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Contents
Ø Chapter
- 1 Sketch & Part Modeling
ØChapter
- 2 Surface Modeling
ØChapter
- 3 Assembly
ØChapter
- 4 Drafting
PART DESIGN
Reference Guide
Introduction
Unigraphics NX is an interactive Computer-Added Design and Computer-Aided
Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) system. The CAD functions automate the normal
engineering, design, and drafting capabilities found in today's manufacturing companies.
The CAM functions provide NC programming for modern machine tools using the
Unigraphics NX design model to describe the finished part.
Unigraphics NX functions are divided into "applications" of common capabilities. These
applications are supported by a prerequisite application called Unigraphics NX Gateway.
Every Unigraphics NX user must have Unigraphics NX Gateway; however, the other
applications are optional and may be configured to meet the needs of each individual
user.
Unigraphics NX is a fully three-dimensional, double precision system that allows you to
accurately describe almost any geometric shape. By combining these shapes, you can
design, analyze, and create drawings of your products.
Once the design is complete, the Manufacturing application allows you to select the
geometry describing the part, enter manufacturing information such as cutter diameter,
and automatically generate a cutter location source file (CLSF), which can be used to
drive most NC machines.
Design Input
Application Overview
System Conventions
Right Hand Rule
Associativity
Modality
Setting Registry Options
Design Input
You interact with Unigraphics NX by opening a part file and choosing an application
from the menu bar. Selecting an option from the menu bar and then responding to the
displayed dialog window(s) is the initial procedure. You create your designs within the
Unigraphics NX main application window.
Using Unigraphics NX, you may create, store, retrieve and manipulate design and
manufacturing information.
Work typically begins by creating geometry to describe a part. The Unigraphics NX
system allows you to create complete three-dimensional models of parts, which can be
stored permanently. Stored parts can subsequently be used to:
· Produce fully dimensioned engineering drawings.
· Generate instructions for NC machining.
· Generate input for analytical processes such as finite element analysis.
In this online help, the terms "model" and "part" are used interchangeably.
A part is composed of objects created during the design process. Objects are also referred
to as entities depending on the application you are working in. These objects are
classified as:
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Application Overview
Following are some of the main Unigraphics NX software applications.
Analysis
Assemblies
Drafting
Gateway
Geometric Tolerancing Module
High Quality Image
Knowledge Fusion
Manufacturing
Modeling
Open User Interface Styler
Programming Languages
Quality Control
Routing
Sheet Metal
Spreadsheet
Web Express
Wire Harness
System Conventions
This section describes several Unigraphics NX conventions that are used throughout the
system.
Coordinate Systems
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Angle Measurement
Angular measurements are entered as degrees and decimal fractions of a degree. When
you enter a positive value, the angle is measured counterclockwise from the positive X-
axis or a specified base line. When you enter a negative value, the system displays a
minus sign (-) to indicate movement in a clockwise direction.
Right-Hand Rule
The right-hand rule is used to determine the direction of rotation and the orientation
of coordinate systems. This rule also determines clockwise and counterclockwise
directions.
Conventional Right-Hand Rule
The conventional right-hand rule is, that if the origin of the coordinate system is in the
palm of the right fist, with the back of the hand lying on a table. The outward extension
of the thumb corresponds to the positive X-axis; the outward extension of the index
finger corresponds to the positive Y-axis, and the upward extension of the middle finger
corresponds to the positive Z-axis.
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Features
· Powerful built-in engineering-oriented form features-slots, holes, pads, bosses,
pockets-capture design intent and increase productivity
· Patterns of feature instances-rectangular and circular arrays-with displacement of
individual features; all features in the pattern are associated with the master
feature
Feature Modeling
The term "Feature" is used generally in Unigraphics NX to describe a class of objects that
have defining parents. A feature's parents enable it to recall the inputs and the operation
that were used in its creation. Features include all solids, bodies, primitives and certain
wireframe objects.
Features can be described by the following characteristics:
· The inputs of a feature are its "parents" and the resulting feature object is the
"child," which is Associative or "associated with" its parents.
· Parents can be geometric objects or numerical variables (known as Expressions).
In the case of numerical variables, the numbers are known as "parameters" of the
child object, and the child is said to be "parametric."
· If any object is modified, its associated children are updated (regenerated) to
reflect the change.
· The combination of parents and the creation operation is sometimes known as the
"history" of an object.
· The parent-child analogy can be extended further within Unigraphics NX, and it is
reasonable to speak of ancestors, descendents, siblings, orphans, reparenting and
so on.
Form Feature
Feature Operation
Direct Modeling
Free Form Feature
Shape Studio
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Basic Terminology
Feature Refers to all solids, bodies, and primitives.
Body A collection of faces and edges. This includes both solid bodies and sheet bodies.
Solid body A collection of faces and edges that "close up" to enclose a volume.
Sheet A body with zero thickness, made up of a collection of faces and edges that do not
"close up" to enclose a volume.
Face A region on the outside of a body, separated from other faces by strings of edges.
Section Curves that you sweep to create a body.
curves
Guide Curves used to help define the path for the sweep operation.
curves
Basic Curves
When you choose the Basic Curves option, the Basic Curves dialog is
displayed. The portion of the Basic Curves dialog below the icons is
different for each of the curve creation options (line, arc, and circle). You
will find a complete picture of the dialog, including these unique options,
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The Basic Curves dialog is used to create lines, arcs, circles, and fillets. While you are
creating these curves, you also have quick access to the Trim Curve and Edit Curve
Parameters functions. As you go through the steps to create a line, arc, or circle, in most
cases you will see a "preview" of what the new curve will be, so that you know what the
curve will look like before you create it. You can also change some of the parameters of a
curve right after you create it.
Curve Creation Tools
The Basic Curves dialog provides you with several tools to make curve creation faster
and easier. They are:
· The dialog bar
· Preview of object creation
· Pre-highlighting
· Inferred point selection
· Application-specific MB3 pop-up menus
· Status line feedback
Line
When you are in line creation mode, there are several options on the Basic
Curves dialog that are unique to line creation.
In addition to the options on the dialog, you can also change the angle and/or length of a
line immediately after you create it, by keying new values into the dialog bar text fields
and pressing <Enter>.
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Creating Arcs
When you are in arc creation mode, there are several options on the Basic
Curves dialog that are unique to arc creation. These options are covered in
this section.
Full Circle
When this option is ON, any arc that you create, regardless of the creation
method, is created as a complete circle.
Creation Method
There are two basic methods for creating arcs:
· Start, end, point on arc
With this method, you can create an arc that passes through three points, or which passes
through two points and is tangent to a selected object.
The object selected for tangency to an arc cannot be a parabola, hyperbola, or spline.
(However, one of these objects can be selected for tangency to a complete circle.)
· Center, start, end
With this method, you define the center point, then the start and end of the arc.
The start and end points can be adjusted by entering angle values in the dialog bar
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2. Define a third point or select a tangent object (other than a parabola, hyperbola, or
spline
Start Point, Tangent to an Object, End Point
This method is similar to the previous one, but is intended to let you define tangency at
the endpoints of an object. If the start point is an endpoint of the tangent object, the arc
will come off the end of the selected object and be tangent to it.
Creating Circles
When you are in circle creation mode, the only option in the center of the
dialog that is unique to cirle creation is Multiple Positions.
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For all circle creation methods, you can establish precise values for the radius, diameter,
start angle, or end angle by keying the value into the text field in the dialog bar and
pressing <Enter> immediately after creating the circle (while it is still selected).
Center point, point on circle
Center point, radius or diameter
Center point, tangent object
Fillets
When you choose the Fillet option, the Curve Fillet dialog is displayed.
You can use the Fillet option to "round off" the intersection between two
or three selected curves. You can also specify how the curves are trimmed
when the fillet is created.
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Simple Fillet
Creates a fillet between two coplanar nonparallel lines.
2 Curve Fillet
Constructs a fillet between two curves, including points, lines, circles, conics or splines.
A two curve fillet is generated in the counterclockwise direction from the first selected
curve to the second.
3 Curve Fillet
Creates a fillet between three curves, which can be any combination of points, lines, arcs,
conics, and splines.
Radius: Defines the radius of the fillet.
Inherit: Lets you define the values of the new fillet by selecting an existing fillet.
Trim Options
If you choose to create a two or three curve fillet, you need to choose a trimming option.
Trimming shortens or extends the selected curves to join with the fillet. (Depending on
the fillet option selected, some trimming options are changed or are not available.)
Point Constructor
Lets you use the Point Constructor to select some or all of the curves to fillet.
Simple Fillet
Creates a fillet between two coplanar nonparallel lines. You determine the size of the
fillet by entering a value for the radius. The lines are automatically trimmed to the points
of tangency with the arc.
The fillet that is created is directly related to where you select the lines. Both lines are
selected at the same time. You must position the selection ball in such a manner as to
include both lines.
2 Curve Fillet
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Constructs a fillet between two curves, including points, lines, circles, conics or splines.
A two curve fillet is an arc generated in the counterclockwise direction from the first
curve to the second. The fillet created by this method is tangent to both curves.
3 Curve Fillet
This option creates a fillet between three curves, which can be any combination of
points, lines, arcs, conics, and splines. The Radius option is not available.
A three curve fillet is a circular arc generated in a counterclockwise direction
from the first curve to the third curve. The fillet is constructed in such a way that the
center of the arc is equidistant to all three curves. The three curves do not have to lie in
Creating Splines
You can create splines using one of several methods. All splines created in
Unigraphics NX are Non Uniform Rational B-splines (NURBS). In this
section, the terms "B-spline" and "spline" are used interchangeably. There
are four creation methods for splines:
Note: The Spline option is available from both the Create Curve dialog and the Sketch
Tools dialog.
Options:
By Poles
Causes the spline to gravitate towards each data point (that is, pole), but not pass through
it, except at the endpoints.
Through Points
The spline passes through a set of data points.
Fit
A specified tolerance is used in "fitting" the spline to its data points; the spline does not
necessarily pass through the points.
Perpendicular to Planes
The spline passes through and is perpendicular to each plane in a set.
Fit
You can create a spline by "fitting" it to the construction points with a specified
tolerance. This method reduces the amount of data needed to define the spline. Since you
are not forcing the spline to pass exactly through the construction points, the definition is
simplified.
To create a spline using the Fit method:
1. Using one of the displayed point specification methods, select the data points for
the spline.
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2. Once you have the data points you can specify the creation parameters as needed
from the Create Spline By Fit dialog.
3. Choose OK.
Trim Curve
Trim Curve adjusts the endpoints of curves based on bounding entities and
segment(s) of curves selected for trimming. You can trim or extend lines,
arcs, conics or splines. You can trim to (or extend to) curves, edges,
planes, faces, points, or cursor locations.
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You can use bodies, faces, points, curves, edges, datum planes and datum axes as
bounding objects when trimming a curve. You cannot trim bodies, sheet bodies or solid
bodies.
Basic Trim Curve Procedure
The basic procedure to trim (or extend) a curve is shown in the following steps.
1. Use the First Bounding Object selection step to specify the first bounding object.
If you want to trim or extend the bounding object, turn on Trim Bounding Objects
and set the Trim/Extend option to either Start or End.
2. Select the second bounding object (optional). If you have already turned on Trim
Bounding Objects for the first bounding object, the second bounding object is also
going to be trimmed. You can independently set the Trim/Extend option for the
second bounding object to Start or End.
3. Use the String to Trim selection step to specify one or more curves you wish to
trim or extend. The ends of the curves you select indicate the ends that will be
trimmed.
4. Set the Extend and Trim options for the selected curve.
5. Turn on the Associative Output option if you want the output trimmed curve to be
associative with its input parameters.
6. Click OK or Apply.
To trim the outer segments, select the curve to the outside of a bounding object
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Using the Same String for the First and Second Bounding Objects
If you select the same bounding string for the First Bounding Object and the
Second Bounding Object, and if the Trim Bounding Objects toggle button is on, the
bounding string is trimmed as though it were a single string being trimmed to two
locations.
Extending and Projecting Curves
Generally, an intersection of two curves is a point where the curves actually meet.
However, if the curves do not meet, the intersection point is determined by extending the
curves until they do meet.
When the two selected curves are not coplanar, the second selected curve is projected
along either the view normal, or a specified vector, direction until it intersects the first
selected curve, where the intersection is calculated.
If the curves still do not meet after extending them and/or projecting them, no trim is
possible.
When you attempt to intersect a curve with a face (from a sheet body or solid body), and
the extensions of the curve do not intersect the face, the face is not extended to meet the
curve.
Trimming Circles
When trimming circles using a single bounding object, they trim back from the endpoint
of the curve.
Trimming Two Portions of a Single Circle
Setting the Spline Extension option to None enables you to trim out two separate portions
of a single circle. Setting Spline Extension to any of its other options (that is, Natural,
Linear or Circular) treats arcs to be trimmed as though they are full circles. In order to
override this behavior, set the Spline Extension option to None.
To trim out the first side of the circle, position the cursor to select the bounding objects
near one set of intersections (make sure Use Inferred Intersection is on). Before you
attempt to trim out the other side you will have to set the Spline Extension option to
None.
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Create features:-
Feature Creation:
Some of the options on the create feature dialogue let you create solid Features,
which you can use to create and to add detail to Three-dimensional solid bodies.
This chapter is divided into sections, which pertain to similarly Grouped
functions, or feature types.
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Extruded Body:-
Option: -
Direction & Distance
Trim to Face/Plane
Trim Between Two Faces/Planes
Through Multiple Bodies
Procedure: -
STEP 6: Create à Ok
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Revolved Body
Lets you create a feature by revolving selected section curves about a
given axis through a nonzero angle.
Procedure: -
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Procedure: -
After choosing this method you must
Select a section string
· Select a guide string
· Enter offset Values
· Choose a Boolean operation
The following section string selection methods are available to create a feature using
Sweep Along Guide.
· Solid Face
· Solid Edge
· Curve
· Chain Curves
· Sheet Body
Note: - The guide string can be a solid face, solid edge, curve, or chain of curves.
Sweep Along Guide allows to create solid bodies through guide strings as user specifies.
Procedure:
STEP 1: Click Sweep Along Guide Icon à From Tool Box à Feature
STEP 4: Offset1 = 0
Offset2 = 0 à Ok
SIMPLE HOLE: -
To create a simple hole, you must specify the diameter, depth and Tip Angle.
Counterbored Hole: –
In addition to Hole diameter, Hole Depth, and Tip angle you must specify
counterbore diameter and counterbore depth values. Counterbore diameter must be
greater than the hole diameter, and hole depth must be greater than counterbore depth.
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Countersunk Hole: -
In addition to Hole diameter, Hole Depth, and Tip angle you must specify countersunk
diameter and countersunk angle values. Countersink diameter must be greater than the
hole diameter, and countersunk angle must be greater than 0 and less than 180 degrees.
Creating Holes: -
This function allows to create Simple Hole either through holes or to the specified depth
and positioning of holes through Positioning methods.
Procedure: -
STEP 1: Create à Block à using Block Creation
STEP 2: Select the Hole option
STEP 3: Choose simple and through hole à Ok
STEP 4: Select Planer faces à Ok
Select Through faces à Ok
STEP 5: Enter parameter àDiameter à Ok
STEP 6: Positioning Method
Click Perpendicular Dimension à select corner edge
Enter the perpendicular Dimension = 10 à Ok
Again click on to perpendicular Dimension, select corner edge
Enter the dimension àOk
STEP 7: File à Save (or) Save as _ Part à Ok
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From the Boss dialog select a planar placement face or datum plane on
which to locate the boss. The system displays a preview in the graphics
window of the boss and its dimensions using the current parameters. If
you selected a datum plane, you can use the Reverse side button to switch
the direction of the vector. You can enter values for the parameters
discussed in the following steps before you select the planar placement
face.
When you can change a value in one of the parameter fields discussed below, pressing
the Return or Enter key updates the graphics window preview of the boss with the new
value.
Enter a value for the Diameter
Enter value for the Height
Enter a value for the Taper Angle
When you are ready to create the boss, Click Ok or Apply.
Rectangular Pad:
For a rectangular pad, you must specify the following parameters: X, Y, Z
defines the length, width and height of the pad and directly relate to the
direction vector (Z) and the orientation vector (X).
Corner Radius: The rounded radius for the vertical edges of the pad. The radius
specified must be a positive or zero. (A zero radius results in a sharp edged pad.)
Taper Angle: The angle at which the four walls of the pad incline inward. This value
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RECTANGULAR POCKET:
This option lets you define a rectangular pocket, to a specific length,
width, and depth, with specific radii in the corners and on the floor, having
straight or tapered sides.
You must specify the following parameters: X, Y, Z defines the length, width and
depth of the pocket.
Corner Radius specifies the rounded radius (zero or greater) for the vertical edges of the
pocket.
Floor Radius specifies the rounded radius (zero or greater) for the bottom edges of the
pocket.
Corner Radius and Floor Radius must be positive or zero. A zero radius for both
results in a sharp edged pocket. Corner radius must be greater than or equal to the
Floor Radius.
Taper Angle specifies the angle at which the four walls of the pocket incline inward.
This value cannot be negative. A value of zero results in vertical walls.
Rectangular Slot: -
This option lets you create a slot with sharp edges along the bottom.
Width represents the width of the tool, which forms the slot.
Depth is measured in the opposite direction of the slot axis and is the distance from the
origin point to the bottom of the slot. This value must be positive.
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Length is measured in a direction parallel to the horizontal reference. This value must be
positive.
T-Slot: -
Top Width is the width o the narrower, upper portion of the slot.
Bottom Width is the width of the wider, lower part of the slot.
Top Depth is measured in the opposite direction of the slot axis and is the distance from
the slot origin to the top of the bottom depth value.
