Shape
Introduction
In FreeCAD the word "Shape" is normally used to refer to a Part TopoShape (Part::TopoShape
class), a type of object that gives an element its 3D geometrical and parametric representation (cube, pyramid, sphere, cylinder, fusion, etc.).
Essentially all objects that are displayed in the 3D view have a TopoShape, with the exception of "Meshes", which have a MeshObject (Mesh::MeshObject
class).
See Part TopoShape for more information about this type of object.
How to use
Shapes are normally created by internal functions of the Part Workbench, and are ultimately defined by the OpenCASCADE Technology kernel (OCCT).
Once a Shape is created, it can be used and modified by all workbenches by creating scripted objects around that Shape.
Essentially, every object derived from a Part Feature (Part::Feature
class) is expected to hold and manipulate a Shape.
Notes
In informal usage, a "Shape" may be any geometrical figure that is visible in the 3D view, and thus its concept may be confused with that of "Body" or "Part".
However, when more precision is required, the distinction must be made.
- A "Body" is an object derived from a Part Feature (
Part::Feature
class), usually created with the Part or PartDesign Workbenches. - A "Shape" is an internal object, embedded within the "Body".
- A "Part" is used to group several "Bodies" to form an assembly. A "Part" has a collection of "Shapes", but doesn't have a "Shape" of its own.
- Primitives: Box, Cylinder, Sphere, Cone, Torus, Tube, Create primitives, Shape builder
- Creation and modification: Extrude, Revolve, Mirror, Scale, Fillet, Chamfer, Make face from wires, Ruled Surface, Loft, Sweep, Section, Cross sections, 3D Offset, 2D Offset, Thickness, Projection on surface, Attachment
- Boolean: Make compound, Explode Compound, Compound Filter, Boolean, Cut, Fuse, Common, Connect, Embed, Cutout, Boolean fragments, Slice apart, Slice, XOR
- Core: App DocumentObject
- Basic: App FeaturePython, App GeoFeature, Part Feature, Mesh Feature, Fem FemMeshObject
- Internal shapes: Part TopoShape, Mesh MeshObject, Fem FemMesh
- Structure: App DocumentObjectGroup (Std Group), App Part (Std Part), App Link (Std LinkMake)
- Derived: Part Part2DObject, Sketcher SketchObject, PartDesign Body, PartDesign Feature
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