2)
3
4
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Step 2. Switch to Diagnostic Mode and Review Status

5. Notice the Display and Work set are showing ALL
The automatic process stops after the Repair stage because CADfix fails to build a
solid body. CADfix launches into the Diagnostic mode with the screen as shown
below. A view of the model is given in the main graphics window with the
Diagnostics panel on the left hand side.
The progress monitor displays messages as the

CADfix Wizard translates the part.
You can scroll back to review these messages if
required and will notice the message that CADfix
Failed to build any new solid bodies and that
the Prepare and Export processes were skipped.
When you have finished reviewing the information
close the Progress Monitor by selecting the Close
button.
It can be reopened at any stage using the icon at
the top of the CADfix screen.
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The Diagnostic Summary presents a summary of the status of the processing along
with recommendations for the next steps including:
Resolve first model problem
or
Change repair options
Continue with Wizard
The Diagnostic Summary information should be reviewed in conjunction with the
graphical display of the model to determine the best possible course of action.
Step 3. Isolate and Investigate the Problem
It is obvious from the model display that the reason the model failed to build a solid
body is the excessive edge gaps indicated by the red edges on the model display.
Notice the model summary in the bottom right hand corner of the CADfix
window shows a globe
(for the whole model) and summary of total
parts in the model i.e. 9 faces, 9 surfaces, 25 edges and 17 points:
Go to the Diagnostic Results Tree and select Poorly connected edges. This
highlights the problem edges on screen and presents below the possible resolutions
available.
The Work set is now showing

SELE and a bar above the
Display window shows the Basic
Selection icon
depressed and
the summary of parts selected i.e.
3 edges:
The Basic selection

mode has been entered
The problem parts have been

isolated for fixing.
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Use the dynamic display tools to zoom in on the area of the gap and measure the
distance with the measurement tool.
The measurement tool shows a gap between

the two vertex points of 0.17mm. This is
outside of the range that CADfix considers
to be suitable for automatic stitching of this
part by the Wizard and hence requires
manual interaction to resolve.
One option might be to build a face to fill
the gap. However the creation of such a
small sliver face could introduce further
problems downstream.
The most suitable option in this case is to
merge the points and edges in the local
area at a coarser tolerance.
Step 4. Repair the Problem
Select Stitching at coarser tolerance
from the possible fix list and CADfix
automatically presents the controlling
parameters and options as shown below.
The 3 poorly connected edges are already isolated for repair, as indicated by the
Edges found: 3 message.
Check the tolerance to be used and notice that it is too small to close the 0.17mm
gap as measured previously.
Enter a new tolerance value for the stitch operation of 0.18mm.
Press Fix to stitch the gap at the new tolerance.
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Step 5. Problem Resolved

The manual stitching operation repairs the large edge gap.
The updated model connectivity display shows the model as being well connected
(all edges are now green).
CADfix re-scans the model against the Valid Model target and new results are
displayed.
There are still Unused Faces detected in the
model because a solid body has not yet been
built. However, CADfix detects the improved
condition of the model and that it could continue
and automatically build a solid from the closed
shell.
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Step 6. Continue with Automatic Processing

Prior to using the Quick-fix tool CADfix asked if it should attempt to build a solid and
continue with the automated Wizard processing. Now CADfix has detected that the
model is repaired.
Select Yes and CADfix will automatically continue with the automatic translation
process.
The model successfully flavoured and exported to an IGES file flavoured for IDEAS.
End of example.
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4.4.2 Example 2 - Building Missing Faces and Solids

This example demonstrates the use of the CADfix Diagnostics driven repair process
to resolve a model repair failure where a face entity is completely missing from the
CAD model and this prevents a valid solid being built.
Step 1. Set up the Automatic translation task
1. Start CADfix and select STEP as the file type for processing.
2. Select the file face-build.stp
3. Select the target system as Pro/E CREO 1.0 native
2
1
4
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Step 2. Switch to Diagnostic Mode and Review Status

