Glossary of terms

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A | BCDEFG | HI | J | KLM | NOP | QRS | TUV | WXY | Z

A

Actual size

The measured size of an item.

Adaptive user interface (UI)

This is a specific type of user interface that Shapr3D provides to users. When you select any shape, face, body, hidden geometries, reference items, etc., in your design, Shapr3D instantly predicts the tools you can use to transform your selections, and tailors the menu according to your needs. You don’t have to search for the right tool from the Main menu—the right tools immediately appear in front of you.

Add

This is the name of a button in the Shapr3D Main menu. If you select this, a submenu appears; here, you can add various visual references such as construction geometry and images, to your design space. Or, you can import files.

Alignment

The state of items in a design being properly positioned or arranged in relation to each other. For example, with alignment, you can snap 3D bodies or sketches together so they are positioned side to side, and rearrange multiple circles so their centers coincide. If you draw a line, its endpoint snaps to basic snap points, such as edges, other endpoints, midpoints, etc.

Allowance

The difference between the high limit and low limit. This can be positive or negative. You can use this term regarding dimensions, such as radius and pressure.

Angularity

This defines the condition between two related planes, surfaces, or lines that are not perpendicular/parallel to one another.

Annotation

Annotations include notes, dimensions, and other details that give further explanation and context to drawings and 3D models.

ANSI

This stands for American National Standards Institute. As its name suggests, this organization creates and maintains tech standards, including engineering drawing standards, in the USA.

Appearance

The name of a tab in the iPad and Windows version of Shapr3S that includes settings for customizing how the design space looks. You can also enable 2-Finger Rotation here. In the Mac version, this can be found in the View option in the top bar.

Apple Pencil

Apple’s official wireless stylus pen for computer input.

Arc

A curved sketch body with a center point and two endpoints, defined by a radius.

Architectural drawing

A technical drawing that visually communicates how a building functions and appears. This can include floor plans, cross sections, site plans, etc.

Assembly

A manufacturable collection of parts and other assemblies (sub-assembly). These parts and sub-assemblies are connected. For example, an engine is an assembly composed of various components, including an ignition distributor, valve covers, etc.

Assembly drawing

A drawing that shows the complete product (assembly) with all its components/parts in their correct physical relationship.

Assembly modeling

A method of designing an assembly with a CAD software, using multiple solid or surface models.

Association

An operation resulting in a perfect form associated with the extracted surface in accordance with specified conventions (this may include the method of least squares, minimum zone, maximum inscribing, and minimum circumscribing).

Augmented Reality

Augmented reality (AR) is the integration of computer-generated content with the user's environment in real-time. Shapr3D supports augmented reality (AR) which allows you to visualize your 3D model on your camera-equipped device in the real world by creating a virtual prototype of your design. With AR technology, you can see exactly how your design will look in its intended place.

Auto-Constraint

This is the name of a constraint tool/toggle switch in Shapr3D. Auto-constraints are built-in mechanics to make your sketching experience faster and more precise. Instead of manually picking and applying constraints to your sketch, you can turn this on so Shapr3D can automatically recognize your intent and take care of constraints for you.

Auto-orientation

The name of a switch that appears on screen when you transform an imported image. If you turn on this switch, that means the move and rotation arrows will be displayed in relation to the selected face or body.

Auxiliary projection

A method of creating a 2D drawing of a 3D object, using auxiliary view.

Auxiliary view

A type of orthographic view taken in such a manner that the lines of sight are not parallel to the principal projection planes (frontal, horizontal, or profile). There are an infinite number of possible auxiliary views of any given object. In engineering drawings, it’s often necessary to show features in a view where they appear true to size so you can dimension them. Usually, you draw the front, top, and left/right side views so most features are visible. So, this view displays the item projected from a chosen edge, allowing you to show a face in true size and shape, and doesn’t display as true size or shape in a standard front/top/right view.

Auxiliary dimension

Dimensions in engineering drawings that are purely for reference purposes.

B

Back

Refers to the "back view" face on the Orientation Cube. Also the name of a button that you can use to return to the previous screen.

Badge

These are buttons that appear on items when you activate specific tools such as Align and Mirror. E.g. Flip badge, Target badge, Tool badge.

Base view

The first view created in a drawing. The base view is the source for subsequent views and controls the scale and alignment for them.

Bearing

A part of a machine that constrains relevant motion so the machine moves a specific way, and reduces friction between moving parts.

Beta software

Beta software refers to computer software that is undergoing testing and has not yet been officially released.

Bilateral limit

Limit set partly above and partly below the nominal size.

Bill of materials (BOM)

A list of all items (and relevant details, like quantity) that are needed to build a product. The items can be parts, sub-assemblies, assemblies, components, raw materials, etc. BOMs are sometimes referred to as assembly component list, production recipe, etc.

Blend

A blend is a connection between two faces. It can be a chamfer or fillet.

Block diagram

A simple diagram that includes block symbols or outlines, representing the basics of operation and a sequence of events. This can be used for fault diagnosis.

Block symbol/outline

Block symbols or outlines are used to indicate the main separate elements in an installation and how they are functionally linked together. The block symbols refer to single hardware items or self-contained units without necessarily indicating all of the exact connections.

Body

A body is a continuous 3D shape created from a collection of faces, edges, and vertices.

Center of geometry

This is also called the centroid. It’s the arithmetic mean position of all points in the shape.

Center of mass

The point at which the object can be balanced, considering the distribution of mass in space.

Boolean operations

Boolean operations in CAD, commonly known as the Union, Subtract, and Intersect commands, are a set of 3D modeling tools that can merge, separate, or create geometry from existing bodies. These tools allow you to create complex shapes and forms of your models.