Bottom Depth is measured in the opposite direction of the tool axis and is the distance
from the bottom of the top depth value to the bottom of the slot.
Dove-Tail Slot: -
You can use this option to create a slot with a "dove-tail" shape. This type of slot leaves
sharp corners and angled walls. You must specify the following parameters:
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Width of the slot opening on the face of the solid body, measured perpendicular to the
slot path direction and centered on the slot origin.
Depth is measured in the opposite direction of the tool axis and is the distance from the
origin point to the bottom of the slot
Angle is the angle between the slot floor and the side wall.
DATUM PLANE: -
Datum Plane option is to create reference planes that serve as aids when
existing planes are not available. Datum planes can assist you in creating
features on cylinders, cones, spheres, revolved solid bodies, and other
objects. Datum planes can also help you in creating features at angles
other than normal to the faces of the target solid.
Opening Datum Planes first displays the icon options in the upper left corner of the
graphics window. The icon options use the Inferred method to let you quickly create a
datum plane based on your object and optional constraint selections.
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Select the edges, faces or wireframe geometry needed to specify the datum, and then
choose the Datum Plane option.
The system attempts to infer the best mode to use with the selected objects to successfully
define a datum, and presents a preview of the datum in the graphics window. If a datum
plane cannot be created based on the selected objects, use the Datum Plane icon options
to change the mode, add additional objects or change the constraints.
Alternate Solution - Cycles through different solutions when more than one
type of datum plane can be created, based on the object selections and constraints.
OK - Creates the previewed datum plane. Unlike the Apply button on the
Datum Plane dialog, dismisses the Datum Plane option.
Cancel - Discards all datum plane constraints and exits the Datum Plane option
BASIC PROCEDURE: -
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STEP 2: Open the full Datum Plane dialog by clicking its icon button on the Datum Plane
dynamic input box.
STEP 3: Select the edges, faces or wireframe geometry needed to specify the datum
STEP 4: Use the Point Constructor from the Point Submenu to define a point, then apply.
Angle constrains the datum so it is at an angle to planar geometries, and its axis of
rotation is through a line, linear edge, datum axis, or the axis of a cylindrical, conical
face.
Primitives
Primitive features are basic analytic shapes - Blocks, Cylinders, Cones and Spheres.
Primitives are nonassociative, meaning they are not associated to geometry used to create
them. However, you can edit certain parameters.
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If a Solid body already exists, you need to specify how the new primitive will be
used with the existing solid body. Once you have specified the necessary parameters for
the creation of the primitive, the following options are displayed.
Positioning Primitives
You cannot position solid primitives using positioning dimensions as yhou can most
other features. During the creation of the primitive, you supply its location either using
the Point subfunction, or by selecting geometry.
You can create block primitives by specifying an orientation, size and location using the
following options:
Option: -
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Edge Lengths, Corner
To create a block using the Origin, Edge Lengths method, follow these steps:
1. Use the Point 1 selection step to specify the corner point. Use the Point Method
options if necessary to refine where you locate it.
2. If necessary, use the Target Solid selection step to specify the target solid.
3. Enter values in the respective fields for the Length (XC), Width (YC) and Height
(ZC), or accept the default values. All values must be positive.
4. If necessary, specify the Boolean Operation.
5. Click OK or Apply.
Cylinder
You can create cylinder primitives by specifying an orientation, size and location, using
the following options:
Option:
· Diameter, Height
· Height, Arc
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· Height, Arc
This option creates a cylinder by selecting an arc and entering a height value.
Procedure
To create a cylinder using this method you must:
1. Enter the height value (must be a postive value).
2. Select an arc.
3. Confirm the cylinder axis direction.
The system derives the orientation of the cylinder from the arc you select. The axis of
the cylinder is normal to the plane of the arc and passes through the arc center. A vector
indicates this orientation.
The arc you select does not have to be a complete circle. The system creates a
complete cylinder based on any arc objects.
Sphere
You can create sphere primitives by specifying an orientation, size and location, using the
following options:
Option:
· Diameter, Height
· Select Arc
Diameter, Center: -
This option creates a sphere by defining a diameter value and a center.
To create a sphere using this method you must:
1. Enter the diameter value.
2. Define the sphere center.
The center of the sphere is defined using the Point Constructor.
Select Arc
This option creates a sphere by selecting an arc.
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The arc you select does not have to be a complete circle. The system creates a complete
sphere based on any arc objects. The selected arc defines the sphere's center and
diameter.
NOTE:-
The sphere is not associative with the arc; meaning that if you edit the size of the
arc, the sphere does not update to match the change in the arc.
Constraint Management
Editing a Sketch
Mating Conditions
Reference Sets
Component Arrays
Swept
Extension, Offset
Overview: -
The Sketcher is a tool that lets you create two-dimensional representations of profiles
associated with your part. You can create a rough outline of curves, then you can specify
conditions called constraints to degfine the shapes more precisely and capture your
design intent. Each curve is referred to as a sketch object.
In most cases, a sketch I sextruded or revolved to create a solid body or sheet body.
Then, after you have changed the sketch, the associated body is evaluated accordingly.
Locating a Sketch: -
A Sketch must reside on a datum plane or planar face. If you specify that a sketch be on
one of the WCS planes (XC-YC, YC-ZC, ZC-XC), a fixed datum plane and two datum
axes are created for you.
Degree-Of-Freedom Arrows
Degree of freedom arrows indicate that more information is required to completely locate
a point on the sketch. For example, if a degree of freedom arrow is displayed in the Y-
direction on a point, you need to constrain that point in the Y-direction.
As you add constraints and evaluate the sketch, the appropriate degree of freedom arrows
are removed.
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Constraints: -
A Constraint lets you precisely control the size of a sketch object, or other geometric
conditions, so that the sketch reflects your design intent. As you apply constraints, you
eliminate degree of freedom arrows. There are two types of constraints – dimensional
constraints( or sketch dimensions) and geometric constraints.
Sketch Preferences: -
You can change the values of sketch defaults and control display of certain sketch objects
by choosing Preference Sketch. For a detailed description of the Sketch preferences
options.
If you do not select a datum or face, the sketcher defaults to an XC-YC plane and creates
two datum axes. You can reverse the direction of a reference axis by double-clicking a
green axis. You can accept the default by choosing a curve function, clicking the OK
option.
Sketch Plane: -
The sketch plane is the plane that the sketch is located on. The sketch plane menu
has the following options.
Face/Plane – With this option, you use the Attachment Face/plane icon to select a
planar face or existing datum plane. If you select a datum plane, you can use the Reverse
Direction button to reverse the direction of the normal to the plane.
XC-YC, YC-ZC, ZC-XC – With these options, you can create a sketch on one of the
WCS planes. However , if you use this method, a datum plane and two datum axes are
created for you. The datum axes can be used to locate the sketch.
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Sketch Name
Enter the name of the new sketch in this field. The default name that is suplied by the
system begins with the Sketch value from the Default Name Prefixes section of the
sketch preferences dialog followed by three digits, beginning with “000” and
incrementing by one.
The first character of the sketch name must be alphabetic. If you start the sketch name
with a numeric character, you will receive the following error message:
Finish Sketch
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This drop-down list displays all of the sketches in the work part.
You can:
Sketch Name Rename a sketch.
Edit a sketch.
Profile
Creates a string of lines and arcs, or single curves.
Line
Creates a single, unchained line.
Arc
Creates an arc using one of the following methods:
· Arc by 3 Points
· Arc by Center and Endpoints
Circle
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Quick Trim
Trims one or more curves.
Quick Extend
Extends geometry to curve intersections.
No constraints are applied to the added curves, and gaps between geometry are not closed
- the curves are simply added to the sketch. To let the system apply some geometric
constraints, use the Automatic Constraint Creation function.
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"Developed," or "associative," curves cannot be added to a sketch with this option. These
include curves created using the Law Subfunction (splines and helixes) and those created
using Project Points/Curves. Use the Add Extracted Curve to Sketch option instead.
Add Extracted Curves
This option lets you create extracted curves or strings by selecting objects that are
external to the sketch. Objects available for extraction include:
The Snap Point toolbar and the Edit-> Snap Point pull-down menu act like a panel of
toggle switches, and consist of point methods that you can enable or disable. This lets you
turn on or off the desired Snap Point methods that you want concurrently active during a
creation or edit process.
Overview of constraints
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A constraint lets you precisely control the objects in a sketch. There are two types of
constraints- dimensional constraints (also called sketch dimensions) and geomteric
constraints.
Dimensional constraints:
A dimensional constraints establishes the size of a sketch object (such as the length of a
line, the redius of an arc, etc.) or the relationship between two objects (such as the
distance between two points). A dimensional constraint looks much like a dimension on
a drawing.
When you are in dimensional mode in the constraints dialog, you can apply
dimensional constraints to sketch objects. You can choose from the following dimension
options:
In creating dimensional constraints, you may select points on sketch curves, edges, datum
planes or datum axes in creating horizontal, vertical, parallel, perpendicular and angular
dimensions. You can also use inferred mode and the system will make its “best guess”
about the dimension to create, based on what you have selected.
Geometric Constraints:
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two or more sketch objects (for examle, requiring that two line be perpendicular or
parallel, or that several arcs have the same radius). Geometric constraints are usually not
visible in the graphics area, but you can use Show/Remove Constraints to display
information about them, and to display visual markers representing them.
Alternate Solution:
This option lets you change from one solution to another where
more than one solution is possible when a constraint is applied.
The figure shows how this function can be used with a dimensional constraint to change
from one possible solution to the other. The dimensional constraint p4 can be a valid
constraint for either solution.
Show/Remove Constraints:
You can use the Show/Remove Constraints option to display the ge0metric constraints
that are associated with selected sketch geometry. You can also remove specified
constraints, and a list information about all geometric constraints.
When you first choose Show/Remove Constraints, you are in inferred mode. When you
place the cursor over a curve in the sketch, the curves and all others associated with it are
highlighted, and markers are displayed to indicate which geometric constraints have been
applied to the highlighted geometry.
Animate Dimension:
This option lets you dynamically displays the effect of varying a given dimension over a
specified range. Any geometry affected by the selected dimension is also animated.
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Procedure
To animate a dimension, follow this procedure:
1. Choose the Animate icon. The Animate dialog is displayed.
2. Select the dimension you want to animate, either by choosing its name from the
dialog or by selecting the dimensional constraint in the graphics area.
3. Enter the lower and upper limits. The dimension will vary between these two
values during the animation.
4. Enter the number of steps in the cycle.
5. Optional: Turn the Display Dimensions option ON. This will display the original
sketch dimensions during the animation.
6. Choose Apply to start the animation.
7. Choose OK in the Question dialog, which appears when the animation begins, to
stop the animation.
Feature Modelling: -
The term "Feature" is used generally in Unigraphics NX to describe a class of objects that
have defining parents. A feature's parents enable it to recall the inputs and the operation
that were used in its creation. Features include all solids, bodies, primitives and certain
wireframe objects.
Taper - Lets you apply a taper to faces or edges, relative to a specified vector.
Edge Blend - Lets you modify a solid body by rounding selected edges.
Face Blend - Lets you create a blend tangent to specified sets of faces.
Soft Blend - Lets you create blends that are more "aesthetic" and less "mechanical" than
standard Unigraphics NX blends.
Chamfer - Lets you bevel edges of a solid body by defining the desired chamfer
dimensions.
Hollow - Lets you hollow out or create a shell around a single solid body based on a user
specified thickness value.
Thread - Lets you create symbolic or detailed threads on features with cylindrical faces.
Instance - Lets you create a rectangular or circular, instance array from existing features.
You can also mirror a body about a datum plane.
Sew - Lets you join together two or more sheet bodies, or two solid bodies that share at
least one common face.
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Patch - Lets you use a sheet body to replace some of the faces of a solid body. You can
also patch a sheet to another sheet.
Simplify Body - Lets you remove connected sets of faces from a solid body, useful when
you want to alter a complex model to emphasize key features, but retain the ability to
recover the details.
Wrap Geometry - Lets you simplify a detailed model by computing a solid envelope that
surrounds it, effectively "shrink wrapping" the model with a convex polyhedron of planar
faces.
Offset Face - Lets you offset one or more faces of a body along the face normals.
Scale - Lets you scale solid and sheet bodies about the Work Coordinate System (WCS).
You can use uniform scaling, or you can scale independently in the XC, YC, and ZC
directions.
Trim Body - Lets you trim one or more target bodies using a face, datum plane, or other
geometry. You select which portion of the bodies you want to keep, and the trimmed
bodies take the shape of the trimming geometry.
Split Body - Lets you divide one or more target bodies using a face, datum plane, or other
geometry.
Subtract - Lets you subtract one or more tool bodies from a target body, leaving empty
space where the subtracted target body existed.
Intersect - Lets you create a body which contains the volume shared by two different
bodies. You can intersect solids with solids, sheets with sheets, and a sheet with a solid,
but not a solid with a sheet.
Promotion of Bodies - Lets you promote a body from a loaded assembly component to
the level of the assembly (the work part). The promoted body is associative to the original
body
Unite
The Unite boolean function let you combine the volume of two or more
bodies into a single body. You have the option to save and retain
unmodified copies of the target and tool bodies. This option creates a
UNITE feature.
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You can unite solids with solids. You cannot unite a solid body and a sheet body, or a
sheet body and a sheet body.
Subtract
The Subtract option creates SUBTRACT features that let you use tool bodies to
remove volume from a target body. This operation can leave empty space where
the subtracted target body existed. You have the option to save and retain
unmodified copies of the target and tool bodies.
Intersect
This option lets you create a body containing the volume shared by two
different bodies. You can intersect solids with solids, sheets with sheets, and a
sheet with a solid, but not a solid with a sheet. An INTERSECT feature is created
by this option. Intersect can leave empty space where the intersected target and
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tool bodies existed. You have the option to save and retain unmodified copies of
the target and tool bodies.
Hollow
This option lets you hollow out a solid body, or create a shell around it,
using specified thickness values. You can assign individual thicknesses for
faces, and select regions of faces for piercing during hollowing.
Procedure
Choosing Edge Blend with an edge selected automatically displays its icon options in the
upper left corner of the graphics window. If the edge blends you are constructing are
simple, you can easily create them from the icon options without opening the full dialog.
Edge Blend Icon Options
Edge Blend Dialog - Use the full dialog to set options and parameters, and to
create edge blends that are more specific than those using the icon options.
OK - Creates the previewed edge blend. Using this option dismisses the Edge
Blend
option.
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Cancel - Discards all edge blend parameters and exits the Edge Blend option.
All methods open either the Edge Blend icon options or the full dialog, depending on if
there is setback or variable radius data present. Edit the parameters as needed.
Edge Blend applies a constant or variable radius blendusing a selected edge and tangent
to the adjoining faces.
Cliff Edge applies a constant radius blend through an edge and non-tangent to the cliff
edge and tangent to the face opposite the cliff edge.
Edge Blend:
Suppose for a moment that we are blending a single edge. We call this the blended edge.
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The two faces that meet at the blended edge, along which the sphere rolls, are called the
blended faces.
As the sphere rolls along the blended edge, it traces out two contact curves, one on each
of the blended faces. These contact curves eventually form the edges of the blend sheet.
Procedure
1. Open the Edge Blend dialog.
2. Verify that the Blend Type is set to Edge.
3. Select one or more edges from the graphics window to blend. You can use the
Filter options to aid the selection. If you select a face or a body, all of its edges
will be blended. The default radius will be applied to all the edges.
Edge Blend - Cliff Edge Type
The Cliff Edge Blend Type option lets you apply a constant radius blend starting at the
cliff edge, through a blend edge and tangent to the face opposite the cliff edge.
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Procedure
Chamfer
This option lets you bevel edges of a solid body by defining the desired
chamfer dimensions. The chamfer function operates very similarly to the
blend function.
You can create a chamfer using the following options:
· SingleOffset
· Double Offset
· Offset Angle
· Freeform Single Offset
· Freeform Double Offset
Single Offset
This option lets you create a simple chamfer whose offset is the same along both faces.
You must enter a single positive offset value.
Double Offset
For this option, you must enter values for First Offset and Second Offset. These offsets
are measured along the faces from the selected edge. Both of these values must be
positive, and are applied as illustrated in the figure below.
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After creating the chamfer, you can choose Flip Last Chamfer if the chamfer's offsets
were applied opposite to what you want.
Offset Angle
You can use an angle to define a simple chamfer. For this option, you must enter values
for the Offset and the Angle.
After creating the chamfer, you can choose Flip Last Chamfer if the chamfer's offsets
were applied opposite to what you want.
Instance
This option lets you create an instance array from existing features. You
can define a rectangular or circular array, mirror a body about a datum
plane and mirror a feature through a datum plane or planar face.
An instance is a shape-linked feature, similar to a copy. You can create one or more
instances of a feature, or group of features. Since all instances of a feature are associated,
you can edit the parameters of the feature and those changes are reflected in every
Rectangular Array
This option lets you create a linear array of instances from one or more selected features.
Rectangular instance arrays can be either two-dimensional in XC and YC (several rows
of features) or one-dimensional in XC or YC (one row of features). These instance arrays
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are generated parallel to the XC and/or YC axes based on the number and offset distance
you enter.
NOTE:- The orientation of the WCS (the XC and YC directions) can be changed using
the Origin, Rotate or Orient options located under the main menu option WCS.
Instance – Rectangular Array
Number Along XC defines the total number of instances to be generated parallel to the
XC axis of the WCS. This number includes the existing feature you are instancing. To
create a one-dimensional array in the XC direction, set this value to one.
XC Offset defines the spacing for the instances along the XC axis. This spacing is
measured from a point on one instance to the same point on the next instance along the
XC axis. Negative values position the instances in a negative direction along the axis.