The automatic process stops after the Repair stage because CADfix fails to build a
solid body. CADfix launches into the Diagnostic mode with the screen as shown
below. A view of the model is given in the main graphics window with the
Diagnostics panel on the left hand side.
Review the CADfix progress monitor and you will see that CADfix fails to make a
solid model. When you have finished reviewing the information close the Progress
Monitor by selecting the Close button.
Step 3. Isolate and Investigate the Problem
Review the Diagnostic Summary information in conjunction with the graphical
display of the model to determine the best possible action.
It is obvious from the model display that the reason the model failed to generate a
solid body is the hole in the model indicated by the red edges on the model display.
In this case you should go to the Diagnostic Results Tree and select Poorly
connected edges. This highlights the problem edges on screen and presents the
possible resolutions available as shown below.
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It is apparent that there is a missing face the first option of Stitching at coarser
tolerance will not help. The best option is to attempt to build the missing face.
The loop of 4 lines are in the SELE set
and you can select the Build Faces
option from the Possible fix methods list.
When selecting Build Faces CADfix
presents the controlling parameters and
options as shown opposite.
The 4 poorly connected edges are already
isolated for repair.
Press Fix to build the missing face.
CADfix automatically finds a closed loop of
edges and builds the missing face as required.
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Step 5. Problem Resolved

You will be presented with an Accept or reject parts window which in situations
where more than one surface is being built gives you the opportunity to review the
results before acceptance. Once the face has been built, the updated model
connectivity display shows the model as being well connected (all edges in green).
CADfix re scans the model against the Valid Model target and new results are
displayed.
There are still Unused Faces detected in the model because a solid body has not
yet been built. However, CADfix detects the improved condition of the model and
that it could continue and automatically build a solid from the closed shell.
Step 6. Continue with Automatic Processing

CADfix asks if it should attempt to build a solid and continue with the automated
Wizard processing.
Select Yes and CADfix will automatically build a solid and continue with the
automatic translation process.
The solid is built and the model successfully flavoured and exported to native Pro/E.
End of example.
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4.5 Diagnostic Driven Manual Prepare and Export Processing

The CADfix automatic prepare for Export (or flavouring) process will attempt to
automatically resolve geometry issues to make sure that the model meets the
requirements of the downstream system.
There will be occasions where the model problems are such the automatic
approaches are insufficient and user intervention is required to resolve the issues.
The following examples demonstrate the use of the Diagnostic driven prepare
process to address typical geometry issues that could exist after a model has been
run through the Wizard.
In these examples the Wizard Prepare process would normally fix all of the problems,
so for the purposes of the tutorial we will only Import and Repair the files before
doing a manual Scan. We are assuming that the prepare process has already been
run and problems have been found but not fixed.
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4.5.1 Example 3 - Faces with Intersecting Loops (Partially

Collapsed)
This example demonstrates the use of the CADfix to resolve an issue with an
apparently good model that effects a specific downstream application.
When this model is processed fully automatically it successfully exports to the ACIS
format, passing the ACIS Body Checker. However when it is used in a meshing
application there is a meshing failure for a particular surface that contains touching or
self intersecting loops.
2. Select the file partial-collapse.stp
3. Select the target system to be ACIS 22
4. Change the Process options >>, turning off Prepare and Export so that
CADfix will only Import and Repair the model
3
5
1
4
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Step 2. Switch to Diagnostic Mode and Scan for Problem Face

The model imports and repairs to a valid solid body as shown below.
You now need to perform a Diagnostic Scan to look for the problem face.
Close the Wizard progress monitor and select the CADfix Diagnostic tab to go into
Diagnostic mode.
CADfix is already set up to scan against the target system criteria
Select the Scan button to run the scanning process.

