In this two-part series, we’ll explore Dassault Systèmes’ Product Communicator role, highlighting the xStudio and xHighlight apps. These applications enable easy creation of lifelike images and product manuals from any device. You don’t need a high-end computer.
We’ll use xStudio on a microwave model designed in SOLIDWORKS as an example.
Before moving to the application, let’s review some basic information about xStudio.
What is xStudio?
xStudio is a rendering program. It’s biggest differentiator from other rendering programs is that it works in the cloud and therefore, you can use xStudio from any device — as long as you have Internet access.
What is the Working Logic?
Rendering with xStudio requires you to have purchased cloud credits. Each time you render, your balance will be reduced by some amount.
User Interface
xStudio offers a simple and user-friendly interface.
Content panel (1): Here, you can view and manage the scenes, materials, ambiance and montage menus.
Action bar (2): It contains numerous commands for managing your production.
Properties panel (3): This is where you can manage your scene’s camera settings, properties of materials and ambience-specific settings.
Scene/3D area (4): Your 3D product is displayed on this screen. On this screen, you can adjust the ambience, lighting and camera settings.
User Interface
When we hover the mouse over the commands, we can see the name of each command and what it is used for. You can also learn keyboard shortcuts in this way.
Action Bar.
Below, you can see two commands with drop-down menus.
Action Bar.
Model Preparation
In this chapter , we’ll generate a fresh production in xStudio and modify it by shifting the origin of the microwave cover.
New Production
From the home page you can create a new production, open an existing production, import 3DXML data from your device to create a new production, and manage your renderings. If you are a new user, it is useful to check the links under the Content & Knowledge heading.
Within the scope of this application, we imported the model we designed with SOLIDWORKS Desktop to xDesign and converted it into 3DXML format. This provided us with the opportunity to use our data in xStudio.
We will create a new production/project by selecting New Production. We start our project by selecting the CX_Microwavemodel from the page that opens.
Creating a new production.
The model is imported into xStudio. You move it to the desired angle using the right mouse button.
CX_Microwave.
Modify the Origin
Our goal in this section is to test whether the cover of our microwave model opens correctly. When you click on the cover with the left mouse button, you can see that the entire model is selected. Clicking on the cover a second time will select the cover. After selecting the cover, try to open the cover using the robot tool that appears.
Cover Rotate (Wrong Angle).
As you can see in the picture, the cover does not open from the hinge area as it would in reality. The most effective way to fix this is to change the origin of the cover.
To do this, go to the xDesign screen and perform a little trick. First, create a plane with a thickness of 0 mm and right click on this plane and turn it into a new component with the Make Component command. xDesign also allows us to define the origin and axes with the Define Axis Systems menu when creating a component.
Make Component and Define Axis Systems.
Then, place the axis in the corner where you want to open the cover and create the new component. You can drag and drop the assembly component of the cover into the component. Now the origin of the cover is where it should be. After saving in xDesign, return to the xStudio screen and update the data with the Reload from Database command.
Upon checking the cover as a result of the operation, we see that the origin has been moved to the desired point and the cover can be opened correctly.
Cover Rotate (Correct Angle).
Stay tuned for part 2 of this xStudio series.
About the Author
Rıdvan Polat, Co-Founder of Champion Xperience, also holds the position of Elite Application Engineer at TEKYAZ, a leading SOLIDWORKS reseller in Turkey. With a distinguished background in Automotive and Mechatronics Engineering, Polat has repeatedly showcased his passion for this field, notably as the first 3DEXPERIENCE Edu Student champion worldwide. Recognized as a Champion in SOLIDWORKS and ENOVIA, he has secured two consecutive ENOVIA Champion Excellence awards. Polat was invited twice as a special guest to 3DEXPERIENCE World for his outstanding projects and actively participated in the Edu booth at 3DXW24 alongside the Champion Xperience team. His expertise significantly contributes to advancing technical excellence and fostering innovation in this domain.