YC Offset defines the spacing for the instances along the YC axis. This spacing is
measured from one instance to the next along the YC axis. Negative values position the
instances in a negative direction along the axis.
Circular Array
This option lets you create a circular array of instances from one or more selected
features. You specify:
· The array method
· The rotation axis about which the instances are generated
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· The total number of instances in the array (including the original feature)
· The angle between the instances
Number --The total number of instances created in the circular array, including the
existing feature you are instancing.
You can use a datum axis as the center of the circular instance array, or you can specify
the axis using the vector subfunction and point subfunction. If you use a datum axis, the
rotation ais of the array will be associtive to the geometry used to define the datum axis.
If you define the axis using the Vector subfunction, you can change it to a datum axis
later using
Edit – Feature –Edit Parameters – Instance Array Dialog
Multiple Features
When you select multiple features for a circular instance array, it is important to
remember that the local origin of the feature you select first is used to calculate the radius
of the circular array. (This value can later be edited using Edit -> Feature ->
Parameters – Instance Array Dialog.)
· Hollows
· Blends
· Chamfers
· Offset sheets
· Datums
· Trimmed sheet bodies
· Instance sets
· Taper features
· Free form features
Note:- If you create a blend or chamfer on an instance after the instance set is created, the
blend all instances or chamfer all instances options allow you to add the blend or chamfer
to all the current instances in that set. These options have no effect on instances created
after the blend or chamfer.
Mirror Body
Mirror Body lets you mirror an entire body about a datum plane. You can use this, for
example, to form the other hand of a lefthand or righthand part. When you use this
option, the system creates a feature whose name is Mirror. This feature is time stamped
and listed in the when you use Information-> Feature, just like other features.
When you mirror a body, the Mirror feature is associative to the original body - it has no
editable parameters of its own.
The following statements describe the Mirror feature and its relationship to the original
body and the datum plane:
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· If you change the parameters of a feature in the original (master) body, causing
the original body to change, those changes are reflected in the mirrored body.
· If you edit the parameters of the associated datum plane, the mirrored body
changes accordingly. In fact, if you choose a Mirror feature when using Edit ->
Feature -> Parameters, you are automatically taken into the edit dialog for datum
planes.
· If you delete the original body or datum plane, the mirrored body is also deleted.
· If you move the original body, the mirrored body also moves.
· You can add features to the mirrored body. However, be sure that you do not
reorder these features, such that they would occur before the Mirror feature.
· You can combine the original and mirrored bodies using the Unite option to create
a symmetrical model, as shown in the figure below. Note that when using Unite to
do this, you must select the master body as the target body, and the mirror body as
the tool body. Otherwise the Unite operation will fail. This is true for all such
boolean operations.
Mirror Body Procedure
To create a mirrored body, follow these steps:
1. Select one or more bodies to mirror.
2. Select a datum plane. On selecting the datum plane, the body is then mirrored.
Mirror Feature
This option lets you create symmetrical models by mirroring selected features through a
datum plane or planar face. To create a simple mirrored body you would normally use the
Mirror Body option. Mirror Feature, however, lets you mirror features within a body.
Output from this option is a feature named MIRROR_SET. During edit of a
MIRROR_SET feature, you can redefine the mirror plane and add and remove features to
it.
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· Selection Steps à Feature to Mirror - Lets you select the features in the part that you
wish to mirror. To specify a feature to be mirrored, highlight it in the Features in Part
listing and use the Add button to add it to the Features in Mirror listing.
Mirror Plane - Lets you specify the planar face or datum plane through which to
mirror the selected features.
· Filter à Lets you limit the number of entries displayed in the Features in Part listing,
which can be useful in parts with many features. The standard wildcard character,
asterisk (*), can be used to limit the contents of the listing. For example, entering
EX* would result in only those features starting with the characters EX to display in
the list. The default for this field is the asterisk wildcard character (*), which
automatically displays all features present in the part.
· Add Dependencies àWhen ON, specifies that feature dependencies for those
features you add to the Features in Mirror listing be included in the output
MIRROR_SET feature. Only effective when you are adding features to the Features
in Mirror list. Turning this option on after you have finished adding features to the
Features in Mirror list has no effect.
· All in Body à When ON, specifies that all features in the body be included in the
MIRROR_SET feature. Only effective when you add one or more features to the
Features in Mirror list. Turning this option on after you have added features to the
Features in Mirror list has no effect.
· Features in Part à Displays the names of features in the part in a scrollable listing,
letting you select those to be added to the set that is to be mirrored. To control the
contents of the list, use the Filter field. To specify a feature to be mirrored, highlight it
in the listing and click the Add button. The feature is then added to the Features in
Mirror listing. Multiple selections are allowed. All of the part's features are listed
when the default wildcard asterisk (*) is present in the Filter field.
· Features in Mirror à Displays the names of all features that you have selected from
the Features in Part listing. Entries in this listing are part of the feature set currently
selected to be mirrored. Multiple selections are allowed.
· Add à A right arrow icon that lets you add the highlighted feature in the Features in
Part listing to the Features in Mirror listing.
· Remove àA left arrow that lets you remove the highlighted feature from the
Features in Mirror listing.
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and clicking the Add button once. You can remove features in the Features in
Mirror listing by highlighting them and clicking the Remove button. (Note that
you can also add features to the Features in Mirror list by clicking on them in the
graphics window with the mouse cursor. Similarly, you can remove features from
the Features in Mirror list by Shift/clicking <Shift><MB1> on them in the
graphics window.)
4. If desired, turn on the Add Dependencies option, to include feature dependencies
of the selected features that are to be mirrored.
5. If desired, turn on the All in Body option, to mirror all features present in the
body.
6. Click the Mirror Plane selection step option. Move the cursor to the graphics
window and select the datum plane or planar face to be used to reflect the feature
during the mirror operation.
7. Click OK or Apply. The features in the Features in Mirror listing are mirrored
across the mirror plane. The result is a separate body composed of a single
FEATURE_SET feature. If desired, you can use Unite to join the new body with
the other solid body in the part file.
Pattern Face
Pattern Face lets you make copies of a face set. It is similar to the Instance function, but
is easier to use, and you do not have to have a feature-based model to use it. It is also
faster and more straightforward.
Use this function when you have a set of faces and you want to make a rectangular or
circular pattern of them. The figures below show two sample patterns, each based on a
single seed face (highlighted).
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· Enter a value for Number. The face set you are copying should be part of
the total value.
· Enter a value for Angle.
For the Reflection type:
· Use the Planar Reference selection step to specify a planar object or a
datum plane to act as the plane through which the face set is copied.
5. Click OK or Apply. The selected face set is copied to a pattern on the face.
Along YC Axis. This number includes the existing face set that you are copying. Used only with
the Rectangular Type.
XC Offset Defines the spacing for the copies along the XC axis. This spacing is measured from
a point on one copy to the same point on the next copy along the XC axis. Negative
values position the copies in a negative direction along the axis. Used only with the
Rectangular Type.
YC Offset Defines the spacing for the copies along the YC axis. This spacing is measured from
a point on one copy to the same point on the next copy along the YC axis. Negative
values position the copies in a negative direction along the axis. Used only with the
Rectangular Type.
Number The total number of copies created in the circular pattern, including the existing face
or face set that you are copying. Used only with the Circular Type.
Angle The angle between the copies in a circular pattern. Used only with the Circular Type.
Preview Lets you view the region to be copied by highlighting it before committing to the
Pattern operation. For an extracted region this would show what is to be extracted, from the
Region seed to the boundary. For target faces, this would show the faces to be copied. This
special preview mode acts as a toggle, and is very useful in allowing you to
experiment with the selection steps before initiating the operation.
Reset Cancels all face selections and restores the dialog settings to their initial state.
Confirm Opens the Confirm Upon Apply dialog after you choose Apply, letting you preview
Upon the results, and accept, reject or analyze them. This option is common to Selection
Apply Steps dialogs.
The above figure shows the Y-Axis selection step being used to specify an edge to define
the direction of the y-axis for the rectangular face pattern. A vector displays the y-axis.
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The pattern face shown in the above figure is created when using a value of 5 for the
Number Along XC, and 2 for the Number Along YC.
TIP: For a rectangular pattern, the YC does not have to be perpendicular to the XC.
Circular
The following example shows how a series of faces are used to create a circular pattern
face copy.
In the figure above, three faces are selected for the pattern face copy (highlighted in red).
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The pattern face shown in the above figure is created when using a value of 4 for the
Number, and 90 for the Angle.
Edit Parameters:-
This option lets you edit a feature or free form feature based on the
method and parameter values used when it was
created. The user interaction depends on what type of feature or free form
feature you select.
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Procedure
To edit parameters, follow these steps:
· Select the feature to be edited, either from the graphics area or from the Feature
Selection dialog. The values of the feature's parameters are displayed in the
graphics area. A dialog with the appropriate Edit Parameters options also appears.
· Select a dimension in the graphics area, then enter a new value in the Enter New
Expression dialog.(OR)
· Choose an option from the dialog with the Edit Parameters options, enter new
values, and choose OK.
Edit Positioning
This option lets you move a feature by editing its positioning dimensions.
You can edit a dimension value, add a dimension, or delete a dimension.
Procedure
To edit a feature's positioning dimensions:
1. Choose the Edit Positioning icon.
2. Select the feature to be edited.
3. Choose the type of dimension edit (add, edit, or delete).
4. Select the dimension.
5. Complete the edit, then choose OK.
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NOTE: - If the selected feature has no positioning dimensions of features, however, the
display does not update until you choose either Back or Cancel.
Move Feature: -
This option lets you move a nonassociative feature to a desired location.
Note: - You may not use this option to move features whose location has been
constrained using positioning dimensions. If you wish to move such a feature, use the
Edit Positioning Dimension option.
Options: -
Reorder Feature: -
This option lets you change the order in which a feature is applied to a
body. The desired feature can be reordered before or after a selected
reference feature.
As you create features, the system assigns a time stamp to each one. When
you modify a body, the update is controlled by the ordering of the time
stamps.
Procedure: -
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1. Create a block.
2. Create a hollow feature on the block.
3. Create a boss on the block.
In this example, the boss does not contain the hollow. If you wish to hollow the block
and the boss, you can simply reorder the boss before the hollow.
Delete Feature
This option lets you delete features. When you delete a feature from a
body, the space it occupied or voided is filled in exactly with the condition
the target body was in before the feature was created.
Suppress Feature
This option lets you temporarily remove one or more features from the
target body and the display
A suppressed feature still actually exists within the database but it is removed from the
model. Since the features still exist, they can be retrieved using Unsuppressed Feature.
Unsuppress Feature: -
This option let you retrieve previously suppressed features. Not available
if Delayed Update on Edit is active.
After you choose the Unsuppress Feature icon, a list of all suppressed features is
displayed in the Feature Selection dialog, and you are prompted to select the feature(s)
you want to unsuppress.
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SURFACE
Reference Guide
Surface Modeling
INTRODUCTION TO SURFACE MODELING
Surfaces are three dimensional (3D) bodies that possess a zero thickness. They are used
extensively for modeling complex features. The model or assembly created using the
surface body type possesses a surface area but not the volume or mass properties. In NX,
surfaces are created in the form of single or multiple patches. Depending on the increase
in the patches, the control over the shape of the surface also increases. In NX, surfaces
are known as sheets and surface modeling is known as sheet modeling.
Most of the real world models are created using the solid modeling techniques. Only
models that are complex in shape and have a non-uniform surface area are created using
the surface modeling technique. The tools that are used to create the solid models can
also be used to create the surface models. It becomes easy for the readers to learn surface
modeling if they are familiar with the solid modeling tools. In NX, there is no separate
application for surfaces. You need to create the surface model in the Modeling
application. Before creating the surface model, you need to change the body type to sheet.
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As mentioned earlier, there is no separate tool for creating the surface extrude.
After invoking the Sheet Modeling environment, you can use the Extrude tool to
create the extruded sheets. The sketch drawn for creating the extruded surface may be an
open or a closed entity. After creating the sketch, choose the Extrude button; you will be
prompted to select the section geometry to extrude and the Extrude dialog box will be
displayed. Select the sketch and enter the extrusion value in the End edit box. Next,
choose the More Options button from the Extrude dialog box; the Extrude dialog box will
expand and show more options. Select the Sheet radio button and choose the OK button;
the sheet will be created. The options in the Extrude dialog box are the same as discussed
in Chapter 1. The surface extrude operations performed on open and closed sketches are
displayed in Figures 2-2 and 2-3. In case of sheet bodies, you cannot use the Until Next
and Until Selected options from the End drop-down list of the Extrude dialog box.
Figure 2-2 Surface extrude created on an open Figure 2-3 Surface extrude created on a closed
Sketch sketch
Note
You can use only the Create option from the Boolean drop-down list in the sheet
modeling environment. The other options in this drop-down list are not available in this
environment.
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` The Revolve tool is used to create the revolved surface. Choose the Revolve
button from the Form Feature toolbar; you will be prompted to select a section string for
the revolved body. Also the Revolve dialog box will be displayed. Select the sketch and
choose the Inferred Vector button. Specify the axis of revolution using the same.
Specify the start and end angles in the Start Angle and the End Angle edit boxes,
respectively. Next, choose the More Options button from the Revolve dialog box; the
Revolve dialog box will expand and show more options. Select the Sheet radio button and
choose the OK button; the revolved sheet will be created. The revolved surface model
created using an open sketch and a closed sketch is shown in Figures 2-4 and 2-5,
respectively.
Figure 2-4 Revolved surface created using an Figure 2-5 Revolved surface created using a
open sketch closed sketch
The Ruled tool is used to create the ruled surfaces. These surfaces are always created
between two similar or dissimilar cross-sections created on different parallel planes. The
sketches for this feature may be open or closed. Initially, isoparametric lines are formed
to create patches, which are then converted to surfaces. The options for creating
isoparametric curves are discussed later in this chapter. For creating the ruled surface,
create two cross-sections on two different planes. Choose the Ruled button from the
Surface toolbar; the Ruled Surface dialog box will be displayed, as shown in Figure 2-6.
By default, the Section String 1 button will be chosen and you will be prompted to select
the first section string. Select the first cross-section; an arrow will be displayed on the
first cross-section indicating the direction of the surface formation. Next, choose the
Section String 2 button; you will be prompted to select section string 2. Select the second
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cross-section; an arrow will be displayed from the second cross-section also. The arrows
on the first and second cross-sections should point in the same direction.
In the Alignment drop-down list, you have different methods of distributing the points for
creating the isoparametric lines that form the patches. If you select the Parameter option,
the points will be distributed such that the isoparametric lines are formed at equal
parameter intervals. If you select the Arc length option, after option the entire curve will
be divided into equal segments with respect to the arc length. Also the isoparametric
curve will pass through the dividing points. The By Points option will be selected when
the cross-sections are of different shapes and have sharp corners. If you select the
Distance option, equally spaced isoparametric lines will be created perpendicular to the
direction vector selected. If you select the Angles option, the isoparametric curves with
angles at equal intervals will be created with respect to the common axis line. If you
select the Spine Curve option, the isoparametric curves will be formed at the intersection
points created on the selected curves by the perpendicular planes.
Accept the default tolerance value. After selecting both the section strings, as shown in
Figure 2-7, choose the OK button. The resulting ruled surface created is shown in Figure
2-8.
Figure 2-7 The section strings selected for Figure 2-8 The resulting ruled surface created
creating the ruled surface from the selected section strings
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Note
The maximum allowed and the minimum required number of cross-sections for creating
the Ruled surface is two.
You can create surfaces with the multiple section strings using the Through Curves tool.
This method of creating the surface allows you to select any number of section strings.
For creating surfaces using the Through Curves tool, choose the Through Curves button
from the Surface toolbar; the Through Curves dialog box will be displayed, as shown in
Figure 2-9, and you will be prompted to select the section string. Select the section string
and press the middle mouse button; you will again be prompted to select the section
string. Likewise, you can select any number of section strings. After selecting the section
strings, make sure the arrow point in the same direction.
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Figure 2-10 Section strings selected for creating a Figure 2-11 The resulting surface formed from
Through Curves surface the selected through curves
You can create surfaces by defining the section strings and the guide strings using the
Through Curve Mesh tool. You can have any number of section strings and guide strings.
If you want to select multiple guide strings, they should be tangentially related to each
other. For creating the surface using the Through Curve Mesh method, invoke the
Through Curve Mesh tool from the Surface toolbar; the Through Curve Mesh dialog box
will be displayed, as shown in Figure 2-12, and you will be prompted to select the
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Reference Guide
primary strings. You need a collection of control strings such as the primary strings and
cross strings. Here, the guide strings are called the cross strings.
After selecting the first primary string, press middle mouse button to proceed to the next
step. Likewise, you can select any number of primary strings. Next, choose the Cross
String button; you are prompted to select the cross strings. Select the first cross string and
press the middle mouse button to proceed to the next step. Likewise, you can select any
number of cross strings. Next, choose the Spine String button; you will be prompted to
select the spine. The selection of the spine curve is optional. The selected spine curve
must be normal to all the primary strings. If you want to skip this step, do not choose this
button.
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Reference Guide
Intersection Tolerance edit box defines for the minimum distance available between the
two strings. If you select the Normal option from the Construction Options drop-down
list, the resulting surfaces will have more number of patches. If you select the Spline
Points option, the resulting surface will have less number of patches. The surface is
formed by reparameterizing the curves into temporary curves. The options in the Rebuild
area will only be enabled by selecting the Normal option from the Construction Options
drop-down list. You can use the options in the Rebuild area to join the surface smoothly
with the surrounding surfaces. You can rebuild the surface by choosing the Manual
button and entering the value in the Degree spinner. If you choose the Automatic button,
the Max Degree and Max Segments spinners will be enabled. You can set the values in
the Max Degree and Max Segments spinners to rebuild the surface automatically.
