Creating a Profile Layer by Planes

You can create a Profile 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 Profile Layer by Planes , and select a layer group.
  2. Optional: Replace the default name Profile Layer.n with a more significant one.
  3. Click to select a material.
  4. Define the contour: 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.

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

  6. Select an existing Starting Point or use the context menu to create one.
  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 NLS.
  10. Enter the Boost ratio with new weight.
  11. Enter the Weight of material to use.
  12. Use Reset Ratio or Scale Ratio as required.
  13. Optional: Hide the whole stacking except the profile layer.
  14. Select a View mode.
    The required inputs vary with the selected view mode.
  15. For MD Profile:
    1. Select existing sketches or use the Sketcher to define Channels.
    2. Select an existing Starting Point or use the context menu to create one.
    3. Select or create planes.
    Zones are created.
  16. Pick a zone to edit the value of mass of the zone.
    The RATIO is updated.
    Note: If the RATIO exceeds 100%, the solid cannot be created. Use Reset Ratio or Scale Ratio as required.
  17. Either:
    • Pick a cell and modify the Density.
      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.
  18. Press Preview.
  19. Use Reset Ratio whenever required.
  20. Once all cells are defined, validate.
    • The Profile Layer is created in the tree, with
      • Layer Geometry Set
      • Layer Domains Set
      • Density Channels Set
      • Grid (hidden)
    • 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.