06 GEOMETRY v2020 JUNE05 2020

© Altair Engineering, Inc. Proprietary and Confidential. All rights reserved.
Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020
INSPIRE FOR STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS AND OPTIMIZATION - V2020

CH6 - GEOMETRY CREATION AND MODEL SIMPLIFICATION
1
Chapter 6 - Geometry Creation and Model Simplification
• Geometry Creation Tools • Simplify Geometry
• Sketch • Partition Tool
• Patch Tool • Midsurface
• Modify Group • Fillets Tools
• Push/Pull • What is Design Space?
• Move Faces • Exercise 6: Prepare Design Space

with Simplify and Partition
• Mirror and Scale Tools
• Questions & Answers
• Boolean Tools
• Cut Parts
2
Geometry
Toolbelt
1. To access the Geometry toolbelt:
• and drag to select a tool.
2. To access the full Geometry toolbelt:
• Hold down > > on a tool to select it
1 2
3
Geometry Creation Tools

Create group
With the Create toolbar you can create points, lines, rectangles, circles and arcs in different ways. Also you can
patch holes and generate PolyNURBS entities.
4
Sketch
Sketching Geometry
Arcs
• Create Arc Tangent to End.
• Create Arc by Center and Ends.
• Create Arc by 3 Points.
Trim/Break
Points/Lines • Cut part of the sketch (Trim).
• Create Point. • Divide your sketch in more simple
• Create Line. elements (Break).
• Create Polyline.
Trim
Rectangles
• Create Rectangle by Corners.
• Create Rectangle by Center and Corner.
• Create Rectangle by 3 Points.
Circles Break
• Create Circle by 2 Diametric Points.
• Create Circle by Center and Point.
• Create Circle by 3 Points.
5
Sketch
Sketch Location
The sketch can be done in any XYZ plane or in the planar faces of solid geometry already done.
• While sketching, 6 additional buttons are available:
o Create New Part allows you to create a new part before you start
sketching. Any sketching curves will be imprinted onto the current
part before the new one is created.
o Transfer Sketch allows you to move your current sketch to a new part.
o Convert Reference Lines to Sketch allows you to create sketch

curves from reference geometry.
o Create New Sketch Plane allows you to create a new sketch plane
by selecting a new face.
Note: You can apply geometric
o Move Plane allows you to move the sketch plane by opening the Move tool. relationships (tangency /
o Sketching Options allows you to modify your grid and snap settings. perpendicularity to lines, arcs,
circles) using Sketch
Constraints.
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Sketch
Sketch Constraints
In sketch mode, on a curve or the connecting point between curves and then select a constraint on the context menu.
Fixed  Constrain a sketch point, line, or curve so that it maintains a fixed position relative to adjacent sketch curves.
(The object itself is not fixed in 3D space. You can still move it by dragging.) Points, lines, circles and arcs can all be
fixed. The edges of rectangles are separate entities and can be fixed independently.
Horizontal  Position line segments horizontally with respect to the sketch plane.
Vertical  Position line segments vertically with respect to the sketch plane.
Collinear  Align two or more line segments.
Parallel  Position two line segments so they are parallel.
Perpendicular  Position two line segments so they are perpendicular.
Tangent  Position a line segment so that it is tangent to an arc.
Concentric  Align two or more circles so they are concentric.
7
Patch Tool
• Use the Patch tool to fill in missing surfaces or to remove and remake bad
or problematic surfaces.
• Patch Missing Surfaces: patch open areas that define a closed loop
or create a bridge between two open edges that do not define a closed area.
• Remove Problem Surfaces: click once to select a problematic surface and

again to remove it.
• Define an Area to Patch: select open edges individually to define an area to patch.
Note: to change continuity of the patch where it meets an adjacent surface, click on the edge. The continuity will toggle
between linear and tangent.
8
Patch Tool
Examples
1
Use the Patch tool to fill in missing

surfaces or to remove and remake
bad or problematic surfaces.
2
• Example 1: Patch Hole
• Example 2: Patch Between Edges
• Example 3: Patch Between Lines 3
9
Modify Group
With the Modify Toolbar you can push/pull faces, reflect and scale parts, do boolean operations, cut solids,
simplify parts, extract midsurface, create fillets and chamfer edges.
10
Push/Pull
Push/Pull - a face, line, or 2D edge to extrude it into a solid or
surface, create or resize a hole, eliminate rounds, or modify
wall thickness.
• Click and drag a selected face/curve/radius in the

direction of the desired location.
• Manually input the displacement values is allowed too.
• Reference point or base of the push/pull operation can be

dragged or modified with respect another feature.
Note: The Push/Pull tool can be activated by manually

clicking the icon or by on any feature in the model.
11
Push/Pull
This utility can be used to modify faces, curves or radii.
• Revolve a planar face around an edge/line/cylindrical

hole is also allowed.
• To designate the rotation axis, click an edge, line or

cylindrical hole.
Selecting an edge on another part projects the axis of
revolution to the planar face that will be rotated.
Action Button
Activate
P or
the Push/Pull tool
Make the object a
or
new part
Exit tool
12
Move Faces
• The Move Faces tool works the same way as the Move tool, but is used to translate and rotate
holes, pockets and surface features.
• You can also use it to copy features by holding down the key while dragging to copy features.
Features can be extended by selecting the surface(s) and dragging them. It does not work on edges.
• The tool uses a graphic manipulator to drag features to a new location or rotate the feature.
• Manipulators can be selected to enter a value

into the field for the movement.
13
Mirror and Scale Tools

• Mirror
• Reflect selected parts across a symmetry plane.
• Instances are allowed.
• Scale
• Resize selected parts.
14
Boolean Tool
• Combine: when combine is active,
any combination of parts in the
assembly will combine the selection.
• Subtract: when subtract is active, the

targets are defined as the objects you
are wishing to modify. The tools are
defined as the modifiers to these
targets. Keep Tools option allowed.
• Intersect: when intersect is active,

one part or multiple parts as targets, or
the part(s) you are wishing to modify.
Next the tools icon and select
another intersecting part(s) as your
tools or modifier(s). Keep
Targets/Tools/both allowed.
15
Boolean Tool
Examples
16
Cut Parts
• Targets are defined as the parts you are performing the cut on.
• The plane, or cutting plane, can be defined by selecting a face

or feature based on existing geometry and
translating/rotating accordingly with the move tools.
17
Simplify Geometry
• Imprints: finds and removes imprints such as
scratches and trimmed points.
• Rounds: finds and removes any rounds

(concave) or fillets (convex) in the assembly.
Find options and filtering.
• Holes: finds and removes holes and pockets

without keeping topology information. Find
options.
• Plug: finds holes and pockets and plugs them

by filling the area with a new part. Find
options.
Note: remove small fillets first, then larger

fillets, then rounds.
18
Simplify Geometry
Tools
Imprints Rounds Holes Plug
19
Partition Tool
• Divide a solid part into Design and Non-Design regions by
selecting a hole, pocket, or face to offset.
Partition geometry along a hole, a face. …
1) Divide few surfaces into a new component in order to

define your tools
2) Offset the surfaces accordingly
Note:
• If you apply a partition to a Design Space, it automatically

creates a Non-Design space.
• For solids, if you enter a Thickness of zero, you will get a

surface in a new part. For surfaces, if you enter a
Thickness of zero, those surfaces will be placed into a
new part.
• You can edit the Default Offset value in the Preferences.
20 • Only solids can be partitioned, not surfaces.

Midsurface
• For thin solids, extract the Midsurface or side faces. For surfaces, determine whether the selected
surface is at the middle, top, or bottom of the thin solid.
• Replacing parts with midsurfaces yields better results while increasing speed when running an analysis or
optimization.
• This tool cannot be used on T-sections or similar variable thickness geometry.
21
Fillets Tools
• Fillets tool can round edges. It supports fillets • Chamfer tool can create beveled edges.
with a constant radius (not variable).
22
What is Design Space?

To run an optimization, a Design Space/Non-Design Space must be defined.
• Design Space - The volume where the optimization process carves away from, creating the most efficient
material distribution capable of withstanding the forces applied to model.
• Non-Design Space - The region within the model in which material will not be removed. This area is still
included in the simulation, but not modified.
Note: Try to avoid applying loads/supports directly on a design space. It is good practice to always apply your loads
and supports to non-design spaces.
Use Geometry tools to:
• Separate between Design Space and Non-Design Space
• Fill existing holes, remove fillets,… to get the maximum volume for design space
Note: In order to get an optimal solution, always try to give your model the absolute maximum amount of
design space possible.
23
Exercise 6 - Prepare Design Space With Simplify and Partition
File Name and Location

