CAD Import Module

User’s Guide
CAD Import Module User’s Guide
© 2005–2023 COMSOL
Protected by patents listed on www.comsol.com/patents, or see Help>About COMSOL Multiphysics on the
File menu in the COMSOL Desktop for less detailed lists of U.S. Patents that may apply. Patents pending.
This Documentation and the Programs described herein are furnished under the COMSOL Software License
Agreement (www.comsol.com/comsol-license-agreement) and may be used or copied only under the terms
of the license agreement. Portions of this software are owned by Siemens Product Lifecycle Management
Software Inc. © 1986–2022. All Rights Reserved. Portions of this software are owned by Spatial Corp. ©
1989–2022. All Rights Reserved.
COMSOL, the COMSOL logo, COMSOL Multiphysics, COMSOL Desktop, COMSOL Compiler,
COMSOL Server, and LiveLink are either registered trademarks or trademarks of COMSOL AB. ACIS and
SAT are registered trademarks of Spatial Corporation. CATIA is a registered trademark of Dassault Systèmes
or its subsidiaries in the US and/or other countries. Parasolid is a trademark or registered trademark of
Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other
countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners, and COMSOL AB and its
subsidiaries and products are not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or supported by those or the
above non-COMSOL trademark owners. For a list of such trademark owners, see www.comsol.com/
trademarks.
Version: COMSOL 6.2

Contact Information
Visit the Contact COMSOL page at www.comsol.com/contact to submit general inquiries
or search for an address and phone number. You can also visit the Worldwide Sales Offices
page at www.comsol.com/contact/offices for address and contact information.

If you need to contact Support, an online request form is located on the COMSOL Access
page at www.comsol.com/support/case. Other useful links include:

• Support Center: www.comsol.com/support

• Product Download: www.comsol.com/product-download
• Product Updates: www.comsol.com/product-update
• COMSOL Blog: www.comsol.com/blogs
• Discussion Forum: www.comsol.com/forum
• Events: www.comsol.com/events
• COMSOL Video Gallery: www.comsol.com/videos
• Support Knowledge Base: www.comsol.com/support/knowledgebase

Part number: CM020301

C o n t e n t s

Chapter 1: Introduction

About the CAD Import Module 8

Overview of the Included Geometry Tools and Features. . . . . . . . 8
Overview of the User’s Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Where Do I Access the Documentation and Application Libraries? . . . . 10

Chapter 2: Geometry Tools and Features

Geometry Representation 16
Working with the CAD Kernel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Converting Objects to COMSOL Kernel Representation . . . . . . . 17
Converting Objects to CAD Kernel Representation . . . . . . . . . 18

Importing and Exporting CAD Files 20

Importing 3D CAD Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Exporting Objects to 3D CAD Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Repairing and Defeaturing 28

Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Delete Fillets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Delete Holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Delete Short Edges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Delete Sliver Faces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Delete Small Faces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Delete Spikes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Detach Faces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Detect Interferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Replace Faces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

CONTENTS |3
 Creating and Modifying Geometries 49
Cap Faces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Knit to Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Projection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Chapter 3: Programming and Command Reference

Defeaturing Tools 56
Defeaturing Tools — Finding and Deleting Small Details . . . . . . . . 56
Defeaturing Tools — Detach Faces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Defeaturing Tools — Detect Interferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Defeaturing Tools — Replace Faces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Summary of Commands 62

Commands Grouped by Function 63

Commands for Creating and Modifying Geometry in 2D . . . . . . . 63
Commands for Defeaturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Commands for File Import, Export, Conversion, and Repair . . . . . . 63
Commands for Creating and Modifying Geometry in 3D . . . . . . . 64

Commands in Alphabetical Order 65

CapFaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
ConvertToCOMSOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
DeleteFillets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
DeleteHoles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
DeleteShortEdges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
DeleteSliverFaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
DeleteSmallFaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
DeleteSpikes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
DetachFaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
DetectInterferences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Export, ExportFinal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Import 3D CAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Knit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

4 | CONTENTS
Projection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
ReplaceFaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

Index 107

CONTENTS |5
6 | CONTENTS
 1

Introduction

Welcome to the CAD Import Module User’s Guide. This guide details the
functionality of this optional package that extends the COMSOL Multiphysics®
modeling environment with additional tools and features to import, repair,
defeature, and export geometry using the most common 3D CAD file formats.

This introductory chapter contains an overview of the capabilities of the module,

including a summary of the included geometry features, an overview of this guide,
and a description of where to find documentation and model examples.

7
About the CAD Import Module
Overview of the Included Geometry Tools and Features
The CAD Import Module enables importing 3D designs from CAD files into your
simulations. The import capabilities cover the most common 3D CAD file formats: ACIS ®,
AutoCAD®, IGES, Inventor ®, NX ®, Parasolid ®, PTC Creo Parametric™, PTC
Pro/ENGINEER®, SOLIDWORKS®, and STEP. In addition, support for CATIA® V5 is
available as a separate add-on. To exchange data with CAD packages, you can export your
geometry to the ACIS ®, IGES, Parasolid ®, and STEP file formats.

Finally, the product provides a wide range of tools for you to prepare an imported 3D design
for meshing and analysis. You can interactively search for and remove geometric features, for
example, fillets, holes, slivers, small faces, and short edges. You can also modify objects by
detaching a portion to form an additional computational domain, or by creating a fluid
domain for computation, in case the CAD design only includes the solid parts.

GEOMETRY FEATURE ICON DESCRIPTION

2D Geometry Features

Projection Project 3D objects and entities to a work plane

3D Geometry Features

Cap Faces Generate faces from edges to fill gaps and create
solid objects, or to partition solids

Check Check CAD objects for faults, for example

tolerance issues and invalid entities

Convert to COMSOL Convert to the COMSOL kernel representation

Replace Faces Delete and replace faces

Delete Fillets Search for and delete fillets

Delete Holes Search for and delete holes

Delete Short Edges Search for and delete short edges

Delete Sliver Faces Search for and delete sliver faces

8 | CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
 GEOMETRY FEATURE ICON DESCRIPTION

Delete Small Faces Search for and collapse small faces

Delete Spikes Search for and delete spikes from faces

Detach Faces Detach faces to form a new object from them

Detect Interferences Search for interferences, such as intersections,

gaps, touches, and containments, between objects

Export Export geometry objects to 3D CAD file formats

Import Import geometry objects from 3D CAD file

formats

Knit to Solid Knit surface objects to form solid or surface

object

Repair Repair defects and remove small details from 3D

objects

Replace Faces Replace faces by growing surrounding faces or

creating new faces

Overview of the User’s Guide

This documentation covers the CAD Import Module and the add-on for file import of
CATIA® V5 files. Instructions on how to use the geometry modeling tools in COMSOL
Multiphysics® in general are included with the COMSOL Multiphysics Reference Manual.
To help you get started with modeling this module is also accompanied by the quick-start
guide Introduction to CAD Import Module.

ABOUT THE CAD IMPORT MODULE | 9

 Where Do I Access the Documentation and Application Libraries?
A number of internet resources have more information about COMSOL, including licensing
and technical information. The electronic documentation, topic-based (or context-based)
help, and the application libraries are all accessed through the COMSOL Desktop.

If you are reading the documentation as a PDF file on your computer, the
blue links do not work to open an application or content referenced in a
different guide. However, if you are using the Help system in COMSOL
Multiphysics, these links work to other modules (as long as you have a
license), application examples, and documentation sets.

THE DOCUMENTATION AND ONLINE HELP

The COMSOL Multiphysics Reference Manual describes all core physics interfaces and
functionality included with the COMSOL Multiphysics license. This book also has
instructions about how to use COMSOL Multiphysics and how to access the electronic
Documentation and Help content.

Opening Topic-Based Help

The Help window is useful as it is connected to many of the features on the GUI. To learn
more about a node in the Model Builder, or a window on the Desktop, click to highlight a
node or window, then press F1 to open the Help window, which then displays information
about that feature (or click a node in the Model Builder followed by the Help button ( ).
This is called topic-based (or context) help.

To open the Help window:

• In the Model Builder, Application Builder, or Physics Builder click a node or

window and then press F1.
• On any toolbar (for example, Home, Definitions, or Geometry), hover the
mouse over a button (for example, Add Physics or Build All) and then
press F1.
• From the File menu, click Help ( ).
• In the upper-right corner of the COMSOL Desktop, click the Help ( )
button.

10 | CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
 To open the Help window:

• In the Model Builder or Physics Builder click a node or window and then
press F1.
• In the main toolbar, click the Help ( ) button.
• From the main menu, select Help>Help.

Opening the Documentation Window

To open the Documentation window:

• Press Ctrl+F1.
• From the File menu select Help>Documentation ( ).

To open the Documentation window:

• Press Ctrl+F1.
• In the main toolbar, click the Documentation ( ) button.
• From the main menu, select Help>Documentation.

THE APPLICATION LIBRARIES WINDOW

Each application includes documentation with the theoretical background and step-by-step
instructions to create a model application. The applications are available in COMSOL as
MPH-files that you can open for further investigation. You can use the step-by-step
instructions and the actual applications as a template for your own modeling and applications.
In most models, SI units are used to describe the relevant properties, parameters, and
dimensions in most examples, but other unit systems are available.

Once the Application Libraries window is opened, you can search by name or browse under
a module folder name. Click to view a summary of the application and its properties, including
options to open it or a PDF document.

The Application Libraries Window in the COMSOL Multiphysics

Reference Manual.

ABOUT THE CAD IMPORT MODULE | 11

 Opening the Application Libraries Window
To open the Application Libraries window ( ):

• In the Home toolbar, click Windows and select Application Libraries.

When the toolbar is compressed, you sometimes find it under
Layout>Windows.
• From the File menu select Application Libraries.

To include the latest versions of model examples, from the File>Help menu
select ( ) Update COMSOL Application Libraries.

From the File or Windows menu select Application Libraries.

To include the latest versions of model examples, from the Help menu
select ( ) Update COMSOL Application Libraries.

CONTACTING COMSOL BY EMAIL

For general product information, contact COMSOL at [email protected].

To receive technical support from COMSOL for the COMSOL products, please contact your
local COMSOL representative or send your questions to [email protected]. An automatic
notification and case number is sent to you by email.

12 | CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
COMSOL WEBSITES

COMSOL website www.comsol.com

Contact COMSOL www.comsol.com/contact
COMSOL Access www.comsol.com/access
Support Center www.comsol.com/support
Product Download www.comsol.com/product-download
Product Updates www.comsol.com/product-update
COMSOL Blog www.comsol.com/blogs
Discussion Forum www.comsol.com/forum
Events www.comsol.com/events
COMSOL Video Gallery www.comsol.com/videos
Support Knowledge Base www.comsol.com/support/knowledgebase

ABOUT THE CAD IMPORT MODULE | 13

14 | CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
 2

Geometry Tools and Features

This chapter describes the tools and features available for creating, importing, and
modifying geometry with the CAD Import Module.

15
 Geometry Representation
Working with the CAD Kernel
The component of the COMSOL Multiphysics® software that is used to represent,
build, and manage the interactions between geometric objects is the geometric kernel
or geometric modeler. There are two kernels used by the software, the COMSOL
kernel, and the CAD kernel (the Parasolid® kernel) that is included with the CAD
Import Module, the Design Module, and LiveLink™ products interfacing CAD
packages.

With a license for the CAD Import Module the software defaults to the CAD kernel
for representing the geometry. You need to use the CAD kernel to apply the geometry
features included with this module, for example the defeaturing and repair tools, as
well as to import 3D geometries using various 3D CAD file formats.

The 3D operations and primitives listed in Table 2-1 do not support the CAD kernel
— they always use the COMSOL kernel. However, an automatic conversion is
performed for these objects before they are used as input to geometry features that
require the CAD kernel, see Converting Objects to CAD Kernel Representation.
TABLE 2-1: 3D GEOMETRY FEATURES THAT DO NOT SUPPORT THE PARASOLID GEOMETRY KERNEL.

FEATURE NAME FEATURE NAME

Bezier Polygon Point

Eccentric Cone Polygon
Extrude Pyramid
Helix Revolve
Hexahedron Sweep
Interpolation Curve Tetrahedron
Parametric Curve Torus
Parametric Surface Work Plane

CHANGING THE GEOMETRIC KERNEL

To switch between geometric kernels, you can click the Geometry node, then in its
Settings window, from the Geometry representation list choose either the CAD kernel or
COMSOL kernel.

16 | CHAPTER 2: GEOMETRY TOOLS AND FEATURES

When you change the Geometry representation setting, all nodes that support the CAD
kernel are marked as edited with an asterisk (*) in the upper-right corner of the node’s
icon. To rebuild the geometry using the new kernel, click the Build All button ( ).
To avoid re-solving an already solved model, you can click the Update Solution button
( ) in the Study toolbar to map the solutions from the geometry represented by the
CAD kernel to the new geometry represented by the COMSOL kernel.

If you solve a model using the CAD kernel, it is not possible to view and
postprocess the solution if you open it in a COMSOL Multiphysics
session where a license for the CAD Import Module, Design Module, or
one of the LiveLink for CAD products is not available, unless, before
saving the model, you change the geometry representation to COMSOL
kernel and update the solution. This is possible to do only for 3D
geometry sequences that do not contain geometry features that require
the CAD kernel.

When you create a new model, its default geometry representation is controlled by the
preference setting Geometry>Geometry representation>In new geometries.

When you open an existing model, you normally use the geometry representation used
in the model. To always get the possibility to convert the geometry to the COMSOL
kernel, change the preference setting Geometry>Geometry representation>When
opening an existing model to Convert to COMSOL kernel.

Converting Objects to COMSOL Kernel Representation

To convert CAD objects (geometric objects represented by the CAD kernel) to objects
represented by the COMSOL kernel, from the Geometry toolbar, Conversions menu,
select Convert to COMSOL ( ).

The COMSOL geometry file format (.mphbin, or .mphtxt) can contain

geometric objects saved in both the CAD kernel and COMSOL kernel
representations. To import geometry from such a file to a geometry
sequence that uses the COMSOL kernel, you need to convert geometry
objects to the COMSOL representation before exporting to the file.

GEOMETRY REPRESENTATION | 17
 CONVERT TO COMSOL
Select the objects that you want to convert in the Graphics window. The selected
objects are displayed in the Input objects list.

SELECTIONS OF RESULTING ENTITIES

If you want to make the resulting entities contribute to a cumulative selection, select
a cumulative selection from the Contribute to list (the default, None, gives no
contribution), or click the New button to create a new cumulative selection (see
Cumulative Selections in the COMSOL Multiphysics Reference Manual).

Select the Resulting objects selection check box to create predefined selections (for all
levels — objects, domains, boundaries, edges, and points — that are applicable) in
subsequent nodes in the geometry sequence. To also make all or one of the types of
resulting entities (domains, boundaries, edges, and points) that the resulting objects
consist of available as selections in all applicable selection lists (in physics and materials
settings, for example), choose an option from the Show in physics list: All levels, Domain
selection, Boundary selection, Edge selection, or Point selection. The default is Domain
selection, which is suitable for use with materials and physics defined in domains. For
use with a boundary condition, for example, choose Boundary selection. These
selections do not appear as separate selection nodes in the model tree. Select Off to not
make any selection available outside of the geometry sequence.

ASSIGNED ATTRIBUTES
From the Construction geometry list choose On to make the resulting objects available
only in the feature’s geometry sequence. The default option Inherit from input means
that the resulting objects become construction geometry if all input objects are
construction geometry. Choose Off to never output construction geometry objects.
For more information see Construction Geometry in the COMSOL Multiphysics
Reference Manual.

Converting Objects to CAD Kernel Representation

If the current geometry representation for the geometry sequence is CAD kernel, an
automatic conversion of COMSOL objects to CAD objects takes place before using
the objects in Boolean operations and before using the objects in the Convert to Solid,
Convert to Surface, Convert to Curve, and Convert to Point operations. This ensures that
the CAD kernel is used in the abovementioned operations. This conversion is also
performed when COMSOL objects are used as input to features that require the CAD
kernel, for example the Knit to Solid feature

18 | CHAPTER 2: GEOMETRY TOOLS AND FEATURES

An automatic conversion to CAD objects is also performed before exporting geometry
in the ACIS®, Parasolid®, STEP, and IGES file formats.

