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Advanced modeling · Lesson 3: Multibody parts: the tools

Move and copy bodies, split, combine, indent and calculate an internal volume.

Lesson goal

Handle several solid bodies in the same part and combine them to get the result you want.

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5 videos

✎

1 exercise

Advanced

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Prerequisite: Modeling basics learning path

1. Watch the videos

Dassault Systèmes videos hosted on MySolidWorks: they open in a new tab and a free account is enough. Watch them in order.

Move/Copy BodiesVideo 1▶Move/Copy BodiesInsert one part into another, copy it, move the copies and combine everything.↗ Split ToolVideo 2▶Split ToolCut a part into several bodies and save each body as a new part.↗ Boolean Operations with Combine ToolVideo 3▶Boolean Operations with Combine ToolAdd, subtract or keep the common volume between bodies.↗ IndentVideo 4▶IndentImprint the shape of a tool body into a target body, with clearance or thickness.↗ Calculating the Volume of a BottleVideo 5▶Calculating the Volume of a BottleModel the liquid with an intersection, then measure its volume.↗

2. Key takeaways

1

A part can contain several bodies: clear Merge result during an extrusion to create a new one.

2

Combine offers three operations: Add, Subtract, Common.

3

Split cuts a part with a sketch, a plane or a surface, and can save each body to a file.

4

Indent creates an imprint with clearance around a tool body: handy for a pocket or a shim.

Tip

Rename the bodies in the Solid Bodies folder: on a part with five bodies or more, selections become much faster.

3. Do the exercise

Model a simple bottle with a revolve:

  • create a plane at the fill level
  • model the liquid with an intersection
  • measure its volume with Mass Properties
✓To check: The displayed volume matches the liquid body alone, and it changes when you move the fill plane.

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