Cleaning Up Parts in Browser

[andrewdroth]

When creating a model I often end up with a lot of CAd imported p[arts that are not used in the final model.

Since these parts cannot be deleted I'm forced the leave them surpressed, and the part's list can be very long.

Sorting through the long list of parts can be very aggrivating, so I've come up with a workaround to simplify the model.

I create all the parts I want in my final model, and suppress the ones that are not needed. I then run the simulation without any loads/gravity. Using the 'Make FEM' option I export the non-suppressed parts to a new model. This works well, but the only problem is the part numbers do not reset (the names do though?)

I imagine the export cad wireframe option would work the same, but it always seems to crash the software.

I'm looking to see how others deal with cluttered parts and keeping their models clean. 

[AstroJohnPE]

Hi Andrew,

Another option is to suppress the parts in the CAD application before transferring the model to Simulation Mechanical. If my memory is correct, our importer will only import active parts. (Depending on the CAD application, their terminology may be visible/invisible or something else.)

[andrewdroth]

That is true, but it doesn't help with my workflow.

My models are a combination of surfaces and beams. In order to draw all my geometry in Inventor I need to draw the beams as edges of surfaces as sketches can not be imported. Then after importing & meshing I duplicate the lines on the edges of some surfaces to new parts to be used as beams. After I'm happy with the mesh I no loger need those CAD parts, and would like to remove them from the model.