AutoCAD 3D Modeling: Mass Properties
September 23, 2003 Solid models consist of some valuable
information. To extract such information we use MASSPROP. The
command is one of inquiry tools. It is also applicable for
regions. You can invoke this command by clicking its button on
Inquiry toolbar [Figure 1]. The following tutorial shows you
what would be the result of MASSPROP for a typical region and
solid model.
Figure 1
Notes:
- This tutorial is designed for AutoCAD 2004 though might be
applicable to other releases.
- In this tutorial user entries are in boldface.
- The
8
symbol represents pressing Enter.
1. Download and
then open
r16_mass_properties.dwg. The file consists of a solid model
and a region [Figure 2].
Note:
If you are using AutoCAD 2002 or an earlier release download
r15_mass_properties.dwg.
Figure 2
2. To generate a
better view alter the FACETRES system variable to 10:
Command: facetres
8
Enter new value for FACETRES <0.5000>: 10
8
Note:
FACETRES accepts values from 0.01 to 10. The bigger values
generate better views. The value assigned to this system
variable has no effect on the result of MASSPROP.
3. Regenerate the
drawing [Figure 3].
Figure 3
4. Invoke MASSPROP
(Tools menu > Inquiry > Region/Mass Properties).
5. Click the
region. Some information appears in Text window [Figure 4].
Figure 4
6. As you see the
area, perimeter, bounding box, and centroid of the region are
reported. Type N and then press Enter to avoid writing the
results to a file.
7. Invoke MASSPROP,
select the solid and then press Enter to view the complete
report in Text window [Figure 5].
Figure 5 -
Click on image to enlarge
8. Mass, volume,
bounding box, centroid, moments of inertia, products of inertia,
radii of gyration, and principal moments of the solid are
reported. Type N and then press Enter to save the report. A
dialog box appears [Figure 6].
Figure 6 -
Click on image to enlarge
9. Save the report
as "sample mass prop report". The file name extension would be
MPR. You can open this file with Notepad or any other text
editor [Figure 7].
Figure 7 -
Click on image to enlarge
Alireza Parsai is the founder of cadpanel.com. He is a
mechanical engineer with more than 12 years experience with
AutoCAD. Alireza is an Autodesk Authorized Author, the AutoCAD
consultant for Al Khawarizmi Institute, a contributing editor
for Augiworld magazine, a writer for CAD Digest, and an
instructor for AUGI Training Program. He has written 8 books in
Farsi, 3 booklets in English, and more than 100 articles for
different magazines and newsletters. You can reach Alireza at
alireza.parsai@cadpanel.com or visit his website
www.cadpanel.com .
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