bounding sphere
bounding sphere
(OP)
I know the topic of finding a bounding box for a part has been discussed and I have found a macro which will do that relative to X, Y, and Z.
Is there a way to find a bounding sphere for a part? I'm trying to determine the smallest sphere which my part will fit into, regardless of orientation. This will be used to try to determine the packaging (several parts into an existing carton).
Thanks,
Dave Gowans
Is there a way to find a bounding sphere for a part? I'm trying to determine the smallest sphere which my part will fit into, regardless of orientation. This will be used to try to determine the packaging (several parts into an existing carton).
Thanks,
Dave Gowans






RE: bounding sphere
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies
www.3dvisiontech.com
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
RE: bounding sphere
Dave Gowans
RE: bounding sphere
You can create an assembly envelope using an existing part file or in the context of the assembly.
To create an assembly envelope from a file:
Click Insert, Envelope, From File.
In the Open dialog box, select the part file to use as an envelope, then click Open.
Click in the assembly window where you want to place the envelope component. You can mate the envelope component to the other components in the assembly to position it precisely.
To create an assembly envelope in the assembly context:
Click Insert, Envelope, New.
In the Save As dialog box, enter a name for the new envelope component, then click Save.
A part document with this name is created.
Click a face or plane in the assembly window where you want to begin sketching the envelope component.
The Front plane of the new envelope component is mated to the selected face or plane with an Inplace mating relation.
Create the base feature and any additional features of the envelope component.
You can reference the geometry of the assembly components as you create the envelope component. If any of the referenced entities changes, the envelope updates accordingly.
When you are done defining the new envelope component, right-click anywhere in the graphics area, and select Edit Assembly:assembly_name.
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies
www.3dvisiontech.com
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
RE: bounding sphere
I've done an internet search on bounding sphere - seems that this is a technique game developers and the like use to do collision detection. Based on what I've read and the little I know about the rendering process, I believe there are mathematical algorithms that will take a set of point data and generate the smallest bounding sphere. I'm wondering if it's possible within Solidworks (custom macro, anyone?) to do the same.
RE: bounding sphere
There will be some guessing I suppose, but if you mated the sketch to the 3 of the outer parts then you would have some idea. If the sphere is to big, change the mate to another part and so on until you get the desired result.
The above clipping from the Help explains this process. If you are looking for something more automated, there isn't anything nativly in SW that does this for you. You will have to write something or find a macro someone has already written.
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies
www.3dvisiontech.com
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
RE: bounding sphere
Not that I am bright enough to figure it out, but I'm sure someone else could accomplish this execise.
Just my two cent, Canadian, which after exchange, well 'nough said.
Regards,
Christopher Zona - Senior CAD Designer
Litens Automotive Partnership
Concord, Ontario, Canada
RE: bounding sphere
(I'm just trying to sound smart...I've forgotten 99% of my Advanced Calculus)
RE: bounding sphere
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies
www.3dvisiontech.com
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376