SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!
QUESTIONS? Contact Us | 866-824-4459

ZenTek ConsultantsZenTek Consultants

  • Consulting Services
    • Construction Consulting Services
      • Industry-Based Design & Layout Processes
      • Construction Management Workflow Optimization
      • Project Scheduling & Integration Services for Construction
      • Construction Technology Managed Services
      • Quantity Takeoff (QTO) & Estimating Tools Optimization
      • Quantity Takeoff (QTO) & Estimating Data Integrations
      • Construction CRM & Data Controls
      • Real-Time Construction Reporting & Analytics
      • Construction As-Built & Submittal Services | CAD & BIM Workflow Optimization
      • On-Demand Technology Support
    • Design Consulting Services
      • Infrastructure Technology Systems Development
      • CAD Standards Development Services
      • Computer Aided Design (CAD) Managed Services
      • CAD Data Integration & Symbology Services
      • BIM & 3D Systems Development for Construction and Design Firms
      • On-Demand Technology Support
  • Tech Services
    • Construction Technology
      • Bluebeam Revu Custom Tools
      • Bluebeam Revu and Microsoft Excel Quantity Linking
      • Practical Use of Autodesk Construction Cloud
      • Services for Procore
      • Streamlining Manufacturing with Bluebeam
      • On-Demand Technology Support
    • CAD & BIM
      • Autodesk Service Provider
      • Civil 3D Kickstart
      • Civil 3D Templates
      • ZenPipe for Civil 3D Pressure Networks
      • On-Demand Technology Support
    • Microsoft
      • Microsoft 365 Implementation
      • Microsoft Teams Services
      • SharePoint Online Services
      • On-Demand Technology Support
    • Government & Public Facilities Services
      • Security & Safety
      • Space Planning & Leasing
      • Facility & Inventory Controls
      • Drafting Support
      • On-Demand Design Technology Support
  • Training & Support
    • Live Online Courses
      • Upcoming Courses
      • AutoCAD Online Courses
      • AutoCAD Civil 3D Online Courses
      • Autodesk Build Essentials Online Course
      • Autodesk InfraWorks Online Courses
      • Autodesk Revit Online Courses
      • Autodesk Vehicle Tracking Online Courses
      • Autodesk 3ds Max Online Courses
      • Autodesk Navisworks Online Courses
      • Bluebeam Revu Online Courses
      • BricsCAD Online Courses
      • Microsoft Online Courses
      • Primavera P6 Live Online Courses
      • Procore Online Courses
    • On-Demand
      • On-Demand Training Courses
    • Other Training Options
      • Custom/Private Training
      • Training Waitlist
      • Training Reimbursement Resources
    • Support
      • On-Demand Design Technology Support
      • Support Request
  • Software
    • Construction
      • Autodesk Construction Cloud
      • Bluebeam Revu
      • ContractorBI™
      • Matterport Software & Cameras
      • Procore Construction Management Software
      • SiteDocs Safety Management Software
      • TopBuilder Solutions
    • Design
      • BricsCAD
      • Communicator for BricsCAD
      • BricsCAD Shape
      • Bricsys 24/7
      • SmartDraft Solutions
      • Spatial Manager
      • ZenSurvey
    • Business
      • Microsoft
      • Microsoft Surface Pro 10
    • ZenTek Software
      • ZenBidTracker | Smarter Bid Tracking for Contractors
      • ZenEstimate Tools
      • ZenPipe for Civil 3D Pressure Networks
      • ZenTek Revu Tools
  • Resource Center
    • Resources
      • Blog
      • Tips and Tricks
      • The CADDLE Call Podcast
      • The Frozen Layer Podcast (Canada)
      • TekFlow for Construction: Increase Efficiency and Productivity
      • TekFlow for Government and Public Facilities: Better Access to Data
      • Training Reimbursement Resources
    • Events
      • Upcoming Events
      • Live Webinars
      • Watch Now
  • About Us
    • News
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Promotions
  • Shop Now

BricsCAD – Direct Model Like A Pro

ZenTek Consultants
Thursday, 20 August 2020 / Published in BricsCAD, Product Design and Manufacturing

BricsCAD – Direct Model Like A Pro

BricsCAD Direct Modeling

BricsCAD’s direct modeling capabilities bring a lot of power to the CAD world. However, there are still engineers, drafters, and designers who are hesitant to make the change to BricsCAD due to the perceived difficulty of direct modeling. It can be quite a challenge to learn how to use these tools and techniques, when most of your experience comes from strictly parametric modeling tools, such as Autodesk Inventor or SolidWorks. Here are some tips to help get you started.

