What is a Trace-Point?
A Trace-Point shows the locus of a moving Point for one machine-cycle.
Other terms for Trace-Point include Locus, Curve, Path, Trajectory, Trace and Coupler Curve.
With special conditions, you can drag the Point in the Mechanism-Editor to help you find a 'good' Trace-point.
Add Trace-Point
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Menu :
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Notes
does not add a Point to the model - you must select a moving Point that is in a .
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What to do :
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| 2. | Click a Point in the model and graphic-area |
If the Select Elements dialog-box opens, you have clicked more than one Point, which may be coincident.
You must select one Point.
| a. | Click a Point in the Select Elements dialog-box |
| b. | Click  to close the Select Elements dialog-box |
then...
| 3. | Click in the |
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Result :
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You should see the 'Trace of the Point' on the Mechanism Plane.
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Notes :
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See Special Conditions, -below.
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Video:
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More Notes:
| • | You can add many Trace-Points to the same and different Parts. |
| • | It is possible that the trace-point does not complete its closed path in one machine-cycle. If it is important the Trace-Point is closed, you may need to use a Gearing FB to increase the number of times the model cycles within one cycle of the MMA [machine-cycle]. |
| • | If you want to add a Trace-Point to show the motion of a Point in a moving Part relative to a different moving Part [that is, not relative to the Mechanism-Plane or the Base-Part] you must add a 2D-Cam and then show its . |
Special Condition
You can drag Points in the Mechanism-Editor if ALL of these conditions are met:
IF
In the Part-Editor:
| a. | You use
[The Point cannot be a child to a different sketch-element] |
AND IF
| b. | You do not add a dimension or a constraint to the Point |
AND IF in the Mechanism-Editor:
| c. | You add a Trace-Point to the Point |
Note:
To drag the Point more easily:
- or -
| • | Drag the Point and then keep the mouse-pointer very still until the Trace-Point moves, |
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