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.

Import CAD Assembly Workflow

  1. Select File > Import CAD Assembly on the main menu.

  2. Choose your file: both STEP and IGES files are supported. The tool will display any separated parts that are defined in the model.

  3. Select a part from the list. The 3D view will then highlight the selected object.

  4. Select Assign > New Static Body (or other component).

  5. Repeat selecting the parts until you have defined all the geometry you require from the model.

  6. Select OK to finalize the import and break up the model into individual components.

../../_images/import-assembly.gif

Menu

Assign

This tool assigns a selected part to a parent object.

Select

This tool provides options for selecting objects.

Set Color

This tool changes the color of your imported file component.

Set Color

Select a color for your component from a basic or custom color selection.

Set Random Color

Allow the program to set a random color for your component.

Show

This shows selected objects.

Hide

This hides selected objects.

Delete

This deletes the CAD Assembly.

Navigation Icons

These allow the user to control how they view the CAD Assembly model.