4.5.4.  3D Shape Search

Upload existing geometry or choose from standard shapes.

  1. Via Upload 3D geometry, upload the file or drag it into the field.

    -> The settings area is opened.

  2. Select 3D Shape Search (if not yet selected).

  3. Perform the desired settings:

    • Similarity: Determine how similar results should be in comparison to the original.

    • Include Part Size: Yes/No

      If the option has been set, some results may not occur in the result list, even though they are geometrically similar, however, have other sizes.

      [Note]Note
      • In manufacturer catalogs not all table lines are geometrically indexed by default.

        So you possibly will not get results with enabled option Include Part Size, even though there are similar parts.

        So better disable the option and finally filter the result table for a fitting characteristic.

      • In own parts catalogs normally 100% of all table lines are indexed.

      • A 100% indexing can be performed anytime subsequently.

        PARTadmin -> Index administration -> Geometrical search index -> Create/Update -> Percentage fraction

        PARTadmin -> Index administration -> Geometrical search index -> Create/Update -> Percentage fraction

      • If all table lines are indexed, for manufacturer catalogs, enabling the option makes sense. In own parts catalogs it definitely could make sense to also detect similar parts with other sizes.

    • Ignore mirrored parts: Yes/No

      Example:

      Search part

      Search part

      When activating, the right result will not occur.

      Right part is a mirror image of the left one.

      Right part is a mirror image of the left one.

    • Include geometric features: If a part has features not relevant in comparison to the total size, these will get a higher weight when activating the option.

      a) This may lead to an exclusion of parts (if features differ) or b) to a higher ranking (if the basic shape is not very similar, but the geometrical features are).

      Search part

      Search part

      Example:

      1. When disabling the option, the bracket will occur in the result list due to his similar basic shape, even though it has no holes.

        When enabling the option the bracket is excluded from the result list.

        Result part

        Result part

      2. If a result with small holes not relevant in comparison to the total size has a basic shape not quite similar, but the same holes it will get a higher ranking when activating the option.

  4. Click Apply and search.

    -> Results within the set similarity are found and displayed.

    -> In the search field, the search parameter (or multiple) is displayed.