Figure 2-13 shows the control strings selected for creating the through curve mesh
surface and Figure 2-14 shows the resulting surface. You can enter the distance tolerance
value between the curves in the G0 edit box and the angle tolerance value in the G1 edit
box. The relative tolerance value can be entered in the G2 edit box.
Figure 2-13 The control strings selected for Figure 2-14 The resulting surface
creating the through curve mesh surface
The Surface by 4 Points tool will be used to create a planar (2D) or nonplanar (3D)
surface. For creating the surface by using this method, choose the Four Point Surface
button from the Free Form Shape toolbar; the Surface by 4 Points Icon Options will be
displayed and you will be prompted to specify the first surface corner. Specify the point
for the first corner. Similarly, you will be prompted to specify the other three corners.
Specify the other three corners and choose the OK button; the surface will be created. At
the time of specifying the point for the corners, you can also reselect the previously
selected corner point. To do so, choose the Delete Last Point button from the Surface by
4 Points Icon Options and specify the point for the corner again. Figure 2-15 shows the
imaginary layout for the surface to be formed after specifying the corner points. Figure 2-
16 shows the resulting planar surface formed by enclosing the corner points specified.
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Reference Guide
Figure 12-15 The imaginary layout of the surface Figure 2-16 The resulting surface
formed after specifying the four points for
corners
The swoop surfaces will be created as rectangular or square shaped planar (2D) surfaces
and later modified to 3D surfaces by using the options in the tool. For creating a swoop
surface, choose the Swoop button from the Free Form Shape toolbar; the Point
Constructor dialog box will be displayed and you will be prompted to define the first
rectangle corner by specifying the inferred point. Specify the point for the first corner of
the rectangle; you will be prompted to define the second rectangle corner by specifying
the inferred point. Specify the second point and the planar surface will be created. The
Swoop Shape Control dialog box will be displayed, as shown in Figure 2-17. The vertical
and horizontal axes will be displayed in red over the planar surface. The Swoop Shape
Control dialog box will be used to modify the shape of the default surface formed. In the
Select Control area, you have all the possible reference positions of the surface. At a
time, the shape of the surface can be modified only at one reference position. You can
select any one option and the shape of the surface will be altered in the selected reference
position by using the shape modification sliders. If you select the Cubic radio button from
the Degree area, the final surface formed will be of degree 3. Also, it will be
comparatively harder. If you select the Quintic radio button, the resulting surface will be
comparatively smoother.
Sliding Bars
Using the Stretch sliding bar, you can stretch the surface in a positive or negative
direction, along the reference position selected from the Select Control area. The neutral
value is 50 for all the sliders. Using the Bend sliding bar, you can bend the surface in a
positive or negative direction, along the reference position selected from the Select
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Reference Guide
Control area. Using the Skew sliding bar, you can create a skewness factor for the surface
in the positive or negative direction, along the reference position selected from the Select
Control area. Using the Twist sliding bar, you can provide a twisting effect to the surface
in the positive or negative direction along the reference position selected from the Select
Control area. Using the Shift sliding bar, you can shift the other edge of the surface in the
positive or negative direction, along the reference position selected from the Select
Control area. Figure 2-18 shows the planar surface created after specifying both the
corners of the rectangle. Figure 2-19 shows the 3D surface modified from the planar
surface using the shape modification sliding bars.
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Reference Guide
Figure 2-18 The planar surface created after Figure 2-19 The resulting 3D surface modified
specifying both the corners of the rectangle from the planar surface created
The Bounded Plane tool can be used to create a surface from the 2D sketches or closed
coplanar edges. If you need to enclose a 2D sketch or a closed coplanar edges with a
surface, choose the Bounded Plane button from the Form Feature toolbar; the Bounded
Plane dialog box will be displayed, as shown in Figure 2-20, and you will be prompted to
select the bounding string. Select an entity from the Bounded Plane dialog box. For
example, on choosing the Solid Edge button, the Bounded Plane dialog box will be
displayed and you will be prompted to select a bounding string or a solid edge. Select the
solid edge and choose the OK button; the Bounded Plane surface will be created. Figure
2-21 shows the bounded plane surface enclosing a 2D sketch and Figure 2-22 shows the
bounded plane surface created from a circular edge. You can also create the bounded
plane surface by selecting a solid face. You can only select 2D faces. The resulting
surface, after selecting the solid face, will remain on the same surface itself.
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Reference Guide
Figure 2-21 Bounded plane surface formed from Figure 2-22 Bounded plane surface
formed from a 2D sketch a circular edge
Generally, the creation of the transition surface involves selecting the required cross-
sections and mapping the intersected surface formed between the selected cross-sections
automatically. You can also define the shape constraint to the connecting (intersecting)
surface. For creating the Transition surface, you need to create a minimum of two cross-
sections. Generally, three cross-sections are formed. After creating the cross-sections,
choose the Transition button from the Surface toolbar; the Transition dialog box will be
displayed, and you will be prompted to select the section. Choose the More button to
enlarge the dialog box, as shown in Figure 2-23. The Section button will be chosen by
default. Select the sections and choose the OK button after selecting individual sections.
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Constraint Face, Reverse Normal, and Surface Preview Buttons
After selecting the first cross-section, the Constraint Face button will be enabled. To
maintain the shape constraint of the intersecting surface with an existing surface, choose
the Constraint Face button and select the reference face; the selected cross-sections will
be listed in the list box. By default, G0 is selected from the continuity drop-down list,
which implies that there is no shape constraint in the continuity of the intersected surface.
If you select the G1 option, the tangential continuity is maintained. If you select the G2
option, the curvature continuity is maintained. To reverse the direction of the intersected
surface, choose the Reverse Normal button. The Surface Preview button is used to
display the preview of the intersected surface that will be created. The Transition surface
will be formed only if the Create Surface check box is selected. Else, only the bridge
curves will be formed between the selected cross-sections.
Figure 2-24 The bridge curves generated after Figure 2-25 The resulting transition surface
selecting the cross-section curves created from the cross-sections
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Reference Guide
The N-Sided Surface tool is used to create a single patch surface or multipatch triangular
surfaces that enclose a closed 2D sketch or a closed 3D curve. While doing so, an
existing surface can be optionally selected as the reference for maintaining the shape of
the surface to be created. For creating the N-Sided surface, choose the N-Sided Surface
button from the Surface toolbar; the N-Sided Surface dialog box will be displayed, as
shown in Figure 2-26, and you will be prompted to select a closed loop of curves or
edges. By default, the Trimmed Single Sheet button will be chosen from the Type area.
This selection will create a surface with a single patch.
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Reference Guide
spine and choose the OK button. Likewise, if you select the Vector radio button, you will
be prompted to select an object to infer a vector. If you select the Area radio button and
choose the UV Orientation-vector button from the Selection Steps area, the Vector
Method drop-down list will be enabled to define the vector direction.
You can also create the surface by choosing the Multiple Triangular Patches button from
the Type area. In the above case, after choosing the OK button, the Shape Control dialog
box will be displayed, as shown in Figure 2-27. If you select the Position radio button,
then the position of the surface can be varied in respective directions by sliding the X, Y,
and Z sliding bars. If you select the Tilting radio button, you can tilt the surface along the
X, Y, and Z directions by using the corresponding sliding bars. Also, you can control the
center flatness of the surface by sliding the Center Flat sliding bar. The Flow Direction on
Outside Wall drop-down list contains the options for controlling the flow direction of the
newly formed surface with the existing reference surface selected. The Drag button will
be enabled only for the surfaces with multiple triangular patches. By choosing the Drag
button, you can interact with the Shape Control dialog box at any time. Figure 2-28
shows the single patch N-sided surface created for the selected boundary curve and
Figure 2-29 shows the multitriangular patch N-sided surface created for the selected
boundary curve.
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Reference Guide
Figure 2-28 Single patch N-sided surface created Figure 2-29 Multitriangular patch N-sided
for the selected boundary curve surface created for the selected boundary curve
The silhouette flange surfaces will be created with respect to an existing surface such that
the aesthetic shape, quality, and the slope continuity of the existing surface are
maintained. The flange surface is formed with a full round surface or a fillet at the start
point. The flange created can be dynamically modified in shape and size. The silhouette
flange surface can be created by using any of the three methods discussed next.
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Reference Guide
direction. Specify the direction for the surface formation by selecting an edge or a curve.
You can select only a straight curve or edge for specifying the reference direction.
After specifying the reference direction, choose the Shape Silhouette Flange button from
the Selection Steps area. If you have selected the Show Preview check box, the preview
of the flange surface, along with the rotational and linear handles, will be displayed after
selecting the Shape Silhouette Flange button. If you have selected the Show Pipe check
box, the circular pipe will be displayed at the point of formation of the flange surface. If
you clear the Show Pipe check box, only the fillet will be displayed at the point of
creation of the flange surface. The radius of the fillet created at the start point of the
surface will depend on the value entered in the Radius edit box. By choosing the Reverse
Direction button, you can flip the direction of the flange surface. By choosing the
Reverse Side button, you can reverse the side of the surface. In the Output drop-down
list, you have the options for displaying the required output. If you select the Blend and
Flange option, both the fillet and the flange surfaces will be displayed as the output. If
you select the Pipe Only option, only the round pipe that controls the fillet will be
displayed as the output. If you select the Flange Only option, the flange surface will be
displayed as the output. Figure 2-31 shows the pipe displayed along with the flange
surface created using the Basic method and Figure 2-32 shows the resulting flange
surface with the fillet.
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Reference Guide
Figure 2-31 The silhouette flange surface displayed Figure 2-32 The resulting silhouette flange
along with the handles and pipe surface created using the Basic method
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Reference Guide
Figure 2-33 The newly created silhouette flange Figure 2-34 The resulting silhouette flange
surface displayed along with handles and pipe surface created using the Absolute Gap method
The Law Extension tool can be used to extend a surface either dynamically or by defining
different type of laws for an extension. The extension of the surface can be carried out in
both the directions of the edge or the curve selected. The process of extending the surface
by using both the methods is discussed next.
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Reference Guide
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Reference Guide
Figure 2-36 The preview of the law extension Figure 2-37 The resulting law extension surface
surface created created and circularly arrayed
Note
The curve selected from the surface for extension should lie on the reference face
selected. If you choose the Vector button from the Reference Method area, the Vector
Method drop-down list will be available. By using this drop-down list, you can specify
the vector direction for extending the surface.
The Offset Surface tool can be used to offset a surface in the direction normal to the
selected surface. For offsetting a surface, choose the Offset Surface button from the
Surface toolbar; the Offset Surface dialog box will be displayed, as shown in Figure 2-38.
By default, the Faces to offset button will be chosen from the Selection
Figure 2-38 The Offset Surface dialog box Figure 2-39 The offset surface created
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Reference Guide
Steps area and you will be prompted to select the faces for the new set. Select the face, as
shown in Figure 2-39. Next, enter the offset value in the Set1D edit box. If you want
create a new set, choose the Complete set and start the next set button from the Selection
Steps area. Choose the OK button. The resulting surface offset is shown in Figure 2-39.
Figure 2-38 The Offset Surface dialog box Figure 2-39 the offset surface created
Trimming and Extending a Surface Using the Trim and Extend Tool
Menu: Insert > Trim > Trim and Extend
The Trim and Extend tool can be used to trim or extend an open or a closed surface.
To trim or extend a surface, choose the Trim and Extend button from the Surface toolbar;
the Trim and Extend dialog box will be displayed, as shown in Figure 2-40, and you will
be prompted to select the target edges to extend. Select a single edge or multiple edges
from the surface that is to be extended. When you select multiple edges for extending,
ensure that the selected edges should have a continuity. If you have selected the Enable
Preview check box, the preview of the extended surface will be displayed. If you select
the Distance option from the Limit drop-down list, you can define the length of the
surface extension by specifying a distance value in the edit box provided. If you select the
Percentage option, the extension length can be specified in terms of the percentage of the
original surface. If you select the Until Selected option, the surface will be extended up to
the reference object selected. This option is also used to trim the selected surface. The
options in the Extend Method drop-down list will be used to define the continuity of the
extended surface with the existing surface. If you select the Natural Curvature option, the
surface will be extended normally to the selected edge. If you select the Natural Tangent
option, the surface will be extended by maintaining an angular curvature of degree 3 at
the start point of the selected edge. If you select the Mirrored option, the surface will be
extended along the curvature of the existing surface.
If you select the Until Selected option from the Limit drop-down list, you will have to
select the tool body that will serve as the boundary object, after you select the edge for
extension. Choose the Tool Selection button and select the boundary object. Next, choose
the Apply button and then the OK button to extend the surface up to the boundary object
selected. After you select the tool body, the Region drop-down list will be enabled. The
options in the Region drop-down list will be used to retain or discard the selected tool
body. If you select the Keep option, the selected tool body will be retained after
trimming. If you select the Remove option, then the material from the tool body is
removed in the direction of the arrow displayed while selecting the tool body. If you
select the Make Corner check box, a corner will be created at the intersection of the
extended surface with the tool body and the tool body will be trimmed. If you choose the
More button, the Trim and Extend dialog box will expand and the Keep Original Edges
check box will be enabled. If you select the Keep Original Edges check box, then the
edge selected for extension of the surface will be unaffected and will remain in the same
state. Figure 2-41 shows the preview of the extension surface after selecting the edges.
Figure 2-42 shows the surface extended using the Until Selected option from the Limit
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Reference Guide
drop-down list.
The Trimmed Sheet tool can be used to trim a sheet by defining the trim boundary. You
can also trim a sheet by projecting a curve and defining it as a trim boundary. If the trim
boundary is a surface, then the surface to be trimmed must intersect fully with the
trimming surface. Choose the Trimmed Sheet tool from the Surface toolbar; the Trimmed
Sheet dialog box will be displayed, as shown in Figure 2-43, and you will be prompted to
select a target sheet body. By default, the Target Sheet Body button will be chosen from
the Selection Steps area; select the sheet to be trimmed. Next, you will be prompted to
select the trimming objects; select the trimming objects. Choose the Region button; you
will see a point on the region. The point indicate whether this region is selected to be kept
or discarded. The regions selected to kept or discarded is based on the radio button
selected from the Regions will be area. If you select the Kept option from this area, the
regions selected will be retained and the unselected regions will be removed. If you select
the Discarded radio button, the regions selected will be removed (trimmed) and the
unselected regions will be retained. Figure 2-44 shows the parameters selected when the
trim boundary selected is a surface. Figure 2-45 shows the resulting trimmed surface after
selecting the Discarded radio button from the Regions will be area.
Figure 2-41 The preview of the extended Figure 2-42 The resulting surface extended using
surface from the selected edges the Until Selected option
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Reference Guide
The Projection Along drop-down list contains the options for projecting (imprinting) a
curve or a sketch on the surface to be trimmed. The projection curve or sketch can be
defined as the trimming boundary. Select the surface to be trimmed and the curve or the
sketch as the trim boundary. The selected curve or the sketch gets automatically
imprinted on the surface to be trimmed and forms the trim boundary. The curve projected
as the trim boundary should intersect the surface to be trimmed fully. Figure 2-46 shows
the parameters selected when the trim boundary is created by imprinting a curve on the
surface to be trimmed. Figure 2-47 shows the resulting trimmed surface after selecting
the Discarded radio button from the Regions will be area.
Figure 2-44 The parameters selected for Figure 2-45 The resulting trimmed sheet after
trimming a sheet selecting the Discarded radio button
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Reference Guide
Figure 2-46 The sketch selected for trimming a Figure 2-47 The resulting trimmed sheet after
Sheet selecting the Discarded radio button
The name of this tool indicate the number of sections that can be selected and the
number of guide curves that can be selected for creating the surface. This means that
using the Studio Surface 1x1 tool, you can create a surface by selecting a single
section and a single guide curve. Choose the Studio Surface 1x1 button from the
Free Form Shape toolbar; the Studio Surface 1x1 dialog box will be displayed, as shown
in Figure 2-48, and you will be prompted to select a section string.
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Reference Guide
By default, the Section button from the Selection Steps area will be chosen. Select the
section curve and choose the Guide button. Select the guide curve and choose the Face
button; the preview of the surface will be displayed. Choose the Apply button and then
the Cancel button to accept the surface. Note that the arrow directions must be as shown
in Figure 2-49. If you choose the More button, the dialog box will be expanded. You can
enter the intersection value in the respective edit boxes. You can also specify the shape
control for the surface to be created using an existing surface as a reference surface by
using the Section and Guide drop-down lists. If you select the G0 option, the shape
control will not be maintained. If you select the G1 option, the tangential relation will be
maintained with the surface selected after choosing the Constraint Face button. If you
select the G2 option, a curvature relation will be maintained with the surface selected,
after choosing the Constraint Face button. The options in the Rebuild area have been
explained earlier. Figure 2-49 shows the section and guide curve selected. Figure 2-50
shows the preview of the resulting studio surface created when you choose the Face
button.
The Studio Surface 1x2 tool can be used to create a surface by selecting a single section
and two guide curves. For creating the surface using this tool, choose the Studio Surface
1x2 button from the Free Form Shape toolbar; the Studio Surface 1x2 dialog box will be
displayed, as shown in Figure 2-51, and you will be prompted to select the section string.
