To launch xShape and create a model:

1. Open the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform in a browser and log into your account
2. Click on the Compass at the top-left corner of the page
3. Under ‘My Roles’, click ‘3D Sculptor’ > click on ‘xShape’ to launch the app
4. On the xShape window, click ‘New Component’  
5. Enter a file name in the ‘Name’ text field
6. Click the down-arrow next to the ‘Location’ field > choose the Collaborative Space in which you want to save the xShape file > Click ‘Ok’

Now you can start modeling within xShape. xShape is a primitive-based sub-division modeling application, meaning that you start with a primitive shape that you sculpt into the desired model. It is helpful to insert a picture to guide your design.  

To insert a picture:

1. In the Action Bar at the bottom of the page, browse to ‘Tools’ > click the ‘Insert Picture’ icon
2. In the ‘Insert Picture’ dialog box, click ‘Choose Picture’ to browse to the picture you want to use as a guide
3. In the ‘Insert Picture’ dialog box, click on a plane to place the picture onto that plane. You will then be able to manipulate the image to the desired size, orientation, and location

To insert a primitive:

1. In the Action bar, browse to ‘Subdivision’ > next to the ‘Create Sketch’ icon, there is a shape icon. Click on the up-arrow next to the shape
2. Choose the primitive shape that best resembles the desired final shape for your model > click on the shape you desire > in the work area, select the place where you want to insert the primitive
3. The primitive shape dialog box will allow you to choose the scale/size of the shape
4. Once you click ‘Ok’, you will see the robot in the middle of the shape. This allows you to rotate and rotate the entire primitive while all the vertices are selected.
5. After you place the primitive in the desired location, you can shape it by clicking on edges/vertices/faces and using the robot to push/pull/rotate the entity selected.

To save your model:

1. On the ‘Standard’ section of the Action Bar, click on the ‘Save’ icon to perform a simple save.
2. If you click on the up-arrow, next to the ‘Save’ icon, you can select ‘Save As’ or Export:

• ‘Save As’ allows you to change the model name and collaborative space the model in which you want to save the model
• ‘Export’ allows you to export the model to your 3DDrive or your local disk. It also gives you different file format options

Note: When you save your model, it will exit the ‘Subdivision Surface’ design environment, so you will not have the ability to shape your existing primitive until you enter the editing environment. To edit the primitive:

• Under the Design Manager Tree, below ‘Design Features’, right-click the ‘Subdivision Surface’ feature > Click ‘Edit Feature’

Here is a video that walks through some of these steps: