3.5. Modeling guideline for BIM
3.5.3. Regular Bodies for VDI Models
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3.5.3. Regular Bodies for VDI Models

Modeling for the VDI field should ideally be performed with simple regular bodies[7], in order to ensure a correct export into the VDI format.

The following describes, with the help of examples, how bodies should be designed, meaning the number of features, feature types, etc.

In general terms: Bodies should be modeled as simple as possible.

Please note: VDI export ONLY supports feature colors, NOT surface colors $CADENAS_USER the configuration file debug.cfg must contain the block [PDESIGNER] with the key allowFeatureAttribueAll=1. If no debug.cfg exists yet, create the file.

The following features should never appear in :

  • Extrusion with oblique angle

  • Sweep

  • Rounding (neither directly in the sketch nor with the "Blend" feature)

The simplest solids are the sphere, cylinder and box. Modeling with these control solids results in an optimal output for VDI. These control bodies do not contain any "TRANS" or "ROTA" in the VDI code

  • Sphere: Sketch with semicircle -> Rotation by 360 degrees

  • Box: Sketch with rectangle -> Extrusion

  • Cylinder: Sketch with circle -> Extrusion

If something cannot be modeled with regular bodies, you can also use bodies which have "ROTA" (rotation) in their VDI code.

Examples with VDI code:

  • No occurrence of "TRAN" or "ROTA".

    Example "Cube"

    960;2;1;1Y;1_cube;bmp;Vorschau;
970;1;Cube 100 7;;QUAD;0;-50;-100;1;0;0;0;1;0;100;100;100;
970.02;1;G;QUAD;100;-50;0;-1;0;0;0;1;0;100;100;100;;;;;;;;1;
970.04;1;0.689999997615814;0.689999997615814;0.689999997615814;1;0.34499999880791;
0.34499999880791;0.34499999880791;1;1;1;1;1;20;0.0053906249813735;0.0053906249813735;
0.0053906249813735;1;

  • Occurrence of "ROTA"

    Example "Torus"

    970;1;Torus 100-25 7;;QUAD;-12.5;-62.5000000000004;-12.5000000000002;1;0;0;0;1;0;125;
125.000000000001;25.0000000000003;
970.02;1;D;KREI;0;0;0;1;0;0;0;1;0;1;12.5;-50;0;
970.02;2;G;ROTA;50;0;0;1;0;0;0;0;-1;0;1;0;0;12.5;0;360;1;;;1;
970.04;1;0.689999997615814;0.689999997615814;0.689999997615814;1;0.34499999880791;
0.34499999880791;0.34499999880791;1;1;1;1;1;20;0.0053906249813735;0.0053906249813735;
0.0053906249813735;1;

In the following listing, different bodies are subdivided in the categories 1 to 4. Bodies from the categories 1 to 3 may be used. All not mentioned there fall under category 4 and may NOT be used.

  • Category 1

    Bodies of first order (regular bodies): Ball, box, cylinder

    (no occurrence of "TRANS" or "ROTA" in VDI code)

    • Ball

      Ball

    • Cube

      Cube

    • Cuboid

      Cuboid

    • Cylinder extruded

      Cylinder extruded

    • Cylinder rotated

      Cylinder rotated

  • Category 2

    Bodies of second order

    "Cone Rotated" based on a rotated triangle

    (does not belong to the 1st order control bodies, but also has no "TRANS" or "ROTA" in the VDI code)

    • Cone rotated

      Cone rotated

  • Category 3

    Bodies of third order

    Once a bevelled rectangle is rotated, "ROTA" occurs in VDI code. A rotated circle also results in "ROTA" in code (Torus and Torus sector).

    • Cone truncated rotated

      Cone truncated rotated

    • Torus

      Torus

    • Torus sector

      Torus sector

  • Category 4

    All bodies not mentioned above fall under category 4. They may not be used for VDI-compliant modeling and they do not comply to LOG200/300.

    When modelling for the BIM sector the following applies in addition:

    • Angles are only allowed in steps of 5° (5°, 10°, 15°...). Only for fittings and pipes or pipe accessories you may disregard this.

    • Always model "additively" and with regular bodies (see VDI sheet 1, page 59).

    • Blind holes or generally negative bodies should be avoided.

    • No bodies, edge lengths or similar smaller than 1,4mm (--> SolidChecker Architecture).



[7] "Regular solids" are solids that were created on the basis of very simple sketches such as semicircles, rectangles or circles. A

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