Integrated Feature Modeling

Feature modeling is a specific type of 3D modeling used to create and modify complex 3D geometry in MicroStation V8 2004 Edition. Feature Modeling creates feature solids which can be easily modified after they are constructed by editing specific defining parameters for the solid. This quality makes feature solids more flexible and powerful in comparison to SmartSolids.

For compatibility with previous editions; feature solids are seen by applications as SmartSolids without requiring additional changes.

• Primitive Solid tools — The tools in the Primitive Feature Solids tool box are used to place simple 3D parametric solids slab, sphere, cylinder, cone, torus, or wedge.

• Boolean tools — the Boolean Features tool box contains tools for constructing parametric solids by uniting, intersecting, or subtracting existing solids. With each tool you can perform multiple operations without the need to accept each before selecting another solid.

• Profile tools — the Profile Feature Solids tool box contains tools for creating parametric solids from existing profile elements.

• Modify Face tools — the Modify Face Features tool box contains tools that let you taper, extend, spin, remove, or replace faces of a solid

• Feature tools — the tools in the Features tool box are used to add features to a solid. Complex designs can be created by starting with a basic solid to which you add the features required to finish it.

• Manipulate Feature tools — the tools in the Manipulate Feature tool box are used to manipulate most features — holes, circular bosses, cuts, protrusions, or ribs.

• Modify Feature tools — the tools in the Modify Feature tool box are used to modify features or profiles of existing solids. When modifying features or profiles, dialog boxes let you edit the parameters that were used initially to create the feature or profile of the solid.

  The Place Feature Cell tool enables you to place a DGN model much like a cell and resolve variables in the feature model at placement time. You first create a feature solid in terms of global variables, then define named sets of the variables, and then select them by name at placement.

• global variables — The Feature Manager Global Variables dialog box is used to manage global variables used with parametric feature-based models created with the feature modeling tools. This dialog box opens when the Feature Modeling Variables icon is selected in the Feature Modeling Primary tool box, or when Element > Feature Modeling > Variables is chosen.

• Feature Manager — this window is used to select and manage features used in creating a solid. This dialog box opens when the Feature Modeling Feature Manager icon is selected in the Feature Modeling Primary tool box, or when Element > Feature Modeling > Feature Manager is chosen.

  When you identify a solid, with the Feature Manager window open, the feature tree for the solid displays in the Feature Manager window. Features are displayed in the order that they were placed, with the first feature at the bottom of the list. Branches on the feature tree can be expanded by clicking the (+) icon, or collapsed by clicking the (-) icon.