In Shapr3D, rendering accuracy may differ from modeling accuracy. While Shapr3D uses a Parasolid modeling engine to create manufacturable solid bodies with exceptional precision, this precision doesn't necessarily apply to the display accuracy.
Depending on the hardware you use to run Shapr3D, you may notice a few display inaccuracies such as:
- gaps between sketches and their fillings
- gaps between bodies and their sketches
- jagged edges
These display inaccuracies you notice don't affect the precision of your model.
Read on to learn more about the concepts behind modeling and rendering accuracy, and some troubleshooting tips to get the best display accuracy when you're modeling.
Modeling vs rendering precision
In CAD, modeling is the process of creating precise geometrical elements while rendering is the general term for displaying a precisely computed geometrical element.
Modeling precision
When you model, geometric calculations of created sketches and models such as boundaries, intersecting lines, intersecting bodies, or super complex splines, are carried out with a precision of at least 0.001 mm in the background.
The precision of geometric calculations in the background is easy to maintain for modeling, but this precision isn’t always easily carried out in rendering.
Rendering precision
To ensure the efficiency of the required hardware performance and rendering, the level of precision maintained in model calculations goes through a geometric simplification which causes you to only see an approximation of your model.
Complex models accuracy
Your complex models are still geometrically accurate regardless of reduced rendering quality.
The reduced rendering accuracy is just a visibility setting to ensure the efficiency of the required hardware performance and rendering.
With a reduced rendering quality, Shapr3D saves performance and can run flawlessly on a broad range of devices.
Troubleshoot rendering quality issues
You might experience reduced rendering quality more frequently when you zoom in a lot in the modeling space or have hundreds of bodies.
The scenarios below give you an overview of how zooming affects the rendering quality of the different areas in your model and what you can do to make the quality more accurate.
Cause
When zooming in on sketches, Shapr3D reduces the rendering quality to save on performance.
Symptoms
With the reduced quality, you may experience the following:
- Visible gaps between sketch elements and the sketch profile
- The camera intersects with the grid
In the example below the workspace is zoomed in with a grid resolution of 0.005 mm. The level of zoom shows an intersection between the camera and the grid and a gap between the sketch and the blue sketch profile.
Troubleshooting
Try these steps to improve the rendering accuracy:
- Check the grid resolution in the upper right corner, and zoom in or out to adjust the resolution accordingly.
- Carefully zoom out to get the right level of detail, or double-tap the Orientation Cube to give you a clear overview of the entire model.
Cause
When zooming into the edges of bodies, Shapr3D reduces the rendering quality to save on performance. The reduced rendering quality doesn't affect the computational accuracy of the model.
Symptoms
With the reduced quality, you may experience the following:
- Visible gap between the edge of a body and the sketch from which it was created
In the example below, there is a visible gap between the sketch and the edge of the body.
Troubleshooting
To improve the rendering accuracy, adjust the level of zoom to achieve your level of desired rendering accuracy.
Cause
- When you have several bodies in your modeling space and you zoom in on edges, Shapr3D reduces the rendering quality to provide a smooth modeling experience.
- To save on performance, the detail of rendering may decrease depending on your level of zoom. The reduced rendering quality doesn't affect the computational accuracy of the model.
- Zooming in on faceted models consisting of polygons or straight elements eventually appear as jagged edges when zoomed in at a certain level.
In the examples below, the model on the left shows a jagged but continuous edge, showing that it is a curved edge.
The model on the right shows intersecting edges indicating that the upper edge is not a curve but an edge consisting of straight elements.
Curved edge with reduced rendering quality Edge consisting of multiple straight elements
Symptoms
With the reduced quality, you may experience the following:
- Curved edges appear jagged the more you zoom
- Consider using splines to achieve smoother edges
Troubleshooting
To improve the rendering accuracy, adjust the level of zoom to achieve your level of desired rendering accuracy.
Need more help?
If the troubleshooting steps above didn't improve the rendering accuracy of your model, try these additional tips:
- Make sure that the drivers on your device are up-to-date. To learn more, visit Shapr3D stability issues.
- Create your models near the origin. Check out Move/Rotate (3D) and Move/Rotate (Sketch) to learn how to move your models near the origin.
If the issue persists, submit a request.