3D Editor

User’s Guide
Famic Technologies Inc. All rights reserved.©

Automation Studio™ 3D Editor User’s Guide

Document Reference: DAS3DENFTP62U_020

REPRODUCTION

Reproduction or re-transmission of this manual or software, in whole or in part, by any

means is strictly prohibited without the express written consent of Famic
Technologies Inc.

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Automation Studio™ is a registered trademark of Famic Technologies®
 Table of contents

1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1-1

2 User Interfaces Description .......................................................................................... 2-1
2.1 “3D Manager” Utilitarian ...................................................................................... 2-2
2.1.1 Assembly Zone ........................................................................................ 2-3
2.1.2 Parts Zone ................................................................................................ 2-4
2.1.3 Tree Information ...................................................................................... 2-4
2.1.4 Visibility Management ............................................................................ 2-5
2.1.5 Toolbar’s Commands .............................................................................. 2-5
2.1.6 Contextual Menu ..................................................................................... 2-6
2.2 Manipulation Dialogue .......................................................................................... 2-9
2.3 Ribbon Description in the 3D Editor ................................................................... 2-11
2.3.1 “Home” Tab........................................................................................... 2-11
2.3.2 “Edition” Tab ......................................................................................... 2-16
2.3.3 “View” Tab ............................................................................................ 2-18
2.3.4 “3D” Tab ............................................................................................... 2-20
3 3D Document.................................................................................................................. 3-1
3.1 Interfaces in a 3D document .................................................................................. 3-1
3.2 3D Document Creation .......................................................................................... 3-2
3.3 3D Document’s Standard and Properties ............................................................... 3-2
3.3.1 3D Document’s Properties ....................................................................... 3-2
3.3.2 3D Document’s General Standards.......................................................... 3-4
3.4 Views ..................................................................................................................... 3-7
4 3D Parts Management ................................................................................................... 4-1
4.1 Methodology of Parts Creation .............................................................................. 4-1
4.1.1 Creation of a Sketch ................................................................................ 4-4
4.1.2 Solid’s Creation by Extrusion .................................................................. 4-7
4.1.3 Material Suppression (Difference) ......................................................... 4-11
4.1.4 Direction of the Extrusion or Suppression ............................................. 4-13
4.1.5 Snap Function ........................................................................................ 4-13
4.1.6 Adding a Plane....................................................................................... 4-19
4.2 Manipulation of CAD Objects ............................................................................. 4-21
4.2.1 “Coordinates and orientation” Command .............................................. 4-21
4.2.2 Selection Handles .................................................................................. 4-23

© Famic Technologies Inc. i

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide
4.3 Importation of Parts .............................................................................................4-25
5 Management of Assemblies ...........................................................................................5-1
5.1 Creation of Assemblies ..........................................................................................5-1
5.2 Manipulation of Parts in an Assembly ...................................................................5-3
5.2.1 Displacing Parts by Drag and Drop .........................................................5-3
5.2.2 Displacing Parts via the 3D Manipulator .................................................5-3
5.2.3 Displacing Parts via the “Coordinates and Orientation”
Command .................................................................................................5-5
5.2.4 Displacing Parts via Commands of “Layout” Group ...............................5-6
5.2.5 Displacing Parts via Positionning Tools (“Constraints” and
“Displacements”) .....................................................................................5-9
5.3 Animation ............................................................................................................5-24
5.3.1 Frame .....................................................................................................5-24
5.3.2 Joints ......................................................................................................5-25
5.3.3 Association with other Workshops ........................................................5-31
5.3.4 Mechanism .............................................................................................5-36
6 Diagnostic Tools .............................................................................................................6-1
6.1 Diagnostic for “Components Group without Frame” .............................................6-2
6.2 Diagnostic for “Joints without Variables Association” ..........................................6-3
6.3 Diagnostic for “Joints with Incompatible Variable Associations” .........................6-3
6.4 Diagnostic for Components without Variable Association ....................................6-4
6.5 Diagnostic for “Components with Incompatible Variables Associations” ............6-5
7 Practical Example for Parts’ Creation and Mechanism Animation .........................7-1
A Glossary ............................................................................................................................. 1
B Index .................................................................................................................................. 1

ii
1 Introduction
The 3D Editor brings the concept of virtual system to another level and is meant to be a
complement to other Automation Studio™ workshops and modules like hydraulics,
pneumatics, mechanisms manager, electrical and controls.

It gives an easier access to the analysis that you can do on the basis of your virtual
environment’s construction and simulation and enhances it. It allows you to create easily
3D parts in the editor but also to import files in 3D format (.STEP, .stl…) from other
applications.

By assembling these virtual parts via joints and synchronizing these 3D mechanisms with
power and control technologies of the other workshops, you will be able to go further in
elaborating projects with 3D animations for an efficient machine design.

Cinematic animation (rotation and translation) is a part of this workshop but any dynamic
analysis will be excluded (as an example, the concepts like mass, inertia and friction are
not taken into consideration).

In the present guide, only commands related to the 3D Workshop are developed.
However several commands of the ribbon are common to other Automation Studio ™
workshops like for example the “Add Project”, “Simulate” commands, etc. These
common commands are described in the Common Features Guide Section 2.1.4
(Document’s reference: DASBAENFTP60U)

The present guide has the following structure:

Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 User Interfaces Description: Description of the work environment, management

utilitarian, features and commands dedicated to the 3D workshop. This chapter is meant
to be used as a quick reference for features and commands.

Chapter 3 3D Document: Description of the main instance’s creation and management in

the workshop.

Chapter 4 3D Parts Management: Creation process of a 3D volume is presented with

explanations on sketches, work planes, operations (extrusion as an example) that are all

© Famic Technologies Inc. 1-1

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

necessary for the representation of a 3D part.

Chapter 5 Management of Assemblies : This section will allow you to create assemblies
on the basis of the notions introduced in the previous sections concerning the parts’
management and the mechanisms that can be animated.

Chapter 6 Diagnostic Tools: Each Automation Studio™ workshop has its own dedicated
“Diagnostic tool” to find out errors and validate information before simulating. In the
message explorer, information depending on the type of errors occurring is displayed to
help you find a solution.

Chapter 7 Practical Example for Parts’ Creation and Mechanism Animation: Through an
example illustrating the use of the 3D workshop, instructions are given to create the
parts and the assembly required to animate and simulate the 3D movement of a cylinder
from a pneumatic or hydraulic workshop.

Due to recent developments in the present workshop, images can possibly differ from
the final version provided to the user.

1-2
2 User Interfaces Description
This section introduces the different interfaces which are exclusive to the 3D Editor and
presents them in relation to the other Automation Studio ™ workshops and utilitarian. You
will find here the information which gives you access to the 3D editor’s different
functions, and allows you to efficiently navigate in this editor.

Here is an interface preview on opening a new 3D document. For more details, please
refer to section 3 : 3D Document.

Figure 2-1 Preview of the Interface

Category Description

1 3D Scene Work space (static)

2 Project Explorer Dynamic
3 3D Manager: Assembly Dynamic
Zone
4 3D Manager: Parts Zone Dynamic

© Famic Technologies inc. 2-1

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Category Description

5 Snap Configuration Dynamic

2.1 “3D Manager” Utilitarian

The 3D Manager is located in the ribbon’s “Home” tab. It allows you to manage the parts
and assemblies created in a 3D document, to access their composition and to visualize
the interaction structure between the objects.

The 3D objects are listed and organized in the 3D Manager’s structure. The “3D object”
term refers to (created or imported) parts, assemblies, planes, sketches, 3D operations,
instances, mechanical functions and construction’s marks like nodes or axis. The “3D
Manager” window is a floating window that can be fixed to the main Automation
Studio™ window. This window is hidden if the current document is not a 3D document.

Here is the path to access to the “3D Manager”:

“Home” Tab  “3D Manager“ Group ”3D Manager“ ;

2-2
 User Interfaces Description

Figure 2-2 3D Manager

The manager is composed of two zones:

• Assembly zone at the top;
• Parts zone at the bottom.

2.1.1 Assembly Zone

This zone is used to assemble parts, subassemblies, constraints and joints. In this zone,
objects can be associated to elements of Automation Studio ™ 2D diagrams.

It has the following structure:

• Assembly component;
• Joints.

© Famic Technologies inc. 2-3

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

2.1.2 Parts Zone

This zone contains the details of the 3D operations that build the part’s volume.

It has the following structure:

● Part/imported part
• Plane
• Non-used sketch
• 3D Operation (extrusion or suppression)
i) Used sketch
• Axis
• Node

2.1.3 Tree Information

The tree of the 3D Manager contains the following information:

Figure 2-3 : Tree of the 3D Manager

Icon Name Description
1 “Active ” Object is displayed in the editor.
Object
2 Editing Object is been currently editing.

3 Work Plane Current work plane

4 Multiple N/A The 3D object’s representation
varies according to the type.

2-4
 User Interfaces Description

Icon Name Description

5 Visibility Indicates if the object is visible
in the display zone.
Multiple Object Name Object name in the tree.

2.1.4 Visibility Management

This allows to display or not the object in the display zone. The section on the objects will
give you more information on the behavior of each part.

The children visibility can be controlled by groups by varying the parent’s visibility.

The parent has 3 visibility states:

Icons Visibility States

Non-visible: the object and its children are not visible.

Visible: the object and all its children are visible.

Undefined: the object and its children are partially visible.

 User can quickly show or hide the object and its children by checking or
unchecking the visibility.

 A partial visibility of the children changes the status to “undefined”.

2.1.5 Toolbar’s Commands

The 3D Manager has following commands:

Figure 2-4 : 3D Manager’s commands

Icon Name Description

© Famic Technologies inc. 2-5

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Icon Name Description

Part Add a new part in the 3D Diagram.