If the automatic conversion cannot be performed, the geometry operation is

performed by the COMSOL kernel. For example, geometry objects created from a
mesh cannot be converted to CAD kernel representation. Other examples of geometry
objects that cannot be converted to CAD representation include objects that have an
edge adjacent to three or more isolated faces, or objects that have a face bounded by
an edge loop that intersects itself.

The automatic conversion to CAD kernel representation is not performed if one of the
input objects to the Boolean or conversion operation is the result of a previous Convert
to COMSOL operation.

GEOMETRY REPRESENTATION | 19
 Importing and Exporting CAD Files
Importing 3D CAD Files
To import geometry objects from a 3D CAD file, from the Home or the Geometry
toolbar, click Import ( ). In the Import section of the Settings window, select 3D CAD
file from the Geometry import list. You can also skip this step as the type of the selected
file is automatically recognized by the code. Click Browse to locate the file to import,
or enter the path to the file. Before clicking the Import button consider to review and
configure the import settings. If you have changed some settings after importing a file,
the file is automatically reimported when you click a build button.

The imported geometry objects are represented by the CAD kernel, see Working with
the CAD Kernel, which is the geometric kernel used by the CAD Import Module,
Design Module, and LiveLink™ products interfacing CAD packages.

Some 3D CAD formats use periodic parameterization for edges and faces. For
example, a full-revolution cylindrical edge or face appears seamless in the CAD
program. During import edges or faces that have a periodic parameterization are cut
in two halves by inserting new vertices and edges. This is done because the mesh
algorithms do not support periodic entities. You can ignore such inserted edges using
an Ignore Edges feature from Virtual Operations.

SUPPORTED FORMATS
The CAD import supports the following 3D CAD formats:
TABLE 2-2: SUPPORTED 3D CAD FILE FORMATS.

FILE FORMAT NOTES FILE EXTENSIONS SUPPORTED VERSIONS

ACIS® 1 .sat, .sab Up to 2023 1.0

AutoCAD® 1, 2 .dwg, .dxf 2.5-2024
CATIA® V5 2, 3 .CATPart, R8 to R2023
.CATProduct
IGES 1 .igs, .iges Up to 5.3
Inventor® assembly 1, 2 .iam 11-2024
Inventor® part 1, 2, .ipt 6-2024
NX™ 1, 4 .prt Up to 2306
Parasolid® 1 .x_t, .x_b Up to V36.0
PTC Creo Parametric™ 1 .prt, .asm 1.0-10.0

20 | CHAPTER 2: GEOMETRY TOOLS AND FEATURES

TABLE 2-2: SUPPORTED 3D CAD FILE FORMATS.

FILE FORMAT NOTES FILE EXTENSIONS SUPPORTED VERSIONS

PTC Pro/ENGINEER® 1 .prt, .asm 16 to Wildfire 5

® .sldprt, .sldasm
SOLIDWORKS 1, 2, 5 98-2023
STEP 1 .step, .stp AP203E1, AP214,
AP242
Note 1: This format requires a license for one of the CAD Import Module, Design
Module, or LiveLink product for a CAD package.

Note 2: This format is available only on supported Windows® operating systems.

Note 3: This format requires, in addition to the CAD Import Module, or Design
Module, or a LiveLink product for a CAD package, a license for the File Import for
CATIA V5 module.

Note 4: Support for the NX™ file format is available only on supported Windows® and
Linux operating systems.

Note 5: Embedded parts in assemblies are not supported. To import such an assembly,
first convert the embedded parts to external parts.

ASSOCIATIVITY
When possible the import maintains associativity for the imported geometry objects,
so that when the CAD file is reimported the settings applied to the geometric entities,
for example physics or material settings, are retained. To maintain associativity the
import relies on information in the CAD file that uniquely identifies the geometry
objects and their entities, such as faces, edges, and points. This information is usually
included in the CAD file if the geometry is saved in the format of the CAD software
where it was created, but not when the geometry is exported to another CAD format.
When reimporting a CAD file the import automatically tries to identify and match all
geometry objects and their entities to the previous version. This may fail if the
topology (structure) of the geometry has changed since the last import.

IMPORTING AND EXPORTING CAD FILES | 21

 Note: To ensure that associativity is maintained when reimporting a CAD file work
with CAD files saved in the originating CAD software’s format, and avoid changes to
the topology (structure) of the geometry. When an associative import is not possible
use coordinate-based selections, such as the Ball, Box, and Cylinder selections in 3D
(see Creating Selections From Geometric Primitives and Operations in the COMSOL
Multiphysics Reference Manual).

LENGTH UNIT
In the Length unit list, select From CAD document to change the geometry’s length unit
to the unit in the file (if the file has a length unit). Select From COMSOL to keep the
geometry’s length unit and scale the objects in the file to the geometry’s unit.

OBJECTS TO IMPORT
Select the types of objects to import using the Solids, Surfaces, and Curves and points
check boxes.

If the Surfaces check box is selected, you can choose how COMSOL imports the
surfaces using the list under For surface objects:

• Choose Form solids (the default) to knit together surface objects to form solids. The
input surface objects must have manifold topology, and the operation can only form
solids with manifold topology. An example of a solid object with nonmanifold
topology is a solid that has an interior surface that separates two domains. A surface
object that contains an edge that is adjacent to more than one boundary is an
example of a surface object with nonmanifold topology.
• Choose Knit surfaces to form surface objects by knitting.
• Choose Do not knit to not form any surface or solid objects from the imported
surfaces.

For the Form Solids and Knit surfaces options select the Fill holes check box to generate
new faces to replace missing geometry.

To import wireframe geometry you need to select the Curves and points check box.
With this option, the Unite curve objects check box is selected by default to unite the
imported curve objects, which speeds up the rendering of the geometry.

22 | CHAPTER 2: GEOMETRY TOOLS AND FEATURES

IMPORT OPTIONS
The Absolute import tolerance is a length measured in the geometry’s unit after the
import. When importing 3D CAD files, the program merges geometric entities with a
distance smaller that this tolerance.

Select the Check imported objects for errors check box to check the validity of the
imported objects as the last stage of the import. Warning nodes appear with details
about the detected problems, if any. Use the Zoom to Selection button next to the
Entities list in a warning node to locate the problematic edges or faces. For information
on geometry problems that may occur see the Check feature.

If you select the Repair imported objects check box, the software tries to repair defects
and remove details smaller than the Absolute repair tolerance.

The option Simplify curves and surfaces is selected by default to simplify, within the
Absolute import tolerance, the underlying curve and surface manifolds of the imported
geometric entities. Importing objects with this option may improve both the
performance and reliability of geometric operations on some imported geometry, for
example it may help in some cases when Boolean operations on the imported objects
fail. Simplification means that the manifolds are converted where possible to analytical
form: linear, circular, and elliptical curves; and planar, spherical, cylindrical, conical,
and toroidal surfaces. Manifolds that are converted are B-spline curves and surfaces, or
certain surfaces generated by operations such as sweeping, revolving, and filleting.

If the Remove redundant edges and vertices check box is selected, edges and vertices that
are considered redundant, such as the edges of an imprint on a face, are removed
during synchronization.

When importing STEP files that contain multibody parts it can be useful to generate
object names that include both the body and the part names retrieved from the file.
Select how to name the objects imported from STEP files from the Import body names
list:

• Select Automatic to include the body names in the object name only for the
multibody parts.
• Select On to include the body names in the objects names for all imported parts.
• Select Off to not include the body names in the object names.

SELECTIONS OF RESULTING ENTITIES

If you want to make the resulting entities contribute to a cumulative selection, select
a cumulative selection from the Contribute to list (the default, None, gives no

IMPORTING AND EXPORTING CAD FILES | 23

 contribution), or click the New button to create a new cumulative selection (see
Cumulative Selections in the COMSOL Multiphysics Reference Manual).

Select the Resulting objects selection check box to create predefined selections (for all
levels — objects, domains, boundaries, edges, and points — that are applicable) in
subsequent nodes in the geometry sequence. To also make all or one of the types of
resulting entities (domains, boundaries, edges, and points) that the objects consist of
available as selections in all applicable selection lists (in physics and materials settings,
for example), choose an option from the Show in physics list: All levels, Domain selection,
Boundary selection, Edge selection, or Point selection. The default is Domain selection,
which is suitable for use with materials and physics defined in domains. For use with a
boundary condition, for example, choose Boundary selection. These selections do not
appear as separate selection nodes in the model tree. Select Off to not make any
selection available outside of the geometry sequence.

Select the Individual objects selections check box to create predefined selections (for all
levels — objects, domains, boundaries, edges, and points — that are applicable) in
subsequent nodes in the geometry sequence for each individual object in the geometry
file and for each relevant entity level. To also make all or one of the types of resulting
entities (domains, boundaries, edges, and points) that the objects consist of available
as selections in all applicable selection lists (in physics and materials settings, for
example), choose an option from the Show in physics list: All levels, Domain selection,
Boundary selection, Edge selection, or Point selection. The default is Domain selection, if
available, which is suitable for use with materials and physics defined in domains. For
use with a boundary condition, for example, choose Boundary selection. These
selections do not appear as separate selection nodes in the model tree. Select Off to not
make any selection available outside of the geometry sequence.

SELECTIONS GENERATED BASED ON INFORMATION IN THE CAD FILE

The following types of data from the CAD file are used to generate selection on the
imported geometry:

• Material assignments can generate objects selections that are named according to
the material names in the CAD file.
• Layer assignments of objects and entities, when supported by the CAD format, can
generate object, boundary, edge, and point selections that are named according to
the layer names in the CAD file.
• Color assignments to objects, faces, or edges can generate object, boundary, and
edge selections, respectively.

24 | CHAPTER 2: GEOMETRY TOOLS AND FEATURES

After the import the generated selections are displayed in the Settings window for the
Import node in sections named according to the entity level of the selections:

• Object Selections
• Boundary Selections
• Edge Selections
• Point Selections

Depending on which selections are generated, a subset of the above sections is

displayed. The selections are listed in tables with the following columns:

• Name: Here you can edit the selection name that is generated by the import. For
colors the generated names are of the type Color 1, Color 2, and so on, for materials
and layers the names from the CAD file are used.
• Name in file: This column contains the original name of the selection. To display this
column select the Show names from file check box above the table.
• Keep: Select the check box in this column to make the selection available in selection
lists for subsequent nodes in the geometry sequence.
• Physics: Select the check box in this column to make the selection available in all
applicable selection lists (in physics and materials settings, for example).
• Contribute to: If you want to make the objects or entities in the selection contribute
to a cumulative selection, select a cumulative selection from the Contribute to list
(the default, None, gives no contribution), or click the New Cumulative Selection
button under the table to create a new cumulative selection (see Cumulative
Selections in the COMSOL Multiphysics Reference Manual).

Click a row in a table to highlight the corresponding selection on the geometry in the
Graphics window. To help with identifying the color selections, these are highlighted
with the colors defined in the imported CAD file. To always highlight on the geometry
the color selections that you keep select from the Graphics toolbar Colors>Show
Selection Colors.

The selections listed in the Object Selections section that are made available for the
geometry sequence or physics setup are always available in all input selection lists,
including all applicable entity selection lists. For example, the object selection of a solid
object, generated for a material from the CAD file, automatically results in domain,
boundary, edge, and point selections with the same name, so that you can use it to
apply a boundary material, or a boundary condition. In contrast, a color assigned to a
face of a solid object in the CAD file results in a boundary selection that is displayed

IMPORTING AND EXPORTING CAD FILES | 25

 in the Boundary Selections section, and it is available in all applicable boundary selection
lists, but not, for example, in any edge selection lists.

ASSIGNED ATTRIBUTES
Select the Construction geometry check box to make the resulting objects available only
in the feature’s geometry sequence. For more information see Construction
Geometry.

Exporting Objects to 3D CAD Formats

With a license for the CAD Import Module you can export 3D geometry objects to
the ACIS® (version 2016 1.0), IGES (version 5.3), Parasolid® (version 36.0), and
STEP (version AP203) formats. To do this:

• right-click the Geometry node and select Export ( ), or

• in the Geometry toolbar click Export ( ).

Then, in the Export window, the File type list, select Parasolid binary file, Parasolid text
file, ACIS binary file, ACIS text file, IGES file, or STEP file. Use the Browse button to choose
the filename, or enter a filename including the path in the Filename field.

Next, select Export selected objects to export only chosen geometry objects or select
Export entire finalized geometry to export the resulting geometry of a Form Union or
Form Assembly operation.

The following limitations apply when exporting geometry objects to the

3D CAD formats mentioned in this section:

• Geometry objects that are created from mesh cannot be exported.

• Geometry objects that are the result of virtual geometry operations
that come after a Form Union or Form Assembly node in the geometry
sequence cannot be exported. The finalized geometry resulting from
the Form Union or Form Assembly node is exported instead.
• Geometry objects created with a license for the ECAD Import Module
from ECAD files imported with the options Ignore vertices with
continuous tangent and Eliminate short edges cannot be exported. In
this case the exported geometry objects contain the vertices and edges
removed by the import.

26 | CHAPTER 2: GEOMETRY TOOLS AND FEATURES

COMSOL objects are automatically converted to CAD objects before saving the file.

For details on which objects can be converted to CAD objects see

Converting Objects to CAD Kernel Representation.

To export the geometry to the specified file, click the Export ( ) button. A
confirmation message appears in the Messages window.

ADVANCED
When exporting to an ACIS file format choose the ACIS file format version. Available
versions are 4.0, 7.0, 2016 1.0 (default).

For the Parasolid, IGES, and STEP file formats select a Length Unit. A unit conversion
is carried out when the selected unit is different from the length unit of the geometry.
A unit conversion is not done for the default From geometry option.

The Parasolid binary and text formats do not allow coordinate values
larger than 500. Therefore you might have to change the export unit in
the Length unit list box to be able to export the geometry.

For the Parasolid file formats the option Split in manifold objects is selected by default
to make sure that the exported geometry objects are manifold objects. A nonmanifold
object is, for example, a solid with an interior boundary that separates two domains.
When exported using this option the solid is split along the interior boundary into two
separate objects. When exporting to the ACIS, IGES, and STEP formats nonmanifold
objects are always split.

IMPORTING AND EXPORTING CAD FILES | 27

 Repairing and Defeaturing
When importing 3D CAD files, the default import settings ensure that the validity of
the imported objects is checked, and that defects are repaired when possible. In
addition to the checks and repair performed during import, the CAD Import Module
provides operations for checking, repairing, and defeaturing 3D geometry objects, and
locating overlaps and gaps in imported CAD assemblies.

OPERATIONS FOR CHECKING AND REPAIRING 3D OBJECTS

Use the operations listed in the table below to check and repair geometry objects and
to detect interferences between objects:
TABLE 2-3: OPERATIONS FOR DETECTING DEFECTS IN AND REPAIRING 3D OBJECTS AND DETECTING
INTERFERENCES BETWEEN 3D GEOMETRY OBJECTS.

ICON NAME DESCRIPTION

Check Check CAD objects for faults, for example tolerance issues and
invalid entities
Detect Search for interferences, such as intersections, gaps, touches, and
Interferences containments, between objects
Repair Repair defects and remove small details from 3D objects

OPERATIONS FOR DEFEATURING

With the defeaturing tools listed in the table below you can search for and delete both
small details, such as short edges, small faces, sliver faces, and spikes, and larger details,
for example, fillets, chamfers, and cylindrical holes. You can also replace and detach a
selection of faces to form 3D objects.
TABLE 2-4: OPERATIONS FOR DEFEATURING 3D GEOMETRY OBJECTS.

