Customization And Automation Using C# in Eyeshot
# Introduction
Eyeshot isn’t just about creating static models — it opens the door to powerful CAD customization and automation. By integrating these modeling features into your WPF application, you can develop tools for parametric design, automated part generation, and model manipulation through user inputs or external data sources.
Imagine building an application where users can draw sketches, adjust dimensions through sliders, or even import design specifications from files — and then instantly see the resulting 3D model. Let’s break it down feature by feature!
1. Extrude Feature
The Extrude feature is a fundamental tool in 3D modeling, allowing you to transform 2D shapes into 3D solids by extending them along a linear path. This is useful for creating components like brackets, walls, mechanical parts, and architectural structures.
🟠 How Customization Helps:
- Parametric Design: Allow users to input height or base dimensions and instantly see the extruded result.
- Batch Generation: Generate multiple variations of parts by looping through different extrusion distances.
- Real-Time Editing: Add sliders or input boxes to adjust dimensions on the fly.
- Material Assignment: Let users choose materials or finishes directly through the interface.
- Feature Library: Save frequently used extrusions as templates for quick reuse.
The following 3D model is Customized using Eyeshot C# APIs :
2. Revolve Feature
The Revolve feature helps you create 3D solids by rotating a 2D profile around a central axis. This technique is ideal for designing cylindrical objects, wheels, or any component with rotational symmetry.
🟠 How Customization Helps:
- Dynamic Axis Selection: Let users click points in the viewport to define the revolve axis.
- Template-Based Designs: Automatically generate symmetrical components (e.g., bolts, knobs) based on predefined sketches.
- Angular Control: Let users set the revolve angle via input fields or sliders.
- Interactive Previews: Show a live preview of the revolved shape before finalizing the model.
- Section Analysis: Automatically slice the revolved object for internal inspection.
The following 3D model is Customized using Eyeshot C# APIs :
3. Sweep Feature
The Sweep feature generates a 3D solid by dragging a 2D profile along a path, ideal for creating pipes, wires, rails, and complex structural elements.
🟠 How Customization Helps:
- Path from CSV or DXF: Load path points from external files for automated pipe routing.
- Multiple Profile Options: Let users choose the profile shape (circle, square, custom) dynamically.
- Path Editing: Add drag-and-drop path editing directly in the viewport.
- Collision Detection: Implement logic to detect and highlight intersections in complex sweep paths.
- Dynamic Path Generation: Generate paths from external datasets, like robotic arm trajectories or HVAC ducts.
4. Loft Feature
The Loft feature allows you to create smooth, organic shapes by blending multiple 2D profiles along a path, ideal for aerodynamic surfaces, handles, or custom-designed objects.
🟠 How Customization Helps:
- Gradient-Based Design: Interpolate profile shapes based on external data (e.g., airflow analysis).
- Loft Along Curved Paths: Automate lofting along curved guides for organic shapes.
- Profile Interpolation: Smoothly transition between complex profiles using algorithms.
- Multi-Section Control: Let users add, remove, or adjust intermediate sections to refine the shape.
- Dynamic Loft Adjustments: Use control points to interactively shape the loft.
The following 3D model is Customized using Eyeshot C# APIs :
5. Fillet & Chamfer Features
The Fillet and Chamfer features allow you to round or bevel sharp edges, adding a polished look to mechanical parts or architectural designs.
🟠 How Customization Helps:
- Edge Selection Tool: Let users click edges to fillet or chamfer.
- Variable Radius Fillets: Vary the fillet radius based on design constraints.
- Automated Edge Detection: Detect and automatically smooth critical edges based on stress analysis or design rules.
- Fillet Preview Mode: Show real-time previews of fillet and chamfer results before applying changes.
- Rule-Based Edge Treatment: Automatically apply fillets or chamfers to specific edge types (e.g., inner corners, load-bearing edges).
6. Boolean Operations
Perform union, subtraction, and intersection operations on solids to build complex geometry.
🟠 How Customization Helps:
- Multi-Object Manipulation: Let users combine or subtract multiple solids interactively.
- Dynamic Booleans: Preview boolean results in real time before committing changes.
- Rule-Based Merging: Automatically merge components based on assembly rules.
7. Cut Section
Slice models to view internal geometry and understand design intricacies.
🟠 How Customization Helps:
- Interactive Section Planes: Let users move section planes directly in the viewport.
- Multiplane Sections: Enable users to create complex cuts with multiple section planes.
8. Scale, Translate, Rotate, and Mirror
Manipulate models with transformation features to fine-tune designs.
🟠 How Customization Helps:
- Interactive Gizmos: Add viewport tools for intuitive scaling, rotating, and translating.
- Mirror Across Planes: Automate mirroring to create symmetrical designs effortlessly.
- Dynamic Transformations: Let users fine-tune transformations through input fields or sliders.
Conclusion
With Eyeshot’s powerful modeling features, combined with customization through C#, you can create dynamic, user-driven CAD applications. Customization not only enhances user experience but also boosts productivity by reducing repetitive design tasks and enabling rapid prototyping. You can build intelligent design environments that adapt to user inputs, integrate with engineering data, and even guide users through complex design scenarios.
By leveraging automation, you can:
- Reduce Human Error: Automate repetitive modeling steps to ensure consistency.
- Speed Up Design Cycles: Instantly generate and validate multiple design iterations.
- Enable Smart Design Assistants: Provide users with real-time guidance, suggesting optimal design adjustments.
Start exploring Eyeshot to develop your next-generation CAD application — and take your design automation to the next level!
Utility Highlight:
1. Developed a small utility called “3D Line Drag with Eyeshot”, allowing users to drag lines in 3D space to nearby geometry.
2. A custom Eyeshot WPF utility in C# enhances 3D modeling with Extrude, Loft, Sweep, and Revolve, enabling intuitive shape creation. Demo Video…
Author: Aniket Pachore
Contact Us: [email protected]
Spirangle Tech Pvt. Ltd.