Imported Part Import files created with 3D design software into

the 3D editor. See section 4.3 Importation of
Parts.
Delete Delete an object.

Copy Copy an object.

Paste Paste an object.

2.1.6 Contextual Menu

Generally, Automation Studio™ offers commands through a contextual menu. Here are
the options for the 3D Manager’s instances: rename, copy, paste or delete By some
cases, the contextual menu allows their duplication; by some other cases, it gives access
to instances’ properties and their edition.

Parts

A right-click on the name of the selected part opens the part’s contextual menu.

Figure 2-5 Contextual Menu of a Part

2-6
 User Interfaces Description

A right-click in the name of the work plane opens its contextual menu.

Figure 2-6 Contextual Menu of a Work Plane

You can access the contextual menu of a sketch the same way.

Figure 2-7 Contextual Menu of a Sketch

The “Change Plane” option opens the dialog for the selection of a different work plane.

The volume generated by the 3D operation that contains the sketch will be projected
from the selected work plane.

© Famic Technologies inc. 2-7

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

The created 3D operations that are independent of the selected sketch will not be
changed at all.

Here is the contextual menu of a 3D operation:

Figure 2-8 Contextual Menu of a 3D Operation

The “Edit” option opens the dialogue of the selected operation.

Assemblies

Here is the contextual menu of a two parts’ assembly:

Figure 2-9 Contextual Menu of an Assembly

Here is the contextual menu of an assembly’s instance:

2-8
 User Interfaces Description

Figure 2-10 Contextual Menu of an Assembly’s Instance

2.2 Manipulation Dialogue

The commands that order a 3D operation (like adding a plan, adding a sketch, extrusion
and suppression) use manipulation dialogues in which the required information and the
different options can be defined. Furthermore, it contains instructions to guide the user
through the command’s execution.

© Famic Technologies inc. 2-9

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 2-11 : Manipulation Dialogue

The Figure 2-11 shows the fields in which the user can enter the required information for
the execution of a command. The available tools in the manipulation dialogue are
generally the followings:

● The icon allows the selection of the instances with the mouse;

● The buttons activate the available commands’ options or not;

● The button applies the opposite option of the one currently used, in order
to get a different combination;

● The icon gives a preview of the command’s result;

● The “Orders” zone guides the user through the command’s execution.

2-10
 User Interfaces Description

 Commands can be executed easily if you follow the orders in the manipulation
dialogue.

2.3 Ribbon Description in the 3D Editor

2.3.1 “Home” Tab

This tab contains the required commands for the creation of documents, 3D objects and
the drawing of profiles on a sketch.

Access to the 3D Manager

To access the 3D Manager, first you have to create a new document and insert a new 3D
diagram, which can be generally done by selecting it in “New Document”.

Figure 2-12 Insert a 3D Diagram

Once you have generated a new 3D Diagram in the project, you have access to the “3D
Manager” group located in the ribbon.

© Famic Technologies inc. 2-11

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 2-13 Access to the “3D Manager” Group

“3D Manager” Group

Figure 2-14 : “3D Manager” Group

Icon Command Description

3D Manager Show/hide the management utilitarian’s

window.

“Objects” Group

This commands’ group is used to create new parts or import parts into the 3D document.

Figure 2-15 : “Objects” Group

Icon Name Description
Part Add a new part in the 3D Diagram

2-12
 User Interfaces Description

Icon Name Description

Imported Part
Import in the 3D editor files that have been
created with some 3D design software. The
accepted files’ format are :
● Stereo lithography (*.stl);
● STEP (*.stp; *.step);
● IGES (*.igs; *.iges);
● Points (*.asc);
● WaveFront OBJ (*.obj).

“Joints” Group

This group of commands is used to create articulations between the different parts
contained in an assembly.

Figure 2-16 ”Joints” Group

Icon Name Description
Pivot To create a pivot-type articulation between two
parts (rotation).

Slider To create a slider-type articulation between two

parts (translation).

Clamping To create a clamping joint between two parts (no

movement).

© Famic Technologies inc. 2-13

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide
“Planes” Group

Two options are offered from the drop-down menu:

Figure 2-17 : “Planes” Group

Icon Name Description
Plane by points To add a work plane into the part currently
created by defining 3 points in the space.

Plane on a surface To add a work plane into the part currently

created by selecting an existing surface.

“Part” Group

This group of commands is used to create sketches and then some extrusions and
suppressions that will model the part’s final 3D volume.

Figure 2-18 : “Part” Group

Icon Name Description
Sketch To add a sketch and draw a profile.

Extrusion To create a volume from a profile.

Suppression To suppress material from a volume.

2-14
 User Interfaces Description
“Snap” Group

Figure 2-19 : “Snap” Group

Icon Command Description

Snap Open the dialogue for the objects’ “Snap Configuration” in

the editor.

“Drawing” Group

This commands’ group is used to draw forms on a sketch plane.

Figure 2-20 : “Drawing” Group

Icon Name Description
Pointer To select objects .

Line To draw a line on a sketch.

 To draw an orthogonal line, keep the CTRL key

pressed using the tool.
Rectangle To draw a rectangle in two clicks by defining its two
sides dimensions on a sketch.
Ellipse To draw an ellipse by defining its axis on a sketch.

© Famic Technologies inc. 2-15

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Icon Name Description

Circle To draw a circle by defining its center and radius on a
sketch.
Arc To draw an arc by defining the initial point, the final
point and a third point on the arc.
Elliptical Arc To draw an elliptical arc from an ellipse.
Polygon To draw a polygon by defining its vertexes on a sketch.

2.3.2 “Edition” Tab

This tab contains all the required commands for the parts’ manipulation and appearance
in the assembly and for the objects’ sizing on a sketch.

“Surface” Group

This group is activated in the assembly mode or when editing a part if this part is
selected.

Figure 2-21 : “Surface” Group

Icon Name Description
Part’s Color To modify the color at the surface of the 3D parts.

Part’s Texture To apply a texture to the selected part.

 If a texture is applied to a part, its color will change and take the color of the
material.

 There are 24 different textures and the “no texture” option which is the one by

2-16
 User Interfaces Description

default.

 To change the appearance from “texture” to “color”, you have to specify “No
texture”.

 Different colors or textures can be applied to the part depending on the current
mode (editing or assembly).

“3D Layout”

This group of commands is used to position some parts on the 3D scene.

Figure 2-22 : “3D Layout” Group

Icon Name Description
3D Manipulator Move an object in translation or rotation with the
mouse selecting one of the blue, green or red
axes. The command is only activated in assembly
mode when a part is selected.
Constraint Edge- Align 2 edges selecting the orientation and the
Edge distance between the instances.

Constraint Surface Superpose 2 surfaces selecting the distance

- Surface between the instances.

Constraint Point - Create a coincidence between 2 points.

Point

Displacement Edge Position quickly two instances in the space

- Edge aligning 2 edges.

Displacement Position quickly two instances in the space

Surface - Surface superposing 2 surfaces.

© Famic Technologies inc. 2-17

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Icon Name Description

Displacement Point Position quickly two instances in the space
- Point creating a point-shaped coincidence.

“Layout” Group

This group of command is used to manipulate and size the geometrical forms in the
sketch. For more information on the “Position”, “Alignment”, “Distribution” and “Sizing”
command’s functionalities, see Common Features’ Guide Section 2.1.4.2 “Edition” Tab.
The specificities of the “Coordinates and orientation” command will be detailed along the
present guide. See 4.2.1 “Coordinates and orientation” Command and 5.2.3 Displacing
Parts via the “Coordinates and Orientation” Command.

Figure 2-23: “Layout” Group

The “Coordinates and orientation” command opens a dynamic floating window in

which the 3D objects can be defined. The dialogue offers 2 functionalities depending on
the using context (2D sketch or 3D assembly).
1. Objects’ sizing and position in a sketch (see 4.2.1 “Coordinates and );
2. Instances’ position in an assembly (see 5.2.3 Displacing Parts via the “Coordinates
and Orientation” Command).

2.3.3 “View” Tab

The “View” tab is used to modify and visualize the project’s properties of the current
document or components. It is also used to modify the information displayed on the
diagram, the zooms and the windowing.

“Show” Group

This commands’ group is used to specify the display options.

2-18
 User Interfaces Description

Figure 2-24 : “Show” Group

Icon Command Description
View Block Display the 3D view block or not and choose the
display perspective.

Origin Display or not the reference point on the 3D

diagram.

“View” Group

This commands’ group is used to displace the user’s point of view in the 3D space.

Figure 2-25 : “View” Group

Icon Command Description
Camera’s Rotation Activate camera’s rotation around the center of
the drawing.

 Can be activated at any time by

maintaining the middle mouse button.
Predetermined Place the camera’s point of view orthogonally to
Views the 3D space. You can choose between the top,
bottom, left, right, front and back views.

Wireframe Display hidden edges of the 3D volumes.

© Famic Technologies inc. 2-19

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Icon Command Description

Rendered Display textures and hide the not visible edges of
the 3D volumes.
Perpendicular Place the camera’s point of view perpendicular to
selected planes on the 3D scene with the mouse.

2.3.4 “3D” Tab

“Diagnostic” Group

This group offers a tool to validate the use and the conformity of the mechanisms
created in the 3D workshop.

Figure 2-26 : “Diagnostic” Group

Icon Command Description

Diagnostic Give information on the validity of mechanisms created in

Tools the 3D editor.

 See section 6 Diagnostic Tools to get the list of the

available diagnostics.

2-20
3 3D Document
The present section will allow you to manage the documents which are exclusive to the
3D editor. Following the examples of technologic diagrams, these documents are
localized in the “Project Manager” and have common features with the other workshop’s
documents.

3.1 Interfaces in a 3D document

A 3D document contains all the information of the 3D Diagram: parts, joints, assemblies
and views.

