Solid feature history and the calculated mesh

Choose an editable solid document for feature work and a triangle mesh for geometry exchange.

In Cloud and the Windows app, ALcad 3D CAD keeps an editable feature document and calculates a triangle mesh from its applied features.

Editable features and calculated mesh

Editable features and mesh exchange

Feature document

  • 1. Ordered features

Calculations

  • 2. Mesh with triangles

Files

  • 3. .alcad-solid.json
  • 4. .stl
  • 5. .obj

Connections

  • 1. Ordered features → 2. Mesh with triangles: calculate
  • 1. Ordered features → 3. .alcad-solid.json: Download solid
  • 3. .alcad-solid.json → 1. Ordered features: Open solid
  • 2. Mesh with triangles → 4. .stl: Export STL (mm)
  • 2. Mesh with triangles → 5. .obj: Export OBJ (mm, Z up)

The editable feature document

The document records its name and ordered features. Each feature has a shape, dimensions, center, rotation and operation; profile features also keep their profile and applied sketch settings.

The first feature defines the base solid. Later features apply Union, Subtract or Intersect in list order. Apply dimensions updates the selected feature and starts a new calculation.

The calculated mesh

A successful calculation produces triangles for the preview, together with Volume in mm³ and Surface area in mm². The preview and measurements describe the current applied document.

Choose the file for your task

  • Keep the feature document: choose Download solid for an .alcad-solid.json file, then Open solid to resume editing.

  • Exchange the calculated mesh: choose Export STL (mm) or Export OBJ (mm, Z up) when the mesh has triangles.

ALcad