ICON NAME DESCRIPTION

Delete Fillets Search for and delete fillets

Delete Holes Search for and delete holes

Delete Short Search for and collapse short edges

Edges
Delete Sliver Search for and delete slivers faces
Faces
Delete Small Search for and collapse small faces
Faces

28 | CHAPTER 2: GEOMETRY TOOLS AND FEATURES

TABLE 2-4: OPERATIONS FOR DEFEATURING 3D GEOMETRY OBJECTS.

ICON NAME DESCRIPTION

Delete Spikes Search for and delete spikes from faces

Detach Faces Detach faces to form a new object from them

Replace Faces Replace faces by growing surrounding faces or creating new faces

Check
To check the validity of CAD objects, from the Geometry toolbar, Defeaturing and
Repair ( ) menu, select Check ( ).

Select the objects that you want to check in the Graphics window. These then appear
in the Input objects list. If the geometry sequence includes user-defined selections
above the Check node, choose Manual to select objects, or choose one of the selection
nodes from the list next to Input objects. Click the Active button to toggle between
turning ON and OFF the Input objects selections.

If any problems are detected in the selected objects when building this feature,
warning nodes appear with details about the issues. In the warning nodes use the Zoom
to Selection button next to the Entities list to locate the faulty edges or faces.

Warnings on geometric entities are usually associated with objects imported from CAD
files, but could also be introduced by geometric operations, for example when
repairing an object with a tolerance that is too large. The presence of warnings does
not generally mean that the geometry is invalid and cannot be used for setting up a
simulation. However, the faulty entities may in some cases cause the failure of
geometric operations that involve these entities, and meshing of entities with certain
types of faults may fail. In the following you can read about two commonly occurring
class of faulty geometric entities, and how to repair these:

• Tolerance issues: The warning messages vertex not on edge, vertex not on face, edge
not on face belong to this category. These type of faults indicate that the topology
(structure) of the object is not correct locally, for example that an edge is not located
on the boundary where it is expected to be. You can often repair tolerance issues in
an object by applying the Repair operation with a tolerance that is larger than the
tolerance used for the import. Repair adjusts the tolerance of the entities where
required, and, if this fixes the issues, warning nodes will not be displayed after the
Repair node. In some cases it may also help to use the option Simplify curves and

REPAIRING AND DEFEATURING | 29

 surfaces for the Repair operation. Note that increasing the repair tolerance too much
may lead to removing important details from the geometry. As an alternative to the
Repair operation you can also reimport the CAD file using a larger tolerance,
however the option to simplify curves and surfaces is not available in this case. For
more details see Repair, and Import Options.
• Invalid entities: The warning messages invalid curve or surface, self-intersecting
face, face-to-face inconsistency, self-intersecting curve or surface signify invalid
entities. If you encounter any of these faults after importing a geometry from a CAD
file you may need to repair the geometry to avoid problems with meshing. For
example:
- For face-to-face inconsistency faults on solid objects, try to repair the object using
the Repair face-to-face inconsistencies in solids option for the Repair feature.
- Try to replace the faulty face. Use the Delete operation to delete the face, then
use the Cap Faces operation to generate a new face in its place. Another solution
may be to use Delete Faces to delete and patch in one operation several connected
faces that have a fault.

Delete Fillets
Use the Delete Fillets tool to search for fillets of a specified radius and delete these from
an object. The faces forming the fillet are removed and the adjacent faces are extended
to cover the resulting wound.

Note that this defeaturing tool may not find all fillets on nonmanifold objects. An
example of a nonmanifold object is an object with several domains. Such an object can
for example result from a Union or a Partition operation. To remove the fillets make
sure to defeature the geometry objects before applying Boolean operations that result
in nonmanifold objects.

The Delete Fillets tool cannot delete fillets for which the adjacent faces cannot be
extended to cover the wound. The figure below shows an example of such fillets.

30 | CHAPTER 2: GEOMETRY TOOLS AND FEATURES

Applying the fillets on the highlighted edges deletes the annular face from the
geometry, which cannot be recreated if the fillets are to be deleted.

To open the Tools window for Delete Fillets, from the Geometry toolbar, Defeaturing and
Repair ( ) menu, select Delete Fillets ( ). You can also right-click the Geometry
node and select the same option from the context menu.

Note: When you are in the Tools window for Delete Fillets, you can at any time switch
to another defeaturing tool by clicking one of the corresponding buttons at the top of
the window.

DELETE FILLETS
Activate the Input objects selection by clicking the Active button to toggle between
and . Select the objects you want to examine in the Graphics window.
They appear in the Input objects list.

The Delete Fillets tool can only be applied to objects that are represented
by the Parasolid® geometry kernel, also called CAD objects.

In the fields Minimum fillet radius and Maximum fillet radius, enter the size of the fillets
you want to search for. When you click the Find Fillets button, a list of fillets with radii
between the given values is shown in the Fillet selection list.

To delete the found details, either click the Delete All button, or select a subset of the
found details in the list and click Delete Selected. Then, the selected details are deleted
from their objects, and a node corresponding to this operation is added to the
geometry branch of the model tree.

REPAIRING AND DEFEATURING | 31

 If you want to modify the performed deletion operation, you can select the added node
in the geometry branch. Then, edit the node’s form that appears in the Settings
window. Click the Build Selected button ( ) to see the result of your edits. The
Settings window for Delete Fillets contains the additional settings described below.

To delete all fillets returned by the search, set the Deletion type to All fillets. You can
delete a subset of the found fillets by selecting them in the Fillet selection list, and
choosing Selected fillets in the Deletion type list.

SELECTIONS OF RESULTING ENTITIES

If you want to make the resulting entities contribute to a cumulative selection, select
a cumulative selection from the Contribute to list (the default, None, gives no
contribution), or click the New button to create a new cumulative selection (see
Cumulative Selections in the COMSOL Multiphysics Reference Manual).

Select the Resulting objects selection check box to create predefined selections (for all
levels — objects, domains, boundaries, edges, and points — that are applicable) in
subsequent nodes in the geometry sequence. To also make all or one of the types of
resulting entities (domains, boundaries, edges, and points) that the resulting objects
consist of available as selections in all applicable selection lists (in physics and materials
settings, for example), choose an option from the Show in physics list: All levels, Domain
selection, Boundary selection, Edge selection, or Point selection. The default is Domain
selection, which is suitable for use with materials and physics defined in domains. For
use with a boundary condition, for example, choose Boundary selection. These
selections do not appear as separate selection nodes in the model tree. Select Off to not
make any selection available outside of the geometry sequence.

Delete Holes
Use this defeaturing tool to search for and delete cylindrical holes from an object. The
tool can find and delete both through or blind holes on solid as well as surface objects.
The faces forming the hole are deleted and the resulting wound is covered by
extending the adjacent faces.

Note that holes found on nonmanifold objects are not possible to delete. An example
of a nonmanifold object is an object with several domains. Such an object can for
example result from a Union or a Partition operation. To remove the holes make sure
to defeature the geometry objects before applying Boolean operations that result in
nonmanifold objects.

32 | CHAPTER 2: GEOMETRY TOOLS AND FEATURES

To open the Tools window for Delete Holes, from the Geometry toolbar, Defeaturing and
Repair ( ) menu, select Delete Holes ( ). You can also right-click the Geometry
node and select the same option from the context menu.

Note: When you are in the Tools window for Delete Holes, you can at any time switch
to another defeaturing tool by clicking one of the corresponding buttons at the top of
the window.

DELETE HOLES
Activate the Input objects selection by clicking the Active button to toggle between
and . Select the objects you want to examine in the Graphics window.
They appear in the Input objects list.

The Delete Holes tool can only be applied to objects that are represented
by the CAD kernel; see Converting Objects to CAD Kernel
Representation.

In the fields Minimum hole radius and Maximum hole radius, enter the size of the holes
you want to search for. When you click the Find Holes button, a list of holes with radii
between the given values is shown in the Hole selection list.

To delete the found details, either click the Delete All button, or select a subset of the
found details in the list and click Delete Selected. Then, the selected details are deleted
from their objects, and a node corresponding to this operation is added to the
geometry branch of the model tree.

If you want to modify the performed deletion operation, you can select the added node
in the geometry branch. Then, edit the node’s form that appears in the Settings
window. Click the Build Selected button ( ) to see the result of your edits. The
Settings window for Delete Holes contains the additional settings described below.

To delete all holes returned by the search, set the Deletion type to All holes. You can
delete a subset of the found holes by selecting them in the Hole selection list, and
choosing Selected holes in the Deletion type list.

SELECTIONS OF RESULTING ENTITIES

If you want to make the resulting entities contribute to a cumulative selection, select
a cumulative selection from the Contribute to list (the default, None, gives no

REPAIRING AND DEFEATURING | 33

 contribution), or click the New button to create a new cumulative selection (see
Cumulative Selections in the COMSOL Multiphysics Reference Manual).

Select the Resulting objects selection check box to create predefined selections (for all
levels — objects, domains, boundaries, edges, and points — that are applicable) in
subsequent nodes in the geometry sequence. To also make all or one of the types of
resulting entities (domains, boundaries, edges, and points) that the resulting objects
consist of available as selections in all applicable selection lists (in physics and materials
settings, for example), choose an option from the Show in physics list: All levels, Domain
selection, Boundary selection, Edge selection, or Point selection. The default is Domain
selection, which is suitable for use with materials and physics defined in domains. For
use with a boundary condition, for example, choose Boundary selection. These
selections do not appear as separate selection nodes in the model tree. Select Off to not
make any selection available outside of the geometry sequence.

Delete Short Edges

Use the Delete Short Edges tool to find edges shorter than a specified length, and then
to delete these by collapsing the edges.

Note that this defeaturing tool cannot find short edges on nonmanifold objects. An
example of a nonmanifold object is an object with several domains. Such an object can
for example result from a Union or a Partition operation. To avoid this situation
defeature the geometry objects before applying Boolean operations that result in
nonmanifold objects.

To open the Tools window for Delete Short Edges, from the Geometry toolbar,
Defeaturing and Repair ( ) menu, select Delete Short Edges ( ). You can also
right-click the Geometry node and select the same option from the context menu.

Note: When you are in the Tools window for Delete Short Edges, you can at any time
switch to another defeaturing tool by clicking one of the corresponding buttons at
the top of the window.

34 | CHAPTER 2: GEOMETRY TOOLS AND FEATURES

DELETE SHORT EDGES
Activate the Input objects selection by clicking the Active button to toggle between
and . Select the objects you want to examine in the Graphics window.
They appear in the Input objects list.

The Delete Short Edges tool can only be applied to objects that are
represented by the Parasolid® geometry kernel, also called CAD objects.

In the field Maximum edge length, enter the maximum length of the edges you want to
delete. When you click the Find Short Edges button, a list of edges with length smaller
that the given value is shown in the Short edge selection list.

To delete the found details, either click the Delete All button, or select a subset of the
found details in the list and click Delete Selected. Then, the selected details are deleted
from their objects, and a node corresponding to this operation is added to the
geometry branch of the model tree.

If you want to modify the performed deletion operation, you can select the added node
in the geometry branch. Then, edit the node’s form that appears in the Settings
window. Click the Build Selected button ( ) to see the result of your edits. The
Settings window for Delete Short Edges contains the additional settings described
below.

To delete all edges returned by the search, set the Deletion type to All short edges. You
can delete a subset of the found edges by selecting them in the Short edge selection list,
and choosing Selected short edges in the Deletion type list.

SELECTIONS OF RESULTING ENTITIES

If you want to make the resulting entities contribute to a cumulative selection, select
a cumulative selection from the Contribute to list (the default, None, gives no
contribution), or click the New button to create a new cumulative selection (see
Cumulative Selections in the COMSOL Multiphysics Reference Manual).

Select the Resulting objects selection check box to create predefined selections (for all
levels — objects, domains, boundaries, edges, and points — that are applicable) in
subsequent nodes in the geometry sequence. To also make all or one of the types of
resulting entities (domains, boundaries, edges, and points) that the resulting objects
consist of available as selections in all applicable selection lists (in physics and materials
settings, for example), choose an option from the Show in physics list: All levels, Domain
selection, Boundary selection, Edge selection, or Point selection. The default is Domain

REPAIRING AND DEFEATURING | 35

 selection, which is suitable for use with materials and physics defined in domains. For
use with a boundary condition, for example, choose Boundary selection. These
selections do not appear as separate selection nodes in the model tree. Select Off to not
make any selection available outside of the geometry sequence.

Delete Sliver Faces

Use the Delete Sliver Faces tool to search for high aspect ratio faces of a specified
maximum width. The tool deletes the selected sliver faces by collapsing these.

Note that this defeaturing tool cannot find sliver faces on nonmanifold objects. An
example of a nonmanifold object is an object with several domains. Such an object can
for example result from a Union or a Partition operation. To avoid this situation
defeature the geometry objects before applying Boolean operations that result in
nonmanifold objects.

To open the Tools window for Delete Sliver Faces, from the Geometry toolbar,
Defeaturing and Repair ( ) menu, select Delete Sliver Faces ( ). You can also
right-click the Geometry node and select the same option from the context menu.

Note: When you are in the Tools window for Delete Sliver Faces, you can at any time
switch to another defeaturing tool by clicking one of the corresponding buttons at
the top of the window.

DELETE SLIVER FACES

Activate the Input objects selection by clicking the Active button to toggle between
and . Select the objects you want to examine in the Graphics window.
They appear in the Input objects list.

The Delete Sliver Faces tool can only be applied to objects that are
represented by the Parasolid® geometry kernel, also called CAD objects.

In the field Maximum face width, enter the maximum width of the faces you want to
delete. When you click the Find Sliver Faces button, a list of faces with width smaller
that the given value are shown in the Sliver faces selection list.

36 | CHAPTER 2: GEOMETRY TOOLS AND FEATURES

To delete the found details, either click the Delete All button, or select a subset of the
found details in the list and click Delete Selected. Then, the selected details are deleted
from their objects, and a node corresponding to this operation is added to the
geometry branch of the model tree.

If you want to modify the performed deletion operation, you can select the added node
in the geometry branch. Then, edit the node’s form that appears in the Settings
window. Click the Build Selected button ( ) to see the result of your edits. The
Settings window for Delete Sliver Faces contains the additional settings described
below.

To delete all faces returned by the search, set the Deletion type to All sliver faces. You
can delete a subset of the found faces by selecting them in the Sliver face selection list,
and choosing Selected sliver faces in the Deletion type list.

SELECTIONS OF RESULTING ENTITIES

If you want to make the resulting entities contribute to a cumulative selection, select
a cumulative selection from the Contribute to list (the default, None, gives no
contribution), or click the New button to create a new cumulative selection (see
Cumulative Selections in the COMSOL Multiphysics Reference Manual).

Select the Resulting objects selection check box to create predefined selections (for all
levels — objects, domains, boundaries, edges, and points — that are applicable) in
subsequent nodes in the geometry sequence. To also make all or one of the types of
resulting entities (domains, boundaries, edges, and points) that the resulting objects
consist of available as selections in all applicable selection lists (in physics and materials
settings, for example), choose an option from the Show in physics list: All levels, Domain
selection, Boundary selection, Edge selection, or Point selection. The default is Domain
selection, which is suitable for use with materials and physics defined in domains. For
use with a boundary condition, for example, choose Boundary selection. These
selections do not appear as separate selection nodes in the model tree. Select Off to not
make any selection available outside of the geometry sequence.

Delete Small Faces

Use the Delete Small Faces tool to find and delete faces of a specified maximum size.
The tool deletes the selected small faces by collapsing these.

Note that this defeaturing tool cannot find small faces on nonmanifold objects. An
example of a nonmanifold object is an object with several domains. Such an object can
for example result from a Union or a Partition operation. To avoid this situation

REPAIRING AND DEFEATURING | 37

 defeature the geometry objects before applying Boolean operations that result in
nonmanifold objects.

To open the Tools window for Delete Small Faces, from the Geometry toolbar,
Defeaturing and Repair ( ) menu, select Delete Small Faces ( ). You can also
right-click the Geometry node and select the same option from the context menu.

