Workflows for Working with Mesh BREP Bodies

There are three typical methods for working with mesh bodies:
  • Workflow #1

    Import a mesh file (*.stl, *.obj, *.ply, *.ply2, or *.3MF) as a graphics body that you clean up to use as is for physical or visual reference.

  • Workflow #2

    Reverse engineering. Import a mesh body as a graphics body. Clean up the graphics body while attempting to create standard BREP geometry by referencing the graphics body or by using tools, such as Surface from Mesh .

  • Workflow #3

    Continuing engineering. Import a mesh body as a graphics body. Clean up the graphics body and convert it to mesh BREP. Add features to the mesh BREP to create a hybrid mesh model. The unchanged regions of the body from the original mesh are mesh BREP, while the regions of the model where you added standard BREP features are standard BREP geometry.

You can create a hybrid solid or surface body that includes mesh BREP geometry and standard SOLIDWORKS BREP geometry.

Working with Mesh

You can manipulate mesh geometry in a similar way as to how you work with SOLIDWORKS geometry and tools such as:
  • Determine mass properties.
  • Add coordinate axes, reference axes, and reference planes.
  • Select mesh vertices when sketching and add sketch relations.
  • Measure distances between mesh elements, using the Measure tool.
    You cannot create sensors for mesh bodies.
  • Create section views.
  • Trim surfaces.
  • Shell, offset, and thicken mesh elements.
  • Apply appearances and render.
  • Detect interference.

Perform Boolean Operations

To combine, intersect, split, move, copy, and cut surfaces, you need to perform these tasks as Boolean operations; that is, create a solid volume before removing geometry.

You cannot combine or perform other Boolean operations on bodies with different geometry types. If you have standard SOLIDWORKS solid or surface bodies, you must convert them to BREP solid or surface bodies with mesh surfaces before performing Boolean operations with other mesh BREP bodies.