Model operations

The user can perform operations on the created CAD model thanks to the btn:[Model operations] drop-down menu or inside the Tools menu. The list of available operations may be subject to changes depending on installed additional modules.

The following operations are always available in EDGE.

Check for overlaps

This operation allows the user to check if there are no overlaps inside the geometry, meaning that there are no shapes overlapping each other.

It is possible to choose if "touching" shapes should be considered as overlapping or not. To launch the calculation, the user can click on the Play button. The Stop button allows the user to stop the calculation at any time.

Overlaps calculation results (indicates that several shapes are overlapping with the LeftPanelRight shape)
Figure 1. Overlaps calculation results (indicates that several shapes are overlapping with the LeftPanelRight shape)

By clicking on the btn:[Export results to CSV file], it is possible to save the list of overlapping shapes to a .csv file.

Compute surface

This operation allows the user to obtain the surface of the various elements of the geometry. The computed value is an approximation of the real surfaces value based on 3D meshing of the shapes.

Surface computation results
Figure 2. Surface computation results

By clicking on the btn:[Export results to CSV file], it is possible to retrieve the computed results to a .csv file.

Compute volume

This operation allows the user to obtain the volume of the geometry. The computed value is an approximation of the real volume value based on 3D meshing of the shapes.

Here also, it is possible to retrieve the results into a CSV file.

Volume computation results
Figure 3. Volume computation results
Computation function limited capabilities

Computation of volume (and thus mass) may take quite some time over complex systems. This is an indicative tool to check consistency with real system.

Take care with this tool on complex systems.

Reorganise model

This operation allows the user to reorganise the model following several options. The tool computes the new hierarchy, displays the results to the user and proposes to modify the model accordingly

Hierarchical

Checks the consistency of the hierarchy of the model. Indeed, to get proper radiations results, elements that are included in other ones (geometrically) should be placed as child of the geometrical shapes they are in. This option computes the real hierarchy.

Sort A-Z

Sorts the children of each element by alphabetical order.

Sort Z-A

Sorts the children of each element by reverse alphabetical order.

Example of hierarchy reorganisation results
Figure 4. Example of hierarchy reorganisation results
Removal of logical assemblies

The Hierarchical option will remove all assemblies from the model as they do not have a physical representation that can be used to find the real hierarchy of shapes.

As some code may not handle well assemblies, this tool can be used to automatically remove these assemblies.

Validate GDML file

This operation checks the syntax validity of a GDML file against the GDML file format specifications. It is possible to check the current file (if saved beforehand) or any file from the system.

It is possible to select the wanted GDML file version used to check the XML validity of the file.

GDML file validity check tool
Figure 5. GDML file validity check tool