Bounding box

Bounding box is the smallest axis aligned box in which all selected objects can fit. Its center is basically the bounding box absolute center.

Bottom

Refers to the "bottom view" face on the Orientation Cube.

B-rep

In solid modeling and CAD, boundary representation—often abbreviated as B-rep or BREP—is a method for representing shapes using the limits. A solid is represented as a collection of connected surface elements, the boundary between solid and non-solid.

C

Cabinet projection

This is a type of oblique projection in mechanical drawings. A method of creating a 2D drawing of a 3D object. One face of the projected object is parallel to the viewing plane. The dimensions parallel to the third axis of the object are shortened ½ (of the actual length) to overcome apparent distortion.

CAD

CAD stands for computer-aided design, which is the use of computers (or workstations) to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design. Shapr3D is a CAD software.

CAM

CAM stands for computer-aided manufacturing or computer-aided modeling, which is the use of software and computer-controlled machinery to automate a manufacturing process.

Camera

Refers to the general view of the UI when modeling, sketching, or editing in the design space and in Visualization. E.g. Rotate the camera so you can draw a rectangle on the 3D body’s top face.

CATIA

CATIA is a CAD software.

Cavalier projection

This is a type of oblique projection in mechanical drawings (2D drawing of a 3D object).. It’s also referred to as high view point. A point of the object is represented by three coordinates (X, Y, and Z). The projection lines are presumed to make a 45-degree vertical and a 45-degree horizontal angle with the plane of projection. The projection of a line perpendicular to the view plane has the same length as the line itself in Cavalier projection.

Center point

The point which is equidistant from all points on a circle, ellipse, and arc’s edge.

Chain

Aside from being a serial assembly of metal links, chains also refer to connected sketch elements. We also sometimes refer to this as edge loop.

Chamfer

A transitional edge on a 3D body. This type of blend connects faces of a 3D body with a flat surface.

Circle

A sketch that consists of points on the same plane, equidistant to a center point.

Circuit

Electrical components wired together, or parts of a central heating system connected by water piping or units in an air conditioning system joined together by fabricated ductwork.

Circular curve

A circular curve is a segment/portion of a circle. Basically, it’s an arc. These are used to connect intersecting straight lines or tangents, or transition the chance in alignment at angle points in the tangent (straight) portions of alignments.

Circular runout

Controls variation in circular features of a part (e.g. tapers and fillets) and specifies how much the feature can vary in relationship to a reference point as the part is rotated around an axis.

Closed sketch

A sketch with line segments that are connected so that there is a clear boundary for the internal area of the sketch. This filling is extrudable, so you can create a 3D body from this complete 2D shape.

CNC machine

CNC stands for computer numerical control. This machine builds physical CAD models out of various materials, using additive and subtractive tools.

Coaxiality

The tolerance for how closely the axis of a feature (e.g. a cylinder) is aligned to a datum axis (e.g. another cylinder). You can say the two cylinders are coaxial if their axes are coincident.

Collection

Operation when there is a need to consider more than one feature together, i.e. such as the collection of data, relating to a group or pattern of holes.

Component

A part that makes up an assembly/larger product.

Concentric

This is the name of a constraint tool/toggle switch in Shapr3D. By turning this on, you can make two or more circles or arcs share their center points.

Concentricity

The quality of 2D shapes (circles) sharing the same center point. This is also a tolerance that controls the central axis of the referenced feature to a datum axis.

Cone

A 3D body with a circular base and a single vertex (apex).

Conical surface

The unbounded surface that’s formed from the union of all lines that pass through the apex and any point of a curve (of the circular base).

Constraint

Constraints are rules that you can apply on sketches so your drawings are accurately defined and resistant to transformations. This can make your rough sketch more precise and easy to create.

Construction

The operation used to deter mine the toleranced feature, when tolerances are applied to other features which are dependent on, or resultants of, other features. Hence the operation used to build ideal features from other ideal features with constraints is known by the term construction.

Construction axis

An imaginary line in the design space. This is a type of construction geometry, and it is used as a visual reference. You can also transform or modify bodies and sketches using this axis as reference.

Construction diagram

Diagrams that provide dimensioned, graphical information that are useful for construction.

Construction geometry (Reference geometry)

When you sketch and model in your project, you need visual references—such as points, planes, and axes—to position your sketches and bodies precisely. These are construction geometries, and they include construction axes and construction planes in Shapr3D. In other CAD software, construction circles and points are also used.

Construction plane

An imaginary, rectangular, planar surface in the design space. This is a type of construction geometry, and it is used as a visual reference. You can also transform or modify bodies and sketches using this axis as reference.

Continue

This is a button that you can select to proceed in a specific process.

Control point

The points on a spline that define a frame for the spline’s curves.

Control (spline type)

A spline created from smoothed-out polylines that were created from a cluster of points (vertices).

Cross-section

The internal shape you get when you cut straight through a 3D body.

Cylindricity

Tolerance that controls the overall form of a cylindrical feature to make sure it’s round enough and straight enough along its axis.

Cylindrical surface

A surface that contains the points on all lines that are parallel to a given line and passes through a fixed curve on a plane.

Curve

This is a type of edge or sketch curve. These sketch curves can be linear, circular, elliptic, and spline. Typically in Shapr3D, “curves” are used to refer to sketched arcs and splines.

Cut sheet

A sheet that depicts equipment or components.

Cutting plane

An imaginary plane that cuts through an object.

D

Datum

A single datum is a theoretical exact point, axis, line, plane, or a combination of the same. A common datum is a datum established from two or more datum features considered simultaneously.

Datum system

Datum established from two or more datum features considered in a specific order.

Datum target

A portion of a datum feature which can be a line, point, or an area.

Decimal degree

This format uses decimal fractions to represent coordinates and angles. E.g. 27.25°

Delete

This is a button you can select to completely remove items in the design space or designs from Shap3D.

