Geometry Processor

The Geometry Processor (standalone feature) is a conversion and manipulation tool that converts geometry files from standard formats into formats consumable by Beast Core.

Prerequisite

For full out-of-the-box Geometry Processor functionality, you also need to install Node.js on your machine. The long-term support version (Node.js LTS) works fine for this purpose.

• Website for Node.js installation: https://nodejs.org/en/download/prebuilt-installer

  

How to Use the Geometry Processor

Page 1: File Path Selection

The Geometry Processor opens on the File Path Selection page for basic input / output settings:

1. Choose an Input File or Folder

2. Choose an Output File or Folder

3. Choose an Output File Extension

4. Click Next to proceed

Geometry Processor - Supported Formats

Page 2: Processing Parameter Selection

Use this page for additional inputs and some settings:

1. Select desired options (Processing Parameter Option Definitions)

2. Click Next to proceed

Note

You will use the Decimate functionality most often.

• Apply Decimate to every imported mesh

Decimation Settings Page

If you select Decimate on page 2 and click Next, this page appears:

You can set decimation options to change the configuration and polygons of your images

Note

Decimation provided via Meshoptimizer Simple Method.

1. Use Rate of Original (3D Model) to target the ratio of the output to the original model

   • Collapses the edges of faces, edges, and vertices of different 3D models

   • Reduces a 3D model’s graphics but retains its quality

     • Default setting = 0.80 (80% similarity to the original model)

2. Use Error Threshold to set the allowable deviation from the target ratio

   • Changes the shape and faces so you have more wiggle room

     • Default setting = 0.01 (1% from the target percentage)
       

3. Select Show Extra Info to view additional information about:

   • The model

   • Work completed in the console log

   • Help for Debugging

CAD Parameter Selection: STEP Geometry Settings

When you are converting STEP files, this page appears for adjusting STEP file mesh importing settings

• (Advance Settings are hidden by default when page opens)

1. Use the Quality / Performance adjustable slider to change both the Linear and Angular Deflections of the generated models

   Note

   Deflection values affect the quality of the models.

   • Default setting = middle of the slider

   • Quality represents more faces and more detail

     Higher Quality works best for smaller projects

   • Performance represents fewer triangles in the model after converting

     Higher Performance values increase functionality in Beast Core

2. Click the arrow beside Advanced Settings to view additional settings that provide more granular control of the STEP importing process

3. Choose between Geometry Processor and Doom to convert STEP files

Geometry Processor STEP Settings

Specific to the Geometry Processor tool

• Use Product Relationship - Uses relationships to build hierarchy, otherwise all items are in the root
  

• Use Shape Fixing - Attempts to remove bad edges and prevent Export mistakes
  

• Force Loading of Solid Shapes - Functions as an alternative to loading products in assembly structure
  

• Use Faces as Child Nodes - May serve useful for collecting UV mapping for models

Doom STEP Settings

Specific to the Doom tool

• Prepend Hierarchy - Allows the hierarchy level names to prepend to all model names
  

• Prepend Root - Allows the root names to prepend to all model names

  What is prepend?

  Add (something) to the beginning of something else

• Explore Shapes - Exports each shape within a model as a separate model
  

• Local Space - Exports each shape in local space and includes transform matrices for each model

Final Page: Processing

1. After completing your desired settings, click Next to proceed to the Processing page

2. Click Process to run the Geometry Processor

3. Click Finish when the operation completes