Split Block - Intergraph Smart 3D - Help - Hexagon

Intergraph Smart 3D Planning

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Intergraph Smart 3D
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Smart 3D Version
13

 Designs new blocks by splitting existing blocks using the planar cutting planes. Initially, a single large block encloses the model. You use the Split Block command to gradually decompose this large block into smaller ones.

  • The splitting plane is infinite, but only splits the selected blocks.

  • You can make the new blocks children of the original block by using the Nest option.

  • You can make the new blocks consume the original block (that is, not children of the original) by using the Flat option.

  • The software automatically assigns components that are entirely within the boundaries of a block to that block when the block assignment process is running.

Creating Blocks

A block is a high-level assembly that is a spatial definition of a section of the model structure created by splitting a volume. A block contains assemblies, parts, or child blocks created by splitting the block. A block can be a child of the top-level block (B0), an assembly block, or another block. A block can contain structural parts, outfitting parts, assemblies, and other blocks. The attached volume is closed and defined by a number of planar surfaces, referred to as cutting planes. Blocks always share their cutting planes with a neighboring block. If one of the cutting planes is moved, the block volumes that depend on that plane are modified. The definition and positioning of a cutting plane is based on existing structural parts or the reference system. Optionally, the cutting plane can be made associative with its base reference so that if a modification is made to the position of the base reference, the plane reflects those changes and the block is updated.

From a production viewpoint, model structure can be considered a collection, or assembly, of blocks and assemblies. However, in the design, model structure is a single block resulting from a top-down design process. This top-level block (B0) is automatically created by the Planning task. By default, the B0 encloses all model structure as defined by the bounding box of the structure.

Splitting the initial system-defined block with cutting planes creates new blocks. Further splitting and merging of blocks lets you create new blocks with a composite geometry.

When the block assignment process is running, the software automatically assigns any parts within the range of the block to that block. If you have the proper permissions, you can set up the process to run on a server, or the process can be run periodically on a client. The block assignment process listens for new and modified parts in the database, and puts them into the folder containing parts that have not yet been processed by the user of each block. For more information, see Block Assignment.

You can also manually reassign the intersected parts to neighboring blocks if you need to by using the Manage Block Intersections command. You can reassign parts that are fully within the boundaries of a block by dragging the parts to any block or assembly in the Workspace Explorer. For more information, see Block Assignment.

Top-down versus Bottom-up Planning

The default process for creating blocks is based on the concept of top-down planning. By using the Nested option in Split Block , you create a hierarchy of blocks starting with the top-most block (B0), the entire marine structure, and successively breaking the blocks into smaller volumes that are children to the larger blocks.

Blocks can also be created using a bottom-up planning concept. In this case, all of the blocks are created using the Flat option in Split Block so that all of the blocks are at the same level. The block hierarchy is then created by creating assembly blocks using New (Block) Assembly . In other words, blocks are initially broken into their smallest components at the bottom of the hierarchy, and combined upwards to create the large blocks.

At some point for both top-down and bottom-up planning, block definition stops and assembly definition begins using New (Block) Assembly . The point where this transition occurs is a function of the workflow of the facility and is not determined by the functionality of the software.

Split Block Ribbon

Edit Block Ribbon

Edit Cutting Surface Ribbon

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