Design

The data saved in Shapr3D, containing the user’s 2D and 3D designs. You can use this term interchangeably with “project” and “workspace.” This term refers to two things: the general idea of 2D drawings and 3D models that are created, and the projects that a user creates in Shapr3D.

Design layout drawing

A preliminary drawing, which is basically a rough draft of the product, mainly used for proposals and brainstorming.

Deviation

Difference between the maximum, minimum, or actual measurement (size, etc.).

Diameter

Length of a line that goes througha circle’s (or ellipse) center and touches the edges of the circle (or ellipse).

Dimension

A measurement of a feature or aspect. In Shapr3D, dimensions are used to show the exact numerical measure of length, angle, height, surface area, volume, etc. The term is also used as a verb to mean the object or shape is formed to specific measurements, or a model or shape is marked with measurements. Dimension label This is a small label that floats above the actual dimensioned shape or object in the design space. It includes the actual measurement and the unit of measurement. If you select this dimension label, a numpad appears so you can adjust the measurement.

Dimetric projection

A method of creating a 2D drawing of a 3D object. Two axes of an object make equal angles with the plane of projection and the third angle is larger or smaller than the other two. You use one scale for the two equal axes and change scale to foreshorten the third axis in a different ratio. This is a type of axonometric projection.

Direct modeling

Direct modeling is one of CAD’s modeling paradigms. You can create sketches (2D drawings) and generate 3D bodies from those sketches with specific tools. You use modeling commands, but no modeling features nor complex geometric relationships are created. You can directly remove geometrical details from solid models or add details, without having to update sketches or feature relationships. Basically, you can make quick design changes. Shapr3D is a CAD software built for direct modeling.

Disconnect

This is the name of a constraint tool/toggle switch in Shapr3D. You can delete the connection between multiple connected points by using this tool and selecting the common point.

Draft angle

A slant or taper that is applied to objects. In Shapr3D, you can add this draft angle when you create 3D bodies with the Extrude tool.

Drawing sheet

A sheet of paper (physical or digital) used for engineering/production drawings.

Drawing view

The method for presenting 3D objects in 2D drawings. There are several types of drawing views: base view, projected view, auxiliary view, section view, detail view, overlay view, draft view.

DWG

DWG is a native file format for AutoCAD. In Shapr3D, you can import and export DWG files.

DXF

DXF is a native file format for AutoCAD. In Shapr3D, you can import and export DWG files.

E

Edge

A line segment that joins faces on a 3D body or multiple vertices on a shape. In Shapr3D, this term is also used to refer to line segments in a 2D sketch.

Ellipse, Ellipse curve

A sketch that consists of a plane curve that surrounds two foci. The distance between any point on the curve and foci remain constant. The ellipse consists of two perpendicular diameters: major and minor axes.

Endpoint

The point at the end of a line segment or curve in a sketch.

Engineering drawing

A type of technical drawing. It’s a graphical representation of an engineering part, assembly, product, system, or structure. This drawing defines specifications and requirements, so engineering ideas can be collected and the represented component, etc., can be produced accurately.

Equal

This is the name of a constraint tool/toggle switch in Shapr3D. By turning this on, you can make your lines equal in length and your circles or arcs the same size (radius).

Explode

When you explode an assembly, that means you’re separating each part or component of the assembly model from other parts.

Exploded assembly drawing

This type of drawing highlights the individual components of an assembly, so you can correctly understand the various component positions in an assembly.

Extraction

The operation that results in the representation of the surface (skin model or real surface), obtained by extracting a finite number of points from a partitioned surface.

Extrude

Extrude is the name of a tool in Shapr3D. You can use this tool to create a body from a face or a closed sketch. Essentially, you’re pushing or pulling the face or sketch filling to extrude manually. You can also offset a body as well, so the face and its attached features are extruded together.

Extrusion

An extruded surface.

F

Face

A flat, planar surface of a 3D body, bounded by edges.

Face center

The midpoint of a face.

Field of view

The extent of the observable world that is seen at any given moment, ranging from orthographic to perspective.

Fillet

A fillet is a blend that creates a rounded transition between faces. It can have a fixed or variable radius. A fixed radius entails that its cross-section is defined by an arc. A variable radius entails that its multiple cross-sections are defined with multiple arcs that have different radiuses.

Filtering

Filtering or smoothing of the extracted data to remove any unwanted detail.

First angle projection

A method of creating a 2D drawing of a 3D object. Sometimes called European projection, this is a type of orthographic projection in which the object is placed in the first quadrant (the object is placed between the plane of projection and the observer) and positioned at the front of a vertical plane and top of the horizontal plane.

Fit (spline type)

This spline type is created from placing points that are directly on the spline’s curves.

Focus

This is a point that helps define an ellipse, parabola, or hyperbola. In case of an ellipse, the sum of distances from its foci (two focal points) to any point on the ellipse is always the same.

Fractional degree

This format uses degrees, minutes, and seconds to represent angles. E.g. 27°15’

Freeform surface modeling

This is a type of modeling with CAD used to create freeform surfaces.

Freeform surface

A curved surface that can’t be defined by the typical surfaces (planar, cylindrical, conical, spherical, toric). Usually defined by a spline (NURBS) surface.

Folder

The name of the storage unit for at least one item in the Items manager.

Foot & inch format

The name of a section in the Units settings. You can choose to apply the architectural or decimal format for the imperial units.

Forums

This is the name of a button that directs users to the Shapr3D Forums: https://discourse.shapr3d.com. Here, users and the Shapr3D team can discuss use cases, stories, tips and tricks, beta features, bugs, new features, etc.

Front

Refers to the "front view" face on the Orientation Cube.

