Finding the Properties of a Solid

All this effort to create a solid model isn't just to create a pretty picture. After your model is drawn and built, you can obtain information about its physical properties. In this section, you will look at a command that let you gather such information.

Tip  

LT users can use the Massprop command described here to find the properties of solids that are part of an existing drawing.

You can find the volume, the moment of inertia, and other physical properties of your model by using the Massprop command. These properties can also be recorded as a file on disk so you can modify your model without worrying about losing track of its original properties.

Follow these steps to use the Massprop command:

1. Open the Bracket drawing you worked on through most of this chapter.

2. Choose Tools   Inquiry   Region/Mass Properties or enter Massprop . You can also click the Region/Mass Properties tool on the Inquiry toolbar.

3. At the Select objects: prompt, select the two halves of the solid model. AutoCAD will calculate for a moment and then display a list of the object's properties, as shown in Figure 18.50.

   
   Figure 18.50: The Mass Properties listing derived from the solid model

4. You'll also see the Write analysis to file> [Yes/No] <N>: prompt. Press to accept the default No. You can enter Y at this prompt to have the mass property data written to a text file.