Extracting Tessellated Geometry for Orphan Simulations

You can extract deformed or undeformed shapes from simulation results and export the data as a polyhedral representation for reuse with digitized shapes and 3DPrinting apps. For orphan results, you must first create an empty product to associate with the simulation.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin: You must satisfy the following prerequisites:
  • You must have access to one of the following apps:
    • Digitized Shape Preparation
    • Digitized Shape to Surface
    • 3DPrinting Preparation
    • 3DPrinting
See Also
Extracting Tessellated Geometry for Native Simulations

Create a Product

Create an empty product to associate with the simulation.

  1. Open the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
  2. In the top bar, select Add > Physical Product.
    CATIA Product Structure Design opens and a Product node is created in the tree.
  3. From the compass, open Physics Results Explorer.
    The app opens with the Model, Scenario, and Results nodes visible in the tree.

You can now choose a model.

Import and Choose a Model

Import an orphan simulation into Physics Results Explorer and associate the simulation to the Model node.

  1. Import an orphan simulation. Refer to Importing Simulation Visualization Data for more information.
  2. Create and activate results plots of interest. Refer to Displaying Contour, Isocontour, and Symbol Plots for more information.
  3. In the tree, right-click Model and select Choose a Model.
    The Object Selection dialog box appears.
  4. Click the From Session tab.
  5. Click Retrieve Loaded Objects.
    The model you have open is selected in the dialog box.
  6. Click OK.

The Extract Tesselated Shape command is now available.

Extract Tesselated Geometry

Extract tesselated geometry for subsequent use in modeling apps.

  1. From the Plots section of the action bar, create a plot:
    • Click Create Contour Plot to create a contour plot.
    • Click Create Isocontour Plot to create an isocontour plot.
    • Click Create Symbol Plot to create a symbol plot.
    For more about creating plots, see Displaying Contour, Isocontour, and Symbol Plots.
  2. Right-click the field plot you wish to use as the basis of your geometry extraction and select Extract Tesselated Shape from the contextual menu. You can extract data from the deformed or the undeformed model, as long as the field plot is active.

    The Extract Tesselated Shape Options dialog box appears and prompts you to select a product or a shape.
  3. In the Model part of the tree, select a Product, Part, or 3DShape as the target for the inserted geometry.
  4. Enter the Extraction Name.

    This text is appended to the created plot names to identify the tessellated geometry. Tesselated geometry is created based on the composition of the original plot; it can include multiple pieces.

  5. Optional: Select Perform Mesh Decimation before extraction to reduce the number of constituent triangles. This option increases performance by making the model lighter without overly compromising quality.
  6. Click OK to proceed.
    The Tesselated Shape Extraction dialog box notifies you of extraction success or failure.
  7. Upon successful extraction, switch to Scenario.
    The extracted shape is listed under the Part Body in the tree and is now available for use in the modeling apps.
  8. Double-click the extracted shape from this node of the tree to open the modeling apps.