Fusion 360

This is the name of a CAD software.

Fusion welding

Fusion welding is a process whereby the material in the vicinity of the joint becomes molten, fusing the parts together. The heat required to melt the material is usually provided by a gas flame or electric arc. A filler material can be used to build up the material around the welded joint if need be; a good example of the use of a filler material is a fillet weld.

G

Gestures

The name of a section setting that explains how you can interact with the Shapr3D to do basic actions, such as rotating the camera.

Geometry

Shapes, bodies, sketches, axes, and any other elements in 2D and 3D designs.

Geometric dimensioning and tolerance

The maximum error of a component’s geometrical characteristic, over its whole dimensioned length or surface. You can use symbols and tolerance values in engineering drawings to define this tolerance and control more precisely the form or shape of some feature of a manufactured part. This helps to standardize how variation is measured.

Gizmo

Refers to the arrows, pivot points, and other canvas controls that appear in the design space when you're actively using modeling or sketching tools. You can interact with these controls to transform or alter the selected shape or body.

Grade

Indicates the tolerance magnitude. The lower the grade, the finer the tolerance.

Grid

This is the literal grid that fills the design space. It helps you design with correct measurements and take advantage of snapping. The grid’s size dynamically changes based on the zoom level; the distances between the squares define the scale of the units.

Guide

Guides are imaginary lines that you can use as a visual reference for modeling and designing.

Guide line

An imaginary line that you can use as a visual reference for modeling and designing.

Guide point

A derived point that can be used for snapping or positioning elements such as segment midpoints and face centers.

H

Half section

A type of drawing in which a symmetrical part is drawn half in section and half in outside view.

Handle point

A point that’s directly placed on the ellipse or spline.

Helix, helical

A 3D shape that looks like a wire is uniformly wrapped around a cylinder in a spiraling motion.

Horizontal/Vertical

This is the name of a constraint tool/toggle switch in Shapr3D. By turning this on, you can make your lines parallel either to the horizontal or vertical axes of the sketch plane, whichever takes fewer adjustments.

Hotkey, Hotkeys

An assigned key or sequence of keys programmed to execute a command or perform a specific task in a software application. You can enable hotkeys in Shapr3D from Settings or Preferences.

I

IGES

Stands for Initial Graphics Exchange Specification. This is a file format for CAD software. You can import and export IGES files in Shapr3D.

Image

In Shapr3D, an image is a digital picture that can be imported into for visual reference. In the design space, the image appears as a rectangular body with a planar surface and texture.

Intersect

This is the name of a Boolean tool available in Shapr3D. You can use this tool to single out shared parts (intersection) of multiple, overlapping 3D bodies.

Inventor

This is the name of a CAD software.

iPad, iPad Pro

Tablet by Apple.

ISO

ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization. As its name suggests, this organization publishes standards for various industries.

Isolate selection

This is a button you can select to highlight the selected items in your design space and enable editing for those items only.

Isometric projection

A method of creating a 2D drawing of a 3D object. It’s also a type of orthographic projection. The plane is oriented so that it makes equal angles with the three principal planes of the object. This type of view is commonly used in pictorial presentations where an assembly has been exploded to indicate the correct order and position of component parts (e.g. car service manuals and model kits).

Item

An element in the design space. It can be a sketch element, 3D body, image, or construction plane or axis. A collection of these items are stored in a panel, titled Items. In marketing documents, etc., that panel is often referred to as the Items manager.

Items manager

The panel, titled Items, stores a collection of items in the user's design space in Shapr3D.

J

Jigs and fixtures

Jigs are tools that hold a cutting tool in place or guide it as it performs a repetitive task like drilling or tapping holes. Fixtures, on the other hand, do not guide a cutting tool, but hold a workpiece steady in a fixed position, orientation, or location. Jigs and fixtures are pivotal in creating a solid foundation for the overall manufacturing process in order to maximize productivity while ensuring worker safety and cutting costs. 3D printing as a form of additive manufacturing (AM) is a complementary method that can achieve these same aims with its implementation.

K

Keep originals

An option during sketching or modeling that allows you to keep original copies of your items when performing a specific action. Keyboard Shortcuts The name of a window that shows all hotkeys for sketching and modeling. In the Mac version, this button is in the menu bar and directs users to a Manual article about shortcuts.

L

Landscape

A view of a drawing sheet, for example, so the longest side of the sheet is horizontal.

Left

Refers to the "left view" face on Orientation Cube. Because of limited UI space, this label was shortened to just "Left."

Lettering

Notes and dimension added to engineering drawing to provide specific information about size, instructions, etc.

Line

A 2D line segment sketched in the design space. It has two endpoints.

Linear curve

A curve that has a linear dependence on the curve parameters. So, it can be a line, polynomial, etc.

Living

Typically, this word is used in phrases such as “living document.” It means that something is continuously being updated and improved.

Local section

This type of section view is also known as a broken-out section. This section view looks like a small part of the object was broken with a hammer, so you can see the interior of a small area.

Lock

This is the name of a feature in Shapr3D. When you select this feature and a model/design element in Shapr3D, that means the dimension, points, etc., in 2D shapes and sketches can no longer be adjusted—until you select Unlock. Note that this is separate from another Shapr3D feature, named Lock grid size.

Lock Grid Size

The name of a switch that you can use to lock the grid of your design space. Even if you zoom in or out, your grid will always remain the same size.

Locus

A set of all points that share a property. For example, a circle is the locus of points on a plane that are equidistant to the center.

Loft

This is the name of a tool in Shapr3D. With the Loft tool, you can create complex 3D objects by specifying cross-sections made from 2D faces and profiles of closed sketches, which guide how your object should look.

