DriveWorks Pro 22

Replace Model

Replace Model

By default a model node in the Feature Panel cannot be replaced for another model. To replace one model for another the Replace Model entity can be added to any node.

The Replace Model entity adds extra functionality to the node. The Replace Model Entity adds two properties:

• Replacement File Path
• Texture Mapping Mode

Information Panel

With a model node selected and the Replace Model entity added to that node, the following will be displayed in the Information Panel:

Replacement File Path

Browse for and select a DriveWorks 3D file to replace the current model node.

The current model in the node will be replaced with the selected DriveWorks 3D file. If the node is an assembly then the whole assembly will be replaced.

Texture Mapping Mode

Choose how textures get mapped to the replacement model with Texture Mapping Mode.

• Select from the following options:
  • "Source" will use the texture mapping coordinates from the original source file.

    This uses the default texture coordinates that were saved with the model.

  • "BoxMap" will use DriveWorks texture mapping (planar mapping).

    This wraps the texture to the model as if a cube was surrounding the model and the texture was projected onto the model.

  • "CylindricalUncapped" will use DriveWorks texture mapping (cylindrical uncapped mapping).

    This wraps the texture to the model as if a cylinder was surrounding the model and the texture was projected onto the model.

    This is an uncapped texture mapping mode. This means that the top and bottom of the model could end up having no texture. This results in black areas on the model. If this is the case you will need to select another mapping mode.

  • "Spherical" will use DriveWorks texture mapping (spherical mapping).

    This wraps the texture to the model as if a sphere was surrounding the model and the texture was projected onto the model.

Normal Smoothing

For geometries that have a relatively low triangle count, normal smoothing will blend areas that should appear as a smooth surface, without adversely affecting performance.

Enabling or disabling normal smoothing on geometries will immediately update the geometry preview and any instances of the geometry in the scene.

Threshold

Threshold values are between 0 and 180.

The threshold in degrees to smooth normals between adjacent faces on the geometry.

Adjusting the slider for normal smoothing threshold will immediately update the geometry.

Parameter Panel

With a model node selected and the Replace Model entity added to that node, the following will be displayed in the Parameter Panel:

• Replacement File Path

A dynamic rule can be built for the Replacement File Path. This must be a full path or relative path to the DriveWorks 3D File to replace into the scene.

• Texture Mapping Mode

  A dynamic rule can be built for the Texture Mapping Mode. This rule should evaluate to one of the following:

  If the rule evaluates to anything other than these values then Source will be used.

  • Source will use the texture mapping information from the source the file was created.
  • BoxMap will use DriveWorks texture mapping (planar mapping).
  • CylindricalUncapped will use DriveWorks texture mapping (cylindrical uncapped mapping).
  • Spherical will use DriveWorks texture mapping (spherical mapping).
• Enable Normal Smoothing

  True to enable or False to disable.

• Normal Smoothing Threshold

  Threshold values are between 0 and 180.

  We do not recommend changing the normal smoothing threshold via rules on a live project, this can be a performance intensive and slow process especially on large models.