By default, the Section button from the Selection Steps area is chosen. Select the section
curve and choose the Guide1 button. Select the first guide curve and choose the Guide 2
button. Select the second guide curve and choose the Face button; the preview of the
resulting surface will be displayed. Choose the Apply button and then the Cancel button
to accept the surface. If you choose the More button, the dialog box will expand. You can
enter the intersection value in the respective edit boxes. You can also specify the shape
control for the surface to be created using an existing surface as a reference surface by
using the Section, Guide 1, and Guide 2 drop-down lists. If you select the G0 option, the
shape control will not be maintained. If you select the G1 option, the tangential relation
will be maintained with the surface selected after choosing the Constraint Face button. If
you select the G2 option, a curvature relation will be maintained with the surface
selected, after choosing the Constraint Face button. The options in the Rebuild area are
explained earlier. Figure 2-52 shows the single section and two guide curves selected and
Figure 2-53 shows the resulting studio surface.
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Reference Guide
Figure 2-49 The section curve and the guide Figure 2-50 The preview of the studio surface
curve selected for creating the studio surface created using the Studio Surface 1x1 tool
Figure 2-52 The section curve and the guide curves Figure 2-53 The resulting studio surface
selected for creating the studio surface
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Reference Guide
The Studio Surface 2x0 tool can be used to create a surface by selecting two section
curves. You cannot select a guide curve. For creating the surface using this tool, choose
the Studio Surface 2x0 button from the Free Form Shape toolbar; the Studio Surface 2x0
dialog box will be displayed, as shown in Figure 2-54, and you will be prompted to select
the first section string. By default, the Start Section button from the Selection Steps area
will be chosen. Select the first section curve and choose the End Section button. Select
the second section curve and choose the Face button; the preview of the surface created
will be displayed. Choose the Apply button and then the Cancel button to accept the
surface. Figure 2-55 shows the start and end section curves selected and Figure 2-56
shows the resulting studio surface created.
Figure 2-55 The section curves selected for Figure 2-56 The resulting studio surface created
creating a studio surface using the Studio Surface 2x0 tool
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Reference Guide
The Studio Surface 2x2 tool can be used to create a surface by selecting two section
curves and two guide curves. For creating the surface using this tool, choose the Studio
Surface 2x2 button from the Free Form Shape toolbar; the Studio Surface 2x2 dialog box
will be displayed, as shown in Figure 2-57, and you will be prompted to select the first
section string.
Figure 2-58 The section curves and the guide Figure 2-59 The resulting studio surface created
curves selected for creating the studio surface using the Studio Surface 2x2 tool
By default, the Section 1 button from the Selection Steps area is chosen. Select the first
section curve and choose the Section 2 button. Select the second section curve and choose
the Guide 1 button. Select the first guide curve and choose the Guide 2 button. After
selecting the two guide curves, choose the Face button; the preview of the surface created
will be displayed. Choose Apply and then Cancel to accept the surface. Figure 2-58
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Reference Guide
shows the two section and two guide curves selected. Figure 2-59 shows the resulting
studio surface created.
The Studio Surface nxn tool can be used to create surfaces by selecting any number of
section curves and any number of guide curves. For creating the surface using this tool,
choose the Studio Surface nxn button from the Free Form Shape toolbar; the Studio
Surface- NxN dialog box will be displayed, as shown in Figure 2-60, and you will be
prompted to select a curve, edge, or a curve feature for a section string. By default, the
Add to Sections button will be chosen from the Selection Steps area. Select the section
curve and choose the OK button. After selecting each section curve, choose the OK
button. You can select any number of section curves. After you select the section curves,
choose the Add to Guides button from the Selection Steps area. Select the guide curves
and choose the OK button; the preview of the created surface will be displayed, if you
have selected the Preview Body check box from the expanded area of the dialog box.
Choose the Apply button and then the Cancel button to accept the surface. You can also
control the shape of the surface created by selecting the option from the Start and End
drop-down lists of the Continuity area. Before selecting the reference surface to maintain
the shape control, choose the Face button. Next, select the reference surface. Figure 2-61
shows the section curves and guide curves selected. Figure 2-62 shows the resulting
studio surface created.
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Reference Guide
Figure 2-61 The section curves and the guide Figure 2-62 The resulting surface created by
curves selected to create a studio surface using the Studio Surface nxn tool
Creating a Surface Between Two Walls Using the Styled Blend Tool
Menu: Insert > Detail Feature > Styled Blend
The Styled Blend tool can be used to create a fillet surface between two intersecting
walls. The tangent holding lines are created first at the intersection point of the surfaces
with respect to the pipe radius specified. For creating the fillet surface using this tool,
choose the Styled Blend button from the Free Form Shape toolbar; the Styled Blend
dialog box will be displayed, as shown in Figure 2-63, and you will be prompted to select
the faces for wall 1.
The option selected from the Type area decides the method of formation of the blend
surface. If you select the Law radio button, the tangent holding lines will be automatically
created with respect to the pipe radius specified for the fillet. If you select the Curve radio
button, you will have to select the tangent holding curves for creating the fillet. If you
select the Profile radio button, the tangent holding lines will be created by imprinting a
curve or a sketch on the both surfaces between which the surface is to be created.
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Creating a Styled Blend Surface Using the Law Option
By default, the Law radio button is selected in the Type area and the Wall 1 button is
selected from the Selection Steps area. Select the first wall and choose the Wall 2 button
from the Selection Steps area. While selecting both the walls, ensure that the arrow
displayed from the walls after selection, face inward where the surface is to be created.
Select the second wall and choose the Center Curve button. Select the curve that acts as
the hinge for the fillet surface to be created. The center curve is selected to define the
center point for the fillet surface to be created. The center curve selected should not be
normal to the fillet surface to be created.
Figure 2-64 The preview of the styled blend Figure 2-65 The resulting styled blend surface
surface displayed for the selected parameters created using the Law option
After selecting the center curve, choose the Spine button. Select the spine that is parallel
to the center curve selected. The spine curve is selected to define the shape of the fillet.
After selecting the spine curve, choose the Preview button; the Labels check box, along
with the Select Feature and Reverse Blend Direction buttons, will be available. If the
Labels check box is selected, the entities that are selected for the blend creation such as
wall 1, wall 2, center curve, and spine will be annotated and displayed in the graphics
window. The Select Feature button is chosen to inherit the properties of an existing blend
surface. The Reverse Blend Direction button will be used to flip the direction of the blend
surface created. Figure 2-64 shows the parameters selected for creating the styled blend
surface using the Law option and Figure 2-65 shows the resulting surface created.
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Reference Guide
Choose the Spine button and select the spine curve. The spine curve will be selected to
define the shape of the fillet. After selecting the spine curve, choose the Face button.
After choosing the Preview button, the Labels check box along with the Select Feature
and Reverse Blend Direction buttons will be enabled. If the Labels check box is selected,
the entities that are selected for the blend creation such as wall 1, wall 2, curve set 1,
curve set 2, and spine will be annotated and displayed in the graphics window. Figure 12-
66 shows the parameters selected for creating the styled blend surface using the Curve
option and the resulting surface created.
Figure 2-66 The preview of the styled blend Figure 2-67 The preview of the styled blend
surface displayed after selecting the parameters surface displayed after selecting the parameters
for the Curve option for the Profile option
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Reference Guide
The Styled Sweep tool can be used to create surfaces that need sweeping of the cross-
sections across the guide curves. The surface created across the cross-sections by
following the guide curve can be modified dynamically by dragging the handles
displayed along with the surface created. For creating the surface, choose the Styled
Sweep tool from the Free Form Shape toolbar. The Styled Sweep dialog box will be
displayed, as shown in Figure 2-68, and you will be prompted to select the guide string.
By default, the Guide String button is chosen from the Selection Steps area. Select the
first guide string and choose the Guide String button again to add the guide curve
selected. The first guide string selected is known as the guide and the shape of the surface
is guided along the shape of the guide string. After choosing the Guide String button for
the second time, the selected guide string will be listed in the Guides list box. The second
guide string is known as the touch curve. The surface will be created by touching the
overall length of this curve. At the maximum, you can only select two guide curves. Next,
choose the Section String button and select the section string. After selecting the section
string, choose the Section string button to add the selected section in the Sections drop-
down list. Next, choose the Spine String button from the Selection Steps area. Select the
curve to be followed as the spine. Otherwise, after selecting the cross-sections, choose the
Shape Control button from the Selection Steps area. The preview of the surface will be
displayed, along with the handles. By dragging the handles, you can modify the shape
and size of the surface. The options in the Handle Visibility area are used to display the
different types of handles for the surface created. You can dynamically modify the
surface using the handles displayed.
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Reference Guide
Figure 2-69 The parameters selected for creating Figure 2-70 The resulting styled sweep surface
the styled sweep surface
The Sew tool from the Feature Operation toolbar is used to stitch the individual surfaces
into a single surface with a common edge. This tool allows you to sew two solid bodies
together, if they share one or more common faces. When the selected individual surfaces
enclose a volume, a solid body will be created. The sheet to which all the other individual
sheets are to be stitched is known as the target sheet, and the individual sheets that are to
be stitched are known as tool sheets. You cannot stitch tool sheets that intersect a target
sheet and extend from it. For stitching the individual surfaces in to a single surface,
choose the Sew button from the Feature Operation toolbar; the Sew dialog box will be
displayed, as shown in Figure 2-71, and you will be prompted to select the target sheet to
sew. Select the target sheet to sew; the border of the target sheet will be displayed in
yellow and you will be prompted to select the tool sheets to sew. The border of the
selected tool sheets should lie in the yellow boundary displayed. Otherwise, the selected
tool sheet will not be stitched with the target sheet. To stitch surfaces, select the Sheet
radio button from the Sew Input Type area; the Target Sheet and Tool Sheets buttons will
be enabled in the Selection Steps area. To combine the solid bodies, select the Solid radio
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Reference Guide
button. After selecting this radio button, the Target Faces and Tool Faces buttons will be
enabled in the Selection Steps area. You can also enter the sew tolerance in the Sew
Tolerance edit box. If the selected objects are an instance of an array and the Sew All
Instances check box is selected, all the instances of the array are stitched together. This
check box will be enabled only after selecting the Solid radio button.
This tool is used to add thickness to the sheet. Once you add thickness to the sheet, it is
converted into a solid. For adding the thickness, choose the Thicken Sheet tool from the
Form Feature toolbar; the Thicken Sheet dialog box will be displayed, as shown in Figure
2-72. You will be prompted to select a sheet body to thicken. Select the sheet to which
the material is to be added. Enter the thickness value in the Second Offset edit box. You
can enter the offset distance in the First Offset edit box. The Action drop-down list
provides the options for performing the boolean operation with an existing solid body. To
perform any type of boolean operation with an existing solid body, select the respective
option from the Action drop-down list. Next, choose the Target Solid Body button from
the Selection Steps area and select the target solid body. Figure 2-73 shows the sheet
displayed to add the thickness and Figure 2-74 shows the resulting solid body.
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Figure 2-73 The sheet selected for adding the Figure 2-74 The resulting solid body after adding
material thickness to the sheet
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ASSEMBLIES
Reference Guide
ASSEMBLIES:-
Assembly is an integrated unigraphics application that facilitates the construction of
assemblies of parts, the modeling of individual parts within the context of the assembly,
and the production of parts lists for assembly drawings.
You can create links from the assembly to its components to simplify the incorporation of
changes across the various levels of product definition. One advantage of using
assemblies is that a design change to one part file can be reflected in all assemblies that
use the part.
When initially creating an assembly, you do not need to create or alter any geometry.
The system creates a link from the assembly to the component, which allows the system
to keep track of your assembly structure. You can create an assembly by several different
techniques that combine parts and/or sub-assemblies together.
Assemblies Concepts
Assembly part files point to geometry and features in the subordinate parts rather than
creating duplicate copies of those objects at each level in the assembly. This technique
not only minimizes the size of assembly parts files, but also provides high levels of
associativity. For example, modifying the geometry of one component causes all
assemblies that use that component in the session to automatically reflect that change.
Within an assembly, a particular part may be used in many places. Each usage is referred
to as a component and the file containing the actual geometry for the component is called
the component part
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For example, a car assembly may have two axle subassemblies, each of which has two
wheel parts. In this case, there are four wheel components and two axle components in
the car, but only two component parts (one wheel, one axle). See the following figure.
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You define the location and orientation of the component within the assembly when the
component is created. Using the other options such as Reposition. After add, you can
first “stage” the component in the assembly work part, then reposition it later.
You can also mate components, establishing constraint relationships from one component
to another.
You can specify a reference set for the component. Change Ref. Set Name lets you
choose from a list of reference sets that exist in the part.
Empty reference set in order to reduce display time for large components. If none is
specified, the reference set defaults to the entire part.
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Rotate About a Point lets you rotate the components around a selected reference point.
Rotate About a Line lets you rotate the components around a specified reference line by
entering a rotation angle.
Reposition lets you move the components from their position in a reference coordinate
system to a destination coordinate system.
Rotate Between Two Axes lets you rotate the components a specified angle between a
reference axis and a destination axis.
When working with an assembly, it is very important to be aware of which part is the
work part at any given time. There are two ways to determine this:
· The status line at the top of the graphics window contains the name of both the
displayed part and the work part.
· You can highlight the work part in the displayed assembly using the Preferences –
Assemblies – Work Part Emphasis option.
This lets you “dim” the rest of the assembly in another color so the work part stands out.
This helps clarify which part you are working on.
Set Work Part lets you select the part in which to create geometry. This option is helpful
when you want to design in context.
You can specify a new work part in any of the following ways:
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· Choose Assemblies-> Context Control-> Set Work Part to make the currently
displayed part the work part.
· Select the component and choose Make Work Part from the graphics window
popup menu or the Assemblies toolbar.
· Use the Make Work Part option on the popup menu in the Assembly Navigator.
· Double click on the component in the Assembly Navigator.
When your assembly uses the same component part multiple times, it may not be clear to
the system which usage of the component it should make the changes to if you select the
component by entering its name. Instead, use the cursor to select the specific component
you desire. Otherwise, the system will select one arbitrarily.
Analysis
Determining the Assembly Structure
The Assemblies-> Reports-> List Components option provides you with an indented
list of all components referenced directly or indirectly by the assembly work part. This
report contains the quantity of each part, its units (inches/millimeters), component name,
reference set, the directory where it was found, and status (e.g., whether the part is a
loaded or unloaded part).
The Assemblies-> Reports-> Where Used option provides you with a list of all
assemblies referencing a particular part. You can specify which directories to search for
the assemblies that use the part.
Info – Object obtains component information such as the owning part, layer, type, color,
font, width, and whether the component is one of a multiple occurrence.
These functions apply to the displayed part, independent of the work part.
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· When adding an existing part as a component to your assembly (on the Add existing
part dialog, use the Mate option on the Positioning menu). The part being added
becomes the mated component.
Both methods allow you to create mating conditions by establishing the following types
of constraints:
· Mate
· Align
· Orient
For each of these constraints, you can constrain the components using the following
objects:
· Faces (Planar, Cylindrical, Conical Faces)
· Edges (straight edges)
· Datum Planes
· Datum Axes
· Coordinate systems of components
· Components
Mating condition: -
Mating conditions let you position components in an assembly by specifying constraint
relationships between two components. For example, you can specify that a cylindrical
face on one component is to be coaxial with a conical face on another component.
Note: - The object (or geometry) doing the mating must be from a component. The base,
however, can be assembly geometry; it does not have to be a component.
The relationship between the two components is associative. If you move the “fixed”
component’s location, the component that is mated to it also moves when you update.
For example, if you mate a bolt to a hole and then move the hole, the bolt moves with it.
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Align performs two function. For planar objects, it positions the two objects so that they
are coplanar and adjacent. For axis symmetric objects, it aligns the axes. You can
specify an offset distance between planar objects using the Offset field. The default
offset is zero.
The system aligns planar objects (planar faces and datum planes) by locating the faces so
they are coplanar, and their normal point in same direction.
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Mate
Mate allows you to position two objects of the same type so that they are coincident.
You can specify an offset distance between planar objects using the offset field. The
default offset is zero. The system mates selectable objects as described in the following
paragraphs.
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Mating Types
Mate Positions two objects of the same type so that they are coincident. For planar objects,
their normals will point in opposite directions.
Align For planar objects, it positions the two objects so that they are coplanar and adjacent.
For axisymmetric objects, it aligns the axes.
Angle Defines an angle dimension between two objects.
Parallel Defines the direction vectors of two objects as parallel to each other.
Perpendi Defines the direction vectors of two objects as perpendicular to each other.
cular
Center Lets you center one object everywhere along the center of the other, or center one or
two objects between a pair of objects.
Distance Specifies the minimum 3D distance between two objects. You can control which side
of the surface the solution should be by using positive or negative values.
Tangent Defines a physical contact between two objects.
Degrees of Freedom
To position a component, you can use a combination of constraint types. When you begin
to mate the component, there are six ways in which it can move (i.e., six degrees of
freedom): three for rotation, and three for translation. (In other words, an unconstrained
component can move in the x, y, and z directions, and rotate about the XC, YC, and ZC
axes.)
Each constraint that you specify removes some of these degrees of freedom. In the
example below, the mating component has been partially constrained, so that it now has
only three degrees of freedom left.
You may combine constraint types in any order. When no more degree of freedom arrows
are displayed, the component is fully constrained.
Note: -If the displayed degrees of freedom become difficult to see in a large assembly,
toggle the Show Degrees of Freedom option OFF and then ON. This causes the system to
erase and redraw the arrows. If you do this quickly, the degrees of freedom blink to show
you where they are.
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When you select the desired faces, the system creates the constraint and displays the
remaining degrees of freedom (via arrows)
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When you select the desired faces, the system creates the constraint. At this time, there
should be no more displayed DOF arrows. Then you choose OK and the system moves
the component to the constrained location.
Reference Sets:
When you choose Format à Reference Sets, the Reference Sets dialog is displayed as
shown below.
Objects that can be members of a reference set include: geometry, coordinate system,
planes, pattern objects, and immediate components of the part.
