Chaning the quality of the geometry approximation?

[unfa]

Selection_272.png (39.41 KiB) Viewed 2066 times

Even though the arcs here are defined as smooth, perfect mathematical shapes, the previewed geometry is decimated, we can make out the individual subdivisions making up the approximated shape of the Draft objects seen here:

Selection_273.png (59.84 KiB) Viewed 2066 times

The same applies to 3D geometry, which sometimes seem to have even less subdivisions for curved surfaces. Sometimes I'd like to be able to change the quality of this preview to view the shapes closer to what they will be after manufacturing. Is there a way to change the amount of subdivisions FreeCAD applies when drawing curved shapes?

Selection_276.png (63.45 KiB) Viewed 2024 times

I searched the FreeCAD preferences to no avail.

This also poses a problem when I export the geometry as a triangle mesh render it with Blender for example. I have no control over the quality of the generated geometry, and subdividing and smoothing the mesh later in Blender is a very difficult task for FreeCAD-exported geometry and can easily distort the model badly.

[microelly2]

You can set the tesselation
viewtopic.php?t=11695#p94121

There are ways to create a mesh first and then export it
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=20824#p161182

[NormandC]

You can set the tesselation

Why are you posting a link to a python script? This is not the Python macros and scripting forum.

I searched the FreeCAD preferences to no avail.

What about Part Design / Shape view / tessellation? Should do what you're asking.

[unfa]

microelly2, I have hard time figuring out the links you've provided, could you help me out with s more specific instruction?

NormandC, I can't find anything called Shape View or Tesselation in the Part Design Workbench (Freecad 0.17).
Can you help me out with a screenshot?

[chrisb]

It is a setting: Preferences->PartDesign->Shape View. There you find two values concerning the tesselation.

[ickby]

Also each object has those settings on its own, the one you set in the preferences is the default value assigned to each object on creation. You can change the values ater creation for each object in the Property Editor under the view tab. They are called "Deviation" and "Angular deflection".

[sgrogan]

Note that the "Deviation" and "Angular deflection" are for on screen rendering.
For export there is a setting from Mesh Design WB
Edit > Preferences > Import-Export > Mesh Formats tab > "Maximum mesh deviation"