A material represents a physical matter and can be applied to a geometry to simulate its visual appearance and/or physical properties like Mechanical Strength, Electromagnetic Behavior etc.
Materials are mainly divided into two Material Types- Core and Covering materials.
Each material can have one or more Material Domains- Appearance, Drafting, Composite, Simulation.
Types of Materials, various Material Domains, and examples of Parameters/Properties that can be defined in each domain in 3DXEPERIENCE platform
Core Materials
A core material is the constitutive material of an object and defines its physical properties.
You can use core materials in the following contexts:
| Context | Description |
|---|---|
| Simulation | The Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio specified as part of the material's linear elastic domain are used to compute simulations. |
| Assembly Design | The density specified as part of the material's attributes is used to calculate mass. |
| Rendering | If there is no covering material on top of the core material, the attributes specified as part of the core material's appearance domain are used to display the material. |
| Drafting | The attributes specified as part of the material's drafting domain are used to represent cross-sectional views with the appropriate hatching patterns. |
| Composite | The attributes specified as part of the material's composite domain are used in designing composite parts. |
Important: You can apply only one core material to an object. Core material can have (one or more) of Simulation, Composite, Drafting and Rendering Domain information.
Covering Materials
A covering material is a thin coat of material on the exterior surfaces of an object.
You can use covering materials in the rendering context only, to display the parameters on a covering material. For rendering purposes, a covering material takes precedence over a core material.
Important: You can apply up to three covering materials to an object. Covering material can have only Rendering Domain information.
Material Domains:
A Material Domain defines some specific material attributes which can be used by a given 3DEXPERIENCE app or a solver.
For example, the drafting domain is used by the Drafting app to show how this material is represented in the drawing, and the rendering domain is used by the Rendering Scene Design app to visualize the materials applied to a product.
The following material domains are available:
| Material Domain | Description | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Adds visualization properties to a material. | For core and covering materials. Note: This domain is also available for stickers. See Stickers. |
| Drafting | Adds hatching pattern properties to a material. | For core materials only. |
| Composite | Adds geometric properties to a layered composite material. | For core materials only. |
| Simulation | Adds physical properties to a material for simulations. | For core materials only. |
Important: You must have a required License/Role to use a material domain.
Various Colors, Matt or Gloss finish, Flakes (Sparkle), brushed metal or any Substance (Texture) etc can be applied to accurately visualize the appearance of the material in rendering apps. It may also help to calculate volume or weight of paint/coating.
To learn more about Appearance Domain Material Parameters, click here.
To learn more about Simulation Domain Material Parameters, click here.
To learn more about Composite Domain Material Parameters, click here.
To learn more about Drafting Domain Material Parameters, click here.
Next Posts-
CATIA V5 to 3DEXPERIENCE Material Import [Series- Getting Started with Materials | Part-5]
Apps for Materials [Series- Getting Started with Materials | Part-4]
Why is Material Creation/Modification Regulated? [Series- Getting Started with Materials | Part-3]
Predefined Materials in the 3DEXPERIENCE platform [Series- Getting Started with Materials | Part-2]
