Getting Started Tutorials - MechDesigner > Tutorial 4: From Sketch-Elements to Extrusions > Step 4.2: 'Auto-Profiles' & 'Auto-Layer' commands

Auto-Profile and Auto-Layer Commands

These commands add a Profile to each Part, for your convenience.

There is a small difference between the two commands::

•Solids toolbar > Add Auto-Profile: add a sketch-loop and an Auto-Profile element to one Part

•Solids toolbar > Add Auto-Profiles : add a sketch-loop and an Auto-Profile element to all Parts

•If you do Auto-Profile again, and select a Part that has an Auto-Profile, you remove the one Auto-Profile.

•If you do Auto-Profiles again, you remove all Auto-Profiles.

It is best practice to use the Auto-Profile command when the Parts are kinematically-defined Parts (Part-Outlines are Green).

	Add Solids menu (or toolbar) > Add Auto-Profile Add Solids menu (or toolbar) > Add Auto-Profiles Auto Solids menu (or toolbar) > Auto Layer (for use with Auto Profiles)


To see the Solids in the graphic-area you must use make active:
	Visibility menu > Show Solids in Mechanism

Use the Auto-Profiles and Auto-Layer commands

	STEP 1: Complete or open Tutorial 2 The model opens in the Mechanism-Editor. The Part-Outlines are Green. This means the Parts and kinematic-chain are kinematically-defined.
	STEP 2: Click Solids toolbar > Auto-Profiles - or - Click Add menu > Mechanism sub-menu > Solids sub-menu > Add Auto-Profiles
	You can see the new Profiles (PINK) in the Mechanism-Editor. STEP 3: Click Solids Visibility toolbar > Show Solids in Mechanism - or - Click Add menu > Mechanism sub-menu > Solids sub-menu > Add Auto-Profiles
	STEP 4: Click the Model name-tab Spin your model to see the Extrusions.
	STEP 5: View toolbar > Spin tool, - or - View menu > Zoom sub-menu > Click Spin - or - SHIFT+DRAG - or - Click in the Selection-Window and then use you arrow keys on your keyboard (up-down, left-right) You can see that each Extrusion is extruded from the Mechanism-Plane.
	STEP 6: Click Solids Toolbar > Auto-Layer - or - Click Add menu > Mechanism sub-menu > Solids sub-menu > Auto-Layer The Auto-Profiles elements move along the Z-axis of the Mechanism-Plane so that the Extrusions become layered. Each Extrusion moves a different distance from the Mechanism-Plane. Alternatively, you can edit each Extrusion with the Extrusion dialog-box to edit the Extrusion-Offset or Part-Offset, or the two.
	In summary: the Auto-Profiles command: •Adds a sketch-loop to each Part and and Joint. •The default diameters of the sketch-loops at the Joints are given the Application-Settings > Auto-profiles tab for 'Grounded Bearings' and 'Standard Bearings' •Add a Profile and Extrusion to each sketch-loop. •The Primary Contour of each Auto-Profile is on the Mechanism-Plane. The Auto-Layer command: •You can use Auto-Layer command to move each Auto-Profile a different distance from the Mechanism-Plane.

Video of the Auto-Profile command

How to...

Add Auto-Profiles to the complete Mechanism