The document’s views allow you to get different views of a 3D Diagram with the view
cube. They have the same functionalities than the views of the other workshops.

Each view of the 3D Diagram has its 3D scene (editor) which allows you to configure the
3D Manager, the camera and the snapping function for each view. The components’
visibility and the cameras’ position can be different for each view.

Figure 3-1 : 3D Scene

© Famic Technologies inc. 3-1

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

3.2 3D Document Creation

The first step is to open a “3D Diagram”. You can do it three different ways:

● Automation Studio™ Menu  “New Document“  “3D Diagram…“;

● “New“ Group “3D Diagram…“, in the Ribbon “Home“ Tab;

● “New“ command “3D Diagram…“ in the contextual menu which appears when
you right-click on the project in the project explorer.

The new 3D Diagram opens and is also inserted into the project explorer under the
current project.

Figure 3-2 : New 3D Document in the Project’s Tree

3.3 3D Document’s Standard and Properties

The 3D editor contains parameters that can be adjusted. Adjustments can be made on
the instances’ appearance, the zooming size etc. Those parameters are located in the
“Project Properties” dialogue and are all grouped under the “3D Standards” branch. They
are applied to the 3D Document through the document’s properties.

 Access and management of the 3D Document’s properties are the same than for a
standard document.

3.3.1 3D Document’s Properties

Access properties of a 3D Document:

3-2
 3D Document

● “View” Tab “Properties“  “Document Properties”;

Figure 3-3 Access to Project Properties via Ribbon

● Contextual menu from the project explorer (right-click on the 3D Document)

Figure 3-4 Access to Project’s Properties via Contextual Menu

The Famic Technologies 3D Standard is available by default.

© Famic Technologies inc. 3-3

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 3-5 3D Document Properties’ Dialogue

3.3.2 3D Document’s General Standards

“3D Standards” can be edited via the ribbon command sending to the “Project
Properties” “3D Standard”.

3-4
 3D Document

Figure 3-6 :3D Standards Properties

© Famic Technologies inc. 3-5

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

 To create your own 3D standard, it is recommended to copy/paste the default 3D

standard and then to customize the desired parameters. Then 3D standards can
then be transferred to the enterprise standard with the standard transfer tool.

 Several 3D standards can be managed in the project properties but you can apply
them to the 3D Document only one by one.

Category Description

Appearance Manage colors, planes and sketch objects of the 3D

scene.

Joints Modify color and show/hide joints on the 3D scene.

Planes Adjust the size of the planes used in the editor.

Sketch Specify the size of the grid division displayed on the 3D

scene.

Snap and Modify the instances’ color when editing.

Selection

Constraints Modify the parts’ color when executing a constraint.

Cinematic Modify the color of the kinematic line used during the
Displacement manual cinematic generated animation of a mechanism.

Coordinates Show/hide instances’ coordinates system and adjust its

System size.

3-6
 3D Document

Figure 3-7 : Categories developed in the “3D Standard” Properties

3.4 Views
The view cube allows you to get different views of a 3D Diagram. These views have the
same functionalities than the views in the other workshops.

Each view of the 3D Diagram has its 3D scene (editor) which allows you to configure the
3D Manager, the camera and the snapping function for each view. Note that the
components’ visibility and the cameras’ position can be different for each view.

To add a new view into the 3D document, you simply have to right-click on the 3D
document in the project explorer and this way, open the contextual menu.

© Famic Technologies inc. 3-7

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 3-8 : New View Creation

3-8
4 3D Parts Management
This section presents the functionalities to create, edit and import virtual parts in 3
dimensions. It will allow you to understand the elements that constitute 3D parts and the
methodology to create them directly in the editor or via the importation of other parts
from other applications.

You will then find detailed and structured information on how to create parts step by
step, from the creation of the sketch up to the use of the functions to transform profiles
into solids.

Some additional functions to help the realization of profiles and solids and the
manipulation of these objects in the 3D environment are also included.

4.1 Methodology of Parts Creation

A part is composed of 3D operations that constitute the general appearance of a 3D
representation.

The following figure illustrates the different objects that can be involved in the creation
of a part.

Figure 4-1 : Content of a Part

The combination of the 3D operations on the sketch generates a volume. The

© Famic Technologies inc. 4-1

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

combination is made through Boolean operations such as unions or suppressions. The

creation order of the operations has an effect on the final result.

Figure 4-2 : Creation Process of a Part’s Volume

A 3D operation is created with following steps:

1. Add a plane;
2. Add a sketch (2D) on this plane;
3. Draw CAD Objects;
4. Generate a first 3D operation by extrusion;
5. Start again at step 1 in order to enrich the part with other volumes.

4-2
 3D Parts Management

Figure 4-3 Creation Process of a 3D Part

A part has initially 3 basic orthogonal planes represented by the following icon . They
are named according to axes that make each plane: “XY”, “XZ”, and “YZ”. These planes
correspond to the coordinates system of the part’s 3D space. They cannot be deleted or
displaced. If needed, other planes can be inserted.

To create a part, a 3D diagram must be first open. A part can be created by the two
following different ways:

● “Objects” Group  “Part” , in the Ribbon “Home” Tab;

● “Add Part” Command in the 3D Manager.

The new part opens and is inserted into the 3D Manager. Only the active plane is visible.
A sketch is automatically inserted. Now you can start to draw a profile.

© Famic Technologies inc. 4-3

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 4-4 : Initial View of a Part

4.1.1 Creation of a Sketch

The creation of a sketch is made on the basis of a 2D sketch. A sketch is a profile or a set
of profiles (CAD objects included), that are drawn on the same plane in the 3D space of a
part.

To create a sketch, you first have to set your work plane in the 3D space. To do so, follow
these steps:
1. In the 3D Manager, under the tree-structure of the part, double-click on the desired
plane;
2. The selected plane will be highlighted, which will help you to know which is the
activated plane;

Figure 4-5 : Plane Selection

 Selecting the checkboxes of the different planes, you can display the desired
plane. By a double click on the plane’s name, you activate it and its name will be

4-4
 3D Parts Management

highlighted.

The 3 planes can also be selected simultaneously. The 3 will then be visible.

Figure 4-6 Selection of the 3 Planes

3. Click on the “Sketch ” button from the “Sketch” group in the “Home” Tab;

Figure 4-7 : “Sketch “Command

4. Confirm the plane to use to create the sketch;

© Famic Technologies inc. 4-5

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 4-8 : Sketch Creation’s Dialogue

The grid will appear for you to start drawing with CAD objects.

Figure 4-9 : Representation of a Sketch in Editing Mode

4-6
 3D Parts Management

 In the part’s tree-structure, you will see a little pencil which indicates the editing
mode. See following Figure.

 To activate the editing mode, double-click on “Sketch” (here: “Sketch_1”).

Figure 4-10 : “Non-consummated“ Sketch

To create a volume, the 3D operation uses a sketch. A sketch is called consummated

when it is already used by a 3D operation and therefore not available anymore. It is
called non-consummated when it is available for a 3D operation.

Sketch Properties

A right click on a sketch in the 3D Manager allows you to access the sketch properties
and configure the grid division size.

Figure 4-11 Sketch Configuration

4.1.2 Solid’s Creation by Extrusion

Definition and prerequisites

The extrusion is used to generate a volume out of a profile that has been first created in
a sketch.

The extrusion is the basic operation of the 3D functionalities. It allows you to add

© Famic Technologies inc. 4-7

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

material to a part. The Boolean operation corresponding to the extrusion is the union,
because when generating an extrusion on a sketch with several profiles (drawings),
several extrusions are combined with each other in order to finally form a volume.

The creation of a solid by extrusion requires a profile on a sketch. The profile fixes the
form and the possible orientations of the extrusion. In Automation Studio ™, open or
closed profiles can be used.

The open profile type, like for example a simple line (one edge only), cannot be
extruded. This profile is therefore not valid for a 3D operation except the open profile
with 3 edges or more. The extrusion of this type of profile gives as a result the
appearance of a metal sheet like the following figure.

Figure 4-12 Extrusion on an Open Profile

The extrusion of a closed profile gives as a result full solids like represented in Figure
4-3 Creation Process of a 3D Part.

Methodology

4-8
 3D Parts Management

 For the “Extrusion” command to be available, the sketch has to be activated in

editing mode (see Figure 4-10 : “Non-consummated“ Sketch). To do so, double-
click on “Sketch” and check if a pencil-like icon appears in front of it:
.

Then, a click on the “Extrusion” icon opens the extrusion’s manipulation dialogue
where the user can define the orientation and the length of the extrusion.

 The views cube allows you to get a 3D preview of your extrusion and/or to change
the perspective.

Figure 4-13 Views Cube

The extrusion’s orientation can be defined visually (manually) or numerically.

1. Visual definition: the user defines manually the orientation and adjusts the length
of the extrusion moving the arrow on the 3D scene. In that case, the manipulation
dialogue shows automatically the size of the extrusion;

© Famic Technologies inc. 4-9

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 4-14 : Extrusion by Arrow Displacement

2. Numerical definition : the user enters exactly the extrusion length by entering a
value in the manipulation dialogue’s field;

Figure 4-15 : Manipulation Dialogue of the Extrusion

4-10
 3D Parts Management

 In case of the visual definition, please choose a 3D view with the view cube.

In both cases, the operation will be terminated by a click on apply in the

manipulation dialogue or by pressing ENTER. See also the section 7 Practical Example for
Parts’ Creation and Mechanism Animation to get a more complete example.

4.1.3 Material Suppression (Difference)

Definition and prerequisites

The material suppression is the operation used to drill holes, create cavities, chamfers,
rounding or any other manipulation whose aim is a material suppression according to a
profile. In its methodology, this operation is very similar to the extrusion.