Despite to the fear you may have towards retraining yourself, BricsCAD direct modeling is very easy, and requires a much shallower learning curve than parametric modeling. The first step to understanding direct modeling is to realize that. When using parametric tools, often we ask ourselves how we can best leverage complex commands such as sweeps and lofts to give us the shape and curvature we desire, but with direct modeling we tend to take a different approach. In BricsCAD, similar results can be obtained by implementing simple commands such as Move, Rotate, and Copy Faces to create complex and infinitely variable geometry.

Aside the Push/Pull command, the signature direct modeling tool, let’s discuss how to apply the Move command for modeling. If you come from Inventor or Solidworks, your experience with this tool is likely limited to simply re-positioning bodies in 3D or sketch features in 2D. However, in BricsCAD, the Move tool does much more. Not only can you move solids, but you can move their associated features such as faces and edges, forcing the program to recreate the 3D geometry based on new positions of these features. By moving edges, you can easily modify prisms and triangular solids, and moving entire faces allows the creation of even more complex 3D geometry. Similar to the Move command, you can also use the rotate command to reposition faces by rotating them in relation to an edge.

BricsCAD Direct Modeling

When manipulating objects in 3D becomes difficult, make use of the Manipulator tool. This handy gadget allows precise movement and rotation in all 6 degrees of freedom. This tool, which we’ve discussed in detail in a previous post, plays an important role when direct modeling. The arrowheads on the Manipulator allow for mirroring features, which becomes very useful for copying and imprinting faces onto your model, especially when the Copy Faces tool does not function as intended.

Working with pick-and-place features such as fillets and chamfers becomes even easier with direct modeling. Not only can you modify specific fillets with the push/pull command, you can quickly clean up your model by selecting all rounded edges and erasing them at the same time. Because there are no parametric properties associated with these features, they can be manipulated just as easily as everything else with direct modeling.

The Copy Faces tool, when used effectively, can drastically cut down the time it takes to produce a model with repeating features. Using Copy Faces, you can quickly duplicate holes, slots, and embossed features and automatically blend them with your model. All that can be accomplished without the parametric clutter associated with creating many duplicate features.

These are some of the most important tools and techniques that you should practice using and begin leveraging in your designs. Once you master these basics, you should be well on your way to direct modeling like a professional.

What you can read next

BricsCAD Communicator
Exporting Content with BricsCAD Communicator
Block Editor
BricsCAD: Creating Dynamic Annotation with Parametric Blocks (Part 4)
The CADDle Call podcast
BricsCAD Lite: Not Like Other “Lite” CAD

Recent Posts

  • The CADDle Call podcast

    3D Visualization for Infrastructure

  • Procore Punch List Templates

    Procore Punch List Best Practices for Superintendents and Project Managers

  • The CADDle Call podcast

    AutoCAD – Where It Is and Where It’s Going

  • Using Templates in Microsoft

    Utilizing Templates in Microsoft Project, Excel, and Word

  • The CADDle Call podcast

    Importance of CRM for Construction

Categories

Archives

  • Consulting Services
  • Construction Tech Services
  • Design Tech Services
  • Online Training
  • Software
  • Government Contracting Specialists
  • About Us

  • Events
  • The CADDle Call Podcast
  • Blog
  • YouTube Channel
  • Promotions
  • Subscribe to Emails
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
Associated General Contractors of America Member

ACCNJ Member

GBCA Member

Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) Associate Member

Partnering with

Partnering with Autodesk, Bluebeam, BricsCAD, Matterport, Microsoft, Procore, SiteDocs, TopBuilder, and Trimble
  • GET SOCIAL

©2016 - 2025 ZENTEK. LLC 2 University Plaza, Suite 100 Hackensack, NJ 07601 (US) // 620 Nine Mile Drive Suite 208, Bedford, NS B4A 0H4 (CANADA)

TOP
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT