About Composites Geometry

An automatic 2D shell is created automatically to verify the validity of the Composites geometries early in the process.

Basically, the Composites geometry is made of one or several contours lying on a support surface, and defines the geometry of plies, zones, EOPs, and so on. The capability to create a 2D shell from this geometry is a good sign that this geometry is valid.

Until 3DEXPERIENCE R2014x:

  • The 2D shell was created only by the commands that required it, and stored as a datum under the plies and cut-pieces.
  • In some cases, you were able to go on with your design even though a 2D shell could not be created from the geometry you had defined. The problem was detected late in the process, for example when computing iso-thickness areas.
  • This datum 2D shell was deleted automatically when the Composites geometry was modified.
  • You were also able to delete it manually using Remove Ply Shells in the context menu of the Composites objects.

In releases after 3DEXPERIENCE R2014x, an automatic shell mode is implemented:

  • The 2D shell is automatically created for all Composites geometries, as soon as possible in the process, ensuring a better quality and the early detection of problems.
  • This 2D shell is created as a feature, and cannot be deleted. As a consequence, the Remove Ply Shells command is no longer available, except for old models.
  • This 2D shell is not visible or pickable in the work area. However, if Highlight faces and edges is selected in the Colors section of Display in Main Preferences, the 2D shell is highlighted when you select a ply.
  • When a problem occurs:
    • A message is issued whenever the 2D shell cannot be created, typically when the contour defines disconnected areas, or when contours intersect each other.
    • In the Interactive Ply Table, the Contour 3D column is marked KO.
    • A ! mask is displayed in the tree, on the invalid Composites geometry and its parent elements.
    • The geometry parent elements can be edited from the message box, or by double-clicking the geometry in the tree.

Older existing models are not upgraded automatically to this new mode:

  • Remove Ply Shells is still available for those models.
  • To upgrade the older models:
    • Either right-click all the Composites Geometry nodes in the tree, and select Selected objects > Upgrade context menu.
    • Or right-click the stacking and select Stacking Object > Migrate to Automatic Shells.
    • An update is requested with both methods.