CAD Assembly Explorer¶

The CAD Assembly Explorer is used to import CAD assembly files that contain multiple parts. The CAD Assembly Explorer can be accessed under the File > Import CAD Assembly option. The files constitute external parents and children which can be defined simultaneously.

Many CAD files will have both moving and non-moving parts in a single file. Within the assembly file there are multiple parts (or geometries). M-Star requires these files to be “broken up” in order to define static and moving objects separately. The Import CAD Assembly function allows you to load in your complete assembly file and pick which parts of the object should be static, moving, etc. When you select each part of your assembly, you will be given the option to assign it as a new body and rename it.

Note

Moving Bodies

New moving bodies are special in that the program will attempt to use geometry placement information associated with the child geometry you selected. Depending on how the file was created, this placement information may or may not be present. If it is present for a selected geometry, the moving body axis will use the placement axis in the CAD file.

Importing CAD Geometry Tutorial: See for more on importing CAD geometry.
Exploding Geometry Tutorial: Use the Explode function to break a single imported CAD file into sub-parts.

Import CAD Assembly Workflow¶

Select File > Import CAD Assembly on the main menu.
Choose your file: both STEP and IGES files are supported. The tool will display any separated parts that are defined in the model.
Select a part from the list. The 3D view will then highlight the selected object.
Select Assign > New Static Body (or other component).
Repeat selecting the parts until you have defined all the geometry you require from the model.
Select OK to finalize the import and break up the model into individual components.

Reference List

Part List: Select the part you want to assign. The current assignment is shown in the table next to the part name.
3D View: The 3D view shows the assembly you are currently processing. When you select a part in the part list, it will be highlighted in this window.
Assign: When you select a part, you can then assign it to an object.
Rename: Select a part and rename it using this button.