The results of the scan are presented in the Diagnostic results window with a single
partially collapsed face identified as shown below.
Notice that this is classed as a less serious model problem and highlighted with a
yellow indicator. This is because the feature is not a critical error that prevents the
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model from being exported, and so it is still a valid model. The problem is more of an
application specific issue, in this case a meshing failure.
Select the Partially collapsed faces problem and the face is highlighted on the
model. The face clearly consists of two loops of edges that intersect at a common
vertex point. The face and vertex point are highlighted on the above image.
Having selected the partially collapsed faces problem there are several possible
resolution methods listed:
Fix partially collapsed faces
Create/edit faces
Split face by sketching
Split faces with a plane
Collapse points
Fix T-junctions intersections
Sharp corner angle
Selecting the first option Fix partially collapsed faces will be unsuccessful because
this automatic solution is looking for virtually collapsed faces that have a definitive
split boundary dividing them into more than one area. Upon inspection the solution
required should split the face in some way or other. In this instance a satisfactory
solution would be to split the face into two equal parts by a line running through the
over-used vertex point.
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Two split methods are available, either by sketching a line on the face or splitting with
a planar surface, and both are applicable in this case.
Select the option to Split faces with a plane as the fix method to access the repair
dialogue.
The face is automatically selected and you now need to select or create a plane to
split the face. In this case there is no existing plane to use to split the face so select
the New plane button.
Now screen pick to select the three points to define the plane. Select the over-used
vertex point that is already highlighted on screen and two other vertex points as
shown on the image below to create a plane running through the face.
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Select Apply and the face is split in two.
The partially collapse face issue has been resolved and the model could now be reexported to ACIS for the downstream meshing system if required.
End of example.
Page 34 of 49
4.5.2 Example 4 - Reducing High Degree Surfaces

This example demonstrates the use of Diagnostic Driven processing to reduce the
degree of some surfaces to suite the needs of a particular CAD system. This is not
necessarily a serious problem in most CAD to CAD translations.
2. Select the file trim-surf.stp
3. Select the target system to be CADDS 5
2
3
1
5
4
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Step 2. Switch to Diagnostic Mode and Scan for Problem Face

The model imports and repairs to a valid solid body as shown below.
You now need to perform a Diagnostic Scan against the CADDS export criteria.
Diagnostic mode.
CADfix is already set up to scan against the target system criteria

The results of the scan are presented in the Diagnostic results window with 5 high
degree surfaces identified as shown below.
Notice that this is classed as a serious model problem and highlighted with a red
indicator. This is because the feature is a critical error for CADDS 5.
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Select the High-degree surfaces problem and the 5 faces along with their surfaces
are highlighted on the model as shown above.
Having selected the partially collapsed faces problem there are several possible
resolution methods listed:
Reduce max. NURBS degree
Simplify NURBS surfaces
The problem could be corrected by either of the
fix methods, but for the purposes of this example
we will assume that the system to which we are
exporting only accepts NURBS geometry and we
do not want to simplify to primitive forms.
Select the first fix method to reduce the NURBS degree.
The model can now be exported to CADDS for the downstream system as required.
End of example.
Page 37 of 49
4.5.3 Example 5 - Fixing Self-intersecting Surfaces

Models often contain surfaces that are distorted, sometimes folded or twisted or
discontinuous but in this case self-intersecting. CADfix deals with many of these
surface problems automatically in the flavouring process but this example
demonstrates how they could be dealt manually if required.
2. Select the file folded.stp
3. Select the target system to be Neutral - Generic STEP
2
3
5
Page 38 of 49
Step 2. Switch to Diagnostic Mode and Scan for Problems

The model imports and repairs to a valid solid body.
You now need to perform a Diagnostic Scan to look for the problem face.
Diagnostic mode.
CADfix is already set up to scan against the target system criteria for Generic STEP
export.
The results of the scan are presented in the Diagnostic results window as shown
CADfix has detected 4 Folded surfaces. Notice that the problem types are classed
as a less serious model problem and highlighted with a blue indicator. This is
because the feature is not a critical error that prevents the model from being
exported, and so it is still a valid model. The problem is more of an application
specific issue that may or may not need to be addressed.
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Select Folded surfaces and you will see the problem surfaces displayed on screen
as shown in the above image.
Use the dynamic viewing capabilities to zoom into the corner of one of the surfaces
and the problem will be apparent.
Step 3. Repair the Problem Surfaces

