Module 1:

Basics

Introduction to ANSYS
SpaceClaim Direct Modeler
1 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. May 19, 2015
 Overview
In this module we will learn about:
• Pre-processing Workflow using ANSYS WB tools
• What is SpaceClaim Direct Modeler (SCDM)?
• Launching SCDM
• Interface
• File Operations

2 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. May 19, 2015

 Preprocessing Workflow
Import/ Geometry
Meshing Solver
Geometry Creation Modifications

Sketches and Planes 3D Operations

Geometry Cleanup
3D Operations
and Repair

Geometry Import Preparation for

Analysis

ANSYS SpaceClaim Direct Modeler

3 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. May 19, 2015

 What is SpaceClaim Direct Modeler?
• Industry leading direct modeling tool for rapid Sketching Modeling
concept design and geometry manipulation
• Analysis-focused tools to repair, prepare, and
optimize models
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) – like approach to
create new models OR Import CAD models
without CAD connection
• Dead model parameterization
– No need of native CAD data for parameterization
• Freedom to explore solutions without relying on CAD team CAD Import
– More flexibility to make unplanned and local changes & Clean-up
• No features + No constraints = No regeneration failures
• Short learning curve for engineers without CAD
background

4 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. May 19, 2015

 Launching SpaceClaim Direct Modeler
Standalone Session From Geometry cell of any System

ANSYS SpaceClaim
Direct Modeler is
supported only on the
‘Windows’ platform

• ANSYS SCDM is launched within Workbench

• Right click on “Geometry” and select “New
SpaceClaim Geometry”
5 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. May 19, 2015
 SCDM Interface
Quick Access Toolbar

Ribbon Toolbar

Structure Panel

Options Panel

Graphics
Properties Panel Window

Status Bar

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 Quick Access Toolbar (QAT)
• Open, Save, Undo, Redo options
available by default on the QAT
• Undo (CTRL-Z) can be used to undo your
last action. Redo (CTRL-Y) can be used to
repeat it.
• Frequently used tools can be added to
the QAT
– Select the down arrow to the right of the
Quick Access Toolbar (QAT)
– Choose “Customize Quick Access Toolbar”
from the drop down list

7 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. May 19, 2015

 Ribbon Toolbar

• Familiar ribbon UI design

Display Tab
• Tools categorized in a series of Tabs
– File handling
– Designing
Repair Tab
– Displaying
– Repairing
– Etc. Prepare Tab
• Each Tab displays relevant tools in
organized sections

8 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. May 19, 2015

 Structure Panel
SpaceClaim Direct Modeler is not a feature-based modeler
• Operations are not stored under Structure Tree
– This is characteristic of history-based or feature-based modelers
• Structure Tree shows the objects/entities
– Bodies (solid, surface)
– Curves (sketch curves, 3D curves)
– Assembly constraints
– Origin
– Plane

9 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. May 19, 2015

 Options Panel and Properties Panel
Option Panel
• Displays options for modifying functions of active
SpaceClaim tool
– E.g., Pull tool contains option for add material, subtract
material, create fillet, chamfer, etc.

Properties Panel
• Displays properties of selected entity in Graphics window
or Structure panel
• Modify property values
– Color

10 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. May 19, 2015

 Tool Guide and Mini Toolbar Mini Toolbar
Mini Toolbar
• Contains frequently used options of active tool

Tool Guide
• Contains different options to change behavior of active
tool
– E.g., Tool guide of “Pull” tool contains option for Revolve,
Sweep, Scale, etc.

