Simplify
You can use this function to reduce the number of triangles in a solid or surface. Simplifying a solid or surface can significantly reduce the processing time when it is used in other Surpac functions.
To run this function: Choose Surfaces > Mesh tools > Simplify, or Solids > Mesh tools > Simplify,or...
This function reduces the number of triangles while it has minimal effect on the overall shape, surface area, and volume (if you are simplifying a solid). You can use the Preview button to see the changes before you apply the function, and, if you are simplifying a valid solid, you can preview the change in volume.
Fields on the Solids simplify form
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Define objects to be simplified | |
| Active layer | Display only. The active layer in Graphics that contains the solid or surface you want to simplify. |
| Object Range | The objects that you want to simplify. If you leave this field blank, all objects in the active layer are simplified. |
| Trisolation Range | The trisolations you want to simplify. If you leave this field blank, all trisolations in the active layer are simplified. |
| Select button | Allows you to select the objects and trisolations that you want to simplify in Graphics. |
| Simplify by | |
| Slider | The degree to which you want to simplify the objects. The higher you make this setting, the more triangles are removed, and the more the surface area and volume are likely to change. |
| Preview button | Fills the table with the values for the degree to which the simplification will change the volume, number of triangles, and surface area of the objects. |
| Object ID | The object number of the object that is simplified. |
| Trisolation ID | The trisolation number of the object that is simplified, |
| Status | The status of the object as open or closed. |
| Volume change | The volume change after simplification, both in units and as a percentage of the volume of the object being simplified. |
| Triangles change | The number of triangles that are removed after simplification, both as a number and as a percentage of the number present in the simplified object. |
| Surface Area Change | The surface area change after simplification, both in units and as a percentage of the surface area of the simplified object. |
| Output | |
| Overwrite existing objects | Saves the surface or solid in the same layer, that is, with the same name. |
| Delete redundant points |
When Overwrite existing objects is selected, Delete redundant points removes points that are no longer connected to triangles. By deleting redundant points, you speed up processing without having to change the name of the object. Alternatively, select New Layer. If processing takes a long time to finish, use the New Layer option instead. |
| New Layer |
Saves the surface or solid to the new layer whose name appears in the box on the right. New Layer is selected by default. If you have a complex surface or solid with a large number of points that are no longer connected to triangles, it might take hours to delete those points. When you save to a new layer, the simplify process runs as normal except that the extra points are automatically excluded, and processing is completed in minutes rather than hours. |
Output
The number of triangles in the solid or surface is reduced, and the simplified solid or surface is displayed in Graphics. If you chose the New Layer option, the simplified object is created in a new layer.