Geometric modeling kernels are at the core of 3D CAD (computer-aided design) software. The kernel determines how 3D shapes are created, edited and reused. Software developers often refer to it simply as the “kernel” or the code that has the mathematical logic to present an image. The choice of kernel is critical, since a simple geometrical shape can be mathematically defined and manipulated in more than one way. The ability of the kernel to calculate and store a complex shape determines the usability and productivity of a CAD software.
Enhanced areas in Parasolid v27.1 include blending, surfacing, modeling support and platform support.
Blending has been improved in Parasolid v27.1, so users can easily control the profile of G2 face blends by providing constant depth and skew.
The left image shows a chain of variable radius edge blends defined edge by edge with the same parameters. The right image shows a chain of variable radius edge blends created in one operation with the same parameters giving smoother results with the new enhancements to the kernel.
The new enhancements reduce the number of operations needed to modify a surface of model. Other surfacing enhancements include: –
- Replace sharp mitred corners created by sweeping a profile along a sharp non-G1 path with rounded corners
- Align parameterization of extruded surfaces with the extrude direction
- Optimize parameterization of the new face when replacing a set of faces with a single face
- Sweep a profile along a path with the option to extend the path beyond one or more faces used to lock the profile
- Sweep a solid tool along a path and specify that a face or set of faces of the tool are unimportant to the result and that their precise sweep should be replaced by a simpler capping surface
The new enhancements also streamline the modeling process by reducing the steps to get the desired result. Other modeling enhancements include: –
- Imprint a set of curves that are coincident with a face as a group, which improves performance and robustness
- Imprint a curve onto faces of a body with greater influence by controlling how to imprint onto hidden faces