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Reference sets operations are always performed on the work part, so whenever an object
is designed in context, it is added to the reference set of the work part.
The reference set's name appears in the Work Part list in the Reference Sets dialog. You
can now modify this reference set, or create a new reference set.
It is recommended that the reference set name reflect the purpose or contents of the
reference set, for example: “OUTLINE,” or “SOLID MODEL”.
Reference sets – Add
You can add objects to an existing reference set. Specify the reference set
you wish to edit by choosing from a list or entering the name.
Select the objects you wish to add using the Class Selection Subfunction. If you select a
component member, its component is added to the reference set.
You can remove objects from an existing reference set. Specify the
reference set you wish to edit by choosing from a list or entering the name.
Select the objects you wish to remove using the Class Selection Subfunction. Any non-
reference set members selected are ignored. If you choose a component, all of its
members are also removed.
To delete a reference set, select it in the Work Part list box and press this
button. This option does not delete any members or any geometry
associated with the reference set,
only the reference set object itself. Specify the reference set you wish to delete by
choosing from a list or entering its name.
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You can list all reference set names in the current work part to the information window.
This option lets you renames an existing reference set. Specify the
reference set you wish to rename by choosing from a list or entering its
name. Then enter a new name for the reference set.
Orient
Orient lets you position two objects using a rotational angle between them. The system
creates an orientation vector or each object and rotates them about a rotational axis
defined by a previously created mated or aligned constraint. You can specify an angle to
be applied between the orientation vectors in order to rotate the mated component into the
correct position.
Orienting Edges
For edges, the system creates the orientation vector for the selected edge by drawing a
vector from the rotation axis to the selected edge.
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If you change the template's mating conditions so that new components can not be mated
correctly, the system positions these components absolutely.
When geometry is duplicated for each feature in an instance set, each component mates
independently. When there is no duplicate, each component mates to the same geometry.
The following figure illustrates how each element of a feature ISET array is
independently mated to the appropriate geometry. The block was created with an array of
hole features, and a corresponding array of bolt components. Each bolt component is
mated with two constraints, the shaft mated to the hole, and the underside of the bolt face
mated to the top of the block. Because there is a unique cylindrical face for each hole
feature, the two bolts are mated to the two different cylindrical faces. However, as the top
face of the block is not duplicated by the ISET, each bolt is mated to the same top face.
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Note: -You cannot mate to the edges of a solid body in an instanced feature. Only face
mating (planar, cylindrical, etc.) is allowed.
Component Identity
Component identity is based on feature identity. A feature ISET is based on a "master
feature" which is the first element in the array. This is the only fixed position in the array,
and all other features are offset from the position of the master feature.
Feature identity is preserved when you modify an ISET. For example, in a rectangular
ISET, the feature at position (3,2) remains in that position, provided there are at least 4
rows and 3 columns remaining in the ISET. Similarly, the component that is mated to that
feature stays in position (3,2) in the component array.
It is your responsibility to determine the master feature, and to understand the behavior of
the ISET when it is modified.
The following figure shows two different results of an edited ISET parameter.
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Linear
Lets you create orthogonal or non-orthogonal master component arrays. Using this
option, you can define a 1- or 2-dimensional master component array.
Circular
Lets you create a circular array of master components from a selected template
component. You specify a rotation axis about which the components are generated. You
also specify the number of components to create in the array, and the angle at which each
component is created about the rotation axis.
To create a circular master component array you must first select the features to instance.
Then you must:
· Choose an axis definition.
· Select an axis of rotation.
· Enter appropriate total number and angle values.
A circular component array is created by using a mating condition that translates the
components about an axis. You can define an axis of rotation using the following Axis
definitions:
· Cylindrical Face
Defines an axis of rotation which coincides with the axis of a selected cylindrical face.
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· Edge
Defines an edge as the axis of rotation.
· Datum Axis
Defines an existing datum axis as the axis of rotation.
After specifying the rotation axis, you can specify the following options:
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DRAFTING
Reference Guide
Drafting
Introduction
Drafting is one of the applications of Unigraphics, a Computer-Aided Design and
Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) system. The Drafting application allows
you to create fully annotated engineering drawings from the solid models you create in
the modelling application. The Drafting application contains many features and has an
easy to use intuitive user interface.
This associativity allows you to make as many model changes as you wish. Besides the
powerful associativity functionality.
· The capability to create fully associative cross-sectional views with automatic hidden
line rendering and crosshatching.
· Automatic orthographic view alignment. This allows you to quickly place views on a
drawing, without having to consider their alignment.
· The ability to edit most drafting objects (e.g., dimensions, symbols, etc.) from the
same dialog in which they were created. This allows you to create drafting objects
and make changes to them immediately.
· On-screen feedback during the drafting process to reduce rework and editing.
· A drawing board paradigm in which you work "on a drawing." This approach is
similar to the way a drafter would work on a drawing board. This method greatly
increases productivity.
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Drawing
· New
· Open
· Delete
· Modify
· Add view
· View types
Auxiliary View, Orthographic View
Simple Section Cut
Stepped Section Cut
Half Section Cut
Revolved Section Cut
Unfolded Section Cut
· Remove view, move/copy view to a point & to another drawing
Vertically, horizontally, to a point
Perpendicular to a line
Align view
· Edit view
· Define view boundary
Boundary type m
Manual rectangle
Automatic rectangle
Bound by object
· Update views
Dimensions
· Dimensions options
· Appended text
· Place text
· Precision
· Tolerance type
Annotation editor
· Panes area
· Drafting symbol pane
· GD & T symbols pane
· Create with and without leader
Create leader dialog
· Note/label creation
Note/label editing
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Drafting Application
The Drafting application is designed to allow you to create and maintain a variety of
drawings made from models generated from within the Modeling application. Drawings
created in the Drafting application are fully associative to the model. Any changes made
to the model are automatically reflected in the drawing. This associativity allows you to
make as many model changes as you wish.
To access the various application-specific functions contained in the Drafting application,
choose Drafting from the Applications pull-down menu.
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measure, and projection angle. After all parameters have been set, choosing OK replaces
the current display with the display of the new drawing sheet (see the following figure).
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the view. In this example drawing the model view chosen to import is the TOP view (see
the following figure).
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Adding Dimensions
Once you have placed the views on your drawing, you are ready to add dimensions.
Choosing Insert-> Dimension enables you to create dimensions on your drawing views.
To create a dimension, choose the desired dimension option (e.g. Horizontal, Vertical,
etc.) from the Dimensions dialog and then select the objects to dimension.
Dimensions you create are associated with the geometry in the views. If a view is moved
the dimensions move with the view. If the model is edited, the dimensions update to
reflect the change. The following figure shows the example drawing with added
dimensions.
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These are the procedures to be followed while you are opted for Drafting Application.
Toolbars
The Drafting application is equipped with a number of toolbars to help you quickly
navigate through desired Drafting options. You can turn on the toolbars you want to be
visible and customize their contents using the View->Toolbars ->Customize ->
Commands or by moving the cursor over the docking container.
Object-Action Overview
An object-action relationship on drafting annotation objects lets you perform actions on
objects that you select from the graphics window. The object type determines what action
you can apply to the object. Using object-action operations lets you maintain focus on the
graphics window rather than on menu bars.
Object-Action Operations
Dragging Single Objects This action lets you reposition annotation objects.
Double-clicking an object brings up the appropriate
dialog to perform editing. For example, double-
Double-Click Actions
clicking a dimension brings up the Annotation
Preferences dialog.
Drawing Menu
This section provides information on the options available under the Drawing pull-down
menu. These options allow you to create, edit and manipulate drawing views and drawing
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sheets. Views you can create using these options include orthographic, auxiliary, detail,
imported, and section views. Once views are created, they can be moved, aligned,
removed, copied, edited, etc.
New Drawing
Drawing-> New allows you to create a new drawing by defining a drawing name, and
specifying drawing parameters such as Size, Scale, Unit of Measure, and Projection
Angle. After all drawing parameters have been set, choosing Apply replaces the current
display with a display of the new drawing.
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Drawing Establishes the default scale for all view types added to the drawing.
Scale
Unit of Specifies either inch or SI units.
Measure
Projection Specifies either 3rd angle or 1st angle projection.
Angle
Projection Angle
Choose the desired Projection Angle by selecting either the third angle or first angle
projection icons (see "Projection Angle Icons" figure). All projected views and sections
then comply with the projection angle. Imported model views however, are not affected
by projection angle.
After all selections have been made from the New Drawing dialog, you can choose the
Apply button to apply the changes, or the OK button to apply the changes and close the
dialog box. The current display is replaced with the new drawing.
The following two figures illustrate examples of drawings using First and Third Angle
Projection.
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After you have defined a drawing name and drawing parameters, you are ready to add
views, dimensions, symbols, etc. to your drawing. First however, you may want to create
a drawing format to add to your drawing.
Open Drawing
Drawing-> Open allows you to open an existing drawing by choosing from a list of
previously created drawings. You can either select a drawing name from the list, or type a
name in the selection field (see the following figure). If you enter the drawing name
incorrectly, an error message appears.
You can use the Open Drawing Dialog's Filter option to rapidly locate a drawing or a
series of drawings in a part file. Enter a portion of a drawing name followed by an
asterisk (*), and choose the OK button. The system then performs a search, and displays
the desired drawing name(s) in the listing window. You can then highlight the drawing
name and copy it to the selection box.
Delete Drawing
Drawing-> Delete Drawing allows you to delete an existing drawing. If no drawings
currently exist, this option is unavailable.
To delete a drawing, you must choose Drawing-> Delete. You can either select a drawing
name from the list or type in a name (see the following figure). The current drawing is
not displayed in the Delete Drawing dialog and therefore cannot be deleted.
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You can use the Delete Drawing dialog's Filter option to rapidly locate a drawing or a
series of drawings in a part file. Enter a portion of a drawing name followed by an
asterisk (*), and choose the OK button. The system then performs a search, and displays
the desired drawing or drawings in the listing window. The drawing name can be
highlighted, placed into the selection box, and deleted by choosing Apply or OK.
Note: - If you delete a drawing which contains a parent of a section view, the section
view is deleted from the drawing it resides on. If that section view had any detail views
created from it, those details are also deleted from the drawing or drawings, which they
reside on. When these situations arise, an error message displays allowing you to either
continue with the operation (by choosing OK) or abort the operation (by choosing
cancel).
Edit Drawing
Drawing-> Edit allows you to modify the currently active drawing by changing any of its
drawing parameters including Name, Size, Scale, and Unit of Measure. If no drawings
currently exist, then Edit is unavailable.
You can use the dialog's Filter option to rapidly locate a drawing or a series of drawings
in a part file. Enter a portion of a drawing name followed by an asterisk (*), and choose
the OK button. The system then performs a search, and displays the desired drawing or
drawings in the listing window. The drawing name can be highlighted, placed into the
selection box, and edited to create a new drawing name.
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Modifying the Scale value only affects views on the current drawing which are not
associated to expressions.
The Projection Angle options can only be changed if no projected views exist in the
current drawing.
When modifying the Drawing Size, it is important to note that the drawing changes in
size by the movement of the drawing bound upper right corner (see the following figure).
In some instances, when a smaller drawing size is chosen, the views may be forced to
display completely outside of the drawing view bounds. If this occurs, the following error
message displays:
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When modifying the drawing size, it is recommended that the view borders be turned On
in Preferences-> Visualization-> Names/Borders. This makes visible any views that may
exist partially outside of the drawing bounds.
Add View
Drawing-> Add View allows you to populate your drawing with views. Views that can be
added include imported model views, orthographic views, auxiliary views, detail views,
and section views. When views are added to a drawing their scale, location, name, status,
etc. can be controlled. When you import a model view a copy of the model view and all
of its contents are placed on the drawing. The modeling view is not altered by the import
process.
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Half Section Cut Creates a view with half of the part sectioned and the other
half un-sectioned.
Revolved Section Cut Creates section views which are revolved about an axis.
Unfolded Section Cut Creates unfolded section views. Unfolded section views have
corresponding section lines that contain multiple cut
segments without any bend segments.
Simple/Stepped Creates either a simple or stepped section cut from a pictorial
Section Cut from Pictorial View view (e.g., TFR-ISO, TFR-TRI, etc.). The system determines
if the view is a stepped cut by the number of cut segments.
Half Section Cut from Creates a half section cut from a pictorial view.
Pictorial View
Import View
The Import View option allows you to import selected model views onto your drawing.
Model views can be used to create other view types including orthographic, auxiliary,
detail and section views. The steps involved for importing a model view are as follows:
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· Click to place the view on the drawing. You can continue to import additional
views by moving the cursor to a new location
Orthographic View
The Orthographic View option allows you to create orthographic projections from
existing imported model views or other orthographic views. To place an orthographic
view onto the drawing, you indicate a position in the desired orthographic quadrant
determined by the parent view. The orthographic view automatically aligns with the
parent view, and has the same view scale as the parent view
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Note: -
You have the option to perform automatic hidden line removal on solid models as views
are placed on the drawing. To do this, you must set the Hidden Line Removal option in
Preferences-> View Display prior to placing the views.
Detail View
A detail view is a view, which contains an enlarged portion of an already existing
drawing view. The enlarged detail view shows detail, which is not apparent in the view
from which the detail was made. The Detail View option allows you to create detail
views with either a circular or rectangular view boundary.
The steps required for creating a detail view with a circular view boundary are as follows:
· Choose the Detail View button.
· Set the Circular Boundary option to ON.
· Indicate a point for the detail center in the parent view. Use the Point Construction
options to help select the desired point.
· Enter a view scale.
· Indicate a second point to define the detail radius. This point can be a screen
position. Use the Point Construction options to help select the desired point.
Note: -
When a detail view is created, any view dependent geometry contained in the parent view
is copied.
If you remove a section view from the drawing, any detail view made from the section
view parent is removed also. However, detail views made from other view types such as
orthographic and auxiliary views are not removed from the drawing when the parent view
is removed.
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When you select this option, the system displays five creation step icons.
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The system determines whether the section cut is simple or stepped by the number of cut
segments. If the number of cut segments is more than one the section cut is determined to
be stepped.
Creation Steps
The Add View dialog contains creation step icons that guide you through the interactive
steps required to create a particular view type. As you complete each step, the creation
step icon for the next interactive step automatically highlights. Only the icon for the
current step highlights, all other icons appear grayed out. If you make a mistake during
the view creation process, you can go back to a previous step by clicking on the
appropriate icon. For example, when an auxiliary view is created there are three creation
step icons available; Select Parent View, Define Hinge Line, and Place View. After you
complete the first two steps (selecting a parent view and defining a hinge line) the Place
View icon highlights. At this point if you had realized that you made a mistake and
selected the wrong hinge line, you could go back to the Define Hinge Line step by
choosing the Define Hinge Line icon.
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Note: - The creation step icons in the dialog vary depending on the view type that is
currently being created.
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route the cut segments through the part features you want shown in the section
view. Bend segments are perpendicular to cut segments.
Point Defines point locations by choosing from a variety of methods. Depending on
Constructio which option you choose, the system interprets the selected object(s) accordingly.
n Options
Next Leg Controls which leg of a revolved section line you are working on. After
constructing one leg of a revolved section, you can press the Next Leg button to
allow you to work on the other leg of the section line. This button is only active
when creating revolved sections.
Remove Removes the last section line creation operation.
Last
Remove All May undo all section line creation operations and start again.
Erase All Lets you select the faces or bodies to keep in the section view.
But Selected
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· You can add view and scale labels at view creation time or by using the Drawing-
> Add View option. You add view and scale labels to existing views using
Drawing-> Edit View.
· View and scale labels are single annotation objects that use the current module
text preferences.
· View and scale labels are automatically created below the view and centered with
the view. View labels can be moved to a new location using the Edit-> Origin
option and remain associated to the view.
· You can modify the parameters of view and scale labels using the Preferences->
View Label option.
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Note: -You can delete view and scale labels for Top, Auxiliary, and Orthographic Views
using Edit-> Delete. However, you cannot delete view and scale labels that are associated
to section or detail views.
Label Letters
View label letters increment automatically when you create a new view label that
includes a label letter. For example, if an imported view was created with the letter "A",
then the letter "B" is used with the next view you create. When the letter increments past
the last letter in the alphabet, double letters are used (e.g. AA, AB, AC etc.) then triple
letters are used (e.g. AAA, AAB, AAC, etc.). The letters I, O, and Q are not explicitly
excluded from label letters. The Customer Defaults file (see Gateway Help) includes
options for including and excluding letters and limiting the minimum and maximum
number of letters that can be used. Duplicate letters cannot be assigned.
Copy View
When you copy a view (Drawing->Move/Copy View), the view label is also copied to
the new view. The view label is copied except that the label letter is incremented in the
new view.
Drawing XY Coordinates
You may place views on a drawing by entering drawing XY coordinates into the XC and
YC coordinate fields (located along the bottom of the graphics window) and pressing
<Enter>. As the cursor moves around the graphics window, its location in drawing
coordinates is tracked and displayed in the drawing XY coordinate fields.
Drawing XY Coordinates
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Remove View
Drawing-> Remove View allows you to remove views from a drawing(s). You can select
one view or multiple views to remove. The following figure shows the Remove View
dialog.
Note: - When removing a view from a drawing all view dependent objects are deleted.
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Move/Copy View
Drawing Move/Copy View allows you to move or copy existing views on the drawing.
Views can be moved or copied To a Point, Horizontally, Vertically, Perpendicular to a
Line, or To Another Drawing.
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View Name Enters a name for a view that is to be copied onto the drawing. The view name
must be entered into the field prior to placing it on the drawing. If a view name is
not specified, or if it is not valid or unique, a unique system name is generated for
the view (e.g. ORTHO@8).
