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Advanced processing training �on Artec Studio 20�(Part E)

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Before you use the new Datum Alignment option, it is still important to pre-align a CAD model and a mesh, that is move them closer to each other in the Align tab. Starting from AS18, it is possible to auto-align mesh and CAD (although manual alignment is also an option). Although for complicate shapes the Manual alignment works faster.
Upon completion of the first stage (in Auto or Manual mode), choose Datum in the Type dropdown list

Datum Alignment

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As a science, three datum is the maximum you can and will ever need to use – this is always enough to constrain all degrees of freedom. �Depending on the type of datums you select, you can actually use just two datums to constrain the system completely (for example, 2 non-parallel cylinders).

In some cases, you won’t even need that: if it suits your inspection scenario, you are free to select just one geometric feature and align your models by that datum only.

Upon choosing your Datums you will see how the respective position of the models changes after every selected feature.
It is important to note that the order of selection matters: for the first Datum the algorithm creates almost perfect matching with either non-existent or insignificant deviation. For the second Datum, models will be aligned as precisely as the first constraint allows. For the third – it will consider both previous constraints and do its best to align the models taking into account the limitations imposed by the first two Datums.

Datum Alignment

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Creating your Distance map is also now possible right in the Datum Alignment menu (2).
You can choose a proper search distance and create the map by hitting the Calculate button (3).
It is possible to build �a distance map even with 1 Datum.
If you opt to save the Distance map (4), you can then find it in the Measures tab.

Datum Alignment: Distance map

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Datum Alignment

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What is Precise Positioning for?

Preparing the model for export to a third-party software (for engineering purposes)�

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What is Precise Positioning for

Preparing the model for export to a third-party software (for engineering purposes)�
Building perfectly accurate sections in the Sections measuring tool�

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How Precise Positioning works

Fit several primitives to a model�

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How Precise Positioning works

Fit several primitives to a model�

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How Precise Positioning works

Fit several primitives to a model�

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How Precise Positioning works

Fit several primitives to a model�
Go to Edit -> Precise Positioning �

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How Precise Positioning works

Fit several primitives to a model�
Go to Edit -> Precise Positioning �
Select a primitive from�the list or directly from 3D View�

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How Precise Positioning works

Fit several primitives to a model�
Go to Edit -> Precise Positioning �
Select a primitive from�the list or directly from 3D View�
Select the axis you want to align�the primitive to��

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How Precise Positioning works

Fit several primitives to a model�
Go to Edit-Precise Positioning �
Select a primitive from�the list or directly from 3D View�
Select the axis you want to align�the primitive to�
Repeat with other primitives if necessary

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Before

After

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Precise Positioning selection

Precise Positioning only works with items which are currently selected in the Workspace. That is, the fusion (model) has to be displayed in order to be positioned along with the primitives.�
You can select several fusions at the same time, or even the scans along with the primitives, as long as the primitives are aligned with all selected objects.�
If an object isn’t aligned with the primitive, it will also be positioned when selected, but in an unpredictable way.

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Precise Positioning properties

When aligned, each primitive has 4 properties:�

Alignment
Inversion
Primary
Origin

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Properties: Alignment

Alignment shows to which axis the primitive is currently aligned.�
An axis of a сone and a cylinder can only be aligned to an axis (X, Y or Z).�
Planes can be aligned to axis planes (YOZ, XOZ or XOY).�
Spheres can’t have this property since they can only be aligned to the origin.

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Properties: Inversion

After the primitive was aligned, it is possible to invert the direction in which the primitive faces.�
For planes, inversion allows to select which side of the plane will be used as the “face side”.�
For axes, inversion defines the axis direction.�
Primitives that were inverted will have an “I” status.�

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Properties: Primary

When two separate primitives are aligned, sometimes their alignment conditions contradict each other.�
In this case, one of the primitives will be given a priority: it will be aligned perfectly. Such primitives are called Primary and will have “P” status.�
Only one primitive at a time can be primary.

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Properties: Primary

All other primitives will only be aligned to the extent which doesn’t contradict the alignment of the primary primitive.�
By default the first aligned primitive will be considered primary, but the user can reassign the primary primitive manually.�
Reassigning the primary primitive can considerably change the accuracy of the positioning.

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Properties: Origin

“Origin” is a name for the center of the coordinate system (0, 0, 0).�
Each primitive will automatically be Moved To Origin (MTO) after alignment.�
Primitives at the origin will have the “O” status.�
The alignment of primitives along an axis or an axis plane always has a higher priority than MTO. That is, if the requested alignment of Primitive 1 contradicts with moving to origin Primitive 2, the alignment of Primitive 1 will be given priority. �
Several primitives can be located at the origin, but sometimes moving one primitive to the origin removes the other from it.