Select the Self-intersecting problem from the Diagnostics results tree and the
possible resolution methods listed:
Simplify NURBS surfaces
Trim-back NURBS to face
Reduce knot count
Smooth surfaces
Re-embed faces
Split face along iso-line
Split face by sketching
Refit faces
In many cases it is often possible to convert the surface into another representation,
such as a primitive plane, cylinder or sphere, and in doing so this will move the
problem. Select Simplify NURBS surfaces to access the controlling parameters and
options.
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The four problem surfaces are already isolated. Press the Fix button and CADfix
tests whether the problem surfaces can be represented by a primitive surface within
the specified tolerance value, and if so converts them. Note that this conversion
tolerance can be changed as required by the user. In this case all four surfaces can
be converted to primitive spheres at the 0.01 tolerance.
The folded surface issues have been fixed.

End of example.
Page 41 of 49
5 Mode 3: Manual Interactive Processing

The previous mode of operation, Diagnostic Driven Interactive Processing is
designed to guide the user to the best way to interactively fix any problem in a model.
However there will be cases where the problem requires an unusual fix that is not on
the recommended list of fixes. Or as a more experienced user you may want to skip
the use of the diagnostic driven process and manually Find and Fix the problems.
The third mode of using CADfix, Manual Interactive Processing allows the user
access all the tools available within CADfix. The following sections provide a brief
overview of how to access the manual tools.
5.1 CADfix Basics: Screen picks

Many tools within CADfix require the user to identify entities by picking them from the
screen. CADfix has a convention for letting the user know when a screen pick can be
made. Nearly all tools that allow a screen pick will have an entry field that is coloured
yellow when it is active.
Active
screen
pick
Disabled
screen
pick
When you see an entry field like this then you can move your mouse onto the
graphics window and select an entity. If the screen pick does not appear to be
responding then it may be that the pick entry is not active. When a pick entry is not
active it only has a yellow border. To re-activate a pick entry simply click the left
mouse button inside the entry once.
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5.1.1 Dynamic Selection

When a screen pick is active you can move the mouse over entities in the graphics
window and they will highlight as the mouse passes over them. When the display
only consists of a wire frame display, like the default connectivity display, then it is
possible to pick faces and bodies by selecting one of the edges from the desired face
or body.
In most cases there will be more than one face connected to each edge in the model
(usually its two for a healthy solid model), so how do you select the one you want?
CADfix uses the Tab key to allow you to cycle over the possible faces/bodies
connected to the currently highlighted edge. When an edge is highlighted the list of
possible faces connected to the edge is displayed in the status bar at the bottom of
the graphics window.
Alternative
face
Highlighted
edge
Selected
face
Use the Tab key to cycle through the list of alternative faces until the one you want is
highlighted. Alternatively move the mouse away from the highlighted edge so that no
faces are selected, then move it back to the same edge again. When the edge is
highlighted this time it will automatically select the next face from the list of
alternatives.
The currently selected face/body will be drawn with thicker lines than the alternative
faces and its CADfix label will also be displayed.
Once you are happy that the correct entity is highlighted then select it by clicking the
left mouse button.
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When the cursor is within the graphics area a number of functions are controlled from
under the right mouse click. Along with the display functions shown below in the
basic menu are two methods of entity group selection:
Basic selection and Smart selection offer the user ways of collecting parts into a
dynamic set called the SELE set upon which fixes can be applied from the various
tools supplied, but mainly the from the Quick-fix tool bar down the right hand side of
the screen. Entry into these selection methods can also be made from the top of the
Quick-fix tool bar itself.
As you will have already noticed from the exercises above selecting specific results
from under Diagnostic tab also enters these problem parts into the SELE set for
application of an appropriate fix.
The user should always be aware of their current state during manual interactive
processing regarding selection as this can be entered dynamically and then naturally
switches from processing of the whole model. In particular this affects the display. A
number of clues are available on the screen to re-enforce the users awareness:
1. Problem result highlighted
2. SELE as the working set
3. The depression icon indicates the Basic selection mode has been entered
4. Right click menu shows the Basic selection mode functions

