Named Presentations and Perforators

Using Named Presentations is a convenient way to represent a 3D element with different symbolic representations (plan, front elevation, side elevation, isometric and so on), in different view orientations of the model. For example, in the image below you will see the different representations of a door in different view orientations.

Named presentations are applied to different elements in the door cell file. After the door is placed as a parametric cell in a design, depending on the view orientation, elements in the corresponding named presentation will display. Top view will show the door in plan, Front will show the door in elevation and Isometric will show the door in isometric view.

Perforators are 3d elements which when placed within another 3d element, will create a cut. If you take the example of the parametric door above, the door creates a cut in the wall where it is placed. This cut is the door opening in the wall which adjusts as per the door’s variations. If you change the door location along the wall, the cut (door opening) also moves with the door. If you remove the door, the cut is removed too.

Now let us see the steps to create a parametric door which acts as a perforator when placed on a wall and has named presentations associated:

1. In a new model, create a parametric door with desired variations.
2. Create the elements that you wish to be displayed in the top and front views.
3. Open Named Presentations tool. Select the elements you wish to add to the Top named presentation.
4. In the Named Presentations dialog, select the Add to named presentation icon.
5. In the Add to named presentations tool settings window, select Top and Bottom from the Named Presentations drop-down.
   (Note: You can add an element to more than one named presentations)
   
6. Enter a data point in the view window.
7. Similarly, add elements to the Front and Back named presentations.
8. Add the door and the frame to the Model named presentation.
   
   Next, to create a perforator element around the door:
9. Create a solid around the door, as big as the cut you want to create in the wall where the door will be placed. This solid will be the perforator which will create the cut. (Apply necessary constraints to the solid)
   
10. Start the Define Perforator tool.
11. In the tool settings window, make sure Hide Perforator after Placement checkbox is turned on. This will hide the perforator element after the cell is placed.
12. Select the solid and enter a data point.
    
    
    Our parametric door is ready with named presentations and the perforator for placement.