Convert to Shell

Module(s): Shell

The Convert to Shell tool lets you convert architectural elements or 3D components in shell entities (shell view). The original data is converted to shell data and is no longer available after this operation. With architectural elements, only the component geometry is converted, not the material data.

To convert modeled components to shell views

• Check that the components you want to convert are in the active drawing file or NDW file. Save the original data somewhere separate - otherwise, it will be lost after conversion.

1. Click Convert to Shell (How).
   

   Activate Convert to Shell in one of the following ways

   • Menu bar: Create Engineering Views, Details Shell

   • Palette: Tools Create area in the following module(s):

   Shell

2. Click the components you want to use. With this function, the original data is deleted.
3. If you have selected more than one element, the system will prompt whether you wish to merge these to a single shell entity.
   In the Input options you can specify whether you want to Merge Solids or not.
4. If the active drawing file or NDW file already contains views, you now need to specify whether the components you have just converted are to form a separate view or not. To join these elements to an existing view, click the desired view in the workspace. If there is only one view anyway, you can simply click Old in the Input options.
5. When you have configured the program to automatically dimension views and sections (using the Options), you can specify the dimensioning angle when creating a new view. Then the dimensioning is created at this angle.
   If you wish to skip automatic dimensioning, disable Dimension Views and Sections in the Input options and press ENTER to confirm.
   

   Define the angle for creating dimensions in one of the following ways:

   • Enter the angle in the dialog line and press Enter to confirm. A positive angle produces counter-clockwise rotation.
   • Click a line which you want to use as direction line.
   • Click two direction points.

   Note: As only shell entities are generated, you cannot toggle the Reinforcement Label on/off (in the Input options).

6. When you are ready and have converted all the components you want to use, press ESC to quit Convert to Shell.