Loop (Offset edge type)

Edges that are connected on a surface are called a “loop,” or “edge loop.” In Shapr3D, this is one of the available methods when you use the Offset Edge tool. This loop refers to both edge loops in 2D sketches and on 3D bodies.

M

Machine drawing

A drawing created to communicate all information required for manufacturing and assembling the components of a machine.

Mating component

Components that are shaped in a specific way so when they are assembled together and connected, their shapes complement each other.

Maximum material condition (MMC)

A condition of a part or feature that contains the greatest amount of material but still remains within its tolerance zone. Main menu This refers to the default menu you see in design space. This menu includes four buttons: Sketch, Add, Transform, and Tools. These options open different submenus that you use every time you create a sketch or model.

More

This is the name of a button in Shapr3D’s menu. This opens a popover that includes additional tools that you can use when modeling.

Mesh body (polygon mesh)

A collection of vertices, edges, and faces that defines the shape of a polyhedral object in 3D computer graphics and solid modeling. The faces usually consist of triangles (triangle mesh), quadrilaterals (quads), or other simple convex polygons (n-gons), since this simplifies rendering. However, they may also be composed of concave polygons, or even polygons with holes.

Midpoint

The middle point of a line segment.

Minimum or least material condition (LMC)

Minimum limit of an external feature. Also the maximum limit on an internal feature. The condition of a part or feature which contains the minimum amount of material, e.g. maximum-size hole or a minimum-size shaft.

Mirror

This is the name of a tool in Shapr3D. You can use the Mirror tool to mirror any sketch, face, body, or group to a mirror plane.

Model

A 3D representation of an object, created in a CAD software. This term is also used as a verb to refer to the action of creating a 3D model in Shapr3D.

Model space, modeling space

This refers to the design space in Shapr3D, where you can sketch and design 3D models.

More

This is the name of a button in the menu. This opens a popover that includes additional tools that you can use when modeling.

Move/Rotate

This is the name of a tool in Shapr3D. You can use the Move/Rotate tool to move 3D bodies or copies of those bodies, or rotate them around a pivot point.

N

Nominal size

The size by which a component is referred to as a matter of convenience.

Non-periodic

Edge, faces, curves, shapes, sketches, surfaces, etc., can be non-periodic if they have kinks (points where a curve dramatically changes direction).

Non-planar face/ Non-planar surface

A face or surface that has more than three vertices and the vertices are not on the same plane.

O

OBJ

This is a file format for CAD software. You can export designs in Shapr3D as OBJ files.

Oblique projection

A method of creating a 2D drawing of a 3D object. This is a type of parallel projection. The object is not in perspective; the parallel lines of the source object produce parallel lines in the projected image, and the projections intersect the projection plane at an oblique angle to create the projected image. There are two types of oblique projection: cabinet and cavalier projections.

Offset Edge

This is the name of a tool in Shapr3D. You can use this tool to create parallel lines in both 2D sketches and 3D bodies. Note that “edge” refers to both sketch lines and body edges.

Offset Face

This is the name of a tool in Shapr3D. It’s similar to the Extrude tool, but you can only use this tool with 3D bodies that have faces.

Onshape

This is the name of a CAD software.

Orientation

The way geometries are arranged in the design space in each view: front, back, right, left, top, bottom.

Orientation cube

This is the name of a UI element in Shapr3D’s design space. Visually, it’s a cube with the world axes and each side labeled “Front,” “Back,” “Right,” “Left,” “Top,” and “Bottom.” You can rotate this cube to set the orientation of your design space and model.

Origin

The point (0, 0) in the grid of the design space where all coordinate axes intersect.

Orthographic drawing/projection

A method of creating a 2D drawing of a 3D object. In this drawing, several 2D views of the object are created to represent the 3D object. At least 2 views of a 3D object are projected, or sometimes one view and an adequate description for simple cases.

Orthographic view

2D views of 3D objects.

P

Parabola

A mirror-symmetrical plane curve that is U-shaped.

Parallel

This is the name of a constraint tool/toggle switch in Shapr3D. You can make multiple lines be parallel (side by side with the same distance between them) to each other.

Parametric modeling

Parametric modeling is one of CAD’s modeling paradigms. You can use modeling commands and parameter specifications to capture modeling features (mathematical relationships). You need such mathematical relationships between the sketches and the final 3D body. To modify your 3D body, you have to adjust the multiple parameters (angles, etc.) of modeling features. Any changes can influence the other geometric relationships created later.

Parasolid

Parasolid is the geometric modeling kernel that enables Shapr3D to run the complicated calculations in the background while you’re modeling. Other CAD software is also built on Parasolid.

Part

The base elements of an assembly. The typical part contains only one solid body.

Partition

Operation that takes place when a feature(s) such as flat surfaces, cylindrical surfaces, or curved surfaces are partitioned to obtain from the skin model or real surface(s) the non-ideal surfaces corresponding to the nominal features.

Periodic

Edge, faces, curves, shapes, sketches, surfaces, etc., can be periodic if they are continuous and do not have kinks (a point where a curve dramatically changes direction).

Perpendicular

This is the name of a constraint tool/toggle switch in Shapr3D. You can use this tool to create a right angle between multiple lines.

Perspective

Refers to the perspective field of view. So, the height, width, and depth of the 3D model is portrayed realistically.

Perspective projection

A method of creating a 2D drawing of a 3D object. It’s a linear projection where 3D objects are projected on a plane so that the distant objects appear smaller than nearer objects; the lines that are parallel in nature appear to intersect in the projected image.

Pivot point

This is a point in Shapr3D that appears when you want to transform 3D bodies and 2D shapes. It’s essentially a reference point for the transformation. E.g. if you want to rotate a shape around a specific area, you move the pivot point to that specific area and then rotate.

Planar face, planar surface

A face or surface in which all of its vertices line on the same plane.

