>> As far as I'm aware it only emulates solid gemetry which is much
>> easier to carry out (I'm led to believe) than the true mathematical
>> solution which is why Pro/E can sometimes struggle.
Nonsense. The only difference between a Solid Modeler and a Surface
Modeler is that the Solid Modeler limits the user to boolean operations on
Closed Shells, always maintaining a Closed Shell.
See
http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=211821&page=1 for related
discussion. Search the page for "mired". It's a long thread.
Edit:
Oops. A caveat, sorta ... A strict 'surface modeler' (i.e. Rhino), not having
a 'solid' database entity, can't calculate the volume of a solid with a fully
embedded void (closed shell, surface normals on the internal volume side).
There are probably others, too. Point is: the two types of modelers, or more
precisely, modeling operations both create the same type of surfaces using the
same mathematical definitions.
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> allow me to peel off one surface showing a hollow inside
Inventor allows the user to Delete a Solid Face leaving the open shell.
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and edit again ...
PJW,
I believe what was being related to you wasthe difference
between CSG and B-Rep modelers. A simple explanation ...
[url]http://www.cadalyst.com/cadalyst/article/articleDetail.jsp?i d=79619[/url]
In depth technical treatments can be found if the subject interests you.
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Edited by: jeff4136