ANSYS SpaceClaim

Install and manage extensions through Extension Warehouse (curated) or direct .rbz files. Disable unused extensions to improve startup time. Check extension compatibility with your SketchUp version before installing. Popular essentials: Eneroth tools, FredoTools, ThomThom's CleanUp³, and Curic Suite for productivity.

SpaceClaim's direct modeling approach manipulates geometry without feature history—push, pull, move, and fill operations modify faces directly. This is ideal for concept design, geometry cleanup, and foreign CAD file editing where no parametric history exists. Work fast by selecting faces and dragging arrows.

The Pull tool is SpaceClaim's primary operation: select faces and drag to extrude, offset, or revolve. Hold Ctrl while pulling to create new independent bodies. Double-click an edge to offset an entire face chain. Pull recognizes blend faces and allows radius modification by dragging fillet edges.

Move translates/rotates selected geometry with snapping to model features. Use the Move triad for axis-constrained motion. Hold Ctrl for copy operation. Align faces by selecting and dragging to target—SpaceClaim auto-detects alignment intent. Use pivot point repositioning for rotational moves around specific axes.

Fill removes unwanted features (fillets, holes, bosses) by selecting faces and pressing Delete. SpaceClaim heals the resulting gaps automatically. Use for geometry simplification before meshing in ANSYS—remove small features that don't affect analysis results but increase mesh density. Chain-select similar features for batch removal.

Convert solid bodies to sheet metal using 'Convert to Sheet Metal'—SpaceClaim identifies bends and creates a flat pattern. Set bend allowance by K-factor or bend table. Add manufacturing features (tabs, notches, reliefs) in the folded state. Export flat patterns as DXF for laser/punch programming.

Use SpaceClaim Discovery to prepare CAD for ANSYS analysis: defeature small holes/fillets, extract mid-surfaces from thin-walled parts, split bodies at symmetry planes, and create named selections for boundary conditions. The 'Shrinkwrap' tool creates simplified representations for large assembly CFD simulations.

Import STL/OBJ meshes from 3D scanning and reconstruct solid CAD geometry. Use 'Auto Skin' for automatic surface fitting or trace mesh cross-sections manually. Fill gaps between reconstructed surfaces with guided fills. Adjust surface tolerance to balance accuracy vs. surface quality for manufacturing intent.

Edit faceted (mesh/STL) geometry using Facet Tools: smooth, decimate, offset mesh shells, perform boolean operations between meshes and solids. Repair mesh defects (holes, non-manifold edges) with auto-fix tools. Convert cleaned meshes to solids using 'Convert to Solid' with specified chord tolerance.

Organize multi-body designs using the Structure Tree. Create components by selecting bodies to group. Define mates (align, orient) between components for assembly positioning. Use 'Interference' check to verify assembly fit. SpaceClaim handles large assemblies with fast display through automatic LOD switching.

Automate SpaceClaim workflows using IronPython scripting. Access the API through the built-in script editor. Record operations as scripts, then parameterize for batch processing. Common uses: automated defeaturing, parameter sweeps, geometry extraction for analysis. Scripts integrate with ANSYS Workbench journal files.

Enable Shared Topology between touching bodies so ANSYS creates conformal meshes at shared faces. Select bodies and use 'Share Topology' command. This ensures node-to-node connectivity in analysis without contact elements—critical for structural assemblies and multi-body thermal simulations.

Add dimensional constraints selectively in SpaceClaim to lock critical dimensions while keeping other geometry flexible. Use the 'Ruler' dimension tool to set exact sizes. Dimensions display as editable fields—double-click to modify. Mix constrained and unconstrained geometry for semi-parametric direct modeling workflows.

Use 'Check Geometry' to identify problems (gaps, self-intersections, sliver faces). Apply 'Stitch' to join disconnected surfaces within tolerance. 'Merge Faces' combines co-planar face fragments. 'Fix Missing Faces' caps open regions. Clean geometry before meshing to avoid analysis failures from poor geometry quality.

Import STEP/IGES files with automatic healing—SpaceClaim repairs gaps, duplicate faces, and tolerance mismatches on import. Configure import options: body simplification level and unit system. For large assemblies, use 'Lightweight Import' to load structure first, then selectively load detailed geometry for components of interest.