Distance Controls the distance that a view is moved/copied relative to the originally
selected view. If the Distance button is toggled to the ON position, the view is
moved/copied at a distance equal to the value specified in the distance field. If
more than one view is selected, the views are moved/copied based on the first
view that was selected.
Vector Defines vectors by choosing from a variety of methods. Depending on which
Constructio option you choose, the system interprets the selected object(s) accordingly. For
n Options details on specific options see Vector Construction Options.
Deselect Deselects views. This is useful if you make a mistake selecting views.
Views
View Selection List
The view selection list allows you to select one or more views to be moved or copied.
Once the views are selected, and a move/copy method is chosen, the views can be
dragged and placed to a new location on the drawing. In addition to selecting views from
the view selection list, views can also be selected directly from the graphics screen. Both
active and reference views can be selected.
To a Point
The To a Point option allows you to move or copy views to a new point location on the
drawing. When several views are selected to move or copy, the newly specified point
location becomes coincident with the center of the first view selected.
The steps below describe how to move views using the To a Point. option. For copying
views, the steps are the same except that the Copy Views option must be set to the ON
position.
· Select the views you wish to move. You can select the views from the view
selection list or directly from the graphics screen. If you make a mistake selecting
views, you can choose Reset to deselect the views and re-start the view selection
process.
· Choose the To a Point option.
· Using the cursor, drag the views to the desired location on the drawing. When the
views are dragged, their view bounds are dynamically displayed.
· Indicate a new location for the views. If you continue to move the cursor, the
views move again. You can continue to move the views until MB2 is pressed.
When you found the desired the location, the views are placed at the current
location on the drawing.
Horizontally
The Horizontally option allows you to move or copy views in a horizontal direction. The
steps below describe how to move views using the Horizontally option. For copying
views, the steps are the same except that the Copy Views option must be set to the ON
position.
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· Select the views you wish to move. You can select the views from the view
selection list or directly from the graphics screen. If you make a mistake selecting
views, you can choose Reset to deselect the views and re-start the view selection
process.
· Choose the Horizontally option.
· Using the cursor, drag the views horizontally to the desired location on the
drawing. When the views are dragged, their view bounds are dynamically
displayed.
· Indicate a new location for the views by pressing MB1. If you continue to move
the cursor after pressing MB1, the views move again. You can continue to move
the views until MB2 is pressed. When MB2 is pressed the views are placed at the
current location on the drawing.
Vertically
The Vertically option allows you to move or copy views in a vertical direction. The steps
below describe how to move views using the Vertically option. For copying views, the
steps are the same except that the Copy Views option must be set to the ON position.
Perpendicular to a Line
The Perpendicular to a Line option allows you to move or copy views perpendicular to a
defined hinge line. The steps below describe how to move views using the Perpendicular
to a Line, option. For copying views, the steps are the same except that the Copy Views
option must be set to the ON position.
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To Another Drawing
The To Another Drawing option allows you to move or copy views to another drawing.
The steps below describe how to move views using the To Another Drawing, option. For
copying views, the steps are the same except that the Copy Views option must be set to
the ON position.
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Copy Views
The Copy Views option allows you to copy existing views and move them to a new
location on the drawing. Copy Views can be used with all move/copy methods. The steps
below give an example of how to copy and move views using the To a Point option:
· Turn on the Copy Views option.
· Select the views you wish to copy.
· Choose the To a Point option.
· Using the cursor, drag the copied views to the desired location on the drawing.
When the views are dragged, their view bounds are dynamically displayed.
· Indicate a location for the copied views. If you want to make another copy of the
views, you can move the cursor to a new location. This process can be repeated as
many times as desired.
Note: - If a section view is copied without its parent view, it becomes a detail view on
the drawing. If a section parent view is copied alone, it is copied without the section line.
If the section view is copied with its parent view, identical copies of the views are made
and include the section line.
Align View
The Drawing-> Align View option allows you to align existing drawing views on a
drawing. Views can be aligned using the alignment methods: Overlay, Horizontally,
Vertically, Perpendicular to a line, and Infer.
Several alignment options are available to help you define the point location on the
view(s) where the alignment takes place.
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Overlay
The Overlay option allows you to align views both horizontally and vertically so that they
may be superimposed one upon the other. The way in which the views are aligned
depends on the alignment option chosen (Model Point, View Centers, or Point to Point),
and the view points that are selected.
You can overlay views to a specified model point as follows:
1. Set the Model Point alignment option.
2. Using the appropriate point construction option, select a model point in the view
that remains stationary during alignment.
3. Select the views that you want to overlay on the stationary view. The views can
be selected from the view selection list or directly from the graphics screen.
4. Choose the Overlay option. The views automatically overlay with the selected
model point.
Broken View
The Broken View option allows you to create, modify, and update compressed views
with multiple boundaries which are known as broken views. Options on the Broken View
dialog are unavailable until you select a view. You can select a view from the View List
Box or from the graphics screen. Once you select a view, the view displays in expanded
view mode.
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Note: -
· The preferred method is to create the broken view first and then to annotate the
view.
· A broken view cannot be the parent for a section view.
· The following views cannot be broken:
1. Multiview section views (unfolded and revolved)
2. Detail Views
3. Views with section lines
4. Views with faceted representations
· Select the line end point with the cursor. This defines the Simple Break curve.
Note that the curve type changes to Construction Line.
· Continue defining the primary region until you have a closed region as shown in
the following figure.
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· Choose Apply. Note that the system automatically defines an anchor point for
you. If you are not attached to geometry you must define an anchor point.
· Choose the desired curve from the Curve Type option menu. Note that if you do
not choose a curve type, the system automatically reverts back to the previous
curve type.
· Choose Apply.
· Choose Display Drawing or Cancel.
Edit View
The Drawing-> Edit View option allows you to edit various view parameters for existing
views on the current drawing. Some of the items which you can edit include the view
name, view status, view angle, view scale, etc.
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View Label Lets you automatically create a view and/or scale label in an existing view that
and Scale does not already have view and scale labels. To create a label, select the view and
Label turn on the appropriate toggle button(s) as desired. The view and scale parameters
reflect the values set in Preferences->View Label.
If the view already has a view or scale label, the toggle buttons display the current
state of the label buttons (ON or OFF). Make your changes to the toggle buttons
and choose OK or APPLY. If both toggle buttons are set to off and you choose OK
or APPLY, the view label is deleted.
Reference
The Reference option allows you to edit the status of views that exist on the drawing. A
view can have a status of either Active or Reference. Active views are views you can
work on directly, while reference views cannot be worked on directly. When the
Reference option is turned ON for a view, the view is considered a reference view. When
the Reference option is turned OFF the view is considered an active view.
If you change an active view to a reference view, the view geometry no longer displays
and a reference marker appears inside the view bound. Although the geometry in a
reference view does not display on the screen, it still plots. Views which are converted to
reference views do not update until made active again, even if the angle, scale, or hinge
line is changed.
To edit a view's status:
1. Select the view(s) whose status you wish to edit. The view bounds highlight. If
you make a mistake selecting views, you can press Reset to clear the selection and
start again.
2. Choose either the Active or Reference option. The following figure shows an
active view which has been changed to a reference view.
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Break-Out Section
Break-Out sections allow you to see the inside of a part by removing a region of the part.
The region is defined by a closed loop of break-out curves. You can apply break-out
sections to both orthographic and pictorial views. Choose Drawing->Break-Out Section
to use the break-out section options.
Note: -
· Only the planar cut faces of a break-out section are crosshatched.
· Splines created by the fit method are not selectable for break-out section boundary
regions (splines created by Through Points or By Poles are selectable).
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Select View
The select view option allows you to select an orthographic or pictorial (trimetric or
isometric) view for a break-out section. You can select a view by clicking a view on the
drawing or by selecting a view name from the view name list box.
The base point is the reference point from which the break-out curves (closed loop)
sweep in the direction of the extrusion vector. The base point is also used as a reference
for non-associated break-out boundary curves (non-associated means that the curves were
not previously associated to the model). If the base point moves, the non-associated
break-out curves move with the base point.
You select a base point using one of the point subfunction options.
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When toggled ON, the Cut Through Model button allows you to cut completely through a
pictorial view.
The system offers and displays a default extrusion vector which is perpendicular to the
XY plane of the view which points toward the viewer. The following options allow you
to define the extrusion vector:
Select Curves
The select curves step allows you to define the boundary curves of the break-out section.
You can either create a closed loop of curves or create several curves and let the system
connect them automatically.
Note: -
Only view dependent curves are selectable. Splines created by the Fit method are not
selectable (splines created by Through Points or By Poles are selectable).
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8. The extrusion vector is automatically chosen. You can accept it by clicking MB2
or define a new vector by using the vector constructor options. We defined a
vector using the vector construction two points option. We used two arc centers so
that the direction of the vector is along the axis of the part as shown in the
following figure.
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the boundary point.
10. Click the Accept button on the Break-Out Section dialog. The system generates
the break-out section view shown in the next figure.
Update Views
Drawing-> Update Views allows you to manually update selected drawing views to
reflect changes that have occurred to the model since the last time the views were
updated. Items that may be updated include hidden lines, silhouettes, view bounds,
section views, and section view details. If the currently displayed drawing or any of its
views are not up to date, an "OUT-OF-DATE" message appears next to the drawing
name in the lower left corner of the drawing display. This message may also appear when
the drawing contains any invalid section lines. The following figure shows the Drawing
Update dialog.
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Edit
The options found under the Edit pull-down menu allow you to modify existing drafting
objects such as section lines, crosshatching, leaders, ordinate dimensions, etc. Note that
the first six options that appear under the Edit pull-down are options that are common
throughout the system and are not described in this manual.
Origin
Edit-> Origin lets you establish an associative relationship between views, geometry, and
other annotations to define the location of an annotation on the drawing. The associative
annotations relocate themselves to the proper location when the model or related
annotations update. The default alignment type (Drag, Relative to View, etc.) and default
parameter settings in the Alignment Specific Options area of the dialog depends on the
current alignment setting in Preferences->Origin. The Origin Tool dialog becomes active
whenever you choose an option that places or modifies annotations on a drawing.
If you select an annotation by clicking it, the Origin Tool dialog updates with the current
alignment type of the annotation.
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Section Line
Edit->Section Line allows you to edit an existing section line. You can use this option to
add, delete, or move segments of a section line. You can also use it to redefine an existing
hinge line, or to move the rotation point of a revolved section view.
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Original Section Line and New Section Line with Segment Added
Delete Segment
This option allows you to delete a cut segment from a section line (see the following
figure). You can also delete user-defined bend and arrow segments. To delete a segment
you must:
1. Select the section line you want to edit. The bounds of the section view highlights.
2. Choose the Delete Segment option.
3. Select the segment you want to delete. For point to point unfolded section lines
select a segment close to the point you want to delete.
4. Choose Apply or OK to change the currently selected section line, and update the
section view.
Note: -
· This option is not intended to delete the entire section line. You must delete the
associated section view using Drawing->Remove View to delete the section line.
· This option can be used to change a user-defined arrow or bend segment to a system-
defined segment.
Original Section Line and New Section Line with a Segment Deleted
Move Segment
This option allows you to move individual segments of a section line while maintaining
the angle and connection to adjacent segments (see the following figure). Segments that
may be moved include cut segments, bend segments, and arrow segments.
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Original Section Line and New Section Line with a Segment Moved
1. Select the section line you want to edit. The bounds of the section view highlights.
2. Choose the Move Rotation Point option.
3. Select the appropriate Point Construction option.
4. Indicate a new location for the rotation point.
5. Choose Apply or OK to change the currently selected section line, and update the
section view
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Edit Component
Edit->Component allows you to delete portions of previously created drafting objects.
Components that can be deleted include arrowheads, manually created hatch lines,
dimension and extension lines, etc. In addition to deleting components, the Edit
Component dialog can also be used to move previously created embedded components
(e.g., User Defined GAP symbol, User Defined Break Symbol) to a new location on the
same drafting object.
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Delete Component
The following steps describe how to use the Delete Component option to delete
components of previously created drafting objects.
· Choose Delete Component.
· Select the drafting object whose component you wish to delete. You can select
any number of components for deletion.
· Select the component to be deleted.
· Click Apply to delete the component(s). The following figure shows an example
of a dimension whose extension line component is being deleted.
Move Component
The following steps describe how to use the Move Component option to move a
previously created embedded component (e.g., User Defined GAP symbol, User Defined
Break Symbol) to a new location on a drafting object.
· Choose Move Component.
· Select the drafting object that contains the embedded component you want to
move.
· Select the embedded component. If there is only one embedded component in the
drafting object it is selected automatically by the system.
· Drag the embedded component to the desired position. It can only be moved
along the desired drafting object component. The following figure shows an
example of a GAP symbol, which is moved to a new location to hide an extension
line, which crosses over text.
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Moving an Embedded Component to a New Location using Move Component
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Erase Objects
This option allows you to erase entire geometric objects (such as curves, edges, splines,
etc.) from a selected member view or drawing. If you wish to erase only a part of an
object, you can use the Edit Object Segments option. Objects that are erased using this
option are not deleted, they are merely "made invisible" in the selected view or drawing.
You can re-display the erased objects by using either the Delete Selected Erasures option,
or the Delete All Edits option.
The following steps describe how to use the Erase Objects option to erase a previously
created drafting object:
To use the Edit Entire Objects option perform the following steps:
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This is done by selecting bounding objects. Bounding objects intersect (or appear to
intersect) the object being edited, and bound the segment of the curve you wish to have
modified.
To use the Edit Object Segments option perform the following steps:
· Choose Edit->View Dependent Edit.
· Select the desired drawing or member view you wish to edit the object(s) in.
· Choose the Edit Object Segments option
· Select the object to be edited. Where the object is selected is important. The side
of the segment selected in relation to its bounding object(s) determines which
portion of the segment to modify.
· Select a first bounding object. At this point, you may do one of two things. You
may choose OK to edit the object segment selected, or you may continue to select
a second bounding object. If necessary, after selecting the second bonding object
you may continue to select additional pairs of bounding objects to edit multiple
segments on the same curve or edge.
· Choose OK
· Choose the desired color, font and width settings from the View Dependent Edit
dialog.
· Choose Apply. The system edits the segment(s) that fall inside the boundaries
with the new color, font and width settings. The segment(s) that fall outside of the
bounding objects remain unaffected. The following figure shows an example
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To use the Edit Selected Erasures option perform the following steps:
· Choose Edit->View Dependent Edit.
· Select the desired drawing or member view you wish to delete erasures in.
· Choose the Delete Selected Erasures option. The objects that have been
previously erased are highlighted.
· Select the objects you want erasures to be deleted from. You can select the objects
using the cursor or the Class Selection dialog.
· Choose OK. The previously erased object(s) re-display.
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Model To View
This option allows you to convert certain objects which exist in the model (model
dependent), to objects which exist in a single member view (view dependent). The
objects that can be converted to a single member view include unreferenced curves,
points, patterns, dimensions, and other drafting objects (excluding crosshatching).
In addition, Model to View also allows you to convert unreferenced curves, points, and
patterns to the drawing itself. This option does not allow solids or drafting objects (such
as dimensions) to be converted to the drawing view.
View To Model
This option allows you to convert certain objects, which exist in a single member view
(view dependent objects), to model objects. The objects that can be converted include
unreferenced curves, points, patterns, dimensions, and other drafting objects (excluding
crosshatching, area fill, and section lines).
In addition, View To Model also allows you to convert unreferenced curves, points, and
patterns that exist on the drawing to model objects.
Preferences
The options found under the Preferences pull-down menu allow you to specify various
settings called preferences. These preferences control creation parameters, display
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parameters, tolerances, and other characteristics. Once you have set a particular
preference, all subsequently created objects correspond to that setting.
Options on the Preferences pull-down menu that apply to both Drafting and GD&T are:
· Annotation
· Geometric Tolerancing
· Drafting
Preferences Menu
Use Preferences to define the display parameters of new objects, names, layouts, and
views. You can set the layer, color, font, and width of created objects. You can also
design layouts and views, control the display of object and view names and borders,
change the size of the selection ball, specify the selection rectangle method, set chaining
tolerance and method, and design and activate a grid.
Option Description
Names/ Specifies display attributes of object names and controls the display of view names and
Borders borders.
Line Specifies display properties of lines, curves, and edges, including font and width
attributes and the tolerance used to compute displayed curves from model data.
Special Controls fog effects or enables stereoscopic viewing for the work view.
Effects
Screen Calibrates the physical dimensions of the monitor screen. Also sets the fit percentage,
the portion of the view occupied by the model after a fit operation.
Visual Specifies how objects in a view are visualized. Controls shading, silhouettes and the
appearance of hidden and smooth edges, translucency, and other attributes.
Shade Sets display properties of shaded views. Specifies the tolerance used to compute
shaded facets from model data and controls how edges are displayed in shaded views.
Color Selects colors that are used for special purposes, including selection colors, the dim
Settings color used to display objects off the work plane, and the dim color used to display non-
work parts in an assembly.
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Color Modifies the colors used to display the part in the graphics window.
Palette
Perspec Specifies front and back clipping planes and enables perspective projection for the
tive work view.
Names/Borders
Allows you to turn on and off and change the parameters of the names of objects, as well
as enabling the names and borders of the views.
Option Description
Object Name Object Name Display allows names of objects, attributes, patterns, and
Display groups to appear in the view.
Character Size Allows you to define the size of the text in the object names.
