Intuitive folding of panels by selecting their edges (Fold to Snap)

You can fold panels in 3D models by using a technique that spares you the need of computing the angles at which panels need to fold in order to meet.

All you need to do is select the edges along which you want the two panels to join. After the selection, EngView offers you several folding solutions. You then choose the solution that works for you, and EngView folds the panels along a common edge.

Use Case: Folding panels by pointing to and snapping their edges

Explore a practical three-step example of how to fold panels by snapping and joining panels.

Panels to Join

Step 1: Selecting a containing step and the edges to join

You start by selecting the step in which you will execute the actions of the folding.

  1. Select the step in which to create the folding actions for the two panels. You can create a special step for the folding.
  2. Click Snap to Fold .
  3. Click the edge of the first panel.
Highlighting the Panel Edge

When you rest the mouse pointer over an edge, EngView highlights it in light teal. To select the edge to which to apply the folding, click the highlight. The color changes to yellow (pictured):

Selecting the First Edge
  1. On the other panel, click the edge to snap to.
Selecting the Second Edge

Step 2: Choosing a folding solution

After you have selected the edges, EngView uses yellow lines to highlight the applicable solutions — essentially, these are lines along which folding is possible. When you move the mouse pointer over a yellow lines, EngView visualizes how the panels will fold.

Selecting Solution 2

Solution 1. The panels fold upward (along the yellow line).

Selecting Solution 1

Solution 2. The panels fold downward (along the yellow line).

Note: Inspecting all potential solutions

By default, EngView uses a practical approach and shows you the applicable solutions. Still, you can inspect all potential solutions: On the contextual edit bar, select the Show all solutions check box.

Selecting All Solutions

Step 3: Selecting a folding solution

  1. Choose a solution and click its line. EngView joins the edges, and the panels fold.

When the panels are joined, two new actions appear in the step. They contain the angles (highlighted in red) at which the two panels will fold to join:

The Joined Panels and Their Folding Angles