Generate points on solids

Generate points on AutoCAD Solid3D entities. This method is only available for AutoCAD versions 2010 or higher.

Access methods

8 Toolbar:

8 Menu: ComputationalCAD † Generate points on solids

7 Command entry: CC:SOLIDS:TESSELATE

Dialog

Select 3d solids:
Select one or more Solid3d entities.

Specify maximum node spacing:
Enter the maximum distance between two points generated on the solid(s). Expects a value greater than 0. Default is 1/100 of the maximum diagonal of the geometric extends of all selected solids.

Insert on layer [Current/specify Name] :
<Current>:     The points will lie on the current layer. (Default)
<specify Name>:          The following dialog is displayed:

  Specify layer name:
Enter the name of the layer the points shall be added to. If the layer does not exist, it will be generated.

Insert as block? <Yes, No> :
<Yes>:          The following dialog is displayed:

           Specify block name:
                     Enter the name of the block the points shall be added to. If the block does not exist, it will be generated.

<No>:            The points will be inserted in the model space. (default)

Summary

The solid may be arbitrary complex. The generated points are the corner vertices of the tessellation of the solid. Due to AutoCAD internals, the actual distance between two points on a solid may be significantly smaller than the maximum node spacing.

Example

Figure 6: 9008 points generated on an I-beam with holes

Figure 7: Detail view of points on I-beam