#### 2.1.4.1. CAD Geometries

There are two ways to import an external geometry into ACP: directly through ACP or through a geometry link in Workbench. The direct import copies the CAD file into the user_files directory in the Workbench file structure. Any further changes to the original file are not transferred. The advantage of the other option, the Workbench geometry link, is that the CAD geometry can be refreshed inside DesignModeler or SpaceClaim. In both cases, the geometry remains intact when a project is archived and restored.

The parts included in an imported CAD geometry are displayed once the CAD geometry is up-to-date. If the imported CAD geometry is an assembly of parts, multiple parts are shown in the tree underneath the CAD geometry. ACP makes the distinction between four different types of parts:

- Face ( ): Single face

- Surface ( ): Single surface body

- Solid ( ): Single volume body

- Compound ( ): Combination of multiple connected surfaces and/or bodies

##### 2.1.4.1.1. Direct Import

Geometry import has the following options:

Figure : Import External CAD Geometry

- Name: Name of geometry for use in the database.

- External Path: Location of the geometry file to be imported.

- Refresh: Reload the file from the external path. The file is automatically copied to the Workbench project folders.

- Scale Factor: Scale the geometry in the global coordinate system (useful for change of units).

- Precision: Precision of the imported geometry. This value is used to evaluate intersections and other geometrical operations.

- Offset: Sets the default capture tolerance value associated with the CAD geometry for operations such as the CAD Selection Rule.

- Use Default Offset: Boolean which sets the offset to 10% of the average element size.

- Visualization Color: Color in which the imported geometry is displayed.

- Transparency: Transparency of the imported geometry (value between 0 and 1).

Assemblies should be imported as a single .STP file rather than individual ones containing links.

##### 2.1.4.1.2. Workbench Geometry Link

The geometry component in Workbench can be used to link CAD geometries with ACP-Pre. The linked geometry is scaled automatically if its units do not match those of the project. The required steps for geometry import are:

1. Add a Geometry component to the project.

2. In the context menu of the Geometry select Import Geometry

3. Link the Geometry cell to the ACP (Pre) Setup cell

The imported geometry appears under CAD Geometries in ACP.

Figure : Project Schematic with a CAD Geometry Import in ACP

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