calculating enclosed volumes

traq

Hey everyone,

I'm trying to calculate the total (net) volume of a complex model. I'm using Wings3D, but if anyone has an answer using other programs, I'm open to it.

The problem I'm having is that many of the individual objects overlap, and/or are contained within, other objects. When I calculate volume, Wings gives me the gross volume (the summed volume of all objects - shared space is "counted" several times in some cases).

Basically, I'm trying to find the "apparent" volume of the model, as if it were a single, solid block. Any solutions?

L2K

what about using fluids ? realflow ?
like archimede... the volume of fluids an object moves is the volume of the very object

traq

might work... I'll give it a try. thanks.

any other ideas?

rojren

With AutoCAD I would use the UNION command to join all the shapes into one and then MASSPROP to get the volume.

traq

thanks, guys. I got a trail version of autoCAD; that'll do for now. :thumb:

NanoGator

Any math gurus here? Would it be possible to triangulate the mesh, then go through each face, get its area, then add it all up and call the final number your volume?