Materials of 3D Constructions
Each component of a 3D construction uses basically its own material. Even if a visualization material from the catalog is applied to a 3D construction using drag and drop, internally a new material is created. If 3D constructions are merged or are the result of Boolean operations, the materials for the complete structure are listed. This list is shown in the dialog with a preview of the materials.
As already mentioned, new materials result from the use of drag and drop, but can also be created directly by clicking on the ‘New material’ button in the dialog. The name of the material can be changed if required in the materials dialog, activated by clicking on the ‘Edit selected material’ button. A name can then be allocated to the material to enable it to be more easily identified in the dialog.
An option is also provided to optimize the material list. With this option all identical materials are combined as one. This means, however, that if the material is altered the changes apply to all elements which use this material, which may well be the intention.
An example: A 3D construction includes four steel supports on to each of which a steel material from the catalog has been added individually via drag and drop. As a result four separate materials are created in the list. This means that for future changes a new material has to be dragged onto each of the four supports. If the list is optimized these materials are combined as one, which is then common to all four supports. If a new material is subsequently dragged onto one of the supports, then the same material is automatically applied to all the other supports.