Creating Abstraction Shapes

You can create abstraction shapes to allow modification of 3D shapes for simulation without changing the original model data, while maintaining a reference to that data for updates.

This task shows you how to:

See Also
About Abstraction Shapes

Add Abstraction Shapes

You can add abstraction shapes to modify geometry when you cannot or do not want to edit the original parts.

  1. Double-click a 3D part or product in the tree to select it.
    The 3D part opens in an app that supports editing (if you are not already in one).
  2. Place the cursor on the 3D part name, open the context menu, and select Insert > Abstraction Shape.
  3. Double-click the new abstraction shape object in the tree to return to Simulation Model Preparation.

An empty abstraction shape container is added as a child of the part or product that you selected.

Copy Geometry into Abstraction Shapes

You can copy geometry into an abstraction shape to allow editing. You can make the copy independent or include a link to the original geometry to support updates if there are changes to the original.

For more information about copying and pasting objects, see Editing Objects.

  1. Select one or more children of a PartBody under the original 3D shape or product in the tree.
  2. From the Standard Area of the action bar, click Copy .

    Tip: You can also find copy and paste actions in the context menu.

    Your selections are copied to the clipboard.
  3. Select the abstraction shape in the tree.
  4. To make an independent copy, click Paste from the Standard Area of the action bar.
    An editable copy of the geometry is created in the abstraction shape. The copy is not linked to the original.
  5. To make a dependent (linked) copy:
    1. Click Paste Special from the Standard Area of the action bar.
    2. Select As Result with Link from the list.
    An editable copy of the geometry is created in the abstraction shape and linked to the original shape. If the original geometry is changed, you can update your copy to account for the changes while retaining the modifications you made in the abstraction shape.