Primary uses of solid modeling are for CAD, computer graphics and animation, Rapid prototyping, medical testing, and visualization of scientific research.

Table of contents

1 Basic Concepts 2 Solid modeling CAD 3 Medical solid modeling 4 Related articles 5 External links 5.1 Some commercial Solid Modelers

Basic Concepts

• Sweeping
  • An object is specified in terms of volumes "swept out" by moving of a primitive along a simple curve. These volumes either add to the object ("extrusion") or remove material ("cutter path").
  • Also known as sketcher based modeling.
  • Analogous to various manufacturing techniques; extrusion, milling, lathe operations...
• Boundary representation
  • A solid object is represented by surfaces of its boundary.
  • Also knowing as 'surfacing'.
  • Analogous to various manufacturing techniques; Injection moulding, casting, forging, thermoforming...
• Parameterized primitive instancing.
  • An object is specified by the reference to the library of parameterized primitives
  • e.g.- a bolt is modeled for a library, this model is used for all bolt sizes by modifying a set of its parameters
• Spatial occupancy
  • The whole space is subdivided into regular cells, and the object is specified by the set of cells it occupies.
  • Models described this way lend themselves to Finite difference analysis
• Decomposition
  • Similar to "spatial occupancy", but the cells are neither regular, nor "prefabricated".
  • Models described this way lend themselves to FEA.
• Constructive solid geometry.
  • e.g. - The '.stl' file format for stereolithography and other rapid prototyping methods

• Bi-directional parametric associatively (modification of any feature is reflected in all information relying on that feature; drawings, mass properties, assemblies, etc... and contra wise)
• kinematic, interference and clearance checking of assemblies
• specialized add-in modules (FEA, sheet metal, surfacing, hose/cable routing, electrical component packaging...)
• management of controlled documents and revision levels
• inclusion of programming code in a model to control and relate desired attributes of the model
• automated programming of CNC machines
• Photo realistic rendering
• Import/Export routines to exchange data with other software packages

Medical solid modeling

Modern computed axial tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scanners can construct solid models of interior body features.

Uses of medical solid modeling

• Visualization
• Visualization of specific body tissues (just blood vessels and tumor, for example)
• Creating solid model data for rapid prototyping (to aid surgeons preparing for difficult surgeries, for example)
• Combining medical solid models with CAD solid modeling (design of individually tailored hip replacement parts, for example)

• Computer graphics
• Computational geometry