Tool Guide
11 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. May 19, 2015
 Status Bar
Quick Selection View
Measurement List controls

Status Error/Warning Selection

Message Message options

Status Message: Displays message and progress information about current tool
Quick Measurement: Displays simple measurement of selected entities (distance, angle)
Error/Warning Message: Displays error and warning messages
Selection List: Displays list of currently selected objects
Selection Options: Hosts various options for selection
View Controls: Controls for spin, pan, zoom, and switch to previous or next views

12 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. May 19, 2015

 Selection
• You can select vertices (including centers of circles and ellipses, midpoints of lines, and points on
splines), edges, planes, axes, faces, surfaces, rounds, solids, and components.
• Most commonly used selection methods are:
– Click to select an object.
– Double-click to select an edge loop. (Double-click again to cycle through alternate loops.)
– Triple-click to select a solid.
– Drag to create a selection Box (can also use Lasso, Polygon, and Paint). If you draw the box from left to right,
all objects fully enclosed within the box will be selected. If you draw the box from right to left, all objects
touching the box will be selected.
– Press CTRL+A to select all similar objects, such as faces, edges, or points on the same solid or surface part.
– Hold CTRL and select to add or remove items from the selection. Ctrl with box-selection toggles the selection;
Shift with box-selection adds to the selection.

Selection Selection
List options
13 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. May 19, 2015
 Selection
Selecting entities
• Select vertices (including centers of circles
and ellipses, midpoints of lines, and points
on splines), edges, planes, axes, faces,
surfaces, rounds, solids, and components.

14 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. May 19, 2015

 Selection
• Most commonly used selection methods are:
– Click to select an object.
– Double-click to select an edge loop. (Double-click again to cycle through alternate
loops.)
– Triple-click to select a solid.
– Drag to create a selection Box (can also use Lasso, Polygon, and Paint). If you draw
the box from left to right, all objects fully enclosed within the box will be selected. If
you draw the box from right to left, all objects touching the box will be selected.
– Press CTRL+A to select all similar objects, such as faces, edges, or points on the same
solid or surface part.
Smart
– Hold CTRL and select to add or remove items from the selection.
Selection
• Toggle off ‘Smart Selection’ Filter to limit selection to desired entity types

Selection Selection
List options
15 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. May 19, 2015
 Power Selection
• Selection Panel: Use the Selection panel to select objects in the same part that are similar or
related to the object currently selected. The results list is based on the geometry you select for the
search.
• The relations available are displayed in the Selection window as per the item selected and items

16 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. May 19, 2015

 Power Selection
Category Description Example Selection types
• Coaxial Hole, Protrusion, Cylinder
• Coaxial protrusion
Coaxial Faces Objects with the same axis
• Coaxial cylinder
• Coaxial surfaces
• Edges with same length
• Edges with same length and same
Edges that are like the currently orientation
Edges
selected edge • Edges with same length in same face
• Surface edge loop
• Hard sheet metal edges
• Protrusion
Groups of faces that form protrusions,
• Depression
Features depressions, inner faces, or that enclose
• Inner faces
other faces
• Enclosed by

• All offset baseline faces

Faces that have an offset relationship • All offset faces
Offset faces
defined • Faces with same offset
• All coincident faces

17 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. May 19, 2015

 Power Selection
Category Description Example Selection types

Pattern members, • Pattern member

Patterns entire patterns, or • Recognized pattern
recognized patterns • All pattern members

• Equal radius rounds

• Equal or smaller radius rounds
• Equal or smaller-sized chamfers
Rounds Rounds and chamfers
• Variable radius round
• Faces and chains of faces even if they are
composed of a mix of constant and variable faces

• Equal radius cylinder

• Equal radius hole
Faces that have the
Same size • Equal radius protrusion
same radius or area
• Faces with the same area
• Holes equal to or smaller than

18 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. May 19, 2015

 Mouse and View Controls
• Easy-to-use Mouse and View controls to speed up
operations and manipulate graphics
• Controls listed in “Quick Reference Card”
• “Quick Reference Card” can be accessed during SCDM
launch

19 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. May 19, 2015

 File Handling
File Formats SpaceClaim Options
• Supports import from major CAD
packages (CATIA, Pro/E, NX, Solid
Works, etc.)
– Separate license not required
• Neutral file formats like STEP and
Parasolid are also supported
• Additional options for controlling
import/export of file formats
available in SpaceClaim Options
panel

20 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. May 19, 2015

 Videos available (look for separate directory)

Module1_Basic_UI.mp4 Module1_Basic_Select.mp4

Demo of Basic UI Demo of Selection

(10:38) (10:38)

21 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. May 19, 2015