SpaceClaim Online Help

Organizing meshes

The Organize group has tools for:

• Separating mesh regions in a single mesh body
• Joining multiple mesh bodies into a single body.

A single mesh body can have any number of mesh regions. A common example is a shelled mesh which has both an inner and an outer mesh in one body. Another example can be created by saving a SpaceClaim model, which contains several separate solid bodies, as an STL fileFile format native to the stereo lithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. You can export parts and assemblies (.stl).See Stereo lithography.. It gets imported in SpaceClaim as a single mesh body but has several separate mesh regions.

Separating mesh pieces

Use the Separate All Pieces tool to separate mesh regions into individual mesh bodies. 

The image below shows a shelled mesh with interior and exterior mesh regions

After separation, there are two mesh bodies as shown in the image below, where the interior mesh body has been moved outside.

To Separate a single mesh region:

1. Click the Separate tool.
2. Use the Select Shells tool guide for a shelled mesh body.
3. Use the Select Meshes tool guide for a mesh body with disconnected mesh regions.
4. In the Options panelArea of the user interface that enables you to modify functions specific to tools., choose:
   • Over-Connected to separate over-connected meshes (i.e. meshes joined at a single edge or point)
   • Connected to separate normally connected meshes.
5. Select a mesh shell or mesh region.
6. The selection is then converted to a separate mesh body.

To Separate All mesh regions:

1. Click the Separate All tool.
2. In the Options panel, choose:
   • Over-Connected to separate over-connected meshes (i.e. meshes joined at a single edge or point)
   • Connected to separate normally connected meshes.
3. All mesh regions, in all mesh bodies, are converted to separate mesh bodies.

To Join meshes:

1. Click the Join tool.

2. Use the Select Meshes tool guide to join selected bodies one-by-one.

3. Use the Select TargetThe object you want to cut, when using the Combine tool to split a solid or surface. Mesh tool guide to join all mesh bodies to the selected target body.