7 Replies Latest reply on Oct 31, 2016 11:16 AM by Max Bradley

Manipulating the floor angle

Max Bradley Oct 31, 2016 10:41 AM

Hi all

Is there an easy way to snap the floor to the geometry of the shape with a bit more intelligence than just moving the floor plane up and down? I have a cylindrical shape that is wider at one end that the other. If i press the "Snap to floor" button it moved the plane of the floor up or down to where it first touches the part but this leaves the smaller end hanging around in mid air. Is there a way to easily move the floor to a position where both ends will be in contact with the part so it looks like it is naturally laying there? I have added a picture for reference.

Re: Manipulating the floor angle

Ingvar Magnusson Oct 31, 2016 10:47 AM (in response to Max Bradley)

What about mating the part to the top plane before you import into VIZ.
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- Re: Manipulating the floor angle
  
  Max Bradley Oct 31, 2016 11:07 AM (in response to Ingvar Magnusson)
  
  I have considered this but as the model is used in other assemblies where the top plane is used for mating I want to try and avoid it if I can. I could save it as a new model but then it wouldnt update if any changes were made. My other thought is to create a new plane in SW but I'm not sure how to select this plane as the floor once I have the model in Viz.
  
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  - Re: Manipulating the floor angle
    
    Ingvar Magnusson Oct 31, 2016 11:13 AM (in response to Max Bradley)
    
    You could put it in another assembly solely to Import that assembly into VIZ.
    
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    - Re: Manipulating the floor angle
      
      Max Bradley Oct 31, 2016 11:16 AM (in response to Ingvar Magnusson)
      
      That is what I did in the end. Thank you Ingvar!
      
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- Re: Manipulating the floor angle
  
  Brian Hillner Oct 31, 2016 10:56 AM (in response to Ingvar Magnusson)
  
  Thanks for the recommendation, Ingvar. This sounds like it could work!
  
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Re: Manipulating the floor angle

Brian Hillner Oct 31, 2016 10:54 AM (in response to Max Bradley)

Hi Max,

First off, nice texture on the metal cylinder!
Currently, Visualize only has the 'Snap to Floor' button as you know, which snaps the lowest point of your selected Model to the floor.
In a future release, we are looking into smarter technology to 'place' your models and parts within your scene, including on the floor. This will solve the current issue you are having.

As a workaround, select the desired geometry from the Scene Tree and click 'Snap to Floor.' Then move the camera to a side view extremely close to the ground, and then manually rotate your geometry and 'eyeball' until your geometry looks like it's resting on the ground. You can even move the Pivot point of the desired geometry before you start rotating it, to line it up with greater ease.
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- Re: Manipulating the floor angle
  
  Max Bradley Oct 31, 2016 11:07 AM (in response to Brian Hillner)
  
  Thank you for the replies. I actually got around the issue by placing the model into a new assembly on its own in Solidworks and using Ingvar's suggestion that way. So the model can remain unchanged and then i use the assembly in Viz. Worked a treat.
  
  Brian that is the just the solidworks standard "Satin finish stainless steel" appearance imported into Viz. Nothing fancy done.
  
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