Plane

A flat, 2D surface that extends infinitely far.

Planometric projection

A method of creating a 2D drawing of a 3D object. The horizontal lines are drawn at 45-45 degree or 30-60 degree angle and the vertical lines are straight. So, this type of projection lets the viewer see the object as if they were looking from above.

Polygon

2D shape comprised of connecting lines and a dedicated sketch point in the center.

Portrait

A view of a drawing sheet, etc., so the longest side of the sheet is vertical.

Positional tolerance

Controls the location of one feature from another feature or datum in engineering drawings.

Preferences

The name of a section in the Settings tab in the Mac version of Shapr3D. You can customize the language, interface, spline point type, pencil pressure, and 2-Finger Rotation in this section. This is also the name of a window that appears when you click Preferences (or from the menu bar in the Mac version of Shapr3D). This window contains all the customizable settings/info shown in the iPad version's Settings tab.

Production drawing

These are also called working drawings. They detail the manufacturing and assembly of products for the employees who make the products.

Profile

The outline created from closed 2D sketches or cross-sections of a 3D body.

Profile tolerance

Profile tolerance of a surface or line is used to control the ideal form of the surface or line, respectively.

Project (file)

A body of work/the data saved in the Shapr3D app, containing the user’s 2D and 3D designs. You can use this term interchangeably with “design” and “workspace.”

Project (tool)

This is the name of a tool in Shapr3D. The Project tool translates your sketches, edges, face, and bodies to another face or surface, either as sketches or edges. With this, you can manipulate the projected sketches and edges on complex, non-planar faces.

Projected view

An orthographic or isometric view that is generated from a base view or other existing view. You can create multiple projected views in a single operation. The position of the cursor relative to the parent view determines the orientation of the projected view. Projected views inherit the scale and display settings from the parent view. Orthographic projected views keep alignment with the parent view. The active drafting standard defines the first-angle or third-angle projection.

PTC

A computer software and services company that develops different kinds of software, including CAD.

Q

-

R

Radius

A straight line extending from the center of a circle, sphere, ellipse to the circumference or surface. The term also refers to the measured arc length that connects filleted objects.

Rectangle

A 2D shape with four sides and four corners. It also has a dedicated sketch point in the center.

Redo

The name of a button that lets you redo an action that you reversed.

Regular body

The watertight 3D bodies (B-rep or mesh) created by modeling.

Render

The action of converting a 3D model into a realistic image.

Replace Face

This is the name of a tool in Shapr3D. You can use the Replace face tool to directly modify complex, non-planar faces, even if they are imported or native. The tool extends or trims faces according to the new face you select. This tool extends or trims any face that you select; so, as its name suggests, the face you select is replaced by a new face.

Resolution

The display resolution of the exported Shapr3D design.

Revolve

This is the name of a tool in Shapr3D. You can use this tool to revolve faces or closed sketches, to eventually create solids such as spheres, cylinders, and cones. Not only that, but you can also create helical objects by adding height to your revolved sketch or face.

Rhino3D

This is the name of a CAD software.

Refers to the "right view" face on Orientation Cube in the UI. Because of limited UI space, this label was shortened to just "Right."

Right click

Right click for Windows users, or secondary click/control click for iPadOS/macOS users, is the action of clicking the right-hand button of a mouse, or double-tapping on a trackpad, to access additional options, shortcuts, or contextual menus.

Rotate Around Axis

This is the name of a tool in Shapr3D. You can use the Rotate Around Axis tool to rotate your sketches, closed sketches, faces, and bodies around a selected axis.

Rotation

A revolved surface.

S

Scale

This is the name of a tool in Shapr3D. You can proportionally adjust the size of the sketches, faces, edges, and bodies in your design with the Scale tool.

Screw thread

A helical structure used to convert between rotational and linear movement or force.

Secondary click

Right click for Windows users, or secondary click/control click for iPadOS/macOS users, is the action of clicking the right-hand button of a mouse, or double-tapping on a trackpad, to access additional options, shortcuts, or contextual menus.

Section

Shows the detail of a body on a particular plane (called cutting plane).

Section view

A view that shows an area or hidden parts of an object, as if you cut away or removed some parts of the object with a cutting plane.

Show Constraints

This is the name of a constraint tool/toggle switch in Shapr3D. You can turn this on to see constraint icons on the sketch.

Single (Offset edge type)

This refers to individual edges of 3D bodies and 2D sketches. In Shapr3D, this is one of the available methods when you use the Offset Edge tool.

Single-part drawing

Supplies the complete, detailed information to enable a component to be manufactured without reference to other sources. Completely defines shape or form and size and contains specifications. Drawing is fully dimensioned and contains tolerances.

Shapr3D

An intuitive CAD tool built to make 3D modeling easier and quicker.

SHAPR

The native file format for Shapr3D.

Sheet body (Surface body)

A body with a zero thickness, similar to a surface, made up of a collection of faces and edges that do not "close up" to enclose a volume.

Shell

This is the name of a tool in Shapr3D. You can create hollow bodies with the Shell tool. Basically, you remove a face of a body and standardize the wall thickness.

Show guide points

This is the name of a switch that appears in the search bar. If you turn on this switch, guide points will appear in the design space.

Show sidebar

This is the name of a button in the macOS version Shapr3D, located in the title bar. If you click this, the sidebar will appear. The sidebar contains the Items manager, where you can view and organize items and 2D drawings.

Show snapping hints

This is the name of a switch that appears in the search bar. If you turn on this switch, snapping hints will show up in the design space.

Siemens NX

A CAD software developed by Siemens.

Sketch

This is the name of a button in Shapr3D’s Main menu. If you select this, a submenu appears with all sketching-related tools and constraints. In general, this term is also used to describe the 2D drawings and the action of drawing in 2D in Shapr3D’s design space.