Note: When you are in the Tools window for Delete Small Faces, you can at any time
switch to another defeaturing tool by clicking one of the corresponding buttons at
the top of the window.

DELETE SMALL FACES

Activate the Input objects selection by clicking the Active button to toggle between
and . Select the objects you want to examine in the Graphics window.
They appear in the Input objects list.

The Delete Small Faces tool can only be applied to objects that are
represented by the Parasolid® geometry kernel, also called CAD objects.

In the field Maximum face size, enter the maximum diameter of the faces you want to
delete. When you click the Find Small Faces button, a list of faces with diameter smaller
that the given value appears in the Small faces selection list.

To delete the found details, either click the Delete All button, or select a subset of the
found details in the list and click Delete Selected. Then, the selected details are deleted
from their objects, and a node corresponding to this operation is added to the
geometry branch of the model tree.

If you want to modify the performed deletion operation, you can select the added node
in the geometry branch. Then, edit the node’s form that appears in the Settings
window. Click the Build Selected button ( ) to see the result of your edits. The
Settings window for Delete Small Faces contains the additional settings described
below.

To delete all faces returned by the search, set the Deletion type to All small faces. You
can delete a subset of the found faces by selecting them in the Small face selection list,
and choosing Selected small faces in the Deletion type list.

38 | CHAPTER 2: GEOMETRY TOOLS AND FEATURES

SELECTIONS OF RESULTING ENTITIES
If you want to make the resulting entities contribute to a cumulative selection, select
a cumulative selection from the Contribute to list (the default, None, gives no
contribution), or click the New button to create a new cumulative selection (see
Cumulative Selections in the COMSOL Multiphysics Reference Manual).

Select the Resulting objects selection check box to create predefined selections (for all
levels — objects, domains, boundaries, edges, and points — that are applicable) in
subsequent nodes in the geometry sequence. To also make all or one of the types of
resulting entities (domains, boundaries, edges, and points) that the resulting objects
consist of available as selections in all applicable selection lists (in physics and materials
settings, for example), choose an option from the Show in physics list: All levels, Domain
selection, Boundary selection, Edge selection, or Point selection. The default is Domain
selection, which is suitable for use with materials and physics defined in domains. For
use with a boundary condition, for example, choose Boundary selection. These
selections do not appear as separate selection nodes in the model tree. Select Off to not
make any selection available outside of the geometry sequence.

Delete Spikes
A spike is a long and narrow protrusion on an edge or corner of a face defined by two
or three edges. Using the Delete Spikes tool you can search for and delete spikes from
an object, by collapsing the narrow face region defined by the spike.

To open the Tools window for Delete Spikes, from the Geometry toolbar, Defeaturing and
Repair ( ) menu, select Delete Spikes ( ). You can also right-click the Geometry
node and select the same option from the context menu.

Note: When you are in the Tools window for Delete Spikes, you can at any time switch
to another defeaturing tool by clicking one of the corresponding buttons at the top of
the window.

DELETE SPIKES
Activate the Input objects selection by clicking the Active button to toggle between
and . Select the objects you want to examine in the Graphics window.
They appear in the Input objects list. Note that this defeaturing tool cannot find spikes
on faces that belong to nonmanifold objects. An example of a nonmanifold object is

REPAIRING AND DEFEATURING | 39

 an object with several domains. Such an object can for example result from a Union or
a Partition operation. To avoid this situation defeature the geometry objects before
applying Boolean operations that result in nonmanifold objects.

The Delete Spikes tool can only be applied to objects that are represented
by the Parasolid® geometry kernel, also called CAD objects.

In the field Maximum spike width, enter the maximum width of the spikes you want to
delete. When you click the Find Spikes button, a list of spikes with width smaller that
the given value are shown in the Spike selection list.

To delete the found details, either click the Delete All button, or select a subset of the
found details in the list and click Delete Selected. Then, the selected details are deleted
from their objects, and a node corresponding to this operation is added to the
geometry branch of the model tree.

If you want to modify the performed deletion operation, you can select the added node
in the geometry branch. Then, edit the node’s form that appears in the Settings
window. Click the Build Selected button ( ) to see the result of your edits. The
Settings window for Delete Spikes contains the additional settings described below.

To delete all spikes returned by the search set the Deletion type to All spikes. You can
delete a subset of the found spikes by selecting them in the Spike selection list, and
choosing Selected spikes in the Deletion type list.

SELECTIONS OF RESULTING ENTITIES

If you want to make the resulting entities contribute to a cumulative selection, select
a cumulative selection from the Contribute to list (the default, None, gives no
contribution), or click the New button to create a new cumulative selection (see
Cumulative Selections in the COMSOL Multiphysics Reference Manual).

Select the Resulting objects selection check box to create predefined selections (for all
levels — objects, domains, boundaries, edges, and points — that are applicable) in
subsequent nodes in the geometry sequence. To also make all or one of the types of
resulting entities (domains, boundaries, edges, and points) that the resulting objects
consist of available as selections in all applicable selection lists (in physics and materials
settings, for example), choose an option from the Show in physics list: All levels, Domain
selection, Boundary selection, Edge selection, or Point selection. The default is Domain
selection, which is suitable for use with materials and physics defined in domains. For
use with a boundary condition, for example, choose Boundary selection. These

40 | CHAPTER 2: GEOMETRY TOOLS AND FEATURES

selections do not appear as separate selection nodes in the model tree. Select Off to not
make any selection available outside of the geometry sequence.

Detach Faces
By detaching, faces are removed from an object (the parent) and are used to form a
new object (the child). The wound that results from detaching the faces is healed by
either creating new faces based on the surrounding edges or by growing or shrinking
adjacent faces.

To open the Tools window for Detach Faces, from the Geometry toolbar, Defeaturing and
Repair ( ) menu, select Detach Faces ( ). You can also right-click the Geometry
node and select the same option from the context menu.

Note: When you are in the Tools window for Detach Faces, you can at any time switch
to another defeaturing tool by clicking one of the corresponding buttons at the top of
the window.

Select the faces you want to detach in the Graphics window. They appear in the Faces
to detach list.

The Detach Faces tool can only be applied to objects that are represented
by the Parasolid® geometry kernel, also called CAD objects.

The Parent heal method list determines how to replace the detached faces in the parent
object: Create capping faces means that a new faces are constructed based on the edges
adjacent to each wound, and Extend adjacent faces (default) means that the wound is
covered by growing and shrinking the adjacent faces.

The Child heal method list controls how to construct the child solid from the detached
faces: Create capping faces means that a new face is formed based on the surrounding
edges of each wound, Extend adjacent faces from child means that the detached faces
grow or shrink to form a solid, and Extend adjacent faces from parent (default) means
that the parent faces surrounding the detached faces grow or shrink to form a solid
together with the detached faces.

When you click the Detach Selected button, the program detaches the selected faces and
adds a node corresponding to this operation to the geometry branch of the model tree.

REPAIRING AND DEFEATURING | 41

 The Tools window for Detach Faces remains open so that you can continue
defeaturing using this or another defeaturing tool.

If you want to modify the performed detach operation, select the added node in the
geometry branch. Then edit the node’s form that appears in the Settings window. Click
the Build Selected button ( ) to see the result of your edits. The Settings window for
Detach Faces contains the additional settings described below.

SELECTIONS OF RESULTING ENTITIES

If you want to make the resulting entities contribute to a cumulative selection, select
a cumulative selection from the Contribute to list (the default, None, gives no
contribution), or click the New button to create a new cumulative selection (see
Cumulative Selections in the COMSOL Multiphysics Reference Manual).

Select the Resulting objects selection check box to create predefined selections (for all
levels — objects, domains, boundaries, edges, and points — that are applicable) in
subsequent nodes in the geometry sequence. To also make all or one of the types of
resulting entities (domains, boundaries, edges, and points) that the resulting objects
consist of available as selections in all applicable selection lists (in physics and materials
settings, for example), choose an option from the Show in physics list: All levels, Domain
selection, Boundary selection, Edge selection, or Point selection. The default is Domain
selection, which is suitable for use with materials and physics defined in domains. For
use with a boundary condition, for example, choose Boundary selection. These
selections do not appear as separate selection nodes in the model tree. Select Off to not
make any selection available outside of the geometry sequence.

Detect Interferences
To analyze the interference of geometry objects, from the Geometry toolbar,
Defeaturing and Repair ( ) menu, select Detect Interferences ( ). You can also
right-click the Geometry node and select the same option from the context menu.

Note: When you are in the Tools window for Detect Interferences, you can at any time
switch to another defeaturing tool by clicking one of the corresponding buttons at
the top of the window.

In the Input objects list, select the objects you want to analyze. In the Tolerance text
field, enter the absolute tolerance, which has the default value of 0.1 mm, to be used

42 | CHAPTER 2: GEOMETRY TOOLS AND FEATURES

for the search. When you click the Find Interferences button, a list of interferences is
displayed in the Interfering faces list.

The interference detection applies to the exterior faces of the selected objects, thus
ignoring interior faces, isolated edges and vertices. Each detected interference involves
two objects. The following types of interferences appear in the list when detected by
the tool:

• Touch. Two interfering objects are classified as touching when they intersect, and
the interfering faces are located within a distance less than the specified tolerance
from each other. Thus, an intersection (as defined below) may become a touch after
you increase the tolerance such that it becomes larger than the distance between the
interfering faces.
• Intersection. An intersection between the two objects is detected, and the
interfering faces are located at a distance that is larger than the tolerance from each
other.
• Gap. No intersection is detected between the two objects, but they have faces with
portions that are located within a distance less than the specified tolerance from each
other. The detected size of the gap appears in the list.
• Containment. One object is a contained in another object, which is a solid.

By default the Interfering faces list displays the detected interferences in a tree with the
interferences as the top level nodes sorted by the type of interference. To sort the list
by the objects select the Group by object check box. In this case the objects involved in
an interference are listed as the top level nodes in the tree. Expand a top level node to
see the list of objects that the object on the top level is interfering with. Expand a
subnode to see the list of detected interferences for the objects. You can expand the
nodes for the detected interferences to reveal the two interfering objects, and then
expand the nodes for the objects to look at the interfering faces displayed in subnodes
according to the following:

• For two intersecting solid objects the nodes for the objects have two subnodes each,
Inside and Outside. Click the Inside node to highlight the parts of the interfering
faces that are inside the other object. Click the Outside node to highlight the parts
of the interfering faces that are outside the other object.
• For two intersecting surface objects the nodes for the objects have two subnodes
each, Small side and Large side. The faces resulting from the intersection are
grouped according to size since surface objects do not delimit a volume in space,
thus it is not possible to determine what is inside or outside the other object. Click

REPAIRING AND DEFEATURING | 43

 the Small side and Large side nodes to highlight the parts of the interfering faces
that result from the intersection with the faces of the other object.
• For an intersection of a solid and a surface object, the node for the solid object has
the subnodes Small side and Large side, while the node for the surface object has
subnodes Inside and Outside.
• For two touching objects, the nodes for the objects may have two subnodes,
Touching and Not touching. Click these nodes to highlight the corresponding
portions of the interfering faces.
• For a gap between two objects, the nodes for the objects may sometimes have two
subnodes Touching and Not touching.
• For a Containment node, the first subnode is the containing object, and the second
subnode is the contained object.

VISUALIZATION OF DETECTED INTERFERENCES

For a better visualization of the detected interferences, the Detect Interferences tool
partitions the faces involved in the intersections and touches so that the interfering face
regions can be shown and highlighted separately. In the Interfering faces list, when you
select the nodes for the interferences, or the topmost or first sublevel object nodes
when the Group by object check box is selected, the interferences are visualized only by
highlighting those faces or face regions that enclose an intersection or are directly in
touch. In the list, these are the faces belonging to the first subnode of each object node
under the selected interference node. Thus, when you click a node for an interference
in the list, the faces or face regions belonging to nodes Outside, Large side, and Not
touching are not highlighted. Expand the node for the interference, and select the
object subnodes, to see highlighted the involved faces in their entirety, including the
face regions that are not directly interfering.

Note that the face partitioning that is the result of the intersections is visible only while
working with the Detect Interferences tool, and that the geometry is not modified by
this tool.

To change which objects are shown in the Graphics window while selecting nodes in
the Interfering faces list choose one of the options from the Show in graphics list:

• Choose Interfering faces only to show only the interfering faces involved in the
selected node. For example, if you select an intersection node from the list, only the
face regions from the two objects that are involved in the intersection are shown.
• Choose Selected object (default) to show only the objects involved in the selected
node.

44 | CHAPTER 2: GEOMETRY TOOLS AND FEATURES

• Choose Other object to show the object that is interfering with the currently selected
object subnode to the interference node.
• Choose Both objects to show both objects involved in an interference when you
select one of the subnodes to the interference node.
• Choose All objects to show all objects regardless of which nodes are selected.

The Zoom to Selection button next to the Interfering faces list may also help to find the
detected interferences on the geometry. For a better view of the interferences between
objects you can also click the Wireframe Rendering or Transparency buttons in the
Graphics toolbar.

Repair
To repair objects, from the Geometry toolbar, Defeaturing and Repair ( ) menu, select
Repair ( ). You can also right-click the Geometry node and select the same option
from the context menu.

REPAIR
Select the objects to repair in the Graphics window. They appear in the Input objects list.

The software tries to repair defects and remove details smaller than the Absolute repair
tolerance. More precisely:

• Entities with invalid sense

• Invalid edge and vertex tolerances
• Invalid manifolds
• Self-intersecting manifolds
• Non-G1 manifolds
• Missing edge or vertex manifolds
• Missing vertex
• Vertices not on curve of edge
• Edges and vertices not on surface of face
• Removal of surface self-intersections that lie outside the face
• Splitting at edge intersections which have no vertex
• Removal of discontinuities by either splitting or smoothing
• Remove small features (short edges, small faces, sliver faces, and spikes)

REPAIRING AND DEFEATURING | 45

 Select the option Simplify curves and surfaces to also simplify within the Absolute repair
tolerance the underlying curve and surface manifolds of the geometric entities.
Repairing objects with this option may improve both the performance and reliability
of geometric operations on some imported geometry, for example it may help in some
cases when Boolean operations on the imported objects fail. Simplification means that
the manifolds are converted where possible to analytical form: linear, circular, and
elliptical curves; and planar, spherical, cylindrical, conical, and toroidal surfaces.
Manifolds that are converted are B-spline curves and surfaces, or certain surfaces
generated by operations such as sweeping, revolving, and filleting.

Select the Repair face-to-face inconsistencies in solids check box to try to repair solid
objects with this fault reported by Import, Check, or Repair features.

When the option Check resulting objects is selected the repaired objects are checked for
remaining problems. Warning nodes appear with details about the detected problems,
if any. Use the Zoom to Selection button next to the Entities list in a warning node to
locate the problematic edges or faces. For information on geometry problems see the
Check feature.

SELECTIONS OF RESULTING ENTITIES

If you want to make the resulting entities contribute to a cumulative selection, select
a cumulative selection from the Contribute to list (the default, None, gives no
contribution), or click the New button to create a new cumulative selection (see
Cumulative Selections in the COMSOL Multiphysics Reference Manual).

Select the Resulting objects selection check box to create predefined selections (for all
levels — objects, domains, boundaries, edges, and points — that are applicable) in
subsequent nodes in the geometry sequence. To also make all or one of the types of
resulting entities (domains, boundaries, edges, and points) that the resulting objects
consist of available as selections in all applicable selection lists (in physics and materials
settings, for example), choose an option from the Show in physics list: All levels, Domain
selection, Boundary selection, Edge selection, or Point selection. The default is Domain
selection, which is suitable for use with materials and physics defined in domains. For
use with a boundary condition, for example, choose Boundary selection. These
selections do not appear as separate selection nodes in the model tree. Select Off to not
make any selection available outside of the geometry sequence.

