Apply Materials

You can apply materials and material vectors on an object from the Material Browser.

Note: Materials loaded in session remain in session even after closing editors. Any unsaved modification will persist when you reopen the material or structure from the database. You can remove the materials in session by unpinning them in the Material Browser.

Before you begin: In Me > All Preferences > Physics Simulation > Material Definition > Interface, set the options of the Tree Display, Material Browser, and Apply Command. See Interface.
  1. From the Tools section of the action bar, click Material Browser .
  2. From the Material Browser, drag a material onto an object in the work area or in the tree.

    Tips:
    • Select Use fast apply in the Preferences for a more intuitive view of where the material is applied on the global product structure.
    • The material is applied at the same structure level as for the previously applied material.
    • Alternatively, select the arrow next to the material and then select Apply.
    • You can also apply materials from the Search Results panel.
    • If you enable material vectors, you can multi-select materials in the Material Browser and apply them as a material vector. See Material Definition User's Guide: Material Vectors.

  3. To apply the material on the lower level of the structure, click Apply down in the Material context toolbar.
    See Context Toolbars.
  4. Optional: To apply the same material to several parts of a product all at once, select Apply, press Ctrl, and then select the parts of the product.
    The material is applied on the selected parts.
  5. Optional: To preview the visual result of a material before applying it, right-click a material in the Material Browser, select Apply, and then hover over your object in the work area or in the tree.
    Important: You can only preview the visual result of materials loaded in session.
  6. To save the application of the material, do one of the following:
    • Click the work area.
    • Click Esc.
    • Select another material in the Material Browser.
      Important: The last choice does not open the Material context toolbar. If you want to validate the application of the selected material, follow step 2.
    The material is applied to the object and appears in the tree.
    Note: Changing the structure of a product may alter the visualization of the applied material.

    To synchronize the applied material with its support, click Update . See Mesh Creation User's Guide: Managing PLM Updates.

  7. In the tree, right-click a material and then select Center tree on material.
  8. In the work area, click the object.
    The tree is centered on the material that is applied on the object and visible in the work area is highlighted.