Imprinting Parts on Their Neighbors

In some cases, the imported data results in multiple geometry parts that have multiple part surface per part, but the parts have not been imprinted on their neighbors. For these cases, it is possible to use the single or multi-part imprint mode of the surface preparation tool to generate separate part surfaces at the point of contact.

Part contact data is created automatically during the imprint process: you can review the contact data using the part contact browser. Following this procedure means that the One boundary per part surface option can be used during region assignment.

  1. It is good practice to check that any surface repairs are complete before imprinting.
  2. All parts are selected, and the surface preparation tool is launched using the right-click menu option, Repair Surface...
  3. In the Surface Repair Options dialog, to include all Geometry Parts that are selected, click OK.
  4. To change the selection of parts, click Select.
  5. In the Select Objects dialog, click the button to the left of each part to select or deselect that part, then click OK.
  6. In the Surface Repair panel, select the Global tab and select (Merge/Imprint single or multiple parts).
  7. In the Merge/Imprint Options sub-panel, define the required merge and imprint properties.


    For more information, see Merge and Imprint Tool.
  8. Assuming all pairs have been correctly identified, the Imprint All button is pressed to begin the imprint operation.
    Information on the number of new interfaces that are created is shown in the Output window, and a final update is made to the Graphics window showing the newly created interfaces.
  9. In the Surface Repair panel, click Close.
    When you exit the surface repair tool, the Contacts property of each body is populated with the results of the imprint operation. Body 4, for example, is in contact with three other bodies.

The final stage is to assign all the bodies to regions in a single operation.
  1. All parts are selected, and the Assign Parts to Regions option is chosen from the right-click menu.
  2. In the Assign Parts to Regions dialog that appears, the following options are selected:
    • Create a Region for Each Part
    • Create a Boundary for Each Part Surface
    • The Create Interfaces from Contacts option is activated.
  3. Click Apply, then Close.
    On clicking Apply, parts are assigned to new regions and faces to new boundaries. Interfaces are created from their own boundaries and shown in the Interfaces manager node.