ASSIGNED ATTRIBUTES
From the Construction geometry list choose On to make the resulting objects available
only in the feature’s geometry sequence. The default option Inherit from input means

46 | CHAPTER 2: GEOMETRY TOOLS AND FEATURES

that the resulting objects become construction geometry if all input objects are
construction geometry. Choose Off to never output construction geometry objects.
For more information see Construction Geometry in the COMSOL Multiphysics
Reference Manual.

Replace Faces
By replacing faces from an object you can delete the geometric features formed by the
faces. The deleted faces are replaced either by new faces created based on the edges
surrounding the wound or by growing or shrinking of adjacent faces.

To open the Tools window for Replace Faces, from the Geometry toolbar, Defeaturing
and Repair ( ) menu, select Replace Faces ( ). You can also right-click the Geometry
node and select the same option from the context menu.

Note: When you are in the Tools window for Replace Faces, you can at any time switch
to another defeaturing tool by clicking one of the corresponding buttons at the top of
the window.

Select the faces you want to replace in the Graphics window. They appear in the Faces
to replace list.

The Replace Faces tool can only be applied to objects that are represented
by the Parasolid® geometry kernel, also called CAD objects.

In the Heal method list, select the method to use for covering the wounds after deleting
the faces to be replaced: Create capping faces means that new faces are generated based
on the edges surrounding each wound, while Extend adjacent faces means that the
adjacent faces are grown or shrunk to heal the wounds. Select the Heal as through hole
check box if you have selected faces that make up a hole that you want to delete and
replace.

When you click the Replace Selected button, the program deletes and replaces the
selected faces and adds a node corresponding to this operation to the geometry branch
of the model tree. The Tools window for Replace Faces remains open so that you can
continue defeaturing using this or another defeaturing tool.

REPAIRING AND DEFEATURING | 47

 If you want to modify the performed replace operation, select the added node in the
geometry branch. Then edit the node’s form that appears in the Settings window. Click
the Build Selected button ( ) to see the result of your edits. The Settings window for
Replace Faces contains the additional settings described below.

SELECTIONS OF RESULTING ENTITIES

If you want to make the resulting entities contribute to a cumulative selection, select
a cumulative selection from the Contribute to list (the default, None, gives no
contribution), or click the New button to create a new cumulative selection (see
Cumulative Selections in the COMSOL Multiphysics Reference Manual).

Select the Resulting objects selection check box to create predefined selections (for all
levels — objects, domains, boundaries, edges, and points — that are applicable) in
subsequent nodes in the geometry sequence. To also make all or one of the types of
resulting entities (domains, boundaries, edges, and points) that the resulting objects
consist of available as selections in all applicable selection lists (in physics and materials
settings, for example), choose an option from the Show in physics list: All levels, Domain
selection, Boundary selection, Edge selection, or Point selection. The default is Domain
selection, which is suitable for use with materials and physics defined in domains. For
use with a boundary condition, for example, choose Boundary selection. These
selections do not appear as separate selection nodes in the model tree. Select Off to not
make any selection available outside of the geometry sequence.

48 | CHAPTER 2: GEOMETRY TOOLS AND FEATURES

Creating and Modifying Geometries
This section describes the operations for creating and modifying geometries listed in
the table below.
TABLE 2-5: OPERATIONS FOR CREATING AND MODIFYING.

ICON NAME DESCRIPTION

Cap Faces Generate faces from edges to fill gaps and create solid objects, or
to partition solids
Knit to Solid Knit surface objects to form solid or surface object

Projection Project 3D objects and entities to a work plane

Cap Faces
You can add cap faces to fill holes in a geometry (for example, to make a domain for
the void inside a cylinder geometry for simulating fluid flow inside the cylinder) or to
partition the geometry. To add cap faces to objects, from the Geometry toolbar,
Defeaturing and Repair ( ) menu, select Cap Faces ( ).

CAP FACES
Select edges that form loops around the faces you want to create. The edges display in
the Bounding edges list. To automatically extend the selection to all adjacent edges that
form a loop or chain, select the Group adjacent edges check box.

A cap face is created for each loop of edges in the input selection. The cap faces are
joined with the original objects. If new closed volumes are created by the cap faces,
these are converted to solid domains. The selected edges can contain more than one
edge loop, but no two loops can have edges or vertices in common. The selected edges
can contain edges from more than one object. In this case, each object is processed
individually. This means that two edges or vertices can overlap as long as they are not
in the same object. It also means that if new closed volumes are created, but bounded
by faces from more than one object, these volumes are not converted to solid domains.
If you want to perform a Cap Faces operation involving more than one object, first
unite the objects using a Union operation.

CREATING AND MODIFYING GEOMETRIES | 49

 SELECTIONS OF RESULTING ENTITIES
If you want to make the resulting entities contribute to a cumulative selection, select
a cumulative selection from the Contribute to list (the default, None, gives no
contribution), or click the New button to create a new cumulative selection (see
Cumulative Selections in the COMSOL Multiphysics Reference Manual).

Select the Resulting objects selection check box to create predefined selections (for all
levels — objects, domains, boundaries, edges, and points — that are applicable) in
subsequent nodes in the geometry sequence. To also make all or one of the types of
resulting entities (domains, boundaries, edges, and points) that the resulting objects
consist of available as selections in all applicable selection lists (in physics and materials
settings, for example), choose an option from the Show in physics list: All levels, Domain
selection, Boundary selection, Edge selection, or Point selection. The default is Domain
selection, which is suitable for use with materials and physics defined in domains. For
use with a boundary condition, for example, choose Boundary selection. These
selections do not appear as separate selection nodes in the model tree. Select Off to not
make any selection available outside of the geometry sequence.

ASSIGNED ATTRIBUTES
From the Construction geometry list choose On to make the resulting objects available
only in the feature’s geometry sequence. The default option Inherit from input means
that the resulting objects become construction geometry if all input objects are
construction geometry. Choose Off to never output construction geometry objects.
For more information see Construction Geometry in the COMSOL Multiphysics
Reference Manual.

Knit to Solid
To knit surface objects to form solid objects, from the Geometry toolbar, Defeaturing
and Repair ( ) menu, select Knit to Solid ( ).

KNIT TO SOLID
Select the objects to knit together in the Graphics window. They appear in the Input
objects list.

The knitting merges edges that have a distance smaller than the Absolute repair
tolerance and deletes gaps and spikes smaller than the Absolute repair tolerance. If the
Fill holes check box is selected the operation attempts to generate new faces to replace
missing geometry.

50 | CHAPTER 2: GEOMETRY TOOLS AND FEATURES

The input surface objects must have manifold topology, and the operation can only
form solids with manifold topology. An example of a solid object with nonmanifold
topology is a solid that has an interior surface that separates two domains. A surface
object that contains an edge that is adjacent to more than one boundary is an example
of a surface object with nonmanifold topology.

SELECTIONS OF RESULTING ENTITIES

If you want to make the resulting entities contribute to a cumulative selection, select
a cumulative selection from the Contribute to list (the default, None, gives no
contribution), or click the New button to create a new cumulative selection (see
Cumulative Selections in the COMSOL Multiphysics Reference Manual).

Select the Resulting objects selection check box to create predefined selections (for all
levels — objects, domains, boundaries, edges, and points — that are applicable) in
subsequent nodes in the geometry sequence. To also make all or one of the types of
resulting entities (domains, boundaries, edges, and points) that the resulting objects
consist of available as selections in all applicable selection lists (in physics and materials
settings, for example), choose an option from the Show in physics list: All levels, Domain
selection, Boundary selection, Edge selection, or Point selection. The default is Domain
selection, which is suitable for use with materials and physics defined in domains. For
use with a boundary condition, for example, choose Boundary selection. These
selections do not appear as separate selection nodes in the model tree. Select Off to not
make any selection available outside of the geometry sequence.

ASSIGNED ATTRIBUTES
From the Construction geometry list choose On to make the resulting objects available
only in the feature’s geometry sequence. The default option Inherit from input means
that the resulting objects become construction geometry if all input objects are
construction geometry. Choose Off to never output construction geometry objects.
For more information see Construction Geometry in the COMSOL Multiphysics
Reference Manual.

Projection
Use the Projection feature to compute the projection of 3D objects and entities to a
work plane. This can be useful when you need to reference existing 3D objects in the
2D drawing on the work plane. You can also add a new 2D or 2D axisymmetric
component and add the Projection node there. In that case you can select the work
plane to use for the projection from the 3D component’s geometry sequence, but first

CREATING AND MODIFYING GEOMETRIES | 51

 make sure that in the 3D component’s Geometry node the Geometry representation is
set to the CAD kernel.

To add a projection to a Work Plane node’s Plane Geometry sequence, from the Plane
Geometry toolbar select Projection ( ), or right-click a Plane Geometry node under a
Work Plane node and select Projection ( ). Enter the properties of the projection
using the following sections:

PROJECTION
From the Project list, choose All objects (the default) to project all 3D geometry objects
to the work plane, or choose Selected objects, Selected domains, Selected boundaries,
Selected edges, or Selected vertices to project only the objects or entities that you add
to the Entities to project list that appears.

Click the Active button to toggle between turning ON and OFF the Entities to project
selections.

When projecting objects, domains, and boundaries you can select the Projection type
to project the Outline (default) of the selected objects and entities, or to project the
Edges and vertices only, or the Outline, edges, and vertices.

Projecting the outline for surface and solid objects results in the edges that form the
boundary of the shadow of the object’s faces. In this case the edges are projected only
if they coincide with the outline. If you project the outline of a mixed object that
contains isolated edges and vertices, only the outline of the faces is generated, the
isolated edges and vertices are not projected.

For point and curve objects, projecting the outline is the same as projecting the edges
and vertices.

You can change the settings for the Repair tolerance list if you experience problems with
the projection operation. Geometric entities that have a distance less than the repair
tolerance are merged.

• The default value in the Repair tolerance list is Automatic, which means a relative
repair tolerance of 10-6.
• Choose Relative to enter a value for the Relative repair tolerance field (the default is
determined by the main Geometry node’s setting). This value is relative to the largest
absolute value of the coordinates of all input objects.
• Choose Absolute to enter a value for the Absolute repair tolerance field (the default
is determined by the main Geometry node’s setting; SI unit: m). This value uses the
same unit as the geometry sequence’s length unit.

52 | CHAPTER 2: GEOMETRY TOOLS AND FEATURES

When you build this feature, the relative and absolute repair tolerances are set to the
values that are used for the last projected object (with a precision of two digits). This
is useful to find out the tolerance used for the last projected object. After the feature
is built, you can set the Repair tolerance to either Relative or Absolute, then check the
values displayed in the Relative repair tolerance or Absolute repair tolerance fields.

SELECTIONS OF RESULTING ENTITIES

If you want to make the resulting entities contribute to a cumulative selection, select
a cumulative selection from the Contribute to list (the default, None, gives no
contribution), or click the New button to create a new cumulative selection (see
Cumulative Selections in the COMSOL Multiphysics Reference Manual).

Select the Resulting objects selection check box to create predefined selections (for all
levels — objects, boundaries, and points — that are applicable) in subsequent nodes in
the plane geometry sequence. To also make all or one of the types of resulting entities
(objects, boundaries, and points) available as selections in applicable selection lists in
the main Geometry node’s geometry sequence, choose an option from the Show in 3D
list: All levels, Object selection (default), Boundary selection, or Point selection. These
selections do not appear as separate selection nodes in the model tree. Select Off to not
make any selection available outside of the plane geometry sequence.

ASSIGNED ATTRIBUTES
From the Construction geometry list choose On to make the resulting objects available
only in the feature’s geometry sequence. The default option Inherit from input means
that the resulting objects become construction geometry if all input objects are
construction geometry. Choose Off to never output construction geometry objects.
For more information see Construction Geometry in the COMSOL Multiphysics
Reference Manual.

CREATING AND MODIFYING GEOMETRIES | 53

54 | CHAPTER 2: GEOMETRY TOOLS AND FEATURES
 3

Programming and Command Reference

In this section you find detailed COMSOL® API reference information for the
geometry features in the CAD Import Module.

55
 De f e a tur i ng Tool s
To remove unnecessary details in objects imported from a 3D CAD file, and detect
interferences between objects, you can use the defeaturing tools. You access these by
typing:

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Fillets");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Holes");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("ShortEdges");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("SliverFaces");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("SmallFaces");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Spikes");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("ReplaceFaces");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("DetachFaces");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).
defeaturing("DetectInterferences");

Using the defeaturing tools you can search for small details, without altering your
geometry. If you find small details that you want to remove, a defeaturing tool can
create a feature that removes the details from the geometry.

The features corresponding to the defeaturing tools are DeleteFillets,

DeleteHoles, DeleteShortEdges, DeleteSliverFaces, DeleteSmallFaces,
DeleteSpikes, ReplaceFaces, and DetachFaces. If you already know which details
you need to remove, it is also possible to create these features directly using the
standard create syntax.

This section includes these topics:

• Defeaturing Tools — Finding and Deleting Small Details

• Defeaturing Tools — Detach Faces
• Defeaturing Tools — Detect Interferences
• Defeaturing Tools — Replace Faces

Defeaturing Tools — Finding and Deleting Small Details

The defeaturing tools Fillets, Holes, ShortEdges, SliverFaces, SmallFaces,
and Spikes search for and delete details smaller than a given size. First select the
objects you want to examine by typing, for example,

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Fillets").
selection("input").set(<onames>);

56 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

where <onames> is a string array contains the object names.

Set the maximum size of the details (fillets in this case) you want to remove by typing

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Fillets").
set("entsize",size);

The defeaturing tools Fillets and Holes also support specifying a minimum radius,
to do this type (for fillets in this case):

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Fillets").
set("minentsize",minsize);

To find the details in the specified size interval, type

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Fillets").
find();

The found details appear in the selection

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Fillets").
detail();

To get the number of found details, type

int nd = model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).
defeaturing("Fillets").detail().size();

To get the names of the found details, type

String[] filletNames = model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).

defeaturing("Fillets").detail().groupNames();

In general, a detail (fillet in this case) consists of a number of geometric entities. For
example, a fillet consists of a number of faces. To get the entity numbers in the nth
detail, type

int[] entities = model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).

defeaturing("Fillets").detail().groupEntities(n);

To get the object that contains the nth detail, type

String oname = model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).

defeaturing("Fillets").detail().groupObject(n);

To delete all details found, type

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Fillets").
deleteAll(<ftag>);

This adds a feature, tagged <ftag>, that performs the deletion operation to the
geometry sequence, after the current feature, and build this feature. In this case, it adds
a DeleteFillets feature.

DEFEATURING TOOLS | 57
 To delete a subset of the details found, type, for example

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Fillets").
detail().setGroup(2,5);

to delete fillets number 2 and 5. You can also use, for example,

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Fillets").
detail().addGroup(7,8);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Fillets").
detail().removeGroup(3);

to add and remove details from the selection. Perform the deletion by typing

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Fillets").
delete(<ftag>);

This adds a DeleteFillets feature tagged <ftag> after the current feature in the
geometry sequence.

DEFEATURING METHODS
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).find() searches for
small details, for a defeaturing feature <ftag>.

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing(tooltag).find()
searches for small details, for a defeaturing tool tooltag.

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing(tooltag).detail().
selMethod manipulates the selection of details to remove, for a defeaturing tool
tooltag.

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).detail().
selMethod manipulates the selection of details to remove, for a defeaturing feature
<ftag>.

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing(tooltag).
delete(<ftag>) creates a defeaturing feature of type tooltag, tagged <ftag>, with
the properties currently specified in the defeaturing tool. The property delete of the
created feature is set to selected. If the feature <ftag> can be built, it is inserted in
the geometry sequence after the current feature, otherwise the feature is discarded.

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing(tooltag).
deleteAll(<ftag>) creates a defeaturing feature of type tooltag, tagged <ftag>,
with the properties currently specified in the defeaturing tool. The property delete of
the created feature is set to all. If the feature <ftag> can be built, it is inserted in the
geometry sequence after the current feature, otherwise the feature is discarded.

