<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Navigation: MechDesigner Reference & User Interface > 2.3 Part-Editor: > Geometry |
In the Part-Editor, use the Geometry menu and toolbar
•to edit the length of an Part
•to add sketch-elements to a Part
•to add dimensions to the sketch-element
•to import a SolidWorks sketch onto a Part
•to use the Merge-Points to combine two Points to one Point
Note:
You cannot add constraints AS you add sketch-elements (Merge-Points is the exception).
You must add constraints AFTER you add the sketch-elements.
TOP-Tip:
Add sketch-elements in ways that are clearly not constrained. E.g Add a Line that is obviously not Horizontal. Then add the Horizontal Constraint.
See also: Constraints menu and toolbar
Part-Editor : Geometry toolbar is to the left of the graphic-area.
Sketch-Elements and the Base-Part
Before you can add a joint between the Base-Part and a Part, you must edit the Base-Part to add to it a minimum of one(1) sketch-element. You can, of course, add any number of sketch-elements to the Base-Part. The first sketch-element in the Base-Part? We recommend that you add a Line as the first sketch-element to the Base-Part. Why? A Line gives you flexibility when you need to join other Parts to the Base-Part. You can select the Line's start-Point and/or end-Point to add Pin-Joints, and the Line to add Slide-Joints, between the Base-Part and a different Part. You can also reference the Line and/or the start-Point or end-Point to add a Motion-Dimension FB, and so define the motion of a Rocker and/or Slider relative to the Base-Part. |
Point names •Point - the sketch-element you add to the Part in the Part-Editor with Add Point. •start-Point - the Point where you mouse-button down at the start of the Drag to add a Line, CAD-Line, Arc, or Blend-Curve. •end-Point - the Point where you mouse-button up at the end of the Drag to add a Line, CAD-Line, Arc, or Blend-Curve. •center-Point - the Point where you mouse-button down at the start of the Drag to add a Circle. •center-Point - the Point at the center of an Arc after you mouse-button up at the end of the Drag to add an Arc. Edit a Dimension To edit a dimension: 1.If necessary, de-select Add Dimension and all commands. 2.Double-click the arrowhead of a dimension or extension line ( do not double-click the dimension number). Sketch-Elements in the Part-Editor: •Blue: sketch-elements are not Fully defined •Black: sketch-elements are Fully defined Sketch-Elements in the Mechanism-Editor: •Green: Part is kinematically-defined / solved - Part-Outline is also Green. •Blue: Part is not kinematically-defined / solved - Part-Outline is also Blue. Note: The default colors may have changed. See: Application-Settings > Graphics > Display colors > Geometry Defined / Under-Defined Application-Settings > Graphics > Display colors > Part Solved / Part Unsolved Trouble-shoot - Geometry •CTRL+Z should return the geometry to the previous state., •If a sketch-element is Black but it should be Blue: delete the sketch-element, and add the sketch-element again Trouble-shoot - Constraints To delete a Constraint that you suspect is a problem: 1.SHIFT+CLICK a sketch-element or Point with a Constraint The sketch-element, and/or Point, and all Constraints that you have added show in the Selection-Window 2.Delete the Constraint from the Selection-Window. Trouble-shoot - Dimensions •Delete an angle dimension if it does not increase to be greater than 180º. Move the sketch-element, and add the dimension again. •Delete a dimension if it does not pass through 0, (angular or linear dimension), and add the dimension again. Fix Constraint To FIX a Point, start-Point, end-Point, or center-Point: use the Lock & Specify check-box in the Point Properties dialog. However, you cannot FIX a Point with the Lock and Specify check-box if the Point is constrained with a Constraint or a Dimension. |