3D Shapes

SWEEPGROUP

SWEEPGROUP (g_expr, x, y, z)

Returns a group that is created by sweeping the group parameter along the given direction. The command works for solid models only.

SWEEPGROUP (2) (g_expr, x, y, z)

The difference between SWEEPGROUP and SWEEPGROUP (2) is that in the former case the actual transformation matrix is applied again to the direction vector of the sweeping operation with respect to the current coordinate system. (in the case of SWEEPGROUP, the current transformation is applied to the direction vector twice with respect to the global coordinate system. )

Example:

GROUP "a"

SPHERE 1

ENDGROUP

PLACEGROUP SWEEPGROUP ("a", 2, 0, 0)

BINARY 3D

BINARY

BINARY mode [, section]

Special command to include inline binary objects into a GDL macro. A set of vertices, vectors, edges, polygons, bodies and materials is read from a special section of the library part file. These are transformed according to the current transformations and merged into the 3D model. The data contained in the binary section is not editable by the user.

mode: defines pencolor and material attribute definition usage

0:the current PEN and MATERIAL settings are in effect.

1:the current PEN and MATERIAL settings have no effect. The library part will be shown with the stored colors and material definitions. Surface appearance is constant.

2:the stored PEN and MATERIAL settings are used, non-defined materials are replaced by current settings.

3D Shapes

3: the stored PEN and MATERIAL settings are used, non-defined materials are replaced by the stored default attributes. section: index of the binary part, from 1 to 16

By using 0 for the section index, you can refer simultaneously to all the existing binary parts.

Only sections with an index value of 1 can be saved from within GDL, BINARY commands without the section argument will also refer to this. Other section indexes can be used by third party tools.

If you open files with a different data structure (e.g., DXF or ZOOM) their 3D description will be converted into binary format.

You can save a library part in binary format from the main Library Part editing window through the Save as... command. If the Save in binary format checkbox is marked in the Save as... dialog box, the GDL text of the current library part will be replaced with a binary description.

Hint: Saving the 3D model after a 3D cutaway operation in binary format will save the truncated model. This way, you can create cut shapes. You can only save your library part in binary format if you have already generated its 3D model.

By replacing the GDL description of your library part with a binary description you can considerably reduce the 3D conversion time of the item. On the other hand, the binary 3D description is not parametric and takes more disk space than an algorithmic GDL script.

3D Shapes