The Boolean operation used to suppress material is the difference. Suppressing material
to an existing volume, you get the existing volume minus the one that you wish to
suppress.

To proceed to a material suppression, the profile must be valid (closed). The profile
defines the form and the possible orientations of the material suppression.

Methodology

 To get access to the “Suppress” command, the sketch has to be activated in the
editing mode (like in Figure 4-10 : “Non-consummated“ Sketch). To do so, double-
click on “Sketch” and check if an pencil-like icon appear in front of it:
.

Then a click on the icon opens the suppression manipulation dialogue where the
user can define the orientation and the length of the extrusion.

 The views cube allows you to get a 3D preview of your extrusion and/or to change
the perspective. (See Figure 4-13 Views Cube)

The extrusion’s orientation and length can be defined visually (manually) or numerically.
1. Visual definition: the user defines manually the orientation and adjusts the length
of the suppression by moving the arrow on the 3D scene. In that case, the
manipulation dialogue shows automatically the size of the suppression. The current

© Famic Technologies inc. 4-11

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

volume will be visible on the 3D Scene;

Figure 4-16 : Suppression by Arrow Displacement

2. Numerical definition : the user enters exactly the exclusion length by entering a
value in the manipulation dialogue’s field;

Figure 4-17 : Manipulation Dialogue for the Suppression

 In case of the visual definition, please choose a 3D view with the view cube.

In both cases, the operation will be terminated by a click on apply in the

manipulation dialogue or pressing ENTER.

4-12
 3D Parts Management

See also the section 7 Practical Example for Parts’ Creation and Mechanism Animation

to get a more complete example.

4.1.4 Direction of the Extrusion or Suppression

The orientation is defined by the sketch’s normal. 3 different results are possible:
● Normal’s orientation: click on the arrow and hold down while you define the
orientation moving the figure along the arrow direction with the mouse or enter a
positive value in the “Length” field of the manipulation dialogue;
● Normal’s opposite orientation: click on the arrow and hold down while you define
the orientation moving the figure opposite to the arrow direction with the mouse or
enter a negative value in the “Length” field of the manipulation dialogue;

● Both orientations at the same time: select in the manipulation

dialogue.

4.1.5 Snap Function

The snap function is a functionality which allows the use of existing objects or grid’s
objects in order to improve the points’ position and selection.

Snap Configuration Dialogue

The snap function is activated from the Ribbon’s “Home” tab.

Figure 4-18 “Snap” Group in the “Home” Tab

When the “Snap” function is activated in the ribbon, it is highlighted like the above figure
and the “Snap Configuration” dialogue box is automatically displayed.

The “Snap Configuration” dialogue is a docking window which is hidden in simulation

mode.

© Famic Technologies inc. 4-13

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 4-19: “Snap Configuration” Window

 The effect is immediate when selecting or unselecting a checkbox.

The controls’ behavior is presented in the 2D and 3D snap sections. Some controls have
an effect only in 2D mode, some other only in 3D mode.

2D Snap Function

The snap function is used to select and position points. It is available at any time during
objects’ manipulation. In the snap configuration’s dialogue, you find following
functionalities:

Name Function

Snap Activate or not the snap functions when editing the

sketch.

Add a work plane in the currently created part defining 3

points in the space.

4-14
 3D Parts Management

Main Axes Snap on the axes X, Y, Z.

© Famic Technologies inc. 4-15

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Snap on the grid Snap on the sketch grid. Different values are available to
refine the snap:

They are used to define the fraction on which the snap

should be done.

The square’s size is by default 10 mm. If you select for

example 1/8, the snap will be done at 1/8 of the
square. This value is editable in the 3D standard. See
Figure 3-7 : Categories developed in the “3D.

The separation between the grid’s points is defined in

the 3D standard.

4-16
 3D Parts Management

Edges Snap (or select) on edges.

Vertices Snap on vertices.

© Famic Technologies inc. 4-17

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Middle of edges Snap on the middle of a right edge.

Centers Snap on the center of a circle, arc or ellipse.

4-18
 3D Parts Management

Projection Snap by using a line extension.

Intersections Snap on the intersections.

Tangent Snap on the tangents.

4.1.6 Adding a Plane

A click on the icon gives you access to the “Add Plane” command which is located
in the “Home” tab of the ribbon. By a left-click on this icon, a scroll-down menu opens
and offers you 2 different options for the creation of a new plane:
• Create a new plane from 3 points;
• Create a new plane from a surface.

Figure 4-20 : Adding a Work Plane

© Famic Technologies inc. 4-19

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide
Plane Creation from 3 points

When activating the command , the following manipulation dialogue opens.

Figure 4-21 : Dialogue for the Points’ Selection

Coordinates can be entered numerically in the corresponding fields or manually directly

in the diagram when clicking on the icon and inserting the points with the mouse.

Plane Creation from a Reference Surface

 You must have had created at least an extrusion to be able to use this option.

When activating the command , the manipulation dialogue opens. The icon is
used to activate or deactivate the surfaces’ selection.

4-20
 3D Parts Management

Figure 4-22 : Dialogue for the Selection of a Reference Surface

Plane Properties

A right click on a plane in the 3D Manager allows you to select and to access to the
properties’ window where height and width can be configured.

Figure 4-23Plane Configuration

4.2 Manipulation of CAD Objects

CAD objects which have been presented in the “Drawing” Group can be manipulated in
sketch editing mode. There are two ways of manipulating them: with the “Coordinates
and Orientations” command in the “Edition” tab and selecting the handles.

4.2.1 “Coordinates and orientation” Command

To access the CAD objects manipulation, first you have to go to the “Layout” group in the
“Edit” tab.

© Famic Technologies inc. 4-21

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 4-24 "Coordinates and orientation" in the “Layout” Group

After having selected an instance or a group of instances, open the “Coordinates and

orientation” dialogue by a click on the icon .

Figure 4-25 : ”Coordinates and Orientation” Dialogue in a Sketch

In this dialogue, you can enter the required information to create a translation or a
rotation. When modifying the properties of the dialog’s field, you directly modify the CAD
objects.

The coordinates and orientation dialogue allows you to create a fine position of objects.
Thanks this method, you are able to cancel an operation and come back to the previous
state. The “Coordinates and orientation” dialogue is available for a single or multiple
selection.

4-22
 3D Parts Management

 The “Coordinates and Orientation” command allows a fine sizing of CAD objects
like radius, diameters, length, width, height and angles.

 Position by snap is not available via the “Coordinates and orientation” command.

Figure 4-26 : Available Unities in the “Coordinates and Orientation” Dialogue

4.2.2 Selection Handles

You can also directly click on the CAD object. Each type of CAD has configuration controls.
These controls are displayed according to the selection type.

Depending on the CAD object type, the selection handles allow you to modify the
profiles:

CAD Type Selection Modifications

● Central position
Rectangle
● Width and height (preserve
center)
● Angle (preserve center)

© Famic Technologies inc. 4-23

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

● Central position
Ellipse
● Width and height (preserve
center)
● Angle (preserve center)

● Central position
Circle
● Radius (preserve center)

● Central position
Polygon
● Width and height (preserve
center)

4-24
 3D Parts Management

● Central position
Arc
● Radius (preserve center and
degree of opening/ modify
the extremities)
● Start and end angle
(preserve center and
radius/ modify degree of
opening and extremities)
● The two extremities
(preserve degree of
opening and opposite
extremity/ modify center
and radius)

● Position of the first point

Line
● Length (first point is fixed)
● Angle (first point is fixed)

4.3 Importation of Parts

Automation Studio™ allows 3D parts’ importation from files that have been created in
other design specialized applications. Once imported, the parts will be mechanically
connected to other Automation Studio ™ variables and associated to them.

List of supported files:

• Stereo lithography (*.stl);
• STEP (*.stp; *.step);
• IGES (*.igs; *.iges);

© Famic Technologies inc. 4-25

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

• Points (*.asc);
• WaveFront OBJ (*.obj).

Figure 4-27 : Type of supported Files

 A 3D diagram cannot import the same part more than once.

To import a part, a 3D diagram has to be open first. You can import a part by one of the
two following ways:

● “Objects“ group “imported part“ , in the “Home“ tab of the ribbon;

● “Import Part“ command in the 3D Manager.

On opening the dialogue box, you will be able to select the file to be imported. When
double-clicking on the selected file, the imported part will open in the 3D diagram and
will be inserted in the 3D Manager’s tree-structure.

4-26
5 Management of Assemblies
Assemblies are managed in the 3D Manager. The “Assembly” environment is located at
the top of the manager, above the “parts” environment.

Once the parts are created or inserted into the 3D Manager, you can connect them with
each other and this way, generate and animate virtual mechanisms that represent very
realistic machines, not to say identical to the real ones they represent.

This section will allow you to create assemblies on the basis of the notions introduced in
the previous sections concerning the parts’ management and the mechanisms that can
be animated. These assemblies are generated with kinematic constraints, which mean
they keep relative positions according to the chosen joints’ type. They can be animated
synchronously to other Automation Studio™ workshops.

5.1 Creation of Assemblies

Assemblies allow you to position instances and joints. When combining 2 objects, you
create a mechanism.

An instance is a part that is used in an assembly. As soon as a part is used for an

assembly, it is called “instance”. If a part is modified, it has an effect on all the
associated instances.

© Famic Technologies inc. 5-1

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 5-1 : Creation Process of an Assembly

Assemblies can be created once the parts are all finished. To create an assembly, select
the parts and simply drag and drop them into the assembly icon.

Figure 5-2 : Insertion of a Part into an Assembly

The parts will be added on the 3D diagram with the same layout and orientation they

5-2
 Management of Assemblies

had at their creation. The parts’ origin will be coincident with the assembly’s origin.

