Tutorials:Import Iges Files To OptiTex 3D

From OptiTexHelpEn

NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines) models are commonly used for planning and producing products like automotive bodies and seats. OptiTex 3D works on polygonal based models but can import Nurbs based models to allow the use of the OptiTex Flattening tool.
In the following tutorial we will go through the steps of importing IGES file into OptiTex 3D, merging separated surfaces into a unified mesh and extracting 2D pattern pieces by using the simplest Flattening command.

Part 1 - Import

Download a sample Iges file from here and unzip the file.
Select the Load Model command.
Change the File of type to NURBS files (*.iges/*.igs)
Select the the file OptiTexIgesExample.iges from step 1
Still in the Open dialog, set the Scale to 1 and click the Advance button
Switch to the Polygons tab
Set the Tessellation Resolution slider to higher than the default and click OK.
Click Open to finish the import process.
1. When the import process is finished sometimes it is necessary to reset the focus on the model - Ctrl-click the model and press F.
This is what you should get:

Open dialog

Import Settings

Imported Iges Model

Part 2 - Save As MOD

At this point save the model as a model file (*.mod)
Name the file Betty
- After importing from Iges and saving as MOD, a new file is created automatically under the same directory as the file you work on.
- The file extension is IWB
- The file name is a combination of the iges name and the mod name. So for Betty.mod saved after importing OptiTexIgesExample.iges there will also be a file called OptiTexIgesExample_Betty.iwb
- This file is crucial for you to be able to continue and use some commands and tools over the MOD file, commands like Combine that will later be discussed.
- If the folder from which you loaded the model is read only you can find the *.iwb file in the following root:

C:\Documents and Settings\User folder\Local Settings\Temp\iwb

Part 3 - Flatten Whole Mesh

Many times the imported model's surfaces were designed with the thought of the sew lines in mind.
In this part we will select the surfaces which we can flatten directly, without any additional manipulation in the 3D.

Select the Show Advanced Toolbar
1. This action has opened the 3D Advanced toolbar as a second row in the 3D Window.
2. Alternatively you can select the toolbar from the toolbar list by right-clicking next to the PDS menus.
From the toolbar menu select to open the 3D Flattening toolbar
Select the 3D Selection tool .
Select the surface that looks like a pipe
From the 3D Flattening toolbar select the Flatten Whole Mesh (Ctrl+9)
This is what you should get:

Selected Mesh and Flatten command

Flattened piece on 2D

Part 4 - Combine Surfaces

Files imported from Nurbs are constructed with separate surfaces and sometimes we need to merge adjacent surfaces into a single mesh.

Select the 3D Selection tool .
Select the surface which has holes in it.
Hold the Ctrl key and rotate around until you see the small surface that needs to be merged with it.
Hold the Shift key to add this surface to the selection. Now you have 2 selected surfaces.
1. If selected unnecessary surface hold Ctrl+Shift and click on that surface.
From the Advanced 3D Toolbar select the Combine command .
Once the surfaces were combined only the combined mesh is visible. The original separated surfaces are hidden.
- To display/hide the original surfaces select the View Reference Mode .
From the 3D Flattening toolbar select the Flatten Whole Mesh (Ctrl+9)
On the 2D Working area select the pieces that shape the holes and from the Piece Menu select the command convert the piece to hole.
This is what you should get:

Selected Meshes and Combine command	Combined surface
Flattened pieces on 2D, the holes pieces selected	Piece with holes

Part 5 - 2D Arrangement

Flatten all the surfaces the same way described in Part 4 & 5
This is what you should get:

All 2D pieces
Set the Baseline (/ key)
Rotate (Shift+/ keys) the pieces to baseline direction.
This is what you should get:

Adjusted baseline

Part 6 - Orientation And Final Draping

Since draping is not the scope of this tutorial we will give brief instructions:

Import the Iges file again as instructed in Part 1
Go to 3D menu > Selection > Select all
From the Advanced 3D Toolbar select the Combine command
Click 3D Transform Piece Tool
The transformation editor window should open
Select the combined model
In transformation editor set 90° Rotation on X axe and click Apply
This is what you should get:

Rotated Model
Save the model as Simulation Betty.mod
Arrange the pieces for 3D simulation. To download arranged file click here
Stitch (U) the piece and simulate the draping. To download stitched file click here
This is what you should get: