3D Modelling Concepts in CAD

Educational purpose only

Wireframe, Surface and Solid Modelling

Wireframe modelling

Polyhedral representation.
Edge based matching.
Store edges and vertices in a list.
Problems due to no solid matter of the
object represented (mass property
calculations, hidden surface removal, etc.)
Problems with ambiguous and impossible
representations.

Primitive 3D wireframe models

Impossible representation: Devil's fork

Hidden surface are also visible
2

Ambiguous wireframe model

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Wireframe, Surface and Solid Modelling

Surface modelling

Mathematical technique for representing

solid-appearing objects.
A type of geometric modeling based on
geometry only, in which all visible surfaces
of a part are shown regardless of volume
definition.

Subdivision
surface mesh
Foundation curve geometry is used to
create surfaces which are trimmed and
filleted to produce a finished part
A draft surface, a surface of revolution,
and a planar boundary surface are used
to model the part

Smooth subdivision
surface mesh improves aesthetics or quality

7/18/2015

Wireframe, Surface and Solid Modelling

Surface modelling

Mathematical technique for representing

solid-appearing objects.
A type of geometric modeling based on
geometry only, in which all visible surfaces
of a part are shown regardless of volume
definition.

Subdivision
surface mesh
Foundation curve geometry is used to
create surfaces which are trimmed and
filleted to produce a finished part
A draft surface, a surface of revolution,
and a planar boundary surface are used
to model the part
4

Smooth subdivision
surface mesh improves aesthetics or quality
7/18/2015

Wireframe, Surface and Solid Modelling

Surface modelling

Mathematical technique for representing

solid-appearing objects.
A type of geometric modeling based on
geometry only, in which all visible surfaces
of a part are shown regardless of volume
definition.

Subdivision
surface mesh
Foundation curve geometry is used to
create surfaces which are trimmed and
filleted to produce a finished part
A draft surface, a surface of revolution,
and a planar boundary surface are used
to model the part
5

Smooth subdivision
surface mesh improves aesthetics or quality
7/18/2015

Wireframe, Surface and Solid Modelling

Solid modelling

Primitive 3D solid models

Gives a complete and unambiguous

definition of an object, not only the shape of
the boundaries but also the objects interior
and exterior regions.
Can be sectioned for better visualization.
Possible to define solid matter thus enables
property evaluation
Real world object satisfy specific properties
causing them to be Bounded,
Homogeneously three-dimensional
and Finite.
Solid models representation schemes:

CSG (Constructive Solid Geometry)

B-Rep (Boundary Representation)

Sweeping

Spatial Enumeration
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CSG
CSG presents a model or surface
that appears visually complex, but is
actually little more than cleverly
combined or decombined objects.
Represent model as a tree structure.
Model is composed of primitive
shapes, such as rectangular boxes,
spheres, cylinders, cones, etc.
Assembled with set operators and
set operators used similar to those
of Boolean logic.

Part

CSG Tree

Modelling steps
with set operator
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B-Rep
Method for representing shapes using
the limits.
B-rep is built on the idea that a
physical object is enclosed by a set of
faces, which themselves belong to
closed and orientable surfaces.
The object is represented by a
complicated data structure giving
information about each of the
object's faces, edges and vertices and
how they are joined together.
Geometric and topology entities

Point Vertex

Curve Edge

Surface Face

Part

B-rep model

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Sweeping
Translation and rotational sweeping
are used to create the sweep solid.

In engineering applications sweeping can be used to detect possible interference

between moving parts, or simulate and analyze material removal operations
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Feature Modelling

The feature modeler contains not only a geometric and

topological structure but also support geometric
characteristics of a part. (shapes of holes, cutouts, slots,
chamfers, ribs, etc.)

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Acknowledgement

Original authors of the images from internet sources

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