 If the parts were extruded from the same plane (XY), they will all coincide on the
assembly’s XY reference plane.

5.2 Manipulation of Parts in an Assembly

Most of the time, parts must be manipulated, or positioned in order to be able then to
apply mechanical links.

Parts can be manipulated in the 3D scene by 4 different ways:

1. By drag and drop with the mouse, parts can be displaced and translated (no
rotation) in the assembly;
2. In the “3D Manipulator” in which rotations or translations can be made;
3. With the “Coordinates and Orientation … “ command, parts can be resized;
4. With the positioning constraints.

5.2.1 Displacing Parts by Drag and Drop

You can select parts with the mouse and drag and drop them into the 3D scene. Parts will
be displaced on a perpendicular plane from a user’s point of view. Rotation is not
possible in this mode.

This method is the simplest and the quickest one. It creates a translation without a
precision to be necessary. Each translation can be canceled or restored with the classical
Cancel/Restore commands that allow you to cancel a displacement. Displacement is
available for simple or multiple selections.

5.2.2 Displacing Parts via the 3D Manipulator

The 3D Manipulator allows the translation and rotation of the parts on the 3D scene.

 Part(s) has (have) to be selected for the 3D Manipulator to be activated.

Access to the 3D Manager:

● Via the “3D Manipulator” command in the “Layout” group in the “Edit” Tab of the
ribbon;

© Famic Technologies inc. 5-3

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 5-3 : 3D Manager Activation

● Via the contextual menu, when clicking on “Move Selected Parts”.

Figure 5-4 : Contextual Menu

To generate rotations and translations do following steps:

1. Click on the part to specify where the system’s temporary reference point should
be;

2. The manipulator appears in front of the part;

3. When selecting the rotation’s direction (arrows) or orientation (arcs between the
arrows) with the mouse and, upon dragging, a linear or angular movement will be
applied to the parts;

5-4
 Management of Assemblies

Figure 5-5 : Rotation with the 3D Manipulator

4. After the manipulation, you simply have to right-click or click on “Escape” to
confirm the operation.

5.2.3 Displacing Parts via the “Coordinates and Orientation”

Command

This command is located in the “Layout” group in the “Edit” tab of the ribbon.

Figure 5-6 “Coordinates and orientation” Command

Figure 5-7 : Coordinates and Orientation Dialogue in an Assembly

© Famic Technologies inc. 5-5

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

The coordinates and orientation dialogue allows you to generate a more refined position
of the objects. With this method, you can cancel and restore each translation with the
classical control command Cancel/ Restore and this way, cancel a displacement.

Once you have selected an instance, you have to click on the “Coordinates and
Orientation” icon in order to open the dialogue in which the information for the
generation of a translation or a rotation will be entered. If you modify a control of the
dialogue, you generate a displacement’s command.

5.2.4 Displacing Parts via Commands of “Layout” Group

Figure 5-8 : “Layout” Group in the “Edit” Tab

Symbole Nom Description
Position Manual or automatic Update.
Position the objects selected on the diagram by
rotation.
Alignment Position the objects on the diagram by modifying
their alignment.
Distribution Position the objects on the diagram by modifying
the distance between their central axes.
Sizing Resize the objects selected on the diagram
according to the size of the first object selected.

Coordinates and Edit and position the objects on the diagram.

Orientation For more details please see 5.2.3 Displacing Parts
via the “Coordinates and Orientation” Command.
Displacement Displace the objects selected on the diagram by
defining offsets according to their axes.
For more details, see below.
Rotation Rotate the objects selected on the diagram by
using the handle as a rotation center.

5-6
 Management of Assemblies

Symbole Nom Description

For more details, please see below.

“Displacement“

The command is used to position the objects selected on the 2D sketch by defining
offsets according to their axes.

Figure 5-9: “Displacement” Dialogue Window

The user can create an offset and visualize the result on the sketch before validating
modifications.

© Famic Technologies inc. 5-7

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 5-10:Visualizing Offset before Validating

“Rotation”

The command is used to rotate an object on a 2D sketch.

• By modifying its angle in the dialogue window:

Figure 5-11:”Rotation” Dialogue Window

• By using a handle as rotation center:

5-8
 Management of Assemblies

Figure 5-12: Rotating the object on the 2D Sketch

New positions can be visualized on the sketch before validating.

5.2.5 Displacing Parts via Positionning Tools (“Constraints” and

“Displacements”)

Positioning tools are used to displace and adjust the instances in the 3D scene of an
assembly in a certain perspective. Constraints are simultaneously applied and can be
broken by another displacement’s manipulation.

With the positioning tools, the user can set the instances before the creation of the
mechanical joints, which are necessary for the Kinematic analysis.

There are two ways to access the command for the creation of positioning tools:
● Via the “3D Layout” group in the “Editing” tab of the ribbon;

Figure 5-13 Access to the constraints via the”3D Layout"

© Famic Technologies inc. 5-9

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

● Via the contextual menu of an assembly in the 3D scene.

Figure 5-14 Access to the Constraints via the Contextual Menu

There are 6 positioning tools. 3 are called “Constraints” and 3 “Displacements”. The
“constraint” type allows to configure positioning before applying it while the
“Displacement” type are more dynamic and are made visually with the mouse. The
positioning constraints have following contextual menu:
• Apply;
• Cancel;
• Inversion (except for the “Point – Point Constraint”).

 A constraint contains always two steps: first a rotation, then a displacement.

5.2.5.1 Edge - Edge Constraint

This constraint is used to align 2 edges. Once both edges are selected, they can be
positioned in parallel or perpendicular. Once the orientation is then defined in the
dialogue, you can proceed to the positioning. The positioning will be coincident, with or
without distance between the edges.

5-10
 Management of Assemblies

 The axis of a disk, a cylinder or a round can also be considered as an edge.

Orientation

Parallel

The 2 edges are made parallel to each other when displacing the source toward the
target. When selecting the source, the position of the selection click will define the
rotation point from which the edges are made parallel to each other.

Figure 5-15 : Parallel Orientation

Perpendicular

The 2 edges are made perpendicular to each other when displacing the source toward
the target. When selecting the source, the position of the selection click will define the
rotation point from which the edges are made in perpendicular.

© Famic Technologies inc. 5-11

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

 The point of click on the source edge becomes the rotation point.

Figure 5-16: Perpendicular Orientation

Positioning

Coincidence

The 2 edges are superposed. The distance between both edges is O.

Distance

First, the 2 edges are made parallel to each other with a rotation. The direction of the
distance between them corresponds to the displacement axis which allows the
collinearity of the edges. The distance is calculated according to the collinear position
depending on the orientation of the displacement axis.

Inversion

The displaced source part can be inverted to obtain a different combination.

Methodology

1. When activating the command , the manipulation dialogue appears :

5-12
 Management of Assemblies

Figure 5-17 : Manipulation Dialogue for the “Edge- Edge Constraint “

2. The first selected edge is the source edge that will be displaced;
3. The second selection is the target;

4. A click on the icon in the manipulation dialogue gives a constraint preview

once the 2 edges are selected. The preview can change after each modification.

Example of a parallel type constraint:

© Famic Technologies inc. 5-13

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

 A constraint contains always two steps: first a rotation, then a displacement.

Figure 5-18 : Initial Step: Edges Selection

The star shows the mouse click for the selection.

Figure 5-19 : Distance between the Edges after the Rotation

The two parts are parallel but still distant from each other.

Figure 5-20 : Distance 0 between the Edges

The distance between the edges is 0. You get the same result than an edges’
displacement. You could have also entered another value.

5.2.5.2 Surface – Surface Constraint

This constraint generates the superposition of 2 surfaces. There are two ways of creating
the constraint: in parallel or perpendicular. Once the orientation is defined in the

5-14
 Management of Assemblies

dialogue, you can proceed to the positioning. Positioning can be either coincident or
without distance (offset) between the surfaces.

Positioning

Coincidence

The 2 surfaces are superposed. The distance between the 2 is 0.

Distance

The 2 surfaces are made parallel to each other by displacing the source toward the target
one. The position of the click defines the rotation point from which the surfaces will be
made parallel. By selecting the target surface, the position of the click will define the
rotation point from which the distance between the 2 selection points can be calculated.

Inversion

The source part to displace can be inverted in order to get a different combination.

Methodology

1. By activating the command , the manipulation dialogue appears:

© Famic Technologies inc. 5-15

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 5-21 : Manipulation Dialogue for the “Surface - Surface Constraint“

2. The first selected surface will be the source surface that will be displaced;
3. The second selection is the target;

4. A click on the icon in the manipulation dialogue gives a preview of the

constraint once the two edges are selected. The preview can change after each
modification.

The star corresponds to the mouse’s click for the selection. The rotation is done around
the rotation point in order to obtain a parallelism.

Figure 5-22 : Surfaces’ Selection

5-16
 Management of Assemblies

Figure 5-23 : Distance between the Surfaces after the Rotation

The surfaces are now parallel but still distant from each other.

Figure 5-24 : Distance 0 between the surfaces

The distance between the edges is 0, which gives the same result than a surface
coincidence. The user could have defined also another distance.

5.2.5.3 Point – Point Constraint

The “Point – Point Constraint” is used to quickly position 2 instances in the space. Two
instances are selected via 2 selection points. The 2 points are then superposed. The parts
have been displaced but not rotated.

Positioning

Coincidence

The 2 points are superposed. The distance between the 2 is 0.

Distance

This allows to define the final separation between the 2 points selected.

© Famic Technologies inc. 5-17

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Methodology

1. By activating the command the manipulation dialogue appears:

Figure 5-25 : Manipulation Dialogue for the “Point - Point Constraint“

2. The first selected instance is the source instance that will be displaced;
3. The second selected instance is the target one;

5-18
 Management of Assemblies

Figure 5-26 : Points’ Selection

4. The coincidence is made via 2 points that are defined by the user but these 2
points must belong to different instances. They are superposed without the
instance to be rotated.

