as a feature. as a stand-alone feaature. It can also be used to remove a face. conduct a CAD simulation or test. Centre axis Component Mate To align the face of a 3D model with another face. To find the centres of cylindrical 3D CAD models and align them. A single component part, used to create an assembly later on. To join the face of a 3D model to another face. CAD library Sketch A directory of commonly used parts. The name given to the CAD drawing feature used to create a profile. At Higher, in addition to those at National 4 and 5 Constraint Add Profile Dimension tool used to lock 2D geometry to a particular shape, size or position. Used in conjunction with features to describe an addition to the 3D model. The name given to a 2D shape, prior to being used to make a 3D feature. Radial array Workplane Array Projected edge An item repeated in a circle with regular spacing. A surface where sketches can be applied. Most CAD packages will provide three (elevation, end elevation and plan), but more can be added by the user. A method of repeating a shape along a line, in a box or round a circle. To select an edge from a CAD model or feature and generate it as a new line in a sketch. Fixed Vertices Edge Faces To hold a 3D CAD model in a fixed point, without applying any constraints. Usually applied to the component in an assembly. The ‘corners’ or where edges meet on a 3D object. The edges of a 3D object. The face of a 3D object. Loft Irregular fillet Linear array Box array A command two or more profiles on workplanes that are spaced apart, are joined to create a 3D feature. A rounding of an edge, where the radius will change. An item repeated along an edge, with regular spacing. An item repeated in a square or rectangle, with regular spacing. Irregular chamfer Extrude along a path Intersect The removal of an edge by a cut, where the distance changes along the length of the edge. A profile that revolves around an axis, but has an offset or pitch’ distance. Often used to model threads, screws or springs. A profile that has been extruded by following a set route or ‘path’. Two 3D CAD features that pass through one another, with the result that only the area that the two touch remains. Everything else is deleted.
3D printing a method of converting 3D CAD data into a physical object, by ‘adding’ material, rather than cutting. Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (the key colour is usually black) are used in commercial printing systems, as they allow a greater range of colours and appear more natural. Red, Green, Blue is used in electronic displays and works by mixing the three colours to generate secondary and tertiary colours. Dots-Per-Inch is a method of describing the resolution for printing. The higher the number, the sharper and better quality the image is. PPI Overprint Additive colour Subtractive colour Pixels-Per-Inch is a method of describing the resolution of a screen. The higher the number, the sharper and better quality the images can be on a screen. Printing beyond the required region to ensure the layout will appear edge-to-edge printed after being cut. When colours are added together through an electronic display, the result will be white, due to the light emitting rather than being reflected by the sun/room light. When colours are added together through a print, the result will be black, due to the light being absorbed rather than reflecting. Screen printing WMV/AVI/Quicktime Motion-capture Stop frame A cost-effective method of creating large prints of moderate volume. Typically used for advertising banners or T-shirts. WMV, AVI and Quicktime are all movie formats. A method capturing physical data about the movement of a person, animal or object and applying it to a 3D CAD model. A method of animation, relying on shooting individual frames of a graphic and combining them. Typically 25 frames are required for 1 second of animation. Motion tweening STL CAM Tool path generation A method of animating 2D or 3D CAD, by specifying the start and end positions of a graphic, and allowing the computer to plot the animation. Standard Tessellation Language — 3D file format used to manufacture 3D CAD models in 3D printers or other CAM equipment. Computer Aided Manufacture is technology used to take 2D or 3D CAD data and machine the shapes or forms from a material. Software used to plan the movement of cutting or shaping tools in CAM systems.