← Meshbex CAD Explorer

Guide for beginers

This section provides a basic demonstration of how to use the Meshbex application—using demo data. For a more detailed demonstration, see: User's Guide

Import demo model

Import demo model

Pic. 1. Import demo model

Imported 3d demo model

Pic. 2. Imported 3d demo model.

Explore 3d model

After importing the 3D model, let's explore it.

  • Left mouse button (LMB) - rotates the model

  • Mouse scroll wheel - zooms in and out of the model,

  • Right mouse button (RMB) - moves the model.

Section view

There is also an option to view the 3D model in cross-section view.

Loaded 3d model with the button section view

Pic. 3. Loaded 3d model with the button "section view"

Section view

Pic. 4. Section view

Model explosion

Meshbex allows you to create assembly workflows - the "Toolbar Assembly." The "Drilling Machine" demo includes such a workflow.

Basic controls:

  • Home - Assembled assembly

  • End - Exploded assembly

  • Page Up - Individual assembly steps

  • Page Down - Individual assembly steps

Fully exploded model

Pic. 5. Fully exploded model

3D model manipulation

You can manipulate the 3D model as a whole or its individual parts as you like.

Before you can manipulate an object, you must select it. There are two ways to select an object:

- from the 3D viewport

- from the scene outliner (hierarchy tree)

When you hover the cursor over an object, a bounding box appears around the selected object. Once you select the object, it is highlighted.

Select the specific object and drag the gizmo.

Transformed object

Pic. 6. Transformed object (motor)

Once an object has been selected, it can be transformed. Transformation means that the object can be moved, rotated, or scaled. To transform an object, grab the gizmo and drag it. To select the type of transformation, press the t, r, or s keys after selecting the object. t = move, r = rotate, s = scale.;

Tools - adding information to a 3D model

The application allows you to add various types of information directly to a 3D model.

The information can include:

  • Distance measure

  • Angle measure

  • Dimension

  • Annotation

Drilling machine demo model contains some of these information for illustration purposes.

Drilling machine with additional information

Pic. 7. Drilling machine with additional information