5. Part summary relates to the contents of the SELE set
Numbers refer to screen image below.
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2
3
5
5.1.2 Basic Selection

As the mouse cursor is run over the image, the hot edges it crosses are
dynamically completed to their parent faces, which are dynamically highlighted in the
image. The information banner or summary at the bottom of the screen is also
updated dynamically with information about the selected entity.
Items maybe picked into the selection set from the screen with the mouse or via the
right click menus. As items are picked they are highlighted in white on the screen. If
the user wishes to remove items from the selection set they may do so by holding
down the CTRL key and picking again with the mouse.
5.1.3 Smart Selection

The pointer is used to select groups of faces for suppression or other processing.
When used for selecting fillets, as in the image below, each edge crossed by the
cursor is dynamically completed to its neighbouring faces and these in turn to their
Page 45 of 49
neighbours. In the process of tracking from

face to face, the exit edge for each 4-sided
face is opposite to the entry edge, so that
ribbons of connected faces are highlighted.
When a 3-sided face is reached the ribbon
of connected faces will branch. The ribbon
of faces associated with each edge in this
way is highlighted dynamically as the cursor
runs over the edges in the model.
In the figure the cursor has touched edge
U205, which has caused a ribbon of 8
associated faces to be highlighted in the
image and information banner see below.
A click on this edge causes it to be marked
as the seed edge.
However its associated ribbon of 8 faces are not yet copied into the SELE selection
set as you can see from the selection set summary. Although processing can be
carried out on the feature selected if you wish to add further features you must first
Accept the current ribbon into the selection set from a either a middle mouse click or
use of the OK button.
Once the ribbon has been

accepted into the selection set
further features can be
identified and also accepted.
The user may also swap to the
Basic selection mode at this
point to add entities into the
SELE set.
The smart selection process can be configured to

stop when 3-sided faces are encountered. This
ribbon can next be edited by clicking on an interior
block edge to reduce the number of faces in the
selected ribbon, or by clicking on exterior gate
edge, to increase the number of faces selected.
Using this tool, groups of faces can be rapidly
collected into the selection set for further
processing.
Page 46 of 49
5.2 The Diagnostic Checks Tab

The majority of the manual fixing tools can be
accessed through the Checks tab found within the
Diagnostics tab.
When the Checks tab is raised then the manual
tools are presented in the tree view above. They
are grouped into seven classes of problem, or
criteria:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Connectivity
Unused
Topology
Integrity
Complexity
Continuity
Sloppiness
Each class of problem is displayed as a collapsible

branch in the tree view. Under each class you will
find the individual problems. Selecting a particular
problem will display the recommended fix methods
in the lower half of the diagnostics tab.
To perform a Scan on the selected criteria use the
right mouse button to access the pop-up menu
Select the Scan this criterion to start the scan.

You can also modify the scan parameters for the
selected criteria from this pop-up menu.
An alternative way to Scan the selected criteria is to select the corresponding fix from
the list of possible fixes and then hit the Find button. This method of scanning or
finding selected criteria is only possible for those criteria that have a corresponding
fix. In the above example Self-intersecting curves has a corresponding fix but for
the criteria below this of Folded curves there is no corresponding fix so doing a
scan from the pop-up menu is the only way.
Page 47 of 49
5.2.1 Filtering the Criteria

The tools displayed in the tree view can be filtered in two ways. The first way is to
use the row of entity type filters at the top of the tree view.
These filters will limit the criteria displayed to only those that are relevant to the
selected entity types. So for example if you are looking for a criteria that only affects
surfaces, say Closed surfaces then press the surface filter icon. To restore the full
view click the All filter.
The second way to filter the tree view is to use the criteria filter
This allows you to filter the criteria based on a predefined target, such as the
selected target system, or a Quality standard such as the JAMA PDQ criteria.
To see all the possible criteria select the Show all tests option. This option is also
available for each class of criteria in the tree view. Simply right click on the class type
and the pop-up menu contains a Show all tests entry.
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5.3 The Tools Tab

