Creating Basic Geometric Shapes in 3D-CAD

In 3D-CAD, you can create basic geometric shapes, such as blocks and cylinders, in a single operation.

In 3D-CAD the basic shapes are created using the XY plane as the convention. In electronics cooling applications, the electronic components are modeled using basic shapes with the circuit board and it various components defined in the XY plane.

To create a basic shape:

Right-click the Features node and select:
- Solid Primitive > Block to create a block.
- Solid Primitive > Cylinder to create a cylinder.
- Solid Primitive > Cone to create a cone/conical-frustum.
- Solid Primitive > Sphere to create a sphere.
In the Create [Shape] dialog, set the shape parameters.
- For blocks, see Create Block Panel.
- For cylinders, see Create Cylinder Panel.
- For cone, see Create Cone/Conical-Frustum Panel.
- For sphere. see Create Sphere Panel.
In the 3D-CAD View scene, you can also use the arrows and triad to adjust the size of the basic shapes. Depending on the shape, you can adjust the height, length, width, radius, or position in both the positive and negative direction.
If you select a cylindrical or spherical coordinate system, the widget aligns with the selected coordinate system:
- For a cylindrical coordinate system, you can adjust the radial (R), angular (θ), and axial (Z) coordinates of the shape center using the small red arrow (R), large red arrow (θ), and small blue arrow (Z), respectively.
- For a spherical coordinate system, you can adjust the radial position (R), angle in the YZ plane (θ), and angle in the XY plane (φ) of the shape center using the small red arrow (R), large red arrow (θ), and large blue arrow (φ), respectively.
Expose any properties that you want as design parameters by clicking (Expose Parameter) next to the property.
The 3D-CAD View scene updates to show a preview of the body. If you define any shape property using a design parameter, the arrow or widget is hidden in the scene.
Click OK.

Create Block Panel

Use the following properties to define a simple block shape in 3D-CAD. The block extends symmetrically from the center point.


Independent Dimensions	By adjusting the base position of the desired face, allows you to increase or decrease the height, length, or width in the positive and negative direction.
Length (X Distance)	Specifies the total size of the block in the X direction.
Width (Y Distance)	Specifies the total size of the block in the Y direction.
Height (Z Distance)	Specifies the total size of the block in the Z direction.
Base Center (X, Y, Z)/(R, θ, Z)/(R, θ, φ)	Specifies the location of the center point of the base of the shape. You can specify the coordinates of the point directly or use the widget in the 3D-CAD View window.
Coordinate System	Specifies the coordinate system in which you define the center point. Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical coordinate systems are all supported.

Create Cylinder Panel

Use the following properties to define a simple block cylinder shape in 3D-CAD.


Independent Dimensions	By adjusting the base position of the desired face, allows you to increase or decrease the height in the positive and negative direction.
Radius	Specifies the radius of the cylinder.
Height	Specifies the amount that the cylinder extends outwards from the center point.
Center (X, Y, Z)/(R, θ, Z)/(R, θ, φ)	Specifies the location of the center point of the base of the cylinder. You can specify the coordinates of the point directly or use the widget in the 3D-CAD View window.
Coordinate System	Specifies the coordinate system in which you define the center point. Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical coordinate systems are all supported.

Create Cone/Conical-Frustum Panel

Use the following properties to define a simple cone/conical-frustum shape in 3D-CAD.

Independent Dimensions

By adjusting the base position of the desired face, allows you to increase or decrease the height in the positive and negative direction.

Bottom Radius

Specifies the bottom radius of the cone.

Top Radius

Specifies the top radius of the cone.

Note	When top radius is greater than 0, a conical-frustum is created.

Height

Specifies the height of the cone.

Bottom Center (X, Y, Z)/(R, θ, Z)/(R, θ, φ)

Specifies the location of the bottom center point of the cone/conical frustum. You can specify the coordinates of the point directly or use the widget in the 3D-CAD View window.

Coordinate System

Specifies the coordinate system in which you define the center point. Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical coordinate systems are all supported.

Create Sphere Panel

Use the following properties to define a simple sphere shape in 3D-CAD.


Radius	Specifies the radius of the sphere.
Center (X, Y, Z)/(R, θ, Z)/(R, θ, φ)	Specifies the location of the sphere center. You can specify the coordinates of the point directly or use the widget in the 3D-CAD View window.
Coordinate System	Specifies the coordinate system in which you define the center point. Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical coordinate systems are all supported.