Creating a Density Layer

You can create a Density Layer, where a material ratio is applied to each cell of a grid.

See Also
About Objects in Layered Product Design
  1. From the Model section of the action bar, click Density Layer , and select a layer group.
  2. Optional: Replace the default name Density Layer.n with a more significant one.
  3. Click to select a material.
  4. Define the contour (mandatory to create a relation layer): Create a sketch positioned on the defined plane, with the origin and u,v direction retrieved from the stacking definition. It represents the layer boundary.

    For more information on working with the Sketcher, see 3D Modeling Core: Sketcher.

    Note: Click Parameters in the tree to create parameters from the context toolbar.

  5. Define the Channels by a sketch or a symmetry.

    For more information on working with the Sketcher, see 3D Modeling Core: Sketcher.

  6. Select an existing Starting Point or use the context menu to create one.

    Note: A starting point is required for export and is mandatory to create a density layer.

  7. If the layer does not share the same machine or cross direction as the stacking,
    • Press Rotate: +90deg. Both directions are rotated.
    • Or select Invert machine direction. Only the machine direction is inverted.
  8. From the color editor, pick the color to display the layer.
  9. Enter a Density.
  10. Enter the Weight of material to use.
    The RATIO is updated. It must be equal to 100% to create a density layer.
  11. If required, choose one option:
    • Reset Ratio and enter a weight and a density anew.
    • Scale Ratio: Ratios are rescaled to that the whole ratio is equal to 100%.
  12. Optional: Select the Hide all except the density layer check box.
  13. Select a View mode.
    Solid automatically generates the solid.
    • In standard work mode, the solid is the 3D representation of each cell ratio.
    • Optimized work mode generates a simpler version, with a height based on the global weight, density, and area.
  14. For MD Profile, enter the MD Spacing that is the length of the spacing in the Machine Direction and the CD Spacing that is the length of the spacing in the Cross Direction.
    • A grid is computed from the Starting Point and the Spacings. It covers the whole layer.
    • A material ratio is proposed on each cell.
    • The sum of all ratio is displayed next to RATIO in the dialog box.
  15. Either:
    • Pick a cell and modify the density of the cell or its bar.
      Note: Modifying one modifies the other accordingly.
    • Pick several cells and modify the sum of the Density of these cells.
      Note: The Density of each cell is modified accordingly.
    • The display of modified Density is updated.
    • RATIO is updated, thus informing you if you have reached or exceeded the 100% ratio.
  16. For CD Profile:
    1. Enter a Maximum ratio tolerance.
    2. Click Adjust ratio for selected zones.
  17. Press Preview.
  18. Use Reset Ratio whenever required.
  19. Once all cells are defined, validate.
    • The Density Layer is created in the tree, with
      • Layer Geometry Set
      • Layer Domains Set
      • Profile Channels Set
    • In the 3D area, the layer is displayed in Flat View, with the Layer Boundary and the Channels geometry, in the chosen color.
    • Profile layers are supported by Numerical Analysis and Multi Core Sample.
  20. Press Import/Export
    1. Select an import or export mode.
    2. Select a storage directory and enter file name.
    • At export:
      • An Excel file is created, with the same number of columns and lines are there are cells in Machine Direction and Cross Direction respectively.
      • The cell A1 of the sheet corresponds to the first cell to fill. The rest is filled from front to back.
      • All cells are filled with the Weight Percentage, if any.
    • At import, the file to import must have the same number of columns and lines as the model, and all cells must have a ratio.