Show View Show View Names or Borders allows you to turn on and off the display of
Names/Borders view names and borders
Note: -
Show View Names has no effect on drawings or drawing member views. The name of a
drawing is always displayed. The name of drawing member view is not displayed, except
when the member view is expanded
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Screen Preferences
Fit Percentage
Specifies the area of the graphics display to be occupied by the model after a fit operation
is performed. For example, a fit percentage of 100% scales the model so that it occupies
100% of the graphics display. Similarly, a fit percentage of 80% fits the model within
80% of the graphics display area, leaving space around the model for the creation of
additional geometry
Annotation Preferences
You can use the options from the Annotation Preferences dialog box to edit objects or to
set creation preferences. The Annotation Preferences dialog box enables you to access the
following tabbed options at the top of the dialog:
This special function dialog box contains preferences for Dimensions, Line/Arrow,
Lettering, Symbols, Units, Radial, and Fill/Hatch. Additionally, some of the preference
options support Geometric Tolerancing.
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Dimensions
The Annotation Preferences Dimensions dialog box provides the following preference
settings after you choose the Dimensions tab:
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Line/Arrow
The Line/Arrow Property Tab contains preferences that apply to leaders, arrows, and
extension lines for both dimensions and other annotations. A preview area provides a
WYSIWYG rendition of the symbol with leaders and dimensions.
Line/Arrow Options
Enables you to specify the type of arrowhead used
in the creation of dimensions and drafting aids.
Arrowhead Display There are separate options for the 1st and 2nd
arrows. Each option provides the following arrow
types: Closed Arrow, Open Arrow, Filled Arrow,
None, Origin Symbol, Cross, Dot, and Filled Dot.
Lets you set the leader line from the left or right
Leader From Left/Right when editing annotation.
Vertical Alignment You can vertically align a leader line with the top,
middle, or bottom of the text. The options are:
· Leader from Top
· Leader from Middle
· Leader from Bottom
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· Choose the arrowhead type to be used in the creation of drafting objects (e.g.
Closed, Open, Cross, Dot, etc.)
Note: - The above procedures are just guidelines for setting preferences for
how the system displays the line/arrow format of drafting objects. You do not
have to perform some of the listed steps for setting up the line/arrow format
display if you do not wish to.
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Lettering
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Lettering Options
Alignment Lets you choose the relative position of text in a drafting object with respect to
Position its enclosing, imaginary rectangle.
Text Lets you set the horizontal text justification to one of Left Justify, Center Justify,
Justification or Right Justify.
GD&T Frame Lets you set the value for the GD&T frame height for the Annotation Editor and
Height Factor for embedded Geometric Tolerancing.
Lettering allows you to control the size parameters and orientation of text in all drafting
objects. It also allows you to edit these parameters for existing objects.
Procedure
· Choose Preferences->Lettering.
· Choose the drafting text type whose lettering format (height, spacing, etc.) you
wish to set.
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· Choose the type of orientation you wish to set for the text.
Symbols
The symbols dialog allows you to set preferences that apply to various symbol types. A
preview box provides a generic symbol display which shows the symbol's color, line font,
and line width. The Symbols dialog contains the following options.
Symbols Options
Symbol Types Allows you to set or edit ID, User Defined, Centerline, Intersection, Target, and
GD&T symbols.
ID Symbol Size Allows you to set the size of the ID symbol and is unavailable for all other
symbol types.
Color/Font/Wi Sets the color, font, and width of any of the symbol types.
dth
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Apply to All Sets the color, font, and width of all of the symbol types to the currently
Symbol Types selected type.
Preview Area Shows a preview display of the selected symbol type.
Display
Action Buttons Action buttons include Inherit, Inherit All, Reset, Reset All, Load Defaults,
Load All Defaults, OK, Apply, and Cancel.
Units
The Units dialog allows you to set the desired unit of measure for dimensions, as well as
control whether dimensions are created in single or dual dimension format. You can use
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the Units dialog to set unit preferences for subsequent dimensions added to the drawing,
or to edit existing dimensions.
Procedure 1
To set the Unit preferences for subsequent dimensions added to the drawing:
· Choose Preferences->Annotation->Units.
· Set the desired options in the Units dialog.
· Choose Apply or OK.
Procedure 2
To Edit the Units of an existing dimension:
· Choose Preferences->Annotation->Units.
· Choose the dimension to edit.
· Set the desired options in the Units dialog.
· Choose Apply or OK.
Units Options
Decimal Point Allows you to specify either a period or comma for the decimal point
Character and character of a dimension. The comma option is only valid for a
Display/Suppress dimension text unit that is metric (meters or millimeters). You can also
Trailing Zeros either display or suppress trailing zeros.
Allows you to specify the location of the tolerance relative to the
Tolerance Location dimension value.
Allows you to specify the dimension units and decimal/fraction text
Linear Format and format for single dimensions or the primary dimension of a dual
Units dimension.
Angular Format Allows you to specify the Nominal Angle Format, Tolerance Angle
Format, and Display/Suppress Zeros options. These options allow you
to independently set an angular dimensions nominal and tolerance
format. The Display/Suppress Zeros option applies to both the nominal
and tolerance format for angular dimensions.
Dual Dimension Controls whether the dimensions you create are single or dual. Allows
Format and Units you to specify the decimal/fraction text format for the secondary
dimension of a dual dimension.
Convert Primary Controls whether the tolerance values of a dual dimension are converted
Tolerance to from one unit to another.
Secondary Units
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Radial
The Radial option contains preferences for the display of both diameter and radius
dimension values. The following options are available.
Radial Options
Allows you to specify the location of the Diameter and Radius symbols
with respect to the dimension text.
Symbol Location
Diameter Symbol Allows you to set the Diameter symbol preference.
Symbol-To- Allows you to control the space between the symbol and dimension text
Dimension Space in character spaces. Enter the desired number of character spaces. Enter a
Control value in the A parameter text box.
Folded Radius Allows you to specify the angle of the fold in Folded Radius dimensions.
Angle Enter a value in the B parameter text box.
Text After/Above Allows you to control the location of dimension text relative to the leader
Stub stub. There are two options:
Text After Stub - dimension text displays next to the leader stub.
Text Above Stub - dimension text displays above the leader stub with the
stub extended to the maximum length of the dimension text.
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Fill/Hatch
The Fill/Hatch Dialog provides:
· Area Fill options that allow you to either define settings for subsequent area fills
or edit the parameters of existing area fills.
· Hatch Style options that allow you to define settings for subsequent crosshatches
or edit the parameters of existing hatches. There are options that allow you to
choose from a variety of hatch styles as well as control hatch parameters.
Crosshatch and Lets you control how closely the system approximates the boundary along
Area Fill Tolerance curves.
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Dimension
Dimension options let you create and edit various dimension types as well as set local
preferences that control the display of the dimension type. The system uses intelligent
inferencing for all dimension types to create dimensions based on the object(s) you select.
You choose a dimension type from the Dimension Toolbar or from the Insert->
Dimension pull-down menu.
Once you choose a dimension option (other than Ordinate Dimension) a dimension dialog
displays with the following options.
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Dimension Toolbar
Inferred This option lets you create dimensions using the systems capability to
intelligently infer a dimension type based on the object(s) you select and the cursor
location.
Horizontal This option lets you creates a horizontal dimension between two selected
points.
Vertical This option lets you creates a vertical dimension between two selected
points.
Parallel This option lets you creates parallel dimensions between two selected
points.
Perpendicular This option lets you creates a perpendicular dimension between a line or
centerline, and a defined point.
Angular This option lets you creates an angular dimension which defines in
degrees the angle between two non-parallel lines.
Cylindrical This option lets you creates a cylindrical dimension which is the linear
distance between two objects or point positions.
Hole This option lets you create diameter dimension of any circular feature with
a single leader.
Diameter This option lets you dimensions the diameter of a circle or arc.
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Radius This option lets you creates a radius dimension that uses a short arrow
from the dimension value to the arc.
Radius to Center This option lets you creates a radius dimension that draws an
extension line from the center of the arc.
Folded Radius This option lets you creates a radius dimension for an extremely large
radius arc-one whose center lies off the drawing area.
Concentric Circles This option lets you creates a concentric circle dimension which
measures the difference in radii between two concentric arcs.
Arc Length This option lets you creates an arc length dimension which measures the
distance around the perimeter of an arc.
Auto Inherit Dimensions from Sketch
When you choose this option, the system will ask you to pick a view to place the new
dimensions into. Once you pick a view, the system will search your part for sketches that
are parallel to the plane of the view and copy the sketch dimensions from these sketches
to the drawing using the current drafting preferences.
Appended Text
Appended text is text that is added to a dimension. You can control how and where the
appended text is displayed by choosing the appropriate appended text option in the
Dimensions dialog.
No Appended Text this option allows you to specifically disallow appended text while
Simple Append
This option allows you to append text to a dimension. You do this by choosing a Place
Text option (e.g., Before, After, Above, etc.), and entering text into the Appended Text
fields. When the dimension is created, the entered text displays with the dimension.
Annotation Editor
The Annotation Editor option allows you to use the Annotation Editor to append
text/symbols to a dimension. You use the editor in the same way you would use it to
create a note or label.
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Place Text
The Place Text options allow you to control the placement of appended text. They are
available if you choose either the Simple Append or the Annotation Editor appended text
options. You can place the appended text on the dimension in a variety of ways (see the
following figure).
Once you choose a Place Text option, you can enter text into the corresponding field(s)
(see the following figure).
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The following figure shows a dimension that includes a nominal dimension value and
tolerance values. In this example the nominal dimension value has been set to display two
place precision, while the tolerance values are set to display three place precision.
Annotation Editor
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The top area has symbol buttons which when clicked adds the control control characters
for the symbol into the edit window.
Below the symbol buttons are the Fraction and Two-Line buttons. These buttons allow
you to insert the control characters for fractions and two-line text into the edit window.
Text for the numerator and denominator of a fraction, or first and second line for two-line
text, is entered into the two text widgets.
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The GD&T Pane allows you to enter the control characters for GD&T symbols into the
edit window. On the left side of the GD&T pane is a column of four buttons. These
buttons will enter the control characters for the following GD&T symbols. (See fig.)
To the right of these buttons are the buttons for the various tolerance characteristics,
material conditions, and other GD&T symbols. At the bottom of the pane is a field used
to specify the Frame Height Factor and an option menu used to specify the tolerance
standard used by Vcheck. The two choices for tolerancing standards include
ANSI Y14.5M – 1982 amd ISO 1101 – 1983.
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The Create without Leader button allows you to create notes and GD&T symbols without
leaders. When this button is pressed, a Place Annotation dialog displays allowing you to
create notes and GD&T symbols at a specified origin.
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Note/Label Creation:
The following example shows the steps involved to create the GD&T symbols pane.
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· Set the leader type to plain and the leader side to infer.
· Indicate a leader end point for the first leader
· Press the New Leader button and indicate a leader end point for the second leader.
Press New Leader button a second time and indicate a leader endpoint for the third
leader.
· Chose the Ok button. The place annotation will display.
· Indicate an origin for the label.
Note/Label Editing
You can edit existing text using the Annotation Editor by choosing Insert->Annotation
Editor. Once the editor dialog is displayed, you can select text in the graphics window.
The selected text is captured in the Annotation Editor's edit window where changes can
be made. To apply any edits choose the Apply button. The changes are applied to the
selected text. If you choose the Create with Leaders button or the Create without Leaders
button instead of choosing Apply, the edit is canceled and a new note or label is created
using the text selected for editing. This edit mechanism can be used to inherit existing
text for creating a new note or label.
Utility Symbol:
This option allows you to create various utility symbols such as centerlines, Offset
center points, target points, and intersection symbols. When you choose Insert-> Utility
Symbol, the Utility Symbols dialog displays. This dialog allows you to control the
display of each symbol.
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The Utility Symbols options are modal. This means that the utility symbol option you
choose continues to remain active after you have created or edited a symbol.
When creating utility symbols, you may reselect the first object selected. For example, if
you are creating a linear centerline and have selected the wrong object for your first
selection, then just start over by reselecting linear centerline. You are now ready to make
your first selection.
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ID Symbols
The Insert-> ID Symbol option allows you to create and edit ID symbols on your
drawing. ID symbols can be created as stand-alone symbols, or they can be created with
leaders. The ID symbols dialog allows you to specify the symbol type, text, size, and
placement.
Types
The ID Symbol dialog contains a variety of ID Symbol Types for you to use. Each
symbol type creates a different type of ID Symbol. The following figure shows examples
of ID Symbols you can create.
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User-Defined Symbols
The User-Defined Symbol option allows you to place symbols on your drawing which are
either provided by us or previously created by you using File-> Utilities-> Edit Symbol
Font File (see Gateway Help for details on using this option). The user-defined symbols
you place on your drawing can either be stand alone symbols, or they can be added to
existing drafting objects.
Procedure
To place a user-defined symbol perform the following steps:
· Choose Insert->User-Defined Symbol.
· Select the directory in which the symbol resides (either current Part, the Current
Directory, or Utility Directory).
· Select the desired symbol from the displayed list of symbol files contained in the
directory you selected.
· Indicate the desired placement mode for the symbol.
To edit a user-defined symbol perform the following steps:
· Choose Insert->User-Defined Symbol.
· Select the symbol.
· Change the symbol parameters in the dialog (e.g. length, height, scale, aspect
ratio).
· Choose Apply.
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User-Defined Symbols are intended to provide the means to represent simple drafting,
machining, or manufacturing symbols.
Creation of overly complex or large symbols may result in degradation of the symbol's
display resolution.
You can select Leader lines, Leader stubs, Leader arrows (or other forms), Crosshatching
lines, Dimension lines, Dimension extension lines, Angular dimension arcs.
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Crosshatching
The Crosshatching option allows you to create patterns within a user-defined boundary.
Tabular Note
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The Tabular Note option allows you to create and edit tables of information on drawings.
Tabular notes are often used to define the dimensional values of similar parts within a
family of parts. They are also used for hole charts and material lists.
The following figure shows an example of a tabular note on a drawing used for a hole
chart.
This option allows you to either modify the display of an existing section line or
subsequent selection lines added to the drawing.
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Stub Length Enters a stub length in the Stub Length field (E)
Section Line Display allows you to control the display of section lines added to the
drawing. The section line display can be modified for existing section lines or for
subsequent section lines added to the drawing.
Modifying the Section Line Display
This option allows you to either modify the display of an existing section line or
subsequent section lines added to the drawing.
The select section view button allows you to modify any section line by selecting the
section view that is associated to the section line you want to modify. You may use this
in particular for selecting non-displayed section lines.
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View Display
View Display allows you to control the display of views on a drawing. You can control
the display of hidden lines, section view background lines, silhouettes, smooth edges, etc.
You can use the View Display dialog to set preferences for subsequent views added to the
drawing, or you may use the dialog to edit the settings of existing views. When selecting
a view, the View Display dialog updates to display the current settings for that view.
Note: When creating a detail view, the view display properties (e.g. hidden line, smooth
edges, automatic update) of the detail are identical to the view display properties of the
parent view used to create the detail. This is true regardless of the settings in the View
Display dialog. After a detail view is created however, you may then use the View
Display dialog to edit the view display properties.
Note: View Display Preferences are not saved with the part file.
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Render Sets allows you to select either solids or component sets and apply the following
Hidden Line Rendering options: Hidden Line, Referenced Edges Only, Edges Hidden by
Edges, Edges Hidden by own Solid, Hidden Line Color, Font, Width, and Visible Line
Color, Font, and Width.
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Hidden Lines
View Display-> Hidden Lines allows you to access the hidden line display preferences
for all views added to the drawing.
When creating a detail view, the view display properties (e.g. hidden line,
smooth edges, automatic update) of the detail are identical to the view display
properties of the parent view used to create the detail.
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This is true regardless of the settings in the View Display dialog. After a detail
view is created however, you may then use the View Display dialog to edit the
view display properties.
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Procedure 2
The Section View Crosshatch option may be used to edit the display of existing section
views as follows:
· Select the section view(s) to edit. You can select the view(s) from the screen using
the cursor, or you can select them by name from the dialog.
· Toggle the Section View Crosshatch button to the desired state.
· Choose OK to make the change and close the View Display dialog, or choose
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Assembly Crosshatching
The Assembly Crosshatching option allows you to control the crosshatching angle of
adjacent solids in an assembly section view. This option is available when the Crosshatch
option in the View Display dialog is set to the On position. The following figure shows
how the setting of this option affects a section view.
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In addition to the size of the crosshatch section area, the Crosshatch Adjacency Tolerance
value is also used to determine how solids in an assembly section view are crosshatched.
The following example serves to illustrate this. The following figure shows an assembly
section view created with a Crosshatch Adjacency Tolerance value of .05 mm. The
section view is made up of four solids. The largest solid is A. Solid A is rendered with a
45 degree crosshatch. The next largest adjacent solid is B. Solid B is 0.06 mm apart from
solid A, and is not within the specified 0.05 mm Crosshatch Adjacency Tolerance.
Therefore, solid B is also rendered with a 45 degree crosshatch. The third largest solid is
solid C. Solid C is 0.02 mm apart from solid A and is within the 0.05 mm Crosshatch
Adjacency Tolerance. As a result, solid C is automatically rendered with a 135 degree
crosshatch. Solid D is the forth largest solid. Solid D is 0.02 mm apart from solid A and
0.01 mm apart from solid C. Since both distances fall within the Crosshatch Adjacency
Tolerance of 0.05 mm, solid D is rendered with a crosshatch angle of 75 degrees which is
different from solid A and C. This ensures that solid D stands out from both adjacent
solid A and solid C.
Note: - When performing a view update, each existing section view on the drawing is
rendered based on the current setting of the Assembly Crosshatching option for that
section view. Since this preference is set on a per-view basis, different section views may
have different settings for the Assembly Crosshatching option. Any crosshatching that
has had its angle previously modified using Preferences->Hatch Style will have its angle
overridden by the assembly crosshatch angle.
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