MechDesigner Reference & User Interface > 2.3 Part-Editor:

Part-Editor - Geometry menu and toolbar

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.

Part-Editor: Geometry menu

Part-Editor: Geometry toolbar

Part-Editor : Geometry toolbar is to the left of the graphic-area.

Geometry toolbar
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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.

ABOUT GEOMETRY

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.