58 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

DEFEATURING SELECTION METHODS
For a defeaturing selection sel the following methods are available, in addition to the
methods available for a general geometry selection.

Geometry Object Selection Methods in the COMSOL Multiphysics

Programming Reference Manual

The find method on the corresponding feature or defeaturing tool provides the
defeaturing selection with a list of details. Each detail is a group of geometric entities.
Group numbers, <groups>, is an array of integers that index into the list of details.

You can select groups either by explicitly referring to group numbers, or by selecting
geometric entities. In the latter case, any group that has nonempty intersection with
the provided entity selection is selected.

int[] sel.group(<groups>) returns the group numbers for the selected groups.

sel.addGroup(<groups>) adds the specified groups to the selection.

sel.setGroup(<groups>) sets the selection groups.

sel.removeGroup(<groups>) removes the specified groups from the selection.

String[] sel.groupNames() returns a list of names of the groups found.

String sel.groupObject(<group>) returns the name of the geometry object that

contains the specified detail group.

int[] sel.groupEntities(<group>) returns the entity numbers of the specified

detail group.

int sel.size() returns the number of detail groups found.

Defeaturing Tools — Detach Faces

Use the DetachFaces tool to detach faces from a solid object (the parent) to form a
new solid object (the child). Select the faces to detach and properties for the operation
like in the corresponding feature DetachFaces. The detach operation is performed
when you issue the command

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("DetachFaces").
delete(<ftag>);

DEFEATURING TOOLS | 59
 Defeaturing Tools — Detect Interferences
Access the DetectInterferences tool by the command

GeomDefeature tool = model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).

defeaturing("DetectInterferences");

To access the input objects selection, use

GeomObjectSelection input = tool.selection("input");

To set the tolerance, use

tool.set("abstol", value);

To find interferences, type

tool.find();

To access the resulting interferences, use

GeomObjectGroupSelection interf = tool.detail();

Each node listed in Interfering faces list in the user interface corresponds to a group
of faces in GeomObjectGroupSelection. To access the data for a group, use its integer
group index:

String label = interf.groupNames()[group];

String objName = interf.groupObject(group);
int[] faces = interf.groupEntities(group);
double gapSize = interf.entSize(group)[0];

The face numbers in the groups do not refer to the input objects. Rather, they refer to
objects in a local state, where the tool has imprinted edges where objects interfere. To
hide faces in the local state, first type

tool.localState(true);

to enter the local state. After doing the hiding, type

tool.localState(false);

to exit the local state.

See also DetectInterferences.

Defeaturing Tools — Replace Faces

Use the ReplaceFaces tool to delete faces and replace them either with a new face or
by growing or shrinking the adjacent faces. Select the faces to replace and properties

60 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

for the operation like in the corresponding feature ReplaceFaces. The faces are
replaced when you issue the command

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("ReplaceFaces").
delete(<ftag>);

This adds a ReplaceFaces feature tagged <ftag> after the current feature in the
geometry sequence.

DEFEATURING TOOLS | 61
 Summary of Commands
• CapFaces • Import 3D CAD
• Check • Knit
• ConvertToCOMSOL • Projection
• DeleteFillets • Repair
• DeleteHoles • ReplaceFaces
• DeleteShortEdges
• DeleteSliverFaces
• DeleteSmallFaces
• DeleteSpikes
• DetachFaces
• DetectInterferences
• Export, ExportFinal

62 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

C o m m a nds Grou p ed b y Fu n c t i on
Commands for Creating and Modifying Geometry in 2D

FUNCTION PURPOSE

Projection Project 3D objects and entities to a 2D work plane

Commands for Defeaturing

FUNCTION PURPOSE

DeleteFillets Find and delete fillets in CAD objects

DeleteHoles Find and delete holes in CAD objects
DeleteShortEdges Find and delete short edges in CAD objects
DeleteSliverFaces Find and delete sliver faces in CAD objects
DeleteSmallFaces Find and delete small faces in CAD objects
DeleteSpikes Find and delete spikes in CAD objects
DetachFaces Detach faces from CAD objects to form a new
solid
DetectInterferences Detect intersections, touches, gaps, and
containments between CAD objects
ReplaceFaces Delete faces from CAD objects and heal the
wounds

Commands for File Import, Export, Conversion, and Repair

FUNCTION PURPOSE

Check Check the validity of CAD objects

ConvertToCOMSOL Convert CAD Import Module geometry objects to
COMSOL objects
Export, ExportFinal Export geometry objects to a 3D CAD file
Import 3D CAD Import geometry objects from a 3D CAD file
Knit Knit surface CAD objects to form solids or surface
objects
Repair Repair CAD objects

COMMANDS GROUPED BY FUNCTION | 63

 Commands for Creating and Modifying Geometry in 3D

FUNCTION PURPOSE

CapFaces Add cap faces to fill holes in CAD geometries

64 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

Commands in Alphabetical Order
CapFaces

PURPOSE
Add cap faces to objects.

SYNTAX
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature().
create(<ftag>,"CapFaces");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
selection(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
setAttribute(attribute,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
getAttribute(attribute);

DESCRIPTION
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature().
create(<ftag>,"CapFaces")
creates a CapFaces feature. A cap face is created for each loop of edges in the input
selection. The cap faces are joined with the original objects. If new domains are created
by the cap faces, these domains are made solid.

The input selection can contain more than one edge loop, but no two loops can have
edges or vertices in common.

The input selection can contain edges from more than one object. In this case, each
object is processed individually.
TABLE 3-1: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

input Selection The input edges.

groupadjedg on | off off Extend edge selection to
adjacent edge loop or chain.
selresult on | off off Create selections of all
resulting objects.

COMMANDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER | 65

 TABLE 3-1: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

selresultshow all | obj | dom Show selections of resulting

dom | bnd | objects in physics, materials,
edg | pnt | and so on, or in part
off instances. obj is not available
in a component’s geometry.
dom, bnd, and edg are not
available in all features.
contributeto String none Tag of cumulative selection to
contribute to.
The following attributes are available:
TABLE 3-2: VALID ATTRIBUTES

NAME VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

construction on | off | inherit Designate the resulting objects as

inherit construction geometry. Use inherit to set
the construction geometry attribute only if
all input objects are construction geometry.

Check
Check the validity of CAD objects.

SYNTAX
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature().
create(<ftag>,"Check");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
selection(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
set(property,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
getType(property)

DESCRIPTION
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature().
create(<ftag>,"Check") creates a check feature tagged <ftag>. The following
properties are available.
TABLE 3-3: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

input Selection Names of input objects

66 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

SEE ALSO
Repair

ConvertToCOMSOL
Convert CAD objects to COMSOL objects.

SYNTAX
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature().
create(<ftag>,"ConvertToCOMSOL");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
selection(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
setAttribute(attribute,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
getAttribute(attribute);

DESCRIPTION
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature().
create(<ftag>,"ConvertToCOMSOL")
creates a ConvertToCOMSOL feature.
TABLE 3-4: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

input Selection Names of input objects.

selresult on | off off Create selections of all
resulting objects.
selresultshow all | obj | dom Show selections of resulting
dom | bnd | objects in physics, materials,
edg | pnt | and so on, or in part
off instances. obj is not available
in a component’s geometry.
dom, bnd, and edg are not
available in all features.
contributeto String none Tag of cumulative selection to
contribute to.

COMMANDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER | 67

 The following attributes are available:
TABLE 3-5: VALID ATTRIBUTES

NAME VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

construction on | off | inherit Designate the resulting objects as

inherit construction geometry. Use inherit to set
the construction geometry attribute only if
all input objects are construction geometry.

SEE ALSO
Import 3D CAD

DeleteFillets
Find and delete fillets in CAD objects.

SYNTAX
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature().
create(<ftag>,"DeleteFillets");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
selection(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
set(property,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
getType(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).find();
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).detail();

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Fillets").
selection(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Fillets").
set(property,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Fillets").find();
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Fillets").
detail();
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Fillets").
delete(<ftag>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Fillets").
deleteAll(<ftag>);

DESCRIPTION
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Fillets").
delete(<ftag>)

68 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

creates a DeleteFillets feature tagged <ftag> with the specified properties. The
property delete is set to selected. If the feature can be built, it is inserted in the
geometry sequence after the current feature; otherwise, the feature is discarded.

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Fillets").
deleteAll(<ftag>) works as the delete method, but the property delete is set to
all.

It is also possible to create the DeleteFillets feature using the standard create
method. The following properties are available.
TABLE 3-6: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

delete all | selected selected Delete all fillets of given size, or

a selection. Only available for
the feature.
minentsize double 0 Minimum fillet radius.
entsize double 1e-3 Maximum fillet radius.
input Selection Names of input objects.
selresult on | off off Create selections of all resulting
objects.
selresultshow all | obj | dom | dom Show selections of resulting
bnd | edg | pnt | objects in physics, materials, and
off so on, or in part instances. obj
is not available in a component’s
geometry. dom, bnd, and edg
are not available in all features.
contributeto String none Tag of cumulative selection to
contribute to.

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).find() searches
the input objects for fillets with radius less than entsize.

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).detail() returns a
selection object where you can select a subset of the fillets found.

The find and detail methods of

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Fillets")

have the corresponding functionality for the defeaturing tool.

COMMANDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER | 69

 Only faces that can be deleted without invalidating the object are deleted. If a fillet was
not possible to delete, a warning is given, accessible through
model.geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).problem().

COMPATIBILITY
The following property is no longer supported:
TABLE 3-7: OBSOLETE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

Out stx | ftx | ctx | none Output variables

ptx

EXAMPLE
The following example imports the CAD object in the COMSOL Multiphysics
geometry file defeaturing_demo_3.mphbin and finds all fillets with radius less than
4·10−3. The first of these fillets is deleted.

Model model = ModelUtil.create("Model1");

model.component.create("comp1");
model.component("comp1").geom().create("geom1",3);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature().
create("imp1","Import");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("imp1").
set("filename", "defeaturing_demo_3.mphbin");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").run("imp1");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature().
create("dfi1","DeleteFillets");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("dfi1").
selection("input").
set("imp1");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("dfi1").
set("entsize",4e-3);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("dfi1").find();
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("dfi1").detail().
setGroup(1);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").run();

SEE ALSO
ReplaceFaces

DeleteHoles
Find and delete holes in CAD objects.

70 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

SYNTAX
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature().
create(<ftag>,"DeleteHoles");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
selection(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
set(property,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
getType(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).find();
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).detail();

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Holes").
selection(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Holes").
set(property,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Holes").find();
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Holes").detail();
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Holes").
delete(<ftag>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Holes").
deleteAll(<ftag>);

DESCRIPTION
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Holes").
delete(<ftag>) creates a DeleteHoles feature tagged <ftag> with the specified
properties. The property delete is set to selected. If the feature can be built, it is
inserted in the geometry sequence after the current feature; otherwise, the feature is
discarded.

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Holes").
deleteAll(<ftag>) works as the delete method, but the property delete is set to
all.

It is also possible to create the DeleteHoles feature using the standard create
method. The following properties are available.
TABLE 3-8: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

delete all | selected selected Delete all holes of given size, or

a selection. Only available for
the feature
minentsize double 0 Minimum hole radius
entsize double 1e-3 Maximum hole radius
input Selection Names of input objects

COMMANDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER | 71

 TABLE 3-8: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

selresult on | off off Create selections of all resulting

objects
selresultshow all | obj | dom | dom Show selections of resulting
bnd | edg | pnt | objects in physics, materials, and
off so on, or in part instances. obj
is not available in a component’s
geometry. dom, bnd, and edg
are not available in all features
contributeto String none Tag of cumulative selection to
contribute to
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).find() searches
the input objects for holes with radius less than entsize.

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).detail() returns a
selection object where you can select a subset of the holes found.

The find and detail methods of

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Holes") have the
corresponding functionality for the defeaturing tool.

Only faces that can be deleted without invalidating the object are deleted. If a hole was
not possible to delete, a warning is given, accessible through
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).problem().

COMPATIBILITY
The following property is no longer supported:
TABLE 3-9: OBSOLETE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

Out stx | ftx | ctx | none Output variables

ptx

EXAMPLE
The following example imports the CAD object in the COMSOL Multiphysics
geometry file defeaturing_demo_3.mphbin and finds all holes with radius less than
4·10−2. The first four of these holes are deleted.

Model model = ModelUtil.create("Model1");

model.component.create("comp1");
model.component("comp1").geom().create("geom1",3);

72 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

 model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature().
create("imp1","Import");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("imp1").
set("filename", "defeaturing_demo_3.mphbin");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").run("imp1");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature().
create("dho1","DeleteHoles");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("dho1").
selection("input").
set("imp1");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("dho1").
set("entsize",4e-2);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("dho1").find();
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("dho1").
detail().setGroup(1, 2, 3, 4);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").run();

SEE ALSO
ReplaceFaces

DeleteShortEdges
Find and delete short edges in CAD objects.

COMMANDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER | 73

 SYNTAX
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature().
create(<ftag>,"DeleteShortEdges");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
selection(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
set(property,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
getType(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).find();
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).detail();

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("ShortEdges").
selection(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("ShortEdges").
set(property,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("ShortEdges").
find();
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("ShortEdges").
detail();
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("ShortEdges").
delete(<ftag>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("ShortEdges").
deleteAll(<ftag>);

DESCRIPTION
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("ShortEdges").
delete(<ftag>) creates a DeleteShortEdges feature tagged <ftag> with the
specified properties. The property delete is set to selected. If the feature can be
built, it is inserted in the geometry sequence after the current feature; otherwise, the
feature is discarded.

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("ShortEdges").
deleteAll(<ftag>) works as the delete method, but the property delete is set to
all.

It is also possible to create a DeleteShortEdges feature using the standard create

method. The following properties are available.
TABLE 3-10: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

delete all | selected selected Delete all edges of given size, or

a selection. Only available for the
feature.
entsize double 1e-3 Maximum edge length

74 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

TABLE 3-10: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

input Selection Names of input objects

selresult on | off off Create selections of all resulting
objects.
selresultshow all | obj | dom | dom Show selections of resulting
bnd | edg | pnt | objects in physics, materials, and
off so on, or in part instances. obj is
not available in a component’s
geometry. dom, bnd, and edg are
not available in all features.
contributeto String none Tag of cumulative selection to
contribute to.
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).find() searches
the input objects for edges of length less than entsize.

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).detail() returns a
selection object where you can select a subset of the edge sets found.

The find and detail methods of

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("ShortEdges") have
the corresponding functionality for the defeaturing tool.

Only edges that can be deleted without invalidating the object are deleted. If an edge
was not possible to delete, a warning is given, accessible through
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).problem().

COMPATIBILITY
The lengths of the edges are no longer returned.

The following property is no longer supported:

TABLE 3-11: OBSOLETE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

Out stx | ftx | ctx | none Output variables

ptx

EXAMPLE
The following example imports the file defeaturing_demo_4.x_b and finds all edges
with length less than 3·10−3. The first of these edges is deleted.

Model model = ModelUtil.create("Model1");

model.component.create("comp1");

COMMANDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER | 75

 model.component("comp1").geom().create("geom1",3);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature().
create("imp1","Import");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("imp1").
set("filename", "defeaturing_demo_4.x_b");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").runAll();
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature().
create("dse1","DeleteShortEdges");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("dse1").
selection("input").
set("imp1");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("dse1").
set("entsize",3e-3);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("dse1").find();
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("dse1").
detail().setGroup(1);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").runAll();

DeleteSliverFaces
Find and delete sliver faces in CAD objects.

SYNTAX
model.component(<ctag>).geom(gname).feature().
create(<ftag>,"DeleteSliverFaces");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
selection(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
set(property,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
getType(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).find();
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).detail();

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("SliverFaces").
selection(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("SliverFaces").
set(property,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("SliverFaces").
find();
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("SliverFaces").
detail();
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("SliverFaces").
delete(<ftag>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("SliverFaces").
deleteAll(<ftag>);

76 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

DESCRIPTION
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("SliverFaces").
delete(<ftag>) creates a DeleteSliverFaces feature tagged <ftag> with the
specified properties. The property delete is set to selected. If the feature can be
built, it is inserted in the geometry sequence after the current feature; otherwise, the
feature is discarded.