The third tab contains a collection of
commonly used tools, such as the Delete
and Replace tools. It also contains the
Transformation tools such as Join and
Collapse. The Geometry builder tools are
also in this tab.
Note: some of the Transformation and
Defeaturing tools such as Join, Collapse
faces and edges, Holes/Protrusions and
Split, may not be available if your CADfix
license does not include them.
The tools are presented in a collapsible tree

view similar to the diagnostics checks tab. To
use a tool open the appropriate branch and
select the tool.
For example to find and delete unused edges
open the Delete branch and select the Delete
edges tools. The delete edges tool will be
displayed in the lower half of the work area.
Press the Find button to automatically select
all unused edges. Alternatively any type of
edge can be deleted by using the Basic
selection to select the edges from the screen
into the SELE set.
The use of the Manual Repair tools and the
Transformation tools requires more expertise
at using CADfix, and goes beyond the scope of
this introductory tutorial.
Please refer to the comprehensive on-line
HTML help pages, or the CADfix training
course.
Page 49 of 49

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CADfix 9.

Introductory User Tutorial

2012 TranscenData Europe Ltd

CADfix 9.0 Introductory Tutorial

Introduction and Scope of Tutorial ....................................................................... 3

2012 TranscenData Europe Ltd

CADfix 9.0 Introductory Tutorial

1 Introduction and Scope of Tutorial

2 Different ways to use CADfix

Mode 1. Fully Automatic Translation

2012 TranscenData Europe Ltd

CADfix 9.0 Introductory Tutorial

3 Mode 1: Fully Automatic Translation

3.1 CADfix Terminology: The CADfix Wizard Process

2012 TranscenData Europe Ltd

CADfix 9.0 Introductory Tutorial

distinct steps Import, Repair, Transform, Prepare and Export.

2012 TranscenData Europe Ltd

CADfix 9.0 Introductory Tutorial

3.2 Performing a Fully Automatic Translation

2012 TranscenData Europe Ltd

CADfix 9.0 Introductory Tutorial

2012 TranscenData Europe Ltd

CADfix 9.0 Introductory Tutorial

3.2.1 File Import Options

3.2.2 Select Target System for Export

3.2.3 Select Target Format for Export

2012 TranscenData Europe Ltd

CADfix 9.0 Introductory Tutorial

3.2.4 Select Target Quality Standard

3.2.5 Changing Wizard Process Options

3.3 Just importing the model with no processing

2012 TranscenData Europe Ltd

CADfix 9.0 Introductory Tutorial

3.4 When the Automatic Translation process is not successful

2012 TranscenData Europe Ltd

CADfix 9.0 Introductory Tutorial

4 Mode 2: Diagnostic Driven Interactive Processing

Results of Diagnostic Scan

4.1 CADfix Terminology: Topology and Geometry

2012 TranscenData Europe Ltd

CADfix 9.0 Introductory Tutorial

2012 TranscenData Europe Ltd

CADfix 9.0 Introductory Tutorial

4.2 CADfix Basics: Viewing the Model

Display types: points, edges,

Picture controls: wipe, wipe

4.2.1 Connectivity display

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CADfix 9.0 Introductory Tutorial

4.2.2 Picture controls

2012 TranscenData Europe Ltd

CADfix 9.0 Introductory Tutorial

4.2.3 View controls

Left button: Rotate view

2012 TranscenData Europe Ltd

CADfix 9.0 Introductory Tutorial

4.3 Overview of Diagnostic Driven Interactive Processing

4.3.1 Scan Results/Problem Tree

a description of the problem

Items listed within the tree structure can be selected

4.3.2 Severity Indication