3D Section by 2D Elements

In order to construct a 3D section by 2D elements belonging to a workplane, use the following option available in the 3D Section command's parameters window:

Source 2D elements of such section are selected either in 2D window at workplane's drawing page, or in 3D window, when drawing on active workplane.

In order to construct a 3D section by 2D elements belonging to a 2D projection, use the following option available in the 3D Section command's parameters window:

Source 2D elements of such section are selected on projection in 2D window.

Such 3D section can be created automatically in the 2D projection creation command when constructing a section cut or section view based on a 2D section (cutting line).

In both options, following 2D elements can be used for creating a section:

•Set of 2D nodes (at least two nodes)
The section will be created from polyline connecting the nodes.

•2D path
A path may have any shape, so you can create curved sections.

•Cutting line.

The resulting flat line is extruded perpendicular to the parent workplane or to the projecting plane of the parent projection.

Boundaries of source line's extrusion are symbolic. They are used only for displaying the section in 3D scene and do not affect the result of applying the section. A model is cut by surfaces, which are infinite in both sides along the direction of extrusion.  

At the same time, the extents of the section in the other direction are precisely defined by the boundaries of the source line. Therefore, when creating a 3D section, make sure that the source line fully intersects the 3D model. Otherwise, instead of cutting the whole model, the section will cut only a portion intersected by result of the base line's infinite extrusion. The rest of the model will be cut-off by planes passing through lines, formed by extrusion of base line's endpoints, at a normal angle to main cutting surfaces.

3D sections, based on 2D nodes and 2D paths, are displayed in the 2D window by a dotted line with the arrows at the ends, indicating the view direction of the section. 3D sections based on cutting lines are not displayed in 2D window.

The workplane used as the base for the 3D section construction, is automatically selected by the system. In the cases, when another workplane can be selected (for example, if several workplanes are located on the given 2D page), the automenu will provide the option for changing the workplane:

When creating a section by 2D nodes belonging to a 2D projection, it is based on the parent projection of the second selected node. If the first node was selected on other projection, then instead of such node the section will use a node on the current projection with the same local coordinates.

 

Source 2D elements can be selected using the following automenu options:

Activating these options enables in the Filter Toolbar filters for selecting objects of the corresponding type, so you can select desired points in 3D scene or in model tree via .

The 2D nodes selection option additionally allows you to select key points of graphic lines. Upon selecting such points, 2D nodes are created there automatically.

 

Default view direction of a section is defined arbitrarily by the system. If necessary, you can change it by clicking a direction manipulator or using the following automenu option:

Upon applying the section, the portion of the model pointed by section's arrows will remain visible, while the other portion will be omitted.

One-sided section

By default, a section by 2D elements cuts a model on both sides of a parent workplane or projecting plane.

If you activate the following automenu option, then the section will only cut a model on one side of the workplane or projecting plane:

The side to be cut-off is selected arbitrarily by the system. If you want to switch side, use the following option:

See Also:

•Selecting Bodies to be Cut by 3D Section

•3D Section Results Display