Solid Modeling

• In the solid modeling, the solid definitions

include vertices (nodes), edges, surfaces,
weight, and volume. The model is a complete
and unambiguous representation of a precisely
enclosed and filled volume
 Methods of Creating Solid Models

• (C-rep) Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG), CAD

packages;
Unigraphics, AutoCAD – 3D modeler.
• Boundary Representation (B-rep), mostly used in finite
element programs.
• Parametric Modeling, CAD packages: SolidWorks,
Pro/Engineer
 Primitive solids

Primitive creation functions:

• These functions retrieve
a solid of a simple shape
from among the primitive
solids stored in the
program in advance and
create a solid of the same
shape but of the size
specified by the user
 Constructive Solid Geometry, CSG
• CSG defines a model in terms of combining basic and
generated (using extrusion and sweeping operation) solid
shapes.
• Objects are represented as a combination of simpler solid
objects (primitives).
• CSG uses Boolean operations to construct a model.
• There are three basic Boolean operations:
Union (Unite, join) - the operation combines two
volumes included in the different solids into a single solid.
Subtract (cut) - the operation subtracts the volume of
one solid from the other solid object.
Intersection - the operation keeps only the volume
common to both solids
 Boolean Operations

Subtract

Intersection
Union
C - Rep
Solid Modeling Example
Union
Using CSG

Cut
Plan your modeling strategy
before you start creating the
solid model

Cut
 (CSG)- data structure
• Data structure does not define model shape explicitly but rather
implies the geometric shape through a procedural description
– E.g: object is not defined as a set of edges & faces but
by the instruction : union primitive1 with primitive 2
• This procedural data is stored in a data structure referred to as a
CSG tree
• The data structure is simple and stores compact data  easy to
manage
 CSG Tree
• CSG tree  stores the history of
applying boolean operations on
the primitives.
– Stores in a binary tree format
– The outer leaf nodes of tree represent
the primitives
– The interior nodes represent the +
boolean operations performed.
-
 CSG – Nonuniqueness of solid model

• More than one procedure (and hence database) can be used to

arrive at the same geometry.

-
 (C-rep) CSG - Advantage

• CSG is powerful with high level command.

• Easy to construct a solid model – minimum step.
• CSG modeling techniques lead to a concise database
less storage.
– Complete history of model is retained and can
be altered at any point.
• Can be converted to the corresponding boundary
representation.
 CSG - Disadvantage
• Only boolean operations are allowed in the modeling process
 with boolean operation alone, the range of shapes to be
modeled is severely restricted  not possible to construct
unusual shape.
• Requires a great deal of computation to derive the information
on the boundary, faces and edges which is important for the
interactive display/ manipulation of solid.
 Boundary Representation (B-rep)

• Solid model is defined by their enclosing surfaces or

boundaries. This technique consists of the geometric
information about the faces, edges and vertices of an object
with the topological data on how these are connected.
• B-rep model is created using Euler operation
• Data structure :
– B-Rep graph store face, edge and vertices as
nodes, with pointers, or branches between the
nodes to indicate connectivity.
 B-Rep data structure
v5
f3 f2 E3
E4
E1 v4 E7
f4 f5 E2 E6
v3 solid
E8 f1
v1 E5 v2
face1 face2 face3 face4 face5
Combinatorial
edge1 edge2 edge3 edge4 edge5 edge6 edge7 edge8 structure /
topology

vertex1 vertex2 vertex3 vertex4 vertex5

Metric information/
(x, y, z) geometry
B-Rep data structure
 Boundary representation- validity
• System must validate topology of created solid.
• For topology consistency, certain rules have to be followed

– Faces should be bound by a simple loop of edges

and should be not intersected by itself.
– Each edge should exactly adjoin two faces and
each edge should have a vertex at each ends.
– At least three edges should meet at each vertex.
 Boundary representation- validity
• Validity also checked through mathematical evaluation
– Evaluation is based upon Euler’s Law (valid for simple
solid – no hole)
– V–E+F=2 V- number of vertices
E- number of edges
F- number of faces

v5 V = 5, E = 8, F = 5

f3 f2 E3 5–8+5=2
E4
E1 v4 E7
f4 v3
f5 E2 E6
E8 f1
v1 E5 v2
 Boundary representation- validity
• Expanded Euler’s law for complex polyhedrons (with holes)
• Euler-Poincare Law:
– V-E+F-H+2P=2B
– H – number of holes in face, P- number of passages
or through holes, B- number of separate bodies.

V = 24, E=36, F=15, H=3, P=1,B=1

 Operation performed
(Extrude Feature, Revolve Feature, Sweep, Loft, Fillet, Chamfer)

• “ Feature” --- (shape & operation)

– Operation --- (Sweep, extrude, Revolve, Boolean)

Sketched Feature
 Create a 2D sketch.

 Create a feature from the sketch by extruding, revolving,

sweeping, lofting and blending.

Revolved Extruded (Protruded)

feature feature
 Sweeping
• Linear
– Extrusion
• Non – linear
1. Sweep a cross section along a guide curve
2. “BLEND” two cross section linearly.(linear sweep
between two section)
3. Sweep two cross section along a guide curve.
4. “LOFT” – to blend two cross section. (like 2 &
3))
 Operation performed
• Sweeping: Sweeping is a modeling function
in which a planar closed domain is translated
or revolved to form a solid. When the planar
domain is translated, the modeling activity is
called translational sweeping; when the
planar region is revolved, it is called
swinging, or rotational sweeping.
Creating Features from Sketches
 Applied Feature
• Applied feature does not require a sketch.
• They are applied directly to the model.
• Fillets and chamfers are very common applied features.
Chamfer

Fillet
 Boundary representation- advantages

• Capability to construct unusual shapes that

would not be possible with the available
CSG aircraft

• Less computational time to reconstruct the

image
Boundary representation- disadvantages

• Requires more storage

• More prone to validity failure than CSG
• Model display limited to planar faces and linear
edges
- complex curve and surfaces only approximated
 Solid modeling - Advantages
• Has all the advantages of surface models (uniqueness, non-
ambiguous, realistic, surface profile) plus volumetric
information.
• Allows the designer to create multiple options for a design.
• 2D standard drawings, assembly drawing and exploded views
are generated form the 3D model.
• Can easily be exported to different Finite Element Methods
programs for analysis.
• Mass and volumetric properties of an object can be easily
obtained; total mass, mass center, area and mass moment of
inertia, volume, radius of gyration
 Solid modeling - Disadvantages

• More intensive computation than wireframe and surface

modeling.
• Requires more powerful computers (faster with more memory
and good graphics)