Solid Edge enables fast, flexible edits to be made directly to the geometry, by moving, rotating or dragging regions of geometry. This box was transformed into a more sophisticated shape by rotating the blue face, and then the green face

Modelling harmony

One of the key updates for this release has been the work done to change some of the fundamental problems that arise from direct editing. Feature-based modelling gives users the ability to store the explicit parameters, geometry and inputs to the creation of a specific feature. And while Solid Edge ST 1 had some basic features that were retained in the part file (such as holes and patterns), these were referred to as Procedural Features. These have been extended in this release to do one of two things: either to retain control over a geometry creation process or to allow it in the first place.

A good example of the former is how the system worked with draft. One of the big problems with any “direct modelling system” is that it is very easy to push and pull linear forms, with no draft. But when it comes to adding draft, particularly to complex geometry, then user could run into problems.

In Solid Edge ST 1, users could add draft with ease, but it was a one hit wonder and only worked with very basic geometry (the same is true of SpaceClaim by the way). As soon as the user rotates the faces to which the draft is applied, the ease of manipulation is lost. After all, if that process isn’t stored as a feature, it can’t be directly edited, and to reapply different draft would be rotating separate and individual faces. For draft operations in Solid Edge ST 2 the inputs and references are stored as a Procedural Feature and can be edited directly.

Another example of where traditional modelling techniques can influence geometry creation with Synchronous Technology is the ability to edit directly how fillets are formed at corners or intersections. You select the face, hit the button and you can switch between the two options - making life much easier, particularly if you, like me, always miss that one edge loop and have to go back selecting things again.

A perfect example of using features is found when looking at new ST-enabled capabilities. For this release in general terms, the addition of the helix is the big one. A helix is a complex geometric form and doesn’t lend itself well to direct manipulation. Solid Edge ST 2 stores the underlying sketches as part of a feature set, so you can edit them when you need to.

The new Live Section command allows the user to display a section through a part and then dive in to drag-and-drop the section geometry. The system instantly updates the 3D geometry that it is derived from. If Live Rules (on-the-fly constraints or relationship handling) or more formal constraints are set-up, the surrounding geometry will automatically update. If there’s a sticking point, it’s that it’s not possible to place a Live Section through a complete assembly, so working with multiple parts is a bit of a workaround - it’s possible to section one part and the rest of the geometry turns transparent.