Transforming a Body

In 3D-CAD, you can perform transformations on both BRep and facet bodies. Typical transformations include translations, rotations, reflections, scaling, and coordinate system transforms.

To transform a body:

In the Bodies manager node, right-click the desired body and select Transform > [Operation Name]. To select multiple bodies, hold down the <Ctrl> key.
Define the properties for the transformation. See the relevant sections:
Expose any properties as design parameters by clicking the (Expose Parameter) button.
Choose whether to apply the transformation to the original body, or to a copy of the original. See Creating a Copy During the Transform Operation.
Click OK.
The transformation is applied to the selected bodies. Each operation creates a feature node in the 3D-CAD feature tree.

Translating a Body

Translating a body moves it from one position to another. You can translate multiple bodies simultaneously. The Translate Bodies panel options are listed below.


Direction Type	Specifies how you define the translation of the body. Specified—you specify the Translation Vector. Reference Axis—you specify the reference axis and the translation Distance
Coordinate System Source	Defines the coordinate system for the transformation. If you have specified an alternative coordinate system within the simulation, you can define the transformation with reference to this coordinate system instead of the default, Laboratory.
Translation Vector (X, Y, Z)/(R, θ, Z)/(R, θ, φ) (Only available if Direction Type is set to Specified)	Defines the direction of translation. Enter the components of the translation vector or use the triad within the 3D-CAD View window.
Distance (Only available if Direction Type is set to Reference Axis)	Specifies the distance the reference axis is moved.
Action	Specifies whether to carry out the transformation on the original body or a copy of the original body. See Creating a Copy During the Transform Operation.

Scaling a Body

Scaling a body proportionally increases or decreases its size with respect to the selected coordinate system.

You can scale multiple bodies at once. When a body is scaled, the scale factor is applied from the origin of the chosen coordinate system, as shown in the following diagram.

The origin of the coordinate system may not always be the same as the origin of the sketch plane. If you are using a coordinate system other than the default, you can check the coordinates of the origin by selecting the relevant node under Tools > Coordinate Systems in the main simulation tree. The origin is displayed in the Properties window.

The Scale Bodies panel options are listed below.


Bodies to Scale	Specifies the bodies used in the operation.
Scale all dimensions uniformly	Specifies whether the selected bodies are scaled uniformly in all directions. If you want to scale the body uniformly in all directions, activate this option. The value that you enter in the first Scale Factor text box applies to the remaining text boxes (which are grayed out)
Scale Factor	Defines the amount by which the bodies are scaled. Enter the scale factor for each direction: X, Y, Z, and R (cylindrical coordinate system only). Alternatively, in the 3D-CAD View scene, you can click and drag the axes of the triad.
Coordinate System Source	Defines the coordinate system for the transformation. If you have specified an alternative coordinate system within the simulation, you can define the transformation with reference to this coordinate system instead of the default, Laboratory.
Action	Specifies whether to carry out the transformation on the original body or a copy of the original body. See Creating a Copy During the Transform Operation.

Rotating a Body

Rotating a body turns it around a specified axis.

You can rotate several bodies around the same axis simultaneously. The Rotate Bodies panel options are listed below.


Rotate Axis—defines the axis about which the selected bodies rotate. If you define the direction or position using a design parameter the arrow or triad is hidden in the scene.
Bodies to Rotate	Specifies the bodies used in the operation.
Axis Type	Specifies the method you use to define the rotation of the body. Specified—you set the axis direction and the axis position for the rotation. Reference Axis—you define the rotation in the selected reference axis.
Coordinate System Source	Defines the coordinate system for the transformation. If you have specified an alternative coordinate system within the simulation, you can define the transformation with reference to this coordinate system instead of the default, Laboratory.
Axis Direction (X, Y, Z)/(R, θ, Z)/(R, θ, φ)	Defines the direction vector of the axis of rotation. Enter the components for direction vector. Alternatively, in the 3D-CAD View scene, click and drag the light blue arrow to change the orientation of the rotation.
Axis Position (X, Y, Z)/(R, θ, Z)/(R, θ, φ)	Defines the origin of the axis of rotation. Enter the coordinates of a point that lies on the axis of rotation or reposition the triad within the 3D-CAD View window.
Angle	Specifies the angle of rotation. You can specify the angle as a constant value, design parameter, or using the arrow in the 3D-CAD View scene. If the angle is set using a design parameter the arrow is hidden in the scene.
Action	Specifies whether to carry out the transformation on the original body or a copy of the original body. See Creating a Copy During the Transform Operation.

Mirroring a Body

Mirroring a body reflects it about a specified plane. You can mirror several bodies simultaneously.


Mirror Plane —defines the plane about which the selected bodies are mirrored. If you define the normal or position using a design parameter the arrow or triad is hidden in the scene.
Coordinate System Source	Defines the coordinate system for the transformation. If you have specified an alternative coordinate system within the simulation, you can define the transformation with reference to this coordinate system instead of the default, Laboratory.
Normal (X, Y, Z)/(R, θ, Z)/(R, θ, φ)	Defines the direction vector that is normal to the mirror plane. You can enter the components of this direction vector or click and drag the light blue arrow to change the orientation of the mirroring, in the 3D-CAD View scene. If you define the normal using a cylindrical or spherical coordinate system you can only define normal coordinates by entering the direction vector.
Position (X, Y, Z)/(R, θ, Z)/(R, θ, φ)	Defines a point that lies on the mirror plane. Enter the coordinates of this point or reposition the widget within the 3D-CAD View window.
Action	Specifies whether to carry out the transformation on the original body or a copy of the original body. See Creating a Copy During the Transform Operation.

Transforming a Body Using Coordinate Systems

Use this operation to transform bodies from one coordinate system to another.


Bodies to Transform	Specifies the bodies to transform in the operation. Select bodies from the 3D-CAD View scene or from the Bodies node in the feature tree.
From	Specifies the source coordinate system. Set Coordinate System Source to the coordinate system that you want to transform from. The default option is the imported coordinate system. If you choose a reference coordinate system, select this from the 3D-CAD View scene or from the 3D-CAD feature tree.
To	Specifies the target coordinate system. Set Coordinate System Source to the coordinate system that you want to transform to. The default option is the imported coordinate system. If you choose a reference coordinate system, select this from the 3D-CAD View scene or from the 3D-CAD feature tree.
Action	Specifies whether to carry out the transformation on the original body or a copy of the original body. See Creating a Copy During the Transform Operation.