Creating a 3D Solid Model for a Block- Based MvPart

You create solids from one of the basic solid shapes of box, cone, cylinder, sphere, torus, and wedge or by extruding a 2D object along a path or revolving a 2D object about an axis.

Once you have created a solid in this manner, you can create more complex shapes by combining solids. You can join solids, subtract solids from each other, or find the common volume (overlapping portion) of solids. For more information, see Create a Composite Solid.

1. To create a solid box type in Box and cylinder from the command line.
2. Specify the first corner of the base.
3. Specify the opposite corner of the base.
4. Specify the height.
   
5. Place points to your model to help locate connectors, enter point, press ENTER and, using osnaps, select the center of a connector on the 3D model.
6. Verify that the geometry is drawn on layer 0 and is assigned BYBLOCK for color and linetype, and BYLAYER for lineweight.
7. Define a block for the current drawing Create the objects you want to use in the block definition.

The block is defined in the current drawing and can be inserted at any time.

Defining the Part Behavior of a Block-Based MvPart

Go the MEP Common pull down menu, and choose Content Builder.

1. Choose the location within the parts catalog where you want the part to show up.
2. Click on the New Block Part button to start building the new part.
3. Give the new part a name, and click in the description box, and the name will transfer to it automatically.

Choose OK, and the block definitions will be created as you enter the MvPart Builder.

1. Select a type from the list.
2. Define a layer key for the new part size.
3. In the Select Layer Key dialog box, select a layer key and click OK.
4. For Subtype, select a subtype from the list, or enter a new subtype.
5. Click Next

Assigning Part Size Names and Views of a Block-Based MvPart

1. Click ADD PART SIZE, and select the 3D model block you created. A new part size is added to the part family, and a new row appears in the table.
2. Select your block.
3. To create the missing view blocks for those block names that display in red, click GENERATE BLOCKS. Hit OK to accept the creation of the views. The new part size is updated with the generated view blocks.
4. Click Next.

Generating a Preview Image of a Block- Based MvPart

1. To generate an imaige, click Generate an image based on a model block from the SW Isometric View.
2. Select a model block from the list.
3. Click Generate. A preview imaige is generated from the model block and assigned to the part family.
4. Click Next.

Adding Connectors to a Block- Based MvPart

1. To add a connector, from the tree view of the part family and sized, right-click the part family, and select the type of connector.
2. Specify a value for each of the properties. These properties are assigned to the connector for all part sizes.
3. Click OK.
4. To edit a connector for an individual part size, right-click the specific connector, and click Edit Connector.
   
5. A property palette is displayed. Specify the connector properties.
6. Specify the position of the connector, click the … and select a point on the model.
7. Specify the direction to draw the connecting components by click the …, and drag the cursor in the direction you want the connection component to go, and select a point. To ensure that components are connected perpendicularly to the part, use Ortho mode to restrict the cursor when selecting the direction. Notice the direction of the arrows.
8. Enter a number for the size properties. The size properties will vary depending on the shape of the connector. Enter the width and height of the duct connector, or enter the diameter of the pipe connector.
9. Click OK, and then click Next