Sketch body

An entity that consists of 2D edge(s) and possibly vertices on a sketch plane.

Sketch curve

Curves that are part of sketches.

Sketch filling

A region completely bounded by sketch lines and curves; it consists of one planar face, edges, and vertices. In Shapr3D, this bound region is selectable and considered an entity that can be transformed (e.g. extruded to become a 3D object).

Sketch guide lines

These are purple lines that act as guides to ensure you’re moving your sketch lines horizontally or vertically or to a specific point (either along or at the end of a line, the center of an existing face or a sketch). These guides can also show the extensions of any existing lines, so you can make sure your sketch lines are equal, horizontal, vertical, symmetrical, tangent, perpendicular, or parallel, in relation to lines, points, and centers.

Sketch guide points

These are points that act as guides in sketches; typically they are midpoints and endpoints of sketches.

Sketch point

A point on a sketch.

SketchUp

This is the name of a CAD software.

SLDASM

3D assembly file created by SolidWorks CAD software

SLDPRT

3D model file format native to SolidWorks.

Snap to Grid

This is a toggle switch in Shapr3D. If you turn this on, it forces your sketches to snap to a specific grid point.

Snapping guide points (guide points)

Derived point that can be used for snapping or positioning elements such as segment midpoints and face centers.

Snapping Hint

This is a toggle switch in Shapr3D. If you turn this on, you will see labels for snapping points, such as “endpoint,” “midpoint,” and “sketch center,” in the UI.

Snap to

The name of a section in the Snaps/Guides settings. In this section, there are several switches: "Grid," "Sketch Guide Lines," "Sketch Guide Points," and "3D Guide Points."

Snap to 3D guide points

This is the name of a switch that appears in the search bar. If you turn on this switch, that means your sketch lines will auto-snap to 3D guide points.

Snap to grid

This is the name of a switch. If you turn this on, it forces your sketches to snap to a specific grid point.

Snap to sketch guide lines

This is the name of a switch that appears in the search bar. If you turn on this switch, that means your sketch lines will auto-snap to sketch guide lines.

Snap to sketch guide points

This is the name of a switch that appears in the search bar. If you turn on this switch, that means your sketch lines will auto-snap to guide points in other sketches.

Software

Software is a catch-all term for the programs and applications that run computers.

Solid Edge

This is the name of a CAD software.

Solid body (B-rep)

In solid modeling and CAD, boundary representation—often abbreviated as B-rep or BREP—is a method for representing shapes using the limits. A solid is represented as a collection of connected surface elements, the boundary between solid and non-solid.

SolidWorks

This is the name of a CAD software.

SpaceMouse

SpaceMouse by 3D connexion is a professional 3D controller specifically designed for manipulating objects in a 3D environment.

Spherical surface

The surface of an imaginary sphere.

Spline

A sketched, smooth curve that passes through or near control/fit points.

Spline curve

A curve that is a smooth approximation of the control polygon.

STEP

A file format for CAD. In Shapr3D, you can import and export STEP files.

STP

A file format for CAD.

STL

A file format for CAD. In Shapr3D, you can import and export STL files.

Sub-assembly drawing

A drawing that features a small part of the entire assembly.

Subtract

This is the name of a Boolean tool available in Shapr3D. You can use this tool to remove bodies or groups from other bodies or groups.

Successive section

Successive sections may be arranged as convenient for the layout and understanding of the drawing. Note that where successive sections are drawn, each view only gives the detail at that section plane and not additional background information.

Surface

A surface is a continuous boundary, and it can be flat or curved. A flat surface is a 2D collection of points. A curved surface is a 3D collection of points whose cross-section is a curve, or the boundary of a 3D solid body.

Surface features

Surface features analyze how a surface was created (extrusion, loft, etc.).

Surface finish

Relates to a final coating applied to the surface of a part. E.g. oiled, painted, varnished, lacquered, plates, etc.

Surface modeling

Surface modeling is considered a more complex technique for displaying objects than wireframe modeling. Surface modeling has much less ambiguous display functionalities compared to wireframe modeling, but not as much or sophisticated as solid modeling. The technique often involves conversions between various three-dimensional modeling types.

Surface texture

Physical surface roughness of the surface which can apply with or without any surface finish.

Sweep

This is the name of a tool in Shapr3D. The Sweep tool is a type of extrusion tool. Unlike the Extrude tool, though, you can guide the extrusion of a profile along a custom line or spine through multiple planes. You can create complex bodies with uniform thickness such as pipe systems, cables, wires, etc., with a simple 2D shape and a spine in a controlled environment.

Symbol

Special sketch objects, which are a collection of sketch elements that hold their relative shape to one another.

Symmetry

This is the name of a constraint tool/toggle switch in Shapr3D. Features are positioned equally in relation to a datum (line, plane, etc.). So, you can make your lines, circles, arcs, or points symmetrical to each other in relation to a selected axis.

T

Tangent

This is the name of a constraint tool/toggle switch in Shapr3D. With this constraint, you can make circles, lines, or a combination of the two tangent to each other. So, the geometry touches another geometry at a point but does not intersect when the geometries are extended.

Technical drawing

A precise, detailed drawing of a 3D object for architecture or engineering.

Texture mapping

A bitmap image applied to a surface in computer graphics.

Theoretical circuit diagram

A diagram that shows all the necessary connections for the correct operation of the included system. This is also called schematics, sequence diagrams, and flow charts.

Theoretically Exact Dimensioning (True-position dimensioning)

A type of dimensioning that must not be toleranced. These dimensions can only vary by the geometrical tolerance that is stated in the associated tolerance frame.

