Sample

Purpose:

The basic idea is that we want to find the distances between two parts. The first part picked is used as the reference part, and we take all the nodal points for the part and project them to the second part.
If the "Axial" box is checked we do the projection of the nodes in an axial direction, x, y, or z. The default is the global directions. If other directions are required, an local system must be input, and selected.
The "Tracer" box enables lines to be drawn to show the projection and check that points land properly on the seconded part. The reference part is also fringed to highlight where the parts are closest.
When the parts are shells the "T1" and "T2" allow the inclusion of the shell thickness in the calculation. If they are not checked the distances are between the mid surface of the shells.
The -/+, -ve, and +ve radio button allows the selection of the distance in both a position and negative direction, or just positive or negative direction.
The "Show" button is to execute the calculation and display the result. If the model is a d3plot when the state is changed the separation is automatically recalculated.
If only a region of a part is to be checked for separation the parts or one of the parts should be blanked to reduce the calculation to the area of interest.
If the "Part2Part" is unchecked then the reference part is projected to itself at a state entered as the second part.
If "Axial" is unchecked,then the projection is to the nearest point from the reference part nodes to the second part.
The parts can be beam, shell or solid. For solid we try to project only the element that face each other, so that elements on the back of a solid view from the second part are automatically discounted.

Step1:

Load a d3plot file. Go to the measure dialog. Select "Separation" in items choice.

Step2:

Pick two parts orderly on the model. The "From" and "To" text will be updated with part id, like this,

Pick parts

Step3:

Select X, Y or Z axial separation distance with radion botton "AX", "AY" or "AZ". "AZ" is default.

Step4:

Select the distance in both a position and negative direction, or just positive or negative direction with "-/+", "-ve" or "+ve". "-/+" is default.

Step5:

Check "T1", "T2" to allow the inclusion of the shell thickness in the calculation for part1 and part2. (default is checked, just useful for shell parts)

Step6:

Click "Show" button, the results will be render on the model, like this,

Part to part fringe result

Step 7:

Check "Tracer" to enable lines to be drawn to show the projection, like this,

Part to part tracer lines