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("SliverFaces").
deleteAll(<ftag>) works as the delete method, but the property delete is set to
all.

It is also possible to create a DeleteSliverFaces feature using the standard create

method. The following properties are available.
TABLE 3-12: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

delete all | selected selected Delete all sliver faces of given

width, or a selection. Only
available for the feature.
entsize double 1e-3 Maximum face width.
input Selection Names of input objects.
selresult on | off off Create selections of all resulting
objects.
selresultshow all | obj | dom | dom Show selections of resulting
bnd | edg | pnt | objects in physics, materials, and
off so on, or in part instances. obj is
not available in a component’s
geometry. dom, bnd, and edg are
not available in all features.
contributeto String none Tag of cumulative selection to
contribute to.

Sliver faces are narrow but long faces with large aspect ratio, which usually give rise to
extremely fine local meshes in their vicinity.

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).find() searches
the input objects for faces with width less than entsize.

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).detail() returns a
selection object where you can select a subset of the faces found.

COMMANDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER | 77

 The find and detail methods of
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("SliverFaces") have
the corresponding functionality for the defeaturing tool.

Only faces that can be deleted without invalidating the object are deleted. If a face was
not possible to delete, a warning message is given.

COMPATIBILITY
The following property is no longer supported:
TABLE 3-13: OBSOLETE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

Out stx | ftx | ctx | none Output variables

ptx | status

EXAMPLE
The following example imports the geometry model from the file
−3
defeaturing_demo_5.x_b, finds sliver faces narrower than 2·10 , and deletes the
first of these.

Model model = ModelUtil.create("Model1");

model.component.create("comp1");
model.component("comp1").geom().create("geom1",3);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature().
create("imp1","Import");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("imp1").
set("filename", "defeaturing_demo_5.x_b");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").runAll();
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature().
create("dsl1","DeleteSliverFaces");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("dsl1").
selection("input").
set("imp1");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("dsl1").
set("entsize",2e-3);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("dsl1").find();
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("dsl1").detail().
setGroup(1);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").runAll();

SEE ALSO
ReplaceFaces, DeleteSmallFaces

78 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

DeleteSmallFaces
Find and delete small faces in CAD objects.

SYNTAX
model.component(<ctag>).geom(gname).feature().
create(<ftag>,"DeleteSmallFaces");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
selection(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
set(property,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
getType(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).find();
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).detail();

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("SmallFaces").
selection(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("SmallFaces").
set(property,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("SmallFaces").
find();
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("SmallFaces").
detail();
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("SmallFaces").
delete(<ftag>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("SmallFaces").
deleteAll(<ftag>);

DESCRIPTION
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("SmallFaces").
delete(<ftag>) creates a DeleteSmallFaces feature tagged <ftag> with the
specified properties. The property delete is set to selected. If the feature can be
built, it is inserted in the geometry sequence after the current feature; otherwise, the
feature is discarded.

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("SmallFaces").
deleteAll(<ftag>) works as the delete method, but the property delete is set to
all.

COMMANDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER | 79

 It is also possible to create a DeleteSmallFaces feature using the standard create
method. The following properties are available.
TABLE 3-14: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

delete all | selected selected Delete all small faces of given

size, or a selection. Only
available for the feature.
entsize double 1e-3 Maximum face size.
input Selection Names of input objects.
selresult on | off off Create selections of all resulting
objects.
selresultshow all | obj | dom | dom Show selections of resulting
bnd | edg | pnt | objects in physics, materials, and
off so on, or in part instances. obj is
not available in a component’s
geometry. dom, bnd, and edg are
not available in all features.
contributeto String none Tag of cumulative selection to
contribute to.

A small face is a face that fits within a sphere of specified radius, given in the property
entsize.

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).find() searches
the input objects for faces with size less than entsize.

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).detail() returns a
selection object where you can select a subset of the faces found.

The find and detail methods of

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("SmallFaces") have
the corresponding functionality for the defeaturing tool.

Only faces that can be deleted without invalidating the object are deleted. If a face was
not possible to delete, a warning message is given, accessible through
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).problem().

80 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

COMPATIBILITY
The following property is no longer supported:
TABLE 3-15: OBSOLETE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

Out stx | ftx | ctx | none Output variables.

ptx | status

EXAMPLE
The following example imports the geometry model from the file
−3
defeaturing_demo_6.x_b, finds sliver faces narrower than 10 , and deletes the first
of these.

Model model = ModelUtil.create("Model1");

model.component.create("comp1");
model.component("comp1").geom().create("geom1",3);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature().
create("imp1","Import");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("imp1").
set("filename", "defeaturing_demo_6.x_b");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").runAll();
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature().
create("df1","DeleteSmallFaces");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("df1").
selection("input").
set("imp1");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("df1").find();
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("df1").detail().
setGroup(1);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").run();

SEE ALSO
ReplaceFaces, DeleteSliverFaces

DeleteSpikes
Find and delete spikes in CAD objects.

COMMANDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER | 81

 SYNTAX
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature().
create(<ftag>,"DeleteSpikes");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
selection(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
set(property,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
getType(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).find();
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).detail();

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Spikes").
selection(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Spikes").
set(property,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Spikes").find();
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Spikes").detail();
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Spikes").
delete(<ftag>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Spikes").
deleteAll(<ftag>);

DESCRIPTION
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("DeleteSpikes").
delete(<ftag>) creates a DeleteSpikes feature tagged <ftag> with the specified
properties. The property delete is set to selected. If the feature can be built, it is
inserted in the geometry sequence after the current feature; otherwise, the feature is
discarded.

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("DeleteSpikes").
deleteAll(<ftag>) works as the delete method, but the property delete is set to
all.

It is also possible to create a DeleteSpikes feature using the standard create

method. The following properties are available.
TABLE 3-16: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

delete all | selected selected Delete all spikes of given width,

or a selection. Only available for
the feature.
entsize double 1e-3 Maximum spike width.
input Selection Names of input objects.

82 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

TABLE 3-16: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

selresult on | off off Create selections of all resulting

objects.
selresultshow all | obj | dom | dom Show selections of resulting
bnd | edg | pnt | objects in physics, materials, and
off so on, or in part instances. obj is
not available in a component’s
geometry. dom, bnd, and edg are
not available in all features.
contributeto String none Tag of cumulative selection to
contribute to.
A spike is a long and narrow protrusion on an edge or corner of a face defined by two
or three edges.

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).find() searches
the input objects for spikes of width less than entsize.

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).detail() returns a
selection object where you can select a subset of the spikes found.

The find and detail methods of

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("Spikes") have the
corresponding functionality for the defeaturing tool.

Only spikes that can be deleted without invalidating the object are deleted. If a spike
was not possible to delete, a warning message is given, accessible through
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).problem().

COMPATIBILITY
The width of each spike is no longer returned.

The following property is no longer supported:

TABLE 3-17: OBSOLETE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

Out stx | ftx | ctx | none Output variables.

ptx | status

COMMANDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER | 83

 EXAMPLE
The following example imports the geometry model from the file
defeaturing_demo_7.x_b, finds all spikes narrower than 10−4, and deletes the first
of these.

Model model = ModelUtil.create("Model1");

model.component.create("comp1");
model.component("comp1").geom().create("geom1",3);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature().
create("imp1","Import");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("imp1").
set("filename", "defeaturing_demo_7.x_b");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").runAll();
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature().
create("dsp1","DeleteSpikes");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("dsp1").
selection("input").
set("imp1");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("dsp1").
set("entsize",1e-4);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("dsp1").find();
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("dsp1").detail().
setGroup(1);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").runAll();

SEE ALSO
DeleteShortEdges, DeleteSliverFaces

DetachFaces
Detach faces from CAD objects to form a new (child) solid.

84 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

SYNTAX
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature().
create(<ftag>,"DetachFaces");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
selection(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
set(property,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
getType(property);

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("DetachFaces").
selection(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("DetachFaces").
set(property,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("DetachFaces").
delete(<ftag>);

DESCRIPTION
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("DetachFaces").
delete(<ftag>) creates a DetachFaces feature tagged <ftag> with the specified
properties. If the feature can be built, it is inserted in the geometry sequence after the
current feature; otherwise, the feature is discarded.

It is also possible to create a DetachFaces feature using the standard create method.
TABLE 3-18: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

input Selection Faces to detach.

healchild fill | patchparent Healing method used on the
patchchild | child object.
patchparent
healparent fill | patch patch Healing method used on the
parent object.
selresult on | off off Create selections of all
resulting objects.
selresultshow all | obj | dom dom Show selections of resulting
| bnd | edg | objects in physics, materials,
pnt | off and so on, or in part
instances. obj is not available
in a component’s geometry.
dom, bnd, and edg are not
available in all features.
contributeto String none Tag of cumulative selection
to contribute to.

COMMANDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER | 85

 The faces in the property input are detached from their parent object. A new solid,
the child object, are formed from the detached faces. The output objects are the healed
parent and child objects.

The property healparent determines how the parent object is healed to form a new
solid after detaching the faces. The value fill means that a new face is formed based
on the surrounding edges of each wound. The value patch means that the
surrounding faces of each wound are grown or shrunk.

The property healchild determines how the child solid is constructed from the
detached faces. The value fill means that a new face is formed based on the
surrounding edges of each wound. The value patchchild means that the detached
faces are grown or shrunk to form a solid. The value patchparent means that the
parent faces surrounding the detached faces are grown or shrunk to form a solid
together with the detached faces.

EXAMPLE
The following example imports the COMSOL Multiphysics geometry file
defeaturing_demo_2.mphbin and detaches a hole defined by a set of faces:

Model model = ModelUtil.create("Model1");

model.component.create("comp1");
model.component("comp1").geom().create("geom1",3);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature().
create("imp1","Import");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("imp1").
set("filename", "defeaturing_demo_2.mphbin");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").runAll();
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature().
create("det1","DetachFaces");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("det1").
selection("input").set("imp1",6,7,8,9,11,12,13);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").runAll();

COMPATIBILITY
The following property is no longer supported:
TABLE 3-19: OBSOLETE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

Out stx | ftx | ctx | none Output variables

ptx

SEE ALSO
ReplaceFaces

86 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

DetectInterferences
Detect intersections, touches, gaps, and containments between CAD objects.

SYNTAX
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).
defeaturing("DetectInterferences").selection(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).
defeaturing("DetectInterferences").set(property,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).
defeaturing("DetectInterferences").selection(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).
defeaturing("DetectInterferences").find();
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).
defeaturing("DetectInterferences").detail();

DESCRIPTION
See Defeaturing Tools — Detect Interferences.

Available properties:
TABLE 3-20: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

input Selection Input objects

abstol double 0.1[mm] Absolute tolerance
showingraphics interferingonly | selecte Objects to show in graphics
selected | other d
| both | all
groupbyobject boolean false Group interferences by
object in GUI

Export, ExportFinal
Using the CAD Import Module, Design Module, or a LiveLink product for CAD
software, export selected geometry objects or the finalized geometry to a 3D CAD
format, such as ACIS, Parasolid, STEP, and IGES.

To export selected geometry objects to a file, first select the objects to export using

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).export().selection().set(<obj
names>);

where <objnames> is a string array of object names.

Set the file format using

COMMANDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER | 87

 model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).export().setType(<format>);

where <format> determines the file format. See Table 3-21 for valid type value names
available with the CAD Import Module, Design Module, or a LiveLink product for
CAD software.
TABLE 3-21: FILE FORMATS SUPPORTED FOR EXPORT.

FILE FORMAT FILE EXTENSION TYPE VALUE

Parasolid Binary (3D) .x_b, .xmt_bin parasolidbin

Parasolid Text (3D) .x_t, .xmt_txt parasolidascii
ACIS Binary (3D) .sab acisbin
ACIS Text (3D) .sat acisascii
IGES File (3D) .igs, .iges iges
STEP File (3D) .step, .stp step

Check which file format is set for the export using

String formatType =
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).export().getType();

To export the file enter

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).export(<filename>);

To export the finalized geometry to a file, enter

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).exportFinal(<filename>);

where <filename> is a string.

EXPORTING TO AN ACIS FILE

When exporting to an ACIS file you can set the ACIS file format version using

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).export().setAcisVersion(<vers
ion>);

where <version> is a string 4.0, 7.0, or 2016 1.0. Default is 2016 1.0.

EXPORTING TO A PARASOLID FILE

The Parasolid text or binary file generated by the export is of version 36.

When exporting to a Parasolid format, a unit conversion can optionally be performed

during export. Use the following method to select the export length unit:

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).export().setLengthUnit(<unit>
);

88 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

where <unit> is either fromgeom (default) to disable unit conversion or a COMSOL
Multiphysics length unit, such as m for meters or in for inches. To get the current value
of the export length unit type:

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).export().getLengthUnit();

To decide how the nonmanifold objects are exported use the following method:

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).export().setSplitInManifold(<
value>);

where <value> is either true (default) to split the objects into manifold objects during
the export, or false to export the unmodified objects.

EXPORTING TO AN IGES FILE

When exporting to the IGES format, a unit conversion can optionally be performed
during export. Use the following method to select the export length unit:

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).export().setLengthUnitIGES(<u
nit>);

where <unit> is either fromgeom (default) to disable unit conversion or a supported

length unit: uin, um, mil, mm, cm, in, ft, m, km, mi.To get the current value of the
export length unit type:

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).export().getLengthUnitIGES();

EXPORTING TO A STEP FILE

When exporting to the STEP format, a unit conversion can optionally be performed
during export. Use the following method to select the export length unit:

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).export().setLengthUnitSTEP(<u
nit>);

where <unit> is either fromgeom (default) to disable unit conversion or a supported

length unit: nm, uin, um, mil, mm, cm, in, dm, ft, m, km, mi. To get the current value of
the export length unit type:

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).export().getLengthUnitSTEP();

SEE ALSO
Import 3D CAD

COMMANDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER | 89

 Import 3D CAD
Import geometry objects from a 3D CAD file using the CAD Import Module, Design
Module, or a LiveLink product for CAD software.

SYNTAX
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature().
create(<ftag>,"Import");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
set(property,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
getType(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
importData();
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
setAttribute(attribute,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
getAttribute(attribute);

DESCRIPTION
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature().
create(<ftag>,"Import") creates an import feature. When the property filename
is set to a filename recognized as a 3D CAD file, the property type is set to cad. The
following properties are available.
TABLE 3-22: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

check on | off Check imported objects for

errors.
filename String Filename.
fillholes on | off off Attempt to generate new faces
to replace missing geometry if
the property knit is solid or
surface
importbodynames auto | on | off auto Include the body name in the
object name. This property is
available only when filename
is set to a STEP file extension.
Use auto to include the body
name only for multibody parts.
importtol double 1e-5 Absolute repair tolerance.
keepbnd on | off on Import surface objects.

90 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

TABLE 3-22: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

keepfree on | off off Import curve and point objects.

keepsolid on | off on Import solid objects.
knit solid | surface | solid Knit together surface objects
off to form solids or surface
objects.
removeredundant on | off off Remove redundant edges and
vertices.
repair on | off on Repair imported objects.
simplify on | off on Simplify the underlying curve
and surface manifolds of
geometric entities
type cad Type of import.
unit source | current source Take length unit from file or
from the current geometry
unit.
unitecurves on | off on Unite curve objects.
selresult on | off off Create selections of all
resulting objects.
selresultshow all | obj | dom | dom Show selections of resulting
bnd | edg | pnt | objects in physics, materials,
off and so on, or in part instances.
obj is not available in a
component’s geometry. dom,
bnd, and edg are not available
in all features.
contributeto String none Tag of cumulative selection to
contribute to.
The file to import is specified by filename, which can have of any of the following
formats:
TABLE 3-23: SUPPORTED 3D CAD FILE FORMATS.

