Non-Hybrid Modeling

chris_rohr

I am a professional engineer with over a decade in modeling experience on multiple platforms (solid edge, solid works, Inventor, and Catia). A large part of my experience with complex modeling was using CATIA with which I excelled with robust design models. During this time, I almost exclusively used what I have come to known as "Non-hybrid modeling" in the GSD workbench. To further describe what I mean, I am referring to the use of independent points, lines, planes, and sweeps within geosets to create the final solids. Though more complicated, I found that this is much more robust and flexible than the typical sketch + extrude construction.

Does anyone know if it is possible to use non-hybrid modeling in Onshape similar to CATIA? (points, lines, planes, sweeps, trims, etc)

EvanReese

It sounds like you're talking about working exclusively with surfacing and only forming a solid at the end, which is definitely an option. Am I understanding you?

chris_rohr

yes i am talking about building in surfaces and then forming the solid only at the final step, but I think it is more than just that. It seems that there are ways to build geometry such as points, lines, intersects, etc outside of sketches to perform the sweeps. This was possible as a separate feature outside of an ordered tree. I think it is the last part that classifies it as "non-hybrid" workflow (new term for me). In my experience, it allows for a few unique benefits such as copying and pasting entire features (such as point, line, plane) that can then be adjusted independently of each other. Also, this allows you to build multiple features (ie sweeps) off a single feature (ie line) without it being absorbed into a certain part of the tree (I think solid works allows this, but it still groups it into an ordered tree).

I found another reddit post about this topic, though unrelated to onshape.
https://www.reddit.com/r/CATIA/comments/slxq45/hybrid_vs_non_hybrid_design/

chris_rohr

Here is another person's description as well.

https://www.mcadcentral.com/threads/diff-between-hybrid-non-hybrid-design.306/

EvanReese

Ah I've not used CATIA so that workflow isn't familiar, but from those links and a video I found it does not seem like it's supported here. The feature tree in Onshape is always rebuilt in order top to bottom.

michał_1

You are referring to surface modeling. It is possible, and with the Onshape possibility to branch off, it should be a new, better experience. You'll see.
Here's one of my examples:
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/53ab857baf66c6b48506acc3/w/f3f52001fcdaa25c3a787d73/e/e784b508b23e9bfd8aaf0413?renderMode=0&uiState=681851db11642e5a29adab73