Part Operations Reference Page

Update	If the selected part has been modified in 3D-CAD after it has been created, it will be necessary to update it to reflect the changes. This operation is only available for parts that are created in 3D-CAD.
Highlight	The selected part becomes highlighted in the Graphics window.
Show	Reveals the selected part in the Graphics window.
Hide	Hides the selected part in the Graphics window.
Show Only	In the active scene, hides all other parts and shows only the selected parts.
Edit...	Opens the table editor, which combines the functionality of the simulation tree and Properties window. It displays the selected part, all of its child nodes, and their properties in a single dialog.
Create Mesh Operation	Mesh operations provide a way to define certain actions on geometry parts once, and to repeat those actions easily whenever their input parts or properties are changed. The result of a mesh operation is a new geometry part, but the input parts are not removed in the process; they remain intact as before. The following operations are available:
	Automated Mesh	Generates surface and volume meshes for selected input parts. This operation manages all of the meshers, default controls, and custom controls.
Surface Wrapper	The surface wrapper can be used to provide a closed, manifold, non-intersecting surface when starting from poor quality CAD data.
Badge for 2D Meshing	This operation is used to identify part surfaces from the input part that lie on the Z=0 plane and on which a 2D mesh is required.
Automated Mesh (2D)	This operation generates a 2D mesh using the mesher that you choose. Only parts that are badged for 2D are available for selection as input parts for this operation.
Directed Mesh	Allows you to generate a high-quality structured mesh on CAD geometries in Simcenter STAR-CCM+.
Extract Volume	This operation finds enclosed volumes within the selected part and create a part to fill the volume. This operation is similar to the split by surface topology action. The difference is that the extract volume mesh operation does not remove the input parts.
Fill Holes	This operation can be used to close any arbitrary shaped hole using a planar surface. This option is similar to the hole filling tool available for part curves.
Boolean Unite Parts	This operation performs a boolean unite on all selected parts that are in contact with each other. Bodies that overlap can also be united. This operation is similar to the boolean unite action that can be performed on geometry parts. The difference is that this option creates a Geometry > Operations > Unite node which provides greater control when using the Parts Based Meshing (PBM) pipeline.
Boolean Intersect Parts	This operation performs a boolean intersect on the selected parts. This operation is similar to the intersect parts action that can be performed manually on geometry parts. The difference is that this option creates a Geometry > Operations > Intersect node which provides greater control when using the Parts Based Meshing (PBM) pipeline.
Boolean Subtract Parts	In a subtract operation, the volume of one or more geometry parts is removed from the target geometry part. This operation is similar to the boolean subtract action that can be performed manually on geometry parts. The difference is that this option creates a Geometry > Operations > Subtract node which provides greater control when using the Parts Based Meshing (PBM) pipeline.
Boolean Imprint Parts	Merges coincident surfaces from the selected parts together. This operation is similar to the boolean imprint action that can be performed manually on geometry parts. The difference is that this option creates a Geometry > Operations > Imprint node which provides greater control when using the Parts Based Meshing (PBM) pipeline.
Repair Surface...	Activates the Surface Preparation tool where the part can be cleaned up in preparation for CFD analysis.
Set Region	Allows you to add the selected part to an existing region. The available regions appear in the drop-down list.
Assign Parts to Regions...	Launches the Assign Parts to Regions dialog, where the selected part can be added to a new or existing region. The region and boundaries that result from this operation can all be controlled in the dialog.
Delete Empty Entities	Deletes empty part surfaces or part curves. Empty part surfaces do not have face definitions in any of the descriptions in the simulation. Similarly, empty part curves do not have any feature edges in any of the descriptions in the simulation.
Update Interfaces	Checks for any changes to the part interfaces on the selected part and update them if necessary. Invalid or obsolete interfaces are removed.
Apply Tag	Applies a created tag to the selected part. You can apply more than one tag to each part, whether a leaf-level or composite, if necessary.
Seat
Set Default	Sets the selected entity to default.
Query Controls	Displays as a list in the Output window, all of the meshing custom control settings that are applied to the selected part – and the name of the mesh operation to which the custom control belongs.
Composite	The selected parts are added to a composite (assembly) part. Useful for grouping parts together and for organizing the Parts manager node.
Duplicate	Produces an identical copy of the selected part with the same properties as the original, other than region and contacts specification, which are left null.
Combine	Combines the selected parts to form a single mesh part. The first selected part is the one that is used as the base for all the other parts. All part surfaces and curves belonging to each part are grouped in the base part. This operation is irreversible.
Explode	Explodes the composite part, returning the child parts to their original level in the Parts manager node. This operation is only available for composite parts.
Transform	The following Transformation operations are available; each operation launches its respective dialog:
	Coordinate Transform...	Maps the selected part from the current coordinate system, to a coordinate system of your choice. By using this operation, you can translate and rotate a part at the same time while maintaining the exact shape of the part.
Scale...	Allows you to modify the size of the selected part. Scaling can take place in any or all of the three coordinate directions and can be used to increase or decrease the size of a part. Scaling a part is useful if it uses units different to other parts you have already imported.
Translate...	Allows you to move the selected part in any of the three coordinate directions. Translating is useful if different parts are built in different coordinate systems.
Rotate...	Allows you to rotate the selected part) about a specified axis vector.
Reflect...	Allows you to mirror the selected part in a specified axis. This option can be useful when the original part is a half model of the geometry. You can create the full model by first duplicating the part and then reflecting the copy (or original).
Boolean	The following Boolean operations are available:
	Unite Parts	Joins all the selected parts into one single part, the surface of which is formed from segments of the constituent part surfaces. This operation differs from the Combine operation, which combines the selected parts into one part, but retains the part surfaces as separate, whole surfaces. To carry out a unite operation successfully, the selected parts must be in contact with each other, or overlap. If the parts do not meet this criterion, the part that the Boolean operation creates contains no surface data.
Intersect Parts	Finds the common volume that the selected parts share and creates a single part that is based on this volume. The surface of the part is formed from segments of the constituent part surfaces. To carry out an intersect operation successfully, all the selected parts must share a common volume. If the parts do not share a common volume, the part that the Boolean operation creates contains no surface data.
Subtract Parts	Subtracts the defined shape from the volume of a target part. Any number of parts can be used to define the shape to subtract. The surface of the resulting part is formed from segments of the constituent part surfaces.
Imprint Parts	Merges coincident surfaces from the selected parts together. When coincident surfaces are not identical (in shape or size), the edges of the smaller surface are used to split the larger surface. By imprinting parts, you can successfully generate interfaces between multiple connected parts. The interfaces are essential for conformal meshing.
Split by Surface Topology	Can be used to split and combine parts that can be defined as distinct geometrical regions. When this technique is used for multiple parts, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ internally combines all the parts and treats them as a single part. The option is available to combine parts with shared part surfaces.
Split Non-Contiguous	Splits non-contiguous mesh parts (that is, parts that have faces that are not connected to other faces in the part). Each part can be split into its individual component parts.
Replace Part...	This operation replaces a 3D-CAD, CAD, or mesh part in order to provide new geometrical input for the meshing pipeline (without affecting any of the other data input required to generate a mesh). Only one part node can be replaced at a time. The operation does not apply to shape parts.
Repair CAD...	Activates the Geometry Repair tool where the CAD geometry can be diagnosed for Parasolid invalidities. The tool can attempt to repair any issues it finds automatically. This tool is only compatible with parts that contain CAD data.
Convert To Solid	Allows you to convert bodies to solid regular parts.
Convert To Shell	Allows you to convert bodies to shell parts.
Edit in 3D-CAD	Transfers the CAD part to 3D-CAD where you can work with it. Only parts with CAD data can be transferred to 3D-CAD.
Check Validity	Assesses the geometric and topological validity of the selected parts.
Re-tessellate...	Modifies the tessellation of the selected part. The surfaces of a geometry part are represented using triangles which come from a process that is known as tessellation. Selecting this operation launches the Tessellation options dialog.
Export...	Exports the selected part as a surface mesh file. The supported formats are listed below: pro-STAR database file (.dbs) Stereolithography (.stl) NASTRAN shells (.nas) PATRAN shells (.pat) pro-STAR shell input (.cel/.vrt/.inp) FELISA Front Surface (.fro)
Extract Surface Mesh	Allows you to replace an existing description on a part with the surface taken from the volume mesh (for that part).
Copy	Copies the selected part into the clipboard.
Paste	Pastes the part from the clipboard into the selected node in the simulation.
Delete	Deletes the selected part from the Parts manager node.
Rename...	Allows you to rename the selected part.

Update

If the selected part has been modified in 3D-CAD after it has been created, it will be necessary to update it to reflect the changes. This operation is only available for parts that are created in 3D-CAD.

Highlight

The selected part becomes highlighted in the Graphics window.

Show

Reveals the selected part in the Graphics window.

Hide

Hides the selected part in the Graphics window.

Show Only

In the active scene, hides all other parts and shows only the selected parts.

Edit...

Opens the table editor, which combines the functionality of the simulation tree and Properties window. It displays the selected part, all of its child nodes, and their properties in a single dialog.

Create Mesh Operation

Mesh operations provide a way to define certain actions on geometry parts once, and to repeat those actions easily whenever their input parts or properties are changed. The result of a mesh operation is a new geometry part, but the input parts are not removed in the process; they remain intact as before. The following operations are available:

Automated Mesh

Generates surface and volume meshes for selected input parts. This operation manages all of the meshers, default controls, and custom controls.

Surface Wrapper

The surface wrapper can be used to provide a closed, manifold, non-intersecting surface when starting from poor quality CAD data.

Badge for 2D Meshing

This operation is used to identify part surfaces from the input part that lie on the Z=0 plane and on which a 2D mesh is required.

Automated Mesh (2D)

This operation generates a 2D mesh using the mesher that you choose. Only parts that are badged for 2D are available for selection as input parts for this operation.

Directed Mesh

Allows you to generate a high-quality structured mesh on CAD geometries in Simcenter STAR-CCM+.

Extract Volume

This operation finds enclosed volumes within the selected part and create a part to fill the volume. This operation is similar to the split by surface topology action. The difference is that the extract volume mesh operation does not remove the input parts.

Fill Holes

This operation can be used to close any arbitrary shaped hole using a planar surface. This option is similar to the hole filling tool available for part curves.

Boolean Unite Parts

This operation performs a boolean unite on all selected parts that are in contact with each other. Bodies that overlap can also be united. This operation is similar to the boolean unite action that can be performed on geometry parts. The difference is that this option creates a Geometry > Operations > Unite node which provides greater control when using the Parts Based Meshing (PBM) pipeline.

Boolean Intersect Parts

This operation performs a boolean intersect on the selected parts. This operation is similar to the intersect parts action that can be performed manually on geometry parts. The difference is that this option creates a Geometry > Operations > Intersect node which provides greater control when using the Parts Based Meshing (PBM) pipeline.

Boolean Subtract Parts

In a subtract operation, the volume of one or more geometry parts is removed from the target geometry part. This operation is similar to the boolean subtract action that can be performed manually on geometry parts. The difference is that this option creates a Geometry > Operations > Subtract node which provides greater control when using the Parts Based Meshing (PBM) pipeline.

Boolean Imprint Parts

Merges coincident surfaces from the selected parts together. This operation is similar to the boolean imprint action that can be performed manually on geometry parts. The difference is that this option creates a Geometry > Operations > Imprint node which provides greater control when using the Parts Based Meshing (PBM) pipeline.

Repair Surface...

Activates the Surface Preparation tool where the part can be cleaned up in preparation for CFD analysis.

Set Region

Allows you to add the selected part to an existing region. The available regions appear in the drop-down list.

Assign Parts to Regions...

Launches the Assign Parts to Regions dialog, where the selected part can be added to a new or existing region. The region and boundaries that result from this operation can all be controlled in the dialog.

Delete Empty Entities

Deletes empty part surfaces or part curves. Empty part surfaces do not have face definitions in any of the descriptions in the simulation. Similarly, empty part curves do not have any feature edges in any of the descriptions in the simulation.

Update Interfaces

Checks for any changes to the part interfaces on the selected part and update them if necessary. Invalid or obsolete interfaces are removed.

Apply Tag

Applies a created tag to the selected part. You can apply more than one tag to each part, whether a leaf-level or composite, if necessary.

Seat

Set Default

Sets the selected entity to default.

Query Controls

Displays as a list in the Output window, all of the meshing custom control settings that are applied to the selected part – and the name of the mesh operation to which the custom control belongs.

Composite

The selected parts are added to a composite (assembly) part. Useful for grouping parts together and for organizing the Parts manager node.

Duplicate

Produces an identical copy of the selected part with the same properties as the original, other than region and contacts specification, which are left null.

Combine

Combines the selected parts to form a single mesh part. The first selected part is the one that is used as the base for all the other parts. All part surfaces and curves belonging to each part are grouped in the base part. This operation is irreversible.

Explode

Explodes the composite part, returning the child parts to their original level in the Parts manager node. This operation is only available for composite parts.

Transform

The following Transformation operations are available; each operation launches its respective dialog:

Coordinate Transform...

Maps the selected part from the current coordinate system, to a coordinate system of your choice. By using this operation, you can translate and rotate a part at the same time while maintaining the exact shape of the part.

Scale...

Allows you to modify the size of the selected part. Scaling can take place in any or all of the three coordinate directions and can be used to increase or decrease the size of a part. Scaling a part is useful if it uses units different to other parts you have already imported.

Translate...

Allows you to move the selected part in any of the three coordinate directions. Translating is useful if different parts are built in different coordinate systems.

Rotate...

Allows you to rotate the selected part) about a specified axis vector.

Reflect...

Allows you to mirror the selected part in a specified axis. This option can be useful when the original part is a half model of the geometry. You can create the full model by first duplicating the part and then reflecting the copy (or original).

Boolean

The following Boolean operations are available:

Unite Parts

Joins all the selected parts into one single part, the surface of which is formed from segments of the constituent part surfaces.

This operation differs from the Combine operation, which combines the selected parts into one part, but retains the part surfaces as separate, whole surfaces. To carry out a unite operation successfully, the selected parts must be in contact with each other, or overlap. If the parts do not meet this criterion, the part that the Boolean operation creates contains no surface data.

Intersect Parts

Finds the common volume that the selected parts share and creates a single part that is based on this volume.

The surface of the part is formed from segments of the constituent part surfaces. To carry out an intersect operation successfully, all the selected parts must share a common volume. If the parts do not share a common volume, the part that the Boolean operation creates contains no surface data.

Subtract Parts

Subtracts the defined shape from the volume of a target part.

Any number of parts can be used to define the shape to subtract. The surface of the resulting part is formed from segments of the constituent part surfaces.

Imprint Parts

Merges coincident surfaces from the selected parts together.

When coincident surfaces are not identical (in shape or size), the edges of the smaller surface are used to split the larger surface. By imprinting parts, you can successfully generate interfaces between multiple connected parts. The interfaces are essential for conformal meshing.

Split by Surface Topology

Can be used to split and combine parts that can be defined as distinct geometrical regions. When this technique is used for multiple parts, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ internally combines all the parts and treats them as a single part. The option is available to combine parts with shared part surfaces.

Split Non-Contiguous

Splits non-contiguous mesh parts (that is, parts that have faces that are not connected to other faces in the part). Each part can be split into its individual component parts.

Replace Part...

This operation replaces a 3D-CAD, CAD, or mesh part in order to provide new geometrical input for the meshing pipeline (without affecting any of the other data input required to generate a mesh). Only one part node can be replaced at a time. The operation does not apply to shape parts.

Repair CAD...

Activates the Geometry Repair tool where the CAD geometry can be diagnosed for Parasolid invalidities. The tool can attempt to repair any issues it finds automatically. This tool is only compatible with parts that contain CAD data.

Convert To Solid

Allows you to convert bodies to solid regular parts.

Convert To Shell

Allows you to convert bodies to shell parts.

Edit in 3D-CAD

Transfers the CAD part to 3D-CAD where you can work with it. Only parts with CAD data can be transferred to 3D-CAD.

Check Validity

Assesses the geometric and topological validity of the selected parts.

Re-tessellate...

Modifies the tessellation of the selected part. The surfaces of a geometry part are represented using triangles which come from a process that is known as tessellation. Selecting this operation launches the Tessellation options dialog.

Export...

Exports the selected part as a surface mesh file. The supported formats are listed below:

pro-STAR database file (.dbs)
Stereolithography (.stl)
NASTRAN shells (.nas)
PATRAN shells (.pat)
pro-STAR shell input (.cel/.vrt/.inp)
FELISA Front Surface (.fro)

Extract Surface Mesh

Allows you to replace an existing description on a part with the surface taken from the volume mesh (for that part).

Copy

Copies the selected part into the clipboard.

Paste

Pastes the part from the clipboard into the selected node in the simulation.

Delete

Deletes the selected part from the Parts manager node.

Rename...

Allows you to rename the selected part.