FILE FORMAT NOTE FILE EXTENSION

ACIS® 1 .sat, .sab

® .dwg, .dxf
AutoCAD 1, 2
® .CATPart, .CATProduct
CATIA V5 2, 3
IGES 1 .igs, .iges

COMMANDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER | 91

 TABLE 3-23: SUPPORTED 3D CAD FILE FORMATS.

FILE FORMAT NOTE FILE EXTENSION

Inventor® 1, 2 .ipt, .iam

NX™ 1, 4 .prt
® .x_t, .x_b
Parasolid 1
PTC Creo Parametric™ 1 .prt, .asm
® .prt, .asm
PTC Pro/ENGINEER 1
® .sldprt, .sldasm
SOLIDWORKS 1, 2, 5
STEP 1 .step, .stp

Note 1: This format requires a license for the CAD Import Module, Design Module,
or a LiveLink product for a CAD package.

Note 2: This format is available only on supported Windows® operating systems.

Note 3: This format requires, in addition to the CAD Import Module, Design
Module, or a LiveLink product for a CAD package, a license for the File Import for
CATIA V5 module.

Note 4: Support for the NX™ file format is available only on supported Windows® and
Linux operating systems.

Note 5: Embedded parts in assemblies are not supported. To import such an assembly,
first convert the embedded parts to external parts.

The imported geometry objects are represented using the Parasolid geometry kernel,
which is the geometry kernel utilized by the CAD Import Module and the LiveLink
products for CAD software.

The method

model.geom(gname).feature(<ftag>).importData()

imports the file again, even if the feature is built.

92 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

The import can generate object, boundary, edge, and point selections based on
material, layer, and color assignments in the 3D CAD file. The following properties are
available for working these selections:
TABLE 3-24: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

selcadshownamesfromfileobj boolean false Show the object selection

names from the file in the
GUI.
selcadnameobj String[] Empty Names of object
selections in 3D CAD
import.
selcadnameinfileobj String[] Empty Original names of object
selections in 3D CAD
import. Read-only.
selcadkeepobj on | off Empty Keep object selections in
3D CAD import.
selcadshowobj on | off Empty Show object selections in
3D CAD import in
physics, materials, and so
on; in part instances; or in
3D from a plane
geometry.
selcadcontributetoobj String[] Empty Tags of cumulative
selection to contribute to
(or none to not
contribute), for object
selections in 3D CAD
import.
selcadtagobj String[] Empty Tags of object selections
(read only, hidden in GUI)
in 3D CAD import.
selcadcolorobj String[] Empty Colors of object
selections (read only) in
3D CAD import. The
color is stored as a
comma-separated triple
of numbers between 0
and 1. It can also be none
(in which case it will be
displayed in yellow).

COMMANDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER | 93

 TABLE 3-24: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

selindividualintable boolean false Show individual object

selections and, for the
knit case, individual
original object selections
in the CAD-tables.
selcadshownamesfromfilebnd boolean false Show the boundary
selection names from the
file in the GUI.
selcadnamebnd String[] Empty Names of boundary
selections in 3D CAD
import.
selcadnameinfilebnd String[] Empty Original names of
boundary selections in
3D CAD import. Read
only.
selcadkeepbnd on | off Empty Keep boundary selections
in 3D CAD import.
selcadshowbnd on | off Empty Show boundary
selections in 3D CAD
import in physics,
materials, and so on; in
part instances; or in 3D
from a plane geometry.
selcadcontributetobnd String[] Empty Tags of cumulative
selection to contribute to
(or none to not
contribute), for boundary
selections in 3D CAD
import.
selcadtagbnd String[] Empty Tags of boundary
selections (read-only,
hidden in GUI) in 3D
CAD import.

94 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

TABLE 3-24: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

selcadcolorbnd String[] Empty Colors of boundary

selections (read only) in
3D CAD import. The
color is stored as a
comma-separated triple
of numbers between 0
and 1. It can also be none
(in which case it will be
displayed in yellow).
selcadshownamesfromfileedg boolean false Show the edge selection
names from the file in the
GUI.
selcadnameedg String[] Empty Names of edge selections
in 3D CAD import.
selcadnameinfileedg String[] Empty Original names of edge
selections in 3D CAD
import. Read only.
selcadkeepedg on | off Empty Keep edge selections in
3D CAD import.
selcadshowedg on | off Empty Show edge selections in
3D CAD import in
physics, materials, and so
on; in part instances; or in
3D from a plane
geometry.
selcadcontributetoedg String[] Empty Tags of cumulative
selection to contribute to
(or none to not
contribute), for edge
selections in 3D CAD
import.
selcadtagedg String[] Empty Tags of edge selections
(read only, hidden in GUI)
in 3D CAD import.

COMMANDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER | 95

 TABLE 3-24: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

selcadcoloredg String[] Empty Colors of edge selections

(read only) in 3D CAD
import. The color is
stored as a
comma-separated triple
of numbers between 0
and 1. It can also be none
(in which case it will be
displayed in yellow).
selcadshownamesfromfilepnt boolean false Show the point selection
names from the file in the
GUI.
selcadnamepnt String[] Empty Names of point selections
in 3D CAD import.
selcadnameinfilepnt String[] Empty Original names of point
selections in 3D CAD
import. Read only.
selcadkeeppnt on | off Empty Keep point selections in
3D CAD import.
selcadshowpnt on | off Empty Show point selections in
3D CAD import in
physics, materials, and so
on; in part instances; or in
3D from a plane
geometry.
selcadcontributetopnt String[] Empty Tags of cumulative
selection to contribute to
(or none to not
contribute), for point
selections in 3D CAD
import.

96 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

TABLE 3-24: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

selcadtagpnt String[] Empty Tags of point selections

(read only, hidden in GUI)
in 3D CAD import.
selcadcolorpnt String[] Empty Colors of point selections
(read only) in 3D CAD
import. The color is
stored as a
comma-separated triple
of numbers between 0
and 1. It can also be none
(in which case it will be
displayed in yellow).
The following attributes are available:
TABLE 3-25: VALID ATTRIBUTES

NAME VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

construction on | off off Designate the resulting objects as construction

geometry.

COMPATIBILITY
The following property is no longer supported:
TABLE 3-26: OBSOLETE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

coercion solid | face | solid Alias for knit. face is equivalent

off to surface.

SEE ALSO
Export, ExportFinal

Knit
Knit surface CAD objects to form solids or surface objects.

COMMANDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER | 97

 SYNTAX
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature().
create(<ftag>,"Knit");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
selection(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
set(property,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
getType(property)
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
setAttribute(attribute,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
getAttribute(attribute);

DESCRIPTION
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<ftag>).feature().
create(<ftag>,"Knit") creates a knit feature tagged <ftag>. The following
properties are available.
TABLE 3-27: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

fillholes on | off off Attempt to generate new faces

to replace missing geometry
input Selection Names of input surface objects.
repairtol double 1e-5 Absolute repair tolerance.
selresult on | off off Create selections of all resulting
objects.
selresultshow all | obj | dom | dom Show selections of resulting
bnd | edg | pnt | objects in physics, materials, and
off so on, or in part instances. obj is
not available in a component’s
geometry. dom, bnd, and edg are
not available in all features.
contributeto String none Tag of cumulative selection to
contribute to.

This function also removes gaps and spikes that are within the absolute tolerance
specified in the property repairtol.

98 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

 The following attributes are available:
TABLE 3-28: VALID ATTRIBUTES

NAME VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

construction on | off | inherit Designate the resulting objects as

inherit construction geometry. Use inherit to set
the construction geometry attribute only if
all input objects are construction geometry.

COMPATIBILITY
The following property is no longer supported:
TABLE 3-29: OBSOLETE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

Out stx | ftx | ctx | none Output variables.

ptx

EXAMPLE
The following example imports the file repair_demo_2.x_b, and knits the surface
objects into a solid. A gap is also removed during the operation.

Model model = ModelUtil.create("Model1");

model.component.create("comp1");
model.component("comp1").geom().create("geom1",3);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature().
create("imp1","Import");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("imp1").
set("filename","repair_demo_2.x_b");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").runAll();
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature().
create("knit1","Knit");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("knit1").
selection("input").set("imp1");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("knit1").
set("repairtol",1e-3);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").runAll();

SEE ALSO
Repair

Projection

PURPOSE
Project 3D objects and entities to a 2D work plane.

COMMANDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER | 99

 SYNTAX
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<wptag>).
geom().create(<ftag>,"Projection");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<wptag>).
geom().feature(<ftag>).selection("input");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<wptag>).
geom().feature(<ftag>).set(property,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<wptag>).
geom().feature(<ftag>).getType(property)
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
setAttribute(attribute,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
getAttribute(attribute);

DESCRIPTION
Use

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<wptag>).geom().
create(<ftag>,"Projection")

to create a projection feature tagged <ftag> in the 2D sequence of the work plane
feature <wptag>. It can compute the projection of 3D objects and entities to the work
plane.

By default, you get the projection for all 3D objects that were generated by the features
preceding the work plane feature. To select a subset of these objects or to select
entities, set the project property to the appropriate entity level, and use the property
input to select the 3D objects or entities.

The following properties are available.

TABLE 3-30: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

absrepairtool ...geom(<tag>). Absolute repair tolerance.

absRepairTol()
input Selection Entities to project. Used
when project is not all.
project all | obj | all Project all objects or selected
dom | bnd | objects or entities
edg | vtx
projectiontyp edgvtx | outline Projection type. Used when
e outline | project is all, dom, or bnd.
all

100 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

 TABLE 3-30: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

repairtol double ...geom(<tag>). Relative repair tolerance,

repairTol() relative to size of each input
object.
repairtoltype auto | ...geom(<tag>). Repair tolerance type:
relative | repairTolType() automatic, relative, or
absolute absolute.
workplane String Work plane to project onto.
selresult on | off off Create selections of all
resulting objects.
selresultshow all | obj | bnd Show selections, if selresult is
bnd | pnt | on, in physics, materials, and
off so on; or in 3D from a plane
geometry. obj is not available
in a component’s geometry.
contributeto String none Tag of cumulative selection to
contribute to.
The following attributes are available:
TABLE 3-31: VALID ATTRIBUTES

NAME VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

construction on | off | inherit Designate the resulting objects as

inherit construction geometry. Use inherit to set
the construction geometry attribute only if
all input objects are construction geometry.

SEE ALSO
CrossSection, WorkPlane

Repair
Repair CAD objects.

COMMANDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER | 101

 SYNTAX
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature().
create(<ftag>,"Repair");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
selection(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
set(property,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
getType(property)
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
setAttribute(attribute,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
getAttribute(attribute);

DESCRIPTION
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature().
create(<ftag>,"Repair")

creates a repair feature tagged <ftag>. The following properties are available.
TABLE 3-32: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

input Selection Names of input objects.

check on | off on Check the input objects for
errors.
repairtol double 1e-5 Absolute repair tolerance
selresult on | off off Create selections of all resulting
objects.
selresultshow all | obj | dom Show selections of resulting
dom | bnd | objects in physics, materials, and
edg | pnt | so on, or in part instances. obj is
off not available in a component’s
geometry. dom, bnd, and edg are
not available in all features.
simplify on | off off Simplify the underlying curve and
surface manifolds of geometric
entities
repairfacetoface on | off off Repair face-to-face
inconsistencies in solid objects
contributeto String none Tag of cumulative selection to
contribute to.

102 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

 The function tries to remove or repair the following defects:

• Entities with invalid sense

• Invalid edge and vertex tolerances
• Invalid manifolds
• Self-intersecting manifolds
• Non-G1 manifolds
• Missing edge or vertex manifolds
• Missing vertex
• Vertices not on curve of edge
• Edges and vertices not on surface of face
• Removal of surface self-intersections that lie outside the face
• Splitting at edge intersections which have no vertex
• Removal of discontinuities by either splitting or smoothing
• Remove small features (short edges, small faces, sliver faces, and spikes)

The following attributes are available:

TABLE 3-33: VALID ATTRIBUTES

NAME VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

construction on | off | inherit Designate the resulting objects as

inherit construction geometry. Use inherit to set
the construction geometry attribute only if
all input objects are construction geometry.

COMPATIBILITY
The following property is no longer supported:
TABLE 3-34: OBSOLETE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

Out stx | ftx | ctx | none Output variables

ptx

EXAMPLE
The following example imports the file repair_demo_2.x_b, and repairs the resulting
objects.

Model model = ModelUtil.create("Model1");

model.component.create("comp1");

COMMANDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER | 103

 model.component("comp1").geom().create("geom1",3);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature().
create("imp1","Import");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("imp1").
set("filename", "repair_demo_2.x_b");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").runAll();
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature().
create("rep1","Repair");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("rep1").
selection("input"). set("imp1");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("rep1").
set("repairtol",1e-3);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").runAll();

SEE ALSO
Check, Knit

ReplaceFaces
Delete faces from CAD objects and heal the wounds by creating new faces.

SYNTAX
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature().
create(<ftag>,"ReplaceFaces");
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
selection(property);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
set(property,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).feature(<ftag>).
getType(property);

model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("ReplaceFaces").
selection(property)
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("ReplaceFaces").
set(property,<value>);
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("ReplaceFaces").
delete(<ftag>);

DESCRIPTION
model.component(<ctag>).geom(<tag>).defeaturing("ReplaceFaces").
delete(<ftag>) creates a ReplaceFaces feature tagged <ftag> with the specified
properties. If the feature can be built, it is inserted in the geometry sequence after the
current feature; otherwise, the feature is discarded.

104 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

It is also possible to create a ReplaceFaces feature using the standard create
method.
TABLE 3-35: AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

input Selection Faces to replace.

heal cap | extend extend Healing method.
throughhole on | off off Heal as if the removed faces are a
through hole.
selresult on | off off Create selections of all resulting
objects.
selresultshow all | obj | dom | dom Show selections of resulting
bnd | edg | pnt | objects in physics, materials, and
off so on, or in part instances. obj is
not available in a component’s
geometry. dom, bnd, and edg are
not available in all features.
contributeto String none Tag of cumulative selection to
contribute to.

The faces in the property input are deleted from their objects. The resulting object is
healed so that a solid object is obtained. If heal is cap, a new face is formed based on
the surrounding edges of each wound. If heal is extend, the surrounding faces of each
wound are grown or shrunk to heal the wound.

When you replacing faces that form through holes, set the throughhole property to
on to indicate that the two wounds from where the hole entered and exited the
geometry are to be healed independently instead of as a single wound. If throughhole
is off, the wound would be healed with a single new face that would just recreate the
hole.

EXAMPLE
The following example imports the file defeaturing_demo_2.mphbin, and removes
a hole from the geometry model.

Model model = ModelUtil.create("Model1");

model.component.create("comp1");
model.component("comp1").geom().create("geom1",3);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature().
create("imp1","Import");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("imp1").
set("filename","defeaturing_demo_2.mphbin");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").run("imp1");

COMMANDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER | 105

 model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature().
create("rfa1","ReplaceFaces");
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").feature("rfa1").
selection("input").set("imp1",6,7,8,9,11,12,13);
model.component("comp1").geom("geom1").run();

COMPATIBILITY
The following property is no longer supported:
TABLE 3-36: OBSOLETE PROPERTIES.

PROPERTY VALUE DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

Out stx | ftx | ctx | none Output variables

ptx

SEE ALSO
DeleteFillets, DeleteSliverFaces, DeleteSmallFaces, DetachFaces

106 | CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING AND COMMAND REFERENCE

I n d e x
A Application Libraries window 11

C cap faces 49

D defeaturing tools 56
documentation 10

E emailing COMSOL 12
export (of geometries) 26

F filling holes 49

G geometry
exporting to file 26

I internet resources 10

K knowledge base, COMSOL 13

M MPH-files 11

T technical support, COMSOL 12

W websites, COMSOL 13

INDEX| 107
108 | I N D E X