Third angle projection

A method of creating a 2D drawing of a 3D object. This is more commonly used in North America, so it’s sometimes called American projection. It’s a type of orthographic projection. The 3D object is in the third quadrant, and it’s positioned below and behind the viewing planes and each view is pulled onto the plane closest to it. The front plane of projection is between the observer and the object.

Thread

A helical structure used to convert between rotational and linear movement or force.

Title block

Generally printed on the bottom right-hand corner of cut sheets and contain basic information such as drawing number, owner, component name, drawing scale and units of measurement, projection type, change history, cross-references, etc.

Toggle

A UI element, which is like a switch. You can switch a toggle on or off to turn on a certain feature.

Tolerance

Total permissible variation in dimension size, degree, etc.

Tolerance zone

The space in which any deviation of the feature has to be contained.

Top

Refers to the "top view" face on Orientation Cube in the UI. Because of limited UI space, this label was shortened to just "Top."

Toric surface

A surface that is swept out by revolving a circle about an axis that lies in the plane of the circle but doesn’t intersect its center.

Total runout

Controls variation in all the points on the surface of a rotated part, considering the part’s rotation on its axis.

Translate

This is the name of a tool in Shapr3D. You can use the Translate tool to move any sketches, faces, or bodies in relation to a specific point. This is a precise method to shift a group of shapes from one specific point to another.

Trim

This is the name of a tool in Shapr3D. You can use the Trim tool to get rid of lines and curves between two points or in intersections.

Trimetric projection

A method of creating a 2D drawing of a 3D object. This is a type of axonometric projection where no two axes form equal angles with the plane of projection. Each of the three axes and the lines parallel to them have different ratios for foreshortening. The object is projected so that no axis forms an angle less than 90 degrees and three different trimetric scales must be used to lay out measurements along the axes.

Tutorials

The name of a tab in the Learn section. You can find YouTube tutorials for Shapr3D.

U

UI, User Interface

The point of human-computer interaction and communication in a device. This can include display screens, keyboards, a mouse, and the appearance of a desktop. It is also the way through which a user interacts with an application or a website.

UI element

The visual elements that you see in any application, program, or software. Examples of Shapr3D UI elements are the Orientation cube, Sketch menu, and the Items manager.

Unilateral limit

Limit set wholly above or below the nominal size.

Undo

The name of a button that lets you reverse a step, command, etc.

Union

This is the name of a Boolean tool available in Shapr3D. you can use the tool to unite 3D bodies and groups.

Unit

This is short for unit of measurement. In Shapr3D, the following units of measurement are available: millimeter, centimeter, meter, inch, and foot.

Unlock

This is the name of a feature in Shapr3D. If you locked dimensions and points of sketches and 2D shapes, then you can undo that by using this feature.

V

Vertex

A vertex is a point defining a geometry. It can belong to a surface or an edge. Vertices is the plural of Vertex. It can have two types: Edge endpoint vertex which is an endpoint of an edge, and standalone vertex which belongs to a surface but doesn’t belong to an edge. E.g. Cone apex.

Visibility icon

This is the name of the icon that looks like an eye (also the eye with a slash across it). It's used in the Items manager. When you click it, you control the visibility of the associated item (body, construction plane/axis, sketch, image).

Visualization

A Shapr3D tool that lets you customize the look of your models to have a realistic look and finish that allows you to share realistic designs with anyone. With over 100 materials and finish types, you can customize your models to be exactly how you imagine the end product to be.

Void

In model space, if the camera is rotated in a way that the grid is not filling the entire frame of the view, you see the “void.”

W

Wacom

A hardware company that provides interactive pen displays, pen tablets, styli and apps to equip and inspire everyone to make the world a more creative place.

Webinar

A general term for online seminars. This is not a product/feature/service name for Shapr3D.

Webviewer

A Shapr3D feature that lets you share a real-time preview of your design with anyone via a web link. Your recipient can view your model preview directly from any browser on any modern device.

Welding

Welding may be described as the process of uniting two pieces of material (usually metal but other materials can be welded) by raising the temperature of the material in the vicinity of the joint so it becomes plastic or molten, creating the joint. The welding process can be carried out with or without pressure and with or without added material. There are two main classes of welding, each with a subset of differing processes; these classes are fusion welding and welding with pressure. Common examples of fusion welding are arc, gas, and electron beam welding; common examples of pressure welding are spot, ultrasonic, and diffusion welding.

Welding with pressure

Welding with pressure is a process whereby the areas on the parts to be joined are held together under mechanical pressure and the surfaces at the area to be welded are heated to and maintained in a plastic state.

Wireframe body

A wire-frame model, also called a wireframe model, is a visual representation of a 3D physical object used in 3D computer graphics. It is created by specifying each edge of the physical object where two mathematically continuous smooth surfaces meet, or by connecting an object's constituent vertices using (straight) lines or curves. The object is projected into screen space and rendered by drawing lines at the location of each edge.

Working drawing

The set of technical drawings used during the manufacturing phase of a product. They contain all the information needed to manufacture and assemble a product.

Workspace

This refers to the design or modeling space in Shapr3D. It is a body of work or the data saved in Shapr3D, containing your 2D and 3D designs. It can also mean the actual space in the UI that you can use to design or model.

World axis, world axes

The X, Y, or Z axis that passes through the origin.

X

X-axis

The horizontal axis of a two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system.

X_B

This is a file format for Parasolid.

X_T

This is a file format for Parasolid. In Shapr3D, you can import and export X_T files.

Y

Y-axis

The vertical axis of a two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system.

Z

Z-axis

One of three axes in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system.

Zoom

The action of changing the appearance of models/sketches in the design space so they appear closer/larger or further away/smaller.

Zoom to

A button in the Items Manager that zooms in on selected items.

 


 

References

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