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Properties: Origin

An object can be MTO by clicking the respective button.�
An already aligned primitive can be MTO, but only along the axis or the plane it is aligned to.�
If moving to the origin isn’t applicable, the MTO button turns into a Reset origin button, which can be used without canceling the alignment.�
During MTO, the restrictions of the Primary primitive are still effective.�
When the primitive is made Primary, as long as it has the Origin (“O”) status, it will be moved closer to the origin, if it wasn’t already.

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Properties: Origin

By default, the point that is being moved (MTO) is the center of each primitive. It can be seen in the Precise Positioning mode, along with the axis for cones and cylinders. Cones and cylinders also have points at the top and the bottom of their axis.
A user can select which point will be used for the Move to origin alignment simply by clicking on it �(see next slide).
MTO can be considered a positioning action by itself, and sometimes can be made without contradicting the existing alignments for other primitives.
A sphere can only be positioned by the MTO button, which will allow to move it directly to the center, or closer to it.

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CAD: interactive primitive points

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Precise Positioning: contradictions

When the user tries to align a primitive to an axis that is currently aligned to another primitive, it would be impossible to keep both alignments at the same time.�
In this case, the user will have to decide whether to keep the existing alignment, or cancel it and make the new one.�
Planes are always aligned to two axes simultaneously.�
Contradictions may also appear during MTO.

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Precise Positioning and Sections

Properly positioned objects are easier to measure.

A plane which is parallel to an axis plane now creates a contour that goes through the model in an accurate predictable way.

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CAD: Quick access panel

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Chamfer

Starting from Artec Studio 18, it is possible to create a chamfer - a transitional edge between 2 surfaces.

The feature is located in the Quick Access Panel.

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Fillet

This feature creates a round transitional edge between 2 surfaces.

The feature is located in the Quick Access Panel.

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Chamfer

Chamfer & Fillet

Upon clicking on the button, the user should choose the corner (will be highlighted in yellow upon pointing).

After the corner has been selected, the user can adjust the settings. Since the chamfers are usually symmetrical, this option is enabled by default. However, if the user wishes to create asymmetrical chamfer, it’s required to disable the slider and insert the respective values.

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Chamfer

Chamfer & Fillet

Corner form regulates the shape of connected ribs.
If the user opts to connect only 2 surfaces, the setting doesn’t affect anything.

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Draft

This feature creates a slope between two surfaces.
The feature is located in the Quick Access Panel.

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Thickness

This feature adds thickness to flat objects (mesh, plane, autosurface or freeform).
The feature is located in the Quick Access Panel.

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Move surface

This feature allows moving a surface of a CAD object.
The feature can either modify an existing object or create a new CAD surface.

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Move surface

How it works now

Upon clicking on the button, the user can enter the Distance value (offset value) and select the surface to be modified. After that the future position of the surface will be shown in light-blue copy. If Offset as a copy is not checked, the object itself will be modified
Please note that modification of the object won’t be possible if the surface has fillet or chamfer. However, in that case the user can create a copy of the surface with the respective offset.�

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Move surface

Delete face

This feature allows deleting a cad face.

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CAD interaction

Starting from Artec Studio 15 we support the import and export of .step, .iges and .x_t CAD formats.�
CAD objects are displayed as a polygonal mesh in Artec Studio, yet they are CAD by nature.�

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CAD: 3rd party software integration

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AS offers a direct export of fitted primitives into several softwares right from the Workspace contextual menu: Solidworks, Control X and Design X.�
Solidworks supports direct export of primitives.�
Design X allows to directly export primitives and meshes.�
Control X also supports direct export of primitives and meshes, but has an additional option.�
The options to export Primitives into Solidworks, Control X or Design X will only appear if the respected software is installed on the same PC as AS.

Export options

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Solidworks supports direct export of primitives without any plugins.�
Exporting meshes does require a Geomagic for Solidworks plugin.�

Solidworks integration

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AS has two ways to interact with Control X:

Direct mesh export�
Export+Inspect macro�

The second option allows to export a mesh (or several meshes) and use an existing Control X template to make the measurements and instantly get a full report.
It is an amazing time saver for QA of a line of mass produced objects.
In order for inspection macros to work with Control X, the user must have an active “Professional” Control X license.

Control X integration