Figure 5-27 : Preview after Manipulation

5.2.5.4 Edge – Edge Displacement

The edge – edge displacement is a manipulation that is more dynamic than the edge –
edge constraint. The edges will always be coincident. When executing the command, the
user moves the instances with the mouse in order to select the edges.

Then, if he wishes an additional positioning, he can use selection handles to snap the
instances along the axis created on the edges superposition.

© Famic Technologies inc. 5-19

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Methodology

1. When activating the command , the manipulation dialogue appears :

Figure 5-28 : Manipulation Dialogue “Edge – Edge Displacement“

2. The first selected instance is the source instance that will be displaced. The rotation
is made around the selected point;

Figure 5-29 : Selection of the first Edge

3. The second selected instance is the target one;

Figure 5-30 : Selection of the second Edge

4. The contextual menu offers the “Invert” option that is used to change the

5-20
 Management of Assemblies

orientation of the source part during the manipulation;

5. Once the two edges are selected, you get a preview of the constraint. Then, the
user has to give the position of the source part with regard to the target one by a
click on the 3D scene;

Figure 5-31 : Positioning

6. Positioning of the part with regard to the target. The third click applies the
positioning constraint.

 The selection handles can be used to snap vertices or midpoints.

5.2.5.5 Surface – Surface Displacement

The Surface – Surface displacement is a manipulation that is more dynamic than a Surface
– Surface constraint. The surfaces will always be coincident. When executing the
command, the user moves the instances with the mouse and selects the surfaces.

Methodology

1. When activating the command the manipulation dialogue appears:

© Famic Technologies inc. 5-21

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 5-32 : Manipulation Dialogue “Surface - Surface Displacement“

2. The first selected instance is the source instance that will be displaced. The rotation
is done around the selected point;

Figure 5-33 : Selection of the first Surface

3. The second selection is the target one. When selecting the second surface, you
apply the positioning;

Figure 5-34 : Selection of the second Surface

4. The contextual menu offers the “Invert” option that is used to change the
orientation of the source part during the manipulation. The 2 surfaces can be

5-22
 Management of Assemblies

superposed or not, depending on the “Invert ” option’s state in the contextual

menu;
5. The displacement is made via 2 surfaces defined by the user but the 2 surfaces
must belong to different instances.

5.2.5.6 Point – Point Displacement

The Point – Point displacement is a manipulation more dynamic than the Point – Point
constraint. The user moves the instances selecting the points.

The points available during the operation are the instances’ selection handles:
● Midpoints and linear edges’ vertices;
● All the points on the curved edges.

Methodology

1. When activating the command , the manipulation dialogue appears :

Figure 5-35 : Manipulation Dialogue “Point – Point Displacement“

2. The first selected instance is the source instance that will be displaced;

© Famic Technologies inc. 5-23

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 5-36 : Selection of the first Point

3. The second selection is the target. The selection of the second point applies the
positioning constraint;

Figure 5-37 : Selection of the second Point

4. The displacement is made via the 2 points defined by user.

5.3 Animation
The 3D editor allows the animation of 3D objects in the assemblies. This section shows
how to apply movements and rotations with Automation Studio™ variables.

5.3.1 Frame

Under an assembly, the instances have a Boolean property called “fixed” that defines the
object like a frame (the object is fixed in simulation mode and during the adjusting
operations). The fixed objects are not affected by translation or rotation operations in
editing and simulation mode.

To activate the “Fix” property, follow these steps:

5-24
 Management of Assemblies

1. Right-click on the instance in the “Assembly” environment of the 3D Manager;

2. Select the “Fix” property.

Figure 5-38 : Fixed Instance in an Assembly

“Fixed“ instances or components have a padlock in the 3D Manager’s tree-structure. It

means that they cannot be displaced or rotated.

5.3.2 Joints

A joint is used to join 2 instances. Joints are only available in an assembly context. In the
3D editor, there are three types of joints: pivot, slider and clamping.

The joints impose kinematic constraints on the connected instances: each

transformation (translation/rotation) impacting a connected instance will be transmitted
to its joints and then, to the other instances.

Translation and rotation functions have an effect called “en bloc”: if a A instance is
displaced and this instance shares a joint with another B instance, the displacement will
also impact the other instance. This means that all the objects concerned by the
displacement are directly or indirectly connected with one of the selected object.

While creating a joint, instances cannot be displaced. Instances must therefore already
have the desired position on the 3D scene before a joint to be created. For example, if it
is necessary to modify the position of an instance after creating a mechanical link, you
will be able to do so only for the slider (translation between instances) and the pivot

© Famic Technologies inc. 5-25

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

(angle between instances).

The command to create mechanical links is available in:

● The “Joints” group in the “Home” tab of the ribbon;
● The contextual menu of an assembly in the 3D scene.

 When clicking on a joint in the 3D manager, the connected instances are

highlighted on the 3D scene for an easy identification. The “source” instance will
be highlighted in blue and the “target” instance in green.

Figure 5-39 : Identification of Instances composing a Joint

5.3.2.1 Pivot

A pivot joint is defined by an axis (orientation) and 2 instances.

A rotation of one of the instances around this axis can be transmitted to the other
instance connected or not. This means that two connected instances can pivot
independently from each other around the pivot axis. Any other displacement is
transmitted from an instance to another one.

The instances connected by a non-constrained pivot are free to pivot around the pivot
axis.

The relative positions of the instances at the moment when they are linked by a pivot,
define the basic angle whose value is 0°.

5-26
 Management of Assemblies

Figure 5-40 : Pivot’s Representation

Methodology

To create a pivot:

1. When activating the command the manipulation dialogue appears:

© Famic Technologies inc. 5-27

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 5-41 : Manipulation Dialogue of a Pivot

2. Select the first part;
3. Select the second part;
4. Select the rotation axis;

5. Click on Apply .

5.3.2.2 Slider

A slider joint is defined by an axis (movement direction) and two instances. The
two linked instances are free to move independently from each other along the slider
axis. Any other displacement is transmitted from an instance to another one.

The relative positions of the instances at the moment when they are linked by a slider,
define the basic distance whose value is zero.

5-28
 Management of Assemblies

Figure 5-42 : Slider Representation

Methodology

To create a slider:

1. When activating the command the manipulation dialogue appears:

Figure 5-43 : Manipulation Dialogue of a Slider

2. Select the first part;
3. Select the second part;

© Famic Technologies inc. 5-29

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

4. Select the movement direction (axis);

5. Click on Apply .

5.3.2.3 Clamping

A clamping is generated when selecting two instances.

Any transformation (translation/rotation) which affects one of the linked instances is

transmitted from the joint to the other instance. It means that two instances linked by a
clamping stick together.

Figure 5-44 : Clamping Representation

Methodology

To create a clamping:

1. When activating the command , the manipulation dialogue appears:

5-30
 Management of Assemblies

Figure 5-45 : Manipulation Dialogue of a Clamping

2. Select the first part;
3. Select the second part;

4. Click on Apply .

5.3.3 Association with other Workshops

3D objects within an assembly can be associated to variables from other documents

different types: Standard, ELectrotechnical, SFC, Mechanisms Manager types or other
workshops from Automation Studio™.

The variables’ associations will give values to the positioning variables on the 3D scene,
which means that displacements and rotations will directly depend on circuits created in
Automation Studio™. The result of the animation will give a more realistic idea of the
design machine.

There are two methods to associate 3D objects’ movements to Automation Studio™

variables:
1. By the direct association of the Automation Studio™ variables with the
component’s variables (degrees of freedom). Each part has 6 degrees of freedom;
2. By the association of joints’ variables like the angle for pivots and the
displacement for sliders.

© Famic Technologies inc. 5-31

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

 Only one animation method can be defined for an instance.

In case the instance uses two animation modes, the kinematic mode will be preferred.
When launching the simulation, a diagnostic informs the user on a conflict. The same
diagnostic is available in edition in order to identify these conflicts. Please refer to the
Section 6.5 “Diagnostic for “Components with Incompatible Variables Associations”.

5.3.3.1 Animation via Component’s Variables

The animation via component’s variable generates a movement or a rotation from the
selected part’s origin like in 2D edition. The user must control the animation and calculate
instances’ position.

Component’s variables control the position according to the part’s axes (X, Y and Z) and
the rotation around these axes. The initial position is defined by the position and the
orientation of the part or instance when starting the simulation.

This animation mode can control an instance that is not used by a joint and therefore
does not use the kinematic animation type.

Variables Assignment
1. Once the part is pasted into the assembly, open its properties with a right-click on
its name in the 3D Manager;
2. Go in the “Variables Assignment” branch;

5-32
 Management of Assemblies

Figure 5-46 : Dialogue for Component’s Variables Assignment

3. Select the compatible simulation variables and component’s variables;

4. Generate the variables assignment .

Part Properties in an Assembly

Part properties of an assembly can be configured in the same window under the “Data”
branch.

© Famic Technologies inc. 5-33

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 5-47 Part Properties in an Assembly

The simulation referential (Part’s referential) can be local or global (Diagram’s

referential).

Figure 5-48 Selection of the Simulation Referential

Six simulation variables are available.

Figure 5-49 Simulation Variables Selection

The component can be configured as fixed or not also in the “Component Properties”.

Figure 5-50 Fixed Component

5-34
 Management of Assemblies

It is also possible to display or hide the local referential.

5.3.3.2 Kinematic Animation

The kinematic animation offers the user a support for the positioning and orientation
calculations via instructions.

This mode requires mechanisms created with joints. These same joints must be
controlled by variables. The kinematic simulator can then use joints to animate the
mechanism.

