Analyze CAD Models

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Analyze and verify 3D models

From virtual assemblies and model comparison to wall-thickness, toolmaking and collision analysis: 3D-Tool lets you measure, check and evaluate CAD models fast and intuitively without an expensive CAD workstation.


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Analyzing and verifying a 3D model in the 3D-Tool viewer

Virtual product development

Digital mockup

Today, development and construction are hardly imaginable without 3D CAD software. Virtual product development (VPE) enables - even before prototype construction, assembly and production:

  • Feasibility studies and early error detection
  • Verification of ergonomics, design and completeness
  • Evaluation of space requirements and serviceability

Models published with 3D-Tool are available to the entire company. The 3D-Tool Free Viewer also supports professional measurement and analysis features and thus enables Digital Mockup (DMU) for team members without their own 3D-Tool license.

›› Test the CAD analysis features of 3D-Tool

3D image of a particle filter and its position in the engine compartment of a vehicle

Component assembly and exploded views

For fit checks and feasibility studies, several models can be merged into virtual assemblies in a 3D-Tool scene.

3D-Tool's placement tool allows the models to be aligned and moved relative to each other and in relation to the coordinate system. This works either by simply clicking on suitable surfaces, edges and points or by freely moving and rotating the model to be fitted.

›› Combine more than 30 formats

Analysis features

Model Information

In addition to the quantity and designation of parts, more information is required for planning material and space requirements in production, transport, and assembly.

3D-Tool "Model Info" provides dimensions, surface and volume of parts and assemblies as well as weight and center of mass via the 3D-Tool material database.

The information can be converted into common units and copied to the clipboard. On request, 3D-Tool creates extensive PDF, RTF or HTML reports with all relevant model data.

Display of the bounding box and further part information for a component in the 3D-Tool CAD viewer.
The 3D-Tool Model Info tool contains the material database. There you create materials, define their density and assign a material to the parts of a model. From this, 3D-Tool calculates the weight and center of mass of the complete assembly.

Model Comparison

As part of quality assurance, measurement data, 3D scans or other model versions often have to be compared with current CAD data.

  • Multiple versions of a model can be loaded and superimposed.
  • The 3D-Tool "Model Comparison" makes even small differences between two models visible in color.

Wall Thickness Analysis

For injection molded and cast parts as well as especially for lightweight and structural components, compliance with wall thicknesses and the associated tolerances is important.

The 3D-Tool "Wall Thickness Analysis" displays the wall thicknesses of a model as so-called heatmaps. The calculation is carried out using the single ray or the spherical method (fitted ball).

Different colors mark wall thicknesses outside defined tolerances. Alternatively, a color spectrum shows all wall thicknesses directly on the model.

Image of a component in the 3D-Tool CAD viewer on which a wall thickness analysis has been performed.
The 3D-Tool wall thickness analysis displays wall thicknesses as a heatmap directly on the model. Thanks to OpenCL support, even large models are calculated quickly.

Tooling Analysis

For mold making and tooling, 3D-Tool enables part inspection and estimation of manufacturing costs.

  • The "Tooling Analysis" shows drafts as angles or cavity mapping and identifies areas that cannot be demolded (undercuts) to identify possible slide units.
  • The "Projected Area" supports the calculation of clamping forces and thus the selection of a suitable injection molding machine.

Material Requirements and Manufacturing Costs

In terms of material costs, manufacturing costs and production times, 3D-Tool has the following measurement features, in addition to common measurements such as distance, edge length and diameter:

  • The "Minimal Box" function calculates the smallest possible bounding box of parts and assemblies, for example to determine the raw material.
  • The "Surface Area Note" calculates the area of individual surface segments, for example to estimate the processing effort.
  • The "Contour Note" calculates the length of curves and edges, for example to estimate the time of laser cutting.
Visualization of a sheet metal part in the 3D-Tool CAD viewer with surface area, contour length and minimum bounding box
The latest 3D-Tool measurement features are the Minimal Box, which calculates a smallest possible bounding box of the part. The Contour measurement determines the length of curves and edge paths.

Collision Analysis

The Collision Analysis supports installation tests and feasibility studies:

  • The collision mode shows all places where parts touch or penetrate each other in red color.
  • In distance mode, all distances between parts that are below a certain value are displayed as a heatmap.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I need an expensive CAD workstation to analyze parts?

No. With 3D-Tool you analyze and measure 3D models - for example to estimate manufacturing effort and costs in toolmaking.

What can I measure with 3D-Tool?

Almost all important dimensions and model information can be determined easily and intuitively with 3D-Tool - including distances, angles, edge lengths and diameters, as well as dimensions, surface area, volume, weight and center of mass.

What can the wall thickness analysis in 3D-Tool do?

The wall thickness analysis displays wall thicknesses as a heatmap directly on the 3D model. It supports both single-ray and sphere methods and helps in checking injection-molded, cast and lightweight parts.

How can I compare two versions of a model with 3D-Tool?

Open both files in 3D-Tool and use the model comparison. 3D-Tool then highlights geometric differences in color so changes become quickly visible. Added and removed material can be examined in a targeted way.

How can I use 3D-Tool for analyses in toolmaking?

3D-Tool supports analyses in toolmaking with practical features such as wall thickness analysis, draft analysis, undercut checking, section views, and the verification of dimensions and projected areas. This makes it possible to quickly and reliably check parts for manufacturability, tool parting, critical areas and necessary design changes.