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1. | Add a Sketch-Loop in the Part-Editor |
2. | Add a Profile in the Mechanism-Editor |
3. | Select the Profile and Extrusion |
4. | Use the Extrusion dialog-box in the Mechanism-Editor |
5. | Add one more Profile, use the SAME sketch-loop |
6. | Add more Sketch-Loops to the Part |
7. | Add a Hole to cut through Extrusions |
I have prepared this simple model. I have added a:
The kinematic-chain is kinematically-defined - the Part-Outlines are green. The Part is a Rocker. |
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The Part is in the same orientation in the Part-Editor as it is in the Mechanism-Editor. You can use the View toolbar > View Align tool to rotate the Part so that its X-axis is horizontal. I usually do not do 'View Align'. |
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For the purposes of this tutorial ONLY , do NOT merge the points as you add the sketch-elements. It is always faster to use the Merge-and-Hover technique as you add the sketch-elements. In this case, the image shows that the Arcs and Lines are not merged. |
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You need to:
Make sure Point 1 is red when you click the Point 2
Merge-Point is not a persistent command Do the Merge-Point command six times to merge two Points size times. |
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This means the sketch-loop will be blue if the Part is not kinematically-defined, and green if it is kinematically-defined. In this case the Part-Outline is green. Therefore, the sketch-elements in the Part are also green. |
In the Mechanism-Editor, select the Add Profile command.
In the graphic-area, select a Line or Arc that in the sketch-loop. |
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MechDesigner will add the Profile only if the sketch-loop is 'valid'. That is, Points at the ends of the sketch-element are merged. ![]() Message in Feedback Area for 'Invalid Sketch-Loop' If the sketch-loop is not 'valid', MechDesigner does not add the sketch-element to the selection-box in the Command-Manager. In this case, see left for the message is in the Feedback Area. |
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The colours of the sketch-elements are now Pink (default colour). Why? You actually see the Profile element from the Front-View. The Profile element is in front of the sketch-elements . The Profile hides the sketch-elements. You will not see the sketch-elements when the view is the Front View. |
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Spin the model, if necessary, to see the Extrusion that fills the gap between the Profile contours. Use the left-right & up-down arrow-keys on your keyboard to spin the model.
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You can see one of the two Profile contours. There are always two Profile contours – the Primary Contour and Secondary Contours. The Primary Contour and the Sketch-loop are at the same position. MechDesigner may show the sketch-elements in preference to the Profile. How do you edit the Profile contours? See 'next part to this step in this tutorial'. |
When you Shift+Click a Profile contour in the graphic-area, these elements show in the Selection-Window.
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![]() Selection-Window |
The Extrusion dialog-box opens. |
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![]() Assembly-Tree |
The Extrusion dialog-box opens. |
Extrusion Parameters Three parameters control the location, relative to the Mechanism-Plane, of the Primary and Secondary Contours of the Profile. Extrusion Depth specifies the distance to the Secondary-Contour from the Primary-Contour. This is always a positive value. The Secondary Contour is always 'in-front' of the Primary Contour. Extrusion Offset moves the Primary Contour along the Z-Axis of the Part. Part Offset moves the Primary Contours of ALL the Extrusions in a Part. The other parameters edit the Properties of the Extrusion. Show or Hide Extrusion, Extrusion Colour, Change Transparency, Graphic Quality Material Density MechDesigner calculates the Mass and Inertia from the Density, Profile Contour, and the Extrusion Depth parameters. |
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Extrusion Depth:
In the image to the left:
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Note: If the model is very large, the Extrusion Depth parameter can take a few seconds to update. |
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Part Offset:
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Remember, to Edit an Extrusion:
Enter these values in the Extrusion dialog-box:
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Use the
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Enter these values:
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Double-click the Part-Outline, or a sketch-element, in the Part. |
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I have added:
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Click the 'Show Model in Mechanism' tool to hide the Extrusions You can see that the Profile contours and the Extrusions have also updated to the new shape of the sketch-loop. (For some reason, the Profile contours are 'White' in this image - they are usually Pink).
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Here, I have added three Circles to the sketch. The Circles are:
A Circle is the most basic shape of a sketch-loop. |
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Do the commands three more times. AS BEFORE: Select Add Profile, select the Sketch-loop (the Circle), and click OK in the Command-Manager. ALTERNATIVELY, try this new technique!
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Here, we want the three Circles to be 'posts' between the two plates. Edit each Extrusion, and enter these values in the Extrusion dialog-box
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Double-click the Part-Outline, or a sketch-element in the Part. |
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Use the In the Command-Manager:
Do Steps 1-3 again for the other Extrusion |
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I have used the Display Filter to 'hide' Points. With the 'Show Model in Mechanism' Toggled OFF, it is possible to see: Sketch-loops (green) for the:
Profiles (white - but default colour is Pink)
Hole Element (also white, usually Maroon |
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With the 'Show Model in Mechanism' Toggle ON it is possible to see: Extrusions:
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MechDesigner uses six lights to improve the display of the model.
The Model dialog-box opens. Click the Lighting tab Also, see: Visibility toolbar > Solids Display tool to view in the Mechanism-Editors:
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