The kinematic simulator is also used in the editing mode in order to displace the
instances in the 3D scene and meet the constraints imposed by the added joints. The
user can then manually animate the mechanism with the mouse and get a preview as a
result.

Methodology
1. Right-click on the joints in the 3D Manager to open the “Component Properties ”
dialogue;

Figure 5-51 : Contextual Menu of a Joint

2. Go to the “Variables Assignment” branch;
3. Select the compatible simulation variables and component’s variables;

4. Generate the “Variables Assignment” .

© Famic Technologies inc. 5-35

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 5-52 : Dialogue for Variables Assignment of Mechanical Joints

5.3.4 Mechanism

A mechanism is a group of several instances linked to each other by joints. Each

mechanism consists of at least one frame. An assembly can, for example, be composed
of several mechanisms.

Mechanisms must respect some configurations that take into consideration the limits of
the kinematic simulator. When creating the mechanism, an analysis validates the
mechanism configuration or not. If the mechanism cannot be validated, following error
message will appear:

5-36
 Management of Assemblies

Figure 5-53 : Non-supported Mechanismus

 Loop mechanisms of components such as “Slider-Crank” and “articulated

quadrilateral” require only one variable assignment in one of the joint for you to
get a kinematic animation of the mechanism.

As an example, if we consider the mechanism illustrated in Figure 5-56 : Example of a

Slider Aligned Between two Pivots“, a mechanism is probably created in the Automation
Studio™ mechanisms manager and gives the angular position of each pivot and the
extension of the slider. The kinematic animation requires only one variable assignment in
one of the 4 joints. Otherwise, an error message will appear in the messages explorer to
inform about an invalid use.

5.3.4.1 Serial Configuration

This configuration forms a string of instances and joints with only one instance on the
frame. For this configuration, there is no restriction.

© Famic Technologies inc. 5-37

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 5-54 : Serial Configuration

5.3.4.2 “Slider-Crank“ System

This model is made up of 1 slider and 3 pivots.

Figure 5-55 : “Slider-Crank” System

For the 4 joints, following conditions must be met:

1. The axe of the 3 pivots must be made parallel;
2. The slider axis is located on the orthogonal plane (perpendicular to the pivots’
axis);
3. The slider axis is made parallel to a side of the triangle that links the 3 pivots.

5-38
 Figure 5-56 : Example of a Slider Aligned Between two Pivots

5.3.4.3 “Articulated Quadrilateral“ System

This model consists of 4 pivots:

Figure 5-57 : “Articulated Quadrilateral” System

To create this type of loop, the axes of the 4 pivots must be made parallel and the
quadrangle must be convex.

© Famic Technologies inc. 5-39

6 Diagnostic Tools
The 3D workshop offers diverse diagnostic tools to facilitate the use of mechanisms
created within it and to ensure their conformity. These tools are also used when starting
simulation to validate the information used by the simulator.

You find diagnostics via the “Diagnostic Tools” in the “Diagnostic” group of the “3D”
Tab in the ribbon.

The process to manage diagnostics is pretty much the same than in the other Automation
Studio™ editors.

First, the 3D diagrams to diagnostic can be selected in a dialogue.

Figure 6-1 – Select Diagrams for Diagnostics

Then, the diagnostics to execute can be chosen in a second dialogue.

© Famic Technologies inc. 6-1

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 6-2 Diagnostics

Diagnostics are made on the requested diagrams and results are displayed in the
message explorer.

Figure 6-3 Diagnostics’ Results

6.1 Diagnostic for “Components Group without Frame”

Name Function

Description There is no 3D component in the mechanism.

Diagnostic Result Display all mechanisms without frame.

6-2
 Diagnostic Tools

Name Function

In editing mode The components of this mechanism will be displaced by groups.

In simulating mode The components of this mechanism will not change. The
mechanism is not simulated.

Suggested Fix one of the 3D components.

correction

6.2 Diagnostic for “Joints without Variables Association”

Name Function

Description A variable assignment is missing for at least one of the

mechanism’s 3D joints.

Diagnostic Result Display all the mechanisms for which a variable assignment is
missing on at least one of the joints. In this case, the mechanism
is called “under-activated”.

In editing mode No effect.

In simulation mode The 3D components of this mechanism will not be displaced or

only a little bit. The under-activated mechanism will still be
simulated.

Suggested Create one or several variables association(s) with one or several

correction 3D joint(s) of the mechanism.

6.3 Diagnostic for “Joints with Incompatible Variable

Associations”

Nom Function

© Famic Technologies inc. 6-3

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Nom Function

Description There is an incompatibility between variables association of at

least two 3D joints of the mechanism.

Diagnostic Result Display all mechanisms for which there is an incompatibility

between variables associations of 3D joints. The mechanism is

called “over activated“.

In editing mode No effect.

In simulation mode The components of the mechanism will not move. The over
activated mechanism will not be simulated.

Suggested Suppress the variable association created with the simulation

correction variable of (one) 3D joint(s) of the mechanism.

6.4 Diagnostic for Components without Variable

Association

Name Function

Description There is nothing to animate the 3D component.

Diagnostic Result Display all the components that are not included in a mechanism
and that do not have simulation variables’ joints.

In editing mode No effect

In simulation mode These components will not move.

6-4
Name Function

Suggested Link the component to a mechanism or generate a variable

Correction association with a simulation variable of the 3D component.

6.5 Diagnostic for “Components with Incompatible

Variables Associations”

Name Function

Description The 3D component belongs to a mechanism (kinematic

animation) and has at the same time animations via component’s
variable.

Diagnostic’s result Display all the components that belong to a mechanism and have
at least one animation per component’s variable.

In editing mode No effect.

In simulating mode These components will move according to their mechanisms and
not to their linked component’s variables. In the case the
mechanism is not simulated, the component will not move.

Suggested Unlink the 3D component from the mechanism or suppress

Correction variable associations from the 3D component.

© Famic Technologies inc. 6-5

7 Practical Example for Parts’ Creation and
Mechanism Animation
This section shows, as an example, how to create a cylinder.

Here you find the geometrical default values of a double-acting cylinder.

Figure 7-1 : Double-Acting Cylinder

Creation of a 3D document

The creation a 3D document is the first step.

1. Right-click on the project in the project’s explorer : “New“ “3D Diagram“:

Figure 7-2 : Creation of a 3D Document

© Famic Technologies inc. 7-1

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

2. The 3D scene pops up;

Custom Interface in a 3D Document

3. Open the 3D manager from the “Home” tab in the ribbon  “3D Manager” Group

 “3D Manager” ;
4. Dock the 3D Manager on the left of the screen;

Figure 7-3 : 3D Manager Docking

5. Open the Snap Configuration dialogue;

Figure 7-4 : ”Snap” Group

7-2
 Practical Example for Parts’ Creation and Mechanism Animation

6. Dock the dialogue on the right of the screen, under the project’s explorer;

Figure 7-5 : Docking the “Snap” Dialogue

7. The precision of the grid snap can be adjusted;

Figure 7-6 : Snap Precision

Creation of the First Part (Cylinder Barrel)

8. Click on the “Add a Part“ command in the 3D Manager;

9. The new part opens up and will be inserted in the 3D Manager. A sketch is

© Famic Technologies inc. 7-3

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

automatically added on the default plane (plane XY);

Figure 7-7 : Initial Visualization of a Part

10. With the drawing tools, draw a circle that could have its center on the origin;

Figure 7-8 : Profile for Cylinder

11. Once the circle is drawn, select it;

12. The size can be defined with the “ Coordinates and orientation “command
which is located in the ribbon under the “Layout“ group of the “Editing” tab;

7-4
 Practical Example for Parts’ Creation and Mechanism Animation

Figure 7-9 : Setting of the Cylinder’s Radius

 If the piston’s diameter is 100 mm long, a 10 mm thickness must be added all

around. This would give a 120 mm diameter cylinder.

Cylinder’s Extrusion

13. Click on the icon in the “Parts” groups of the “Home” tab in the ribbon;
14. Select the profile to extrude clicking on the arrow;

Figure 7-10 : Profile to extrude

 By pressing and holding the mouse on the blue arrow, you can directly extrude
along the perpendicular axis.
15. For a finer extrusion, specify the value in the “Extrusion“ dialogue;

© Famic Technologies inc. 7-5

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 7-11 : Extrusion Dialogue

 The extrusion length must include the cylinder stroke (500 mm), the piston’s
thickness (50 mm), the residual volumes (10 mm + 10 mm) and the walls’
thickness on each side (15mm + 15 mm). Total: 600 mm.

16. Click on Apply ;

17. Right-click on “Part_1” and select “Rename“;

Figure 7-12 : Rename a Part

18. Rename the part “Cylinder ”;

Creation of a Piston by Extrusion

The piston is first created then fixed to the rod.

19. Add another part in the 3D Diagram like described in the point 8;

20. Draw a circle ;

21. Size the circle with the “Coordinates and Orientation” command in order to get
a 100 mm diameter;
22. Extrude the profile at a height equal to the piston’s thickness (50 mm);

7-6
 Practical Example for Parts’ Creation and Mechanism Animation
Attaching the rod to the piston by adding a plane

23. Use the “Add a Plane” command in the “Plane” group;

24. In the drop-down menu, you have two options:
a. Plane by points;
b. Plane on surface.

Figure 7-13 : Drop-down Menu

25. Select the reference surface from which the plane will be set (Plane on surface);

Figure 7-14 : Surface Selection’s Dialogue

26. Click on one of the piston’s surfaces;

© Famic Technologies inc. 7-7

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 7-15 : Creation of a Work Plane

27. Click on Apply ;

28. The plane will be created and appear in the 3D diagram;

29. Add a sketch on the plane that you have created;

Figure 7-16 : Dialogue for Sketch Creation

30. Draw a circle and, with the “Coordinates and orientation” command , size it
according to the rod’s diameter, namely 50 mm;
31. Extrude the profile at a height of 600 mm;
32. Rename the part “Piston + Rod”.

