Basic Concepts

Before using this app, you need to know the basic concepts.

This page discusses:

Before You Begin

Before starting the app, make sure that the Persist Resource Position check box is selected. This option is available in Me > Preferences > App Preferences > Simulation > Digital Manufacturing Apps Common Services Manufacturing Simulation Apps Common Services > 3DSimulation > Environment.

Note: The app performance may vary depending on the type of part used. Do not use parts containing lattices.

Skin Surfaces

A skin surface is an area on a layer of a part, with no material above or below.

There are several types of skin surfaces:

  • Upskin: upward facing surface of a part with no material above.
  • Downskin: downward facing surface of a part with no material below.
  • Core: corresponds to the surface between an upskin and downskin surface.



Skin surfaces are automatically detected on a part when you create a slicing operation. You can generate a tool path on any type of skin surface using the general tool path parameters, and order them in a sequence.

The following skin surfaces parameters are available:

Parameter Description
Minimal Skin Width The specific value that a surface is considered upskin or downskin. By default, the value is 0.1mm.
Number of Layers The specific number of upskin or downskin layers.

Supported Parts

Only STL parts with closed volumes are compliant with the app.