..\STUDENT-EXERCISE\Ch6\Exercise_6.stmod
Exercise Goals
1. Create a partition around each holes
of the supports and forces location.
2. Fill the four big holes in the model.
3. Remove all three side cuts.
Partitioning geometry
will lose some forces
and support.
Therefore it is
recommended to do it
before setting up
loads and support!
24
Step 1: Create a partition around each holes of the supports and forces location
a) File > Open >..\STUDENT-EXERCISE\Ch6\Exercise_6.stmod
b) Geometry ribbon > Modify groups > Partition
c) Clear Selection
d) Select the faces around the six supports holes and then click on Partition All.
e) Create a 3 mm partition around each of the six supports location. To exit tool and confirm .
25
Step 1: Create a partition around each holes of the supports and forces location
f) Repeat the process to create a 5 mm partition around the forces location.
g) Now you have created seven Part Partition. Review and Isolate them with Model Browser.
Note: Partitioning geometry will lose some forces and support. Therefore it is recommended to do it before setting up
loads and support.
26
Step 2: Fill the four big holes in the model
a) Geometry ribbon > Modify groups > >
b) Clear Selection
c) In order to fill all four holes in the part, in the bottom of each hole to select all faces of the hole at once.
d) After the selection, click on Remove All to fill the holes.
27
Step 3: Remove all three side cuts
a) Geometry ribbon > Modify groups > >
b) Clear Selection
c) Remove all three side cuts, turning the part into a cube. Simply on the cut face to select it, then a second
time to remove it.
28
Exercise (Optional) - Build Model from Scratch
File Name and Location

• Build model from scratch
Exercise Goals
1. Generate the design from scratch
Are you still trying to create your design from the drawing?
If yes, follow steps 2 and 3 with more details.
2. Generate the design from scratch and basic shapes
3. Optional steps to adjust the model (Fillets)
Tool suggestions
Lines, Rectangles, Circles, Trim/Break
Push/Pull
Mirror
Boolean
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Step 1: Generate the design from scratch
30
Step 2: Generate the design from scratch and basic shapes
31
32
33
34
Step 3: Optional steps to adjust the model (Fillets)
a c
35
Questions & Answers
36

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© Altair Engineering, Inc. Proprietary and Confidential. All rights reserved.

Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

INSPIRE FOR STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS AND OPTIMIZATION - V2020

Chapter 6 - Geometry Creation and Model Simplification

• Geometry Creation Tools • Simplify Geometry

• Sketch • Partition Tool

• Patch Tool • Midsurface

• Modify Group • Fillets Tools

• Push/Pull • What is Design Space?

• Move Faces • Exercise 6: Prepare Design Space

1. To access the Geometry toolbelt:

• and drag to select a tool.

2. To access the full Geometry toolbelt:

• Hold down > > on a tool to select it

Geometry Creation Tools

• While sketching, 6 additional buttons are available:

o Convert Reference Lines to Sketch allows you to create sketch

Collinear  Align two or more line segments.

Parallel  Position two line segments so they are parallel.

Perpendicular  Position two line segments so they are perpendicular.

Tangent  Position a line segment so that it is tangent to an arc.

Concentric  Align two or more circles so they are concentric.

• Remove Problem Surfaces: click once to select a problematic surface and

Use the Patch tool to fill in missing

• Example 2: Patch Between Edges

• Example 3: Patch Between Lines 3

• Click and drag a selected face/curve/radius in the

• Manually input the displacement values is allowed too.

• Reference point or base of the push/pull operation can be

Note: The Push/Pull tool can be activated by manually

• Revolve a planar face around an edge/line/cylindrical

• To designate the rotation axis, click an edge, line or

• Manipulators can be selected to enter a value

Mirror and Scale Tools

• Reflect selected parts across a symmetry plane.

• Instances are allowed.

• Resize selected parts.

• Subtract: when subtract is active, the

• Intersect: when intersect is active,

• The plane, or cutting plane, can be defined by selecting a face

• Rounds: finds and removes any rounds

• Holes: finds and removes holes and pockets

• Plug: finds holes and pockets and plugs them

Note: remove small fillets first, then larger

Imprints Rounds Holes Plug

1) Divide few surfaces into a new component in order to

2) Offset the surfaces accordingly

• If you apply a partition to a Design Space, it automatically

• For solids, if you enter a Thickness of zero, you will get a

• You can edit the Default Offset value in the Preferences.

20 • Only solids can be partitioned, not surfaces.

• This tool cannot be used on T-sections or similar variable thickness geometry.

What is Design Space?

Use Geometry tools to:

• Separate between Design Space and Non-Design Space

Exercise 6 - Prepare Design Space With Simplify and Partition

File Name and Location

Exercise 6 - Prepare Design Space With Simplify and Partition

b) Geometry ribbon > Modify groups > Partition