7-8
 Practical Example for Parts’ Creation and Mechanism Animation

Figure 7-17 : Piston and Rod

Drilling the Cylinder by Material Suppression

To obtain the cylinder’s work volume, do following:

33. In the 3D Manager, double-click on the “Cylinder” part;

34. Use the “Add a Plane” command in the “Plane” group;

35. Select the reference surface from which the plane will be set;
36. Click on one of the cylinder’s surface;

37. Click on Apply ;

38. The plane will be created and will appear in the 3D Diagram;

© Famic Technologies inc. 7-9

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 7-18 : Work plane to Drill the Cylinder

39. Add a Sketch on the plane that has been created;

40. Draw a concentric circle whose diameter is slightly larger than the piston’s one,
namely 101 mm;

41. In the “Part” group of the ribbon, click on the “Suppression” command ;
42. In the “Suppression” dialogue, enter -585 mm (500 mm for the stroke, 50 mm for
the piston’s thickness, 20 for the residual volumes and 15 mm for the wall
thickness on the side of the rod);

7-10
 Practical Example for Parts’ Creation and Mechanism Animation

Figure 7-19 : Drilled Cylinder

Creation of an Assembly
43. Rename the assembly “Cylinder” by a right click on “Assembly ”;

Figure 7-20 : “Rename“ Function

The “Cylinder“ and “Piston+Rod“ parts will be soon included in the assembly.
44. Drag and drop the parts one by one in the assembly;

© Famic Technologies inc. 7-11

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 7-21 : Insertion of Parts in an Assembly

45. The 3D scene will show the two parts according to the marking systems of each
part. The cylinder and the piston are located on the same longitudinal axis;

Figure 7-22 : Parts Positioning

Parts Positioning

As the piston and the cylinder surfaces are superimposed, you have to use manipulation

7-12
 Practical Example for Parts’ Creation and Mechanism Animation

tools of the “Assembly” environment, like indicated in the 5.2 section, in order to place
instances at the desired location.
46. Right-click on the cylinder in the 3D Manager and activate the “Fix” property. The
cylinder will be fixed therefore will not be displaced or rotated anymore;

Figure 7-23 : Fixed Cylinder

 The padlock indicates that the cylinder has been fixed.

In the case parts are inserted like in the Figure 7-22 : Positioning, you simply have to
displace the piston in a linear manner along the longitudinal axis to obtain, on the side of
the piston, a residual volume of approximately 10 mm.
47. Select the “Piston + Rod” part in the “Assembly” environment;

48. Activate the “Coordinates and orientation” command ;

49. Modify the Z coordinate from 0 to 25 mm (10 mm for the residual volume and 15
mm for the wall);

© Famic Technologies inc. 7-13

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 7-24 : ”Piston + Rod” Part’s Manipulation

Case of the Parts’ ‘Manipulation in the Assembly

If the parts were not inserted like in the Figure 7-22 : Parts Positioning, we suggest to
continue like following.

Otherwise, continue the exercise and go directly to the next step: Slider Creation

Figure 7-25 : Example of initial Positioning

7-14
 Practical Example for Parts’ Creation and Mechanism Animation

1. Right-click on the cylinder in the “Assembly” environment of the 3D Manager and

activate the “Fix” property;
2. Activate the “Edge- Edge Constraint” in the “Constraint” group under the “Editing”
Tab in the ribbon;
3. Select the axis of the instance to be displaced (Piston + Rod);

Figure 7-26 : Selection of the first Instance

4. Select the target axis, namely, the cylinder’s axis;

 You can get a preview clicking on the icon . If needed, use the option

5. Click on Apply ;

Figure 7-27 : Alignment of two Components

© Famic Technologies inc. 7-15

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

6. Activate the “Surface – Surface Constraint” command to adjust the piston

positioning according to the cylinder;
7. Select the piston’s surface and the stroke end surface inside the cylinder;

To access the surfaces, use the visibility controls given in the 3D Manager.

Figure 7-28 : Visibility Control

8. Apply the following modifications :

Figure 7-29 : “Invert“ and “Distance“ Options

9. Click on Apply ;

7-16
 Practical Example for Parts’ Creation and Mechanism Animation

Figure 7-30 : Successful Positioning

Slider Creation

Once the piston is at the right place, a Slider-type joint can be applied.

1. Go in the “Home” menu to insert a slider ;

2. Select the two instances. The following dialogue pops up;

© Famic Technologies inc. 7-17

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 7-31 : Selection of Translation Axis

3. Select now the translation axis for its values to be inserted in the dialogue;

Figure 7-32 : After Selecting the Translation Axis

4. Click on Apply to create the slider;

7-18
 Practical Example for Parts’ Creation and Mechanism Animation
Kinematic Animation from a Standard Diagram
5. Right-click on the instance name (Slider) in the 3D Manager to open the
Component Properties’ dialogue via the contextual menu;

Figure 7-33 : Right Click on the Assembly Zone of the 3D Manager

6. Go to the “Variable Assignment“ Branch;

Figure 7-34 : “Variable Assignment“ Branch

7. The “?Length“ variable can be assigned to variables of other Automation Studio ™
workshops;

© Famic Technologies inc. 7-19

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Figure 7-35 : Component’s Variable

 For the present exercise, a circuit with at least a cylinder must have been created
in the standard diagram. The cylinder stroke must be 500 mm for the movement
to be harmonious.

Figure 7-36 : Circuit Example

8. To assign a variable, click on the “Joint Extension“ variable. (See Figure 7-34 :
“Variable Assignment“ Branch)
9. Click on one of the cylinder’s variable;

Figure 7-37 : Variable de simulation compatible

10. Click on “Associate Variables“ ;

11. Close the “Component Properties“ dialogue;
12. Click on Simulation;
13. The hydraulic cylinder moves according to the hydraulic circuit created in the
standard diagram.

7-20
 Practical Example for Parts’ Creation and Mechanism Animation

Figure 7-38 : Piston’s Movement in the Assembly

© Famic Technologies inc. 7-21

A Glossary
Assembly

Groups of parts in the 3D scene.

View Block

Mechanism to modify the 3D Camera’s positioning. Cube’s zones can be selected to

change the perspective.

Camera

Mechanism to present a 3D object according to a certain point of view. Each 3D scene has
a camera that the user can displace and rotate.

Sketch

Group of profiles (CAD elements included) that are drowned on the same plane of the 3D
scene.

Instance

Representation of parts composing the assembly. An instance is the copy of a model

while the part is the model. In the 3D manager tree, the models are the parts while the
instances are the assembly’s objects.

Joint

Mechanical joint between two parts

Mechanism

Group of instances linked with each other by joints or 3D components’ group.

Assembly Mode

Environment to create joints and animations between several parts.

© Famic Technologies inc. A-1

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide
CAD Objects

Lines, arcs, circles, polygons etc. resulting of drawing tools.

3D Operation

Operation to construct or modify a part’s representation.

Part

Group of 3D operations describing the appearance of a representation.

Plane

Flat surface extending indefinitely.

Profile

Drawing, usually created with CAD objects, used to develop an extrusion or suppression.

3D Scene

Zone in which 3D operations are made.

Views

3D perspectives that are given with the camera.

A-2
B Index
Point – Point Displacement ........... 5-23
3D Coordinates and orientation ....... 7-13
Surface – Surface Constraint ......... 7-16
3D Document ...................................... 3-1 Surface – Surface Constraint ......... 5-14
Creation.................................... 3-2, 7-1 Surface – Surface Displacement ... 5-21
Properties ........................................ 3-2
CAD Objects
Standard................................... 3-2, 3-4
Edit ................................................. 4-21
Views ............................................... 3-7
Coordinates and orientation 2D 4-21, 7-4
3D Manager ............................... 2-2, 2-11
Contextual Menu ............................. 2-6 Coordinates and Orientation 3D ......... 5-5

Animation .......................................... 5-24 Importation of parts .......................... 4-25

Component Variables .................... 5-32 Joints ................................. 2-13, 3-6, 5-25
Diagnostic ........................................ 6-5 Clamping ........................................ 5-30
Kinematic ....................................... 7-19 Diagnostic ........................................ 6-3
Kinematik ...................................... 5-35 Pivot ............................................... 5-26
Apparence Slider .................................... 5-28, 7-17
Texture ........................................... 2-16 Liaisons .............................................. 4-15
Appearance Mecanism .......................................... 5-36
Color ............................................... 2-16
Mechanism
Assembles Conditions of use........ 5-36, 5-38, 5-39
Creation.......................................... 7-11
Objects CAD
Assemblies .......................................... 5-1 Creation ......................................... 2-15
3D Manipulator ................................ 5-3
Parts............................................2-12, 4-1
Constraint Edge – Edge .................. 5-10
Creation .......................... 2-14, 4-1, 7-3
Creation............................................ 5-1
Extrusion ......................... 2-14, 4-7, 7-5
Edge – Edge Displacement ............ 5-19
Profile .............................................. 4-8
Manipulation.................................... 5-3
Remove ......................................... 2-14
Point – Point Constraint ................. 5-17
Sketch ..................... 2-14, 3-6, 4-4, 7-8

© Famic Technologies inc. A-1

Automation Studio™ – 3D Editor User’s Guide

Suppression ...........................4-11, 7-9 Surface ............................4-20, 7-7, 7-9

Parts Importation .............................. 2-13 Snap ................................... 3-6, 4-13, 7-2

Plane .......................................... 3-6, 4-19 Visibility ..................................... 2-5, 7-16

3 Points .......................................... 4-20

B-2