Extract Midplanes and Thicknesses from Complex 3D Models

A Closer Look

The Problem: When engineers receive complex 3D models from manufacturers or consultants, it can be time-consuming to rebuild them manually for structural analysis.

The Approach: A script that processes the geometry into what the analysis software needs. It extracts midplanes and groups them by thickness to quicken the property assignment.

The Outcome: A much faster way to create analysis-ready geometry. Grouping and color-coding by thickness also helps reduce errors and simplifies the setup process.

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When structural engineers get 3D models from other consultants, whether thats clients, architects, manufacturers, etc. there’s often a need to convert them into an analysis model. Depending on what the problem actually is, the analysis model can look very different from the original.

Right: 3D model from manufacturer. Left: Analysis model

Like a 3D model that is mostly made of beams and columns has to be turned into centerlines for analysis. That’s exactly why the extracting centerlines from models script was created.

But if you have a model that is mostly made of plates, the analysis model should only be made of the midplanes (surfaces that are in the middle of the solids).

Plates that sit in the middle of solids

This script works just like the centerline version, but for plates. It extracts the midplanes and groups them based on their thickness. That thickness matters because the program needs it for accurate analysis.

Color-coding by thickness also makes it easier to visually check for errors and assign properties faster. And most importantly, it turns what would’ve been a slow, manual task into something quick and repeatable.