Simplify multiple body STEP-file, combine result in error

[siv.ing.koren]

Hi! It would be great if someone could help me with this 🙂

First of all; my goal is to simplify a model based on a step-file comprising houndreds of bodies (a PCB with lots of electronic components). I'm using the model in an assembly where I only need the outer geometry, so I can test how the elements fit together. I'd also use it for presentations, so it has to look good. Which method is recommended?

For me it seems like all bodies are stitched and with closed outer surfaces (pls see attch) (is there an easy way to analyse this, with this many bodies?)

I tried to combine, which resulted first in error "Error: inconsistent edge-face relationships   Failed to Boolean bodies together" I could not see that any edges or face were highlighted, so I don't know which body/edge/face caused the problem.

And I tried combine on some of the bodies and then got another "Error: null pointer to body given", Which I don't understand what means. 

I've tried to move all bodies into and some into one component, and then combine, same result.

I've exported stl of the most crucial bodies which worked ok, but there were some oddities on some surfaces I would like to do whithout (pls see attch)

[TrippyLighting]

Create a selection set with all the bodies you want to hide temporarily. When you want to show then you can unhide them but also set them to un-slectable so you cannot pick them in the viewport but can see them That will positively effect viewport performance.

[siv.ing.koren]

Thank you for your tip. I will try this some time. In this model it will be very time consuming though, as it is 400 or so bodies...

I really like the PCB to act like one single part in the assembly. As long as the bodies are not combined or a Rigid Group, they will not for example move as one, will they? 

[TrippyLighting]

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@siv.ing.koren wrote:

As long as the bodies are not combined or a Rigid Group, they will not for example move as one, will they? 

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Correct, but creating a rigid group that includes all the components/bodies in that PCB assembly is in fact exceeding  easy 😉

[TheCADWhisperer]

Can you Attach the original STEP file here?

[siv.ing.koren]

With pleasure 

[TheCADWhisperer]

I simplified it down to 6 bodies in one Group.  See Attached.

[siv.ing.koren]

WOW!  Thank you!
That was very kind and helpful!

How did you do it? using combine with a few bodies at a time? Did any of the bodies cause any problems, did you have to fix flaws or anything? It would be great to learn from this issue 🙂