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Constrain to Work Axis

8 REPLIES 8
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Message 1 of 9
mssolly
865 Views, 8 Replies

Constrain to Work Axis

How do I constrain centerlines to a work axis of a feature while sketching a new feature? Like referencing the axis of something else. Can I trust projecting edges? What if those projected edges rotate away, will the constraint of my new sketch still follow the rotated feature?

Why have work axis for a feature if I can't use the contraints to tie into them. For example: drill a hole and then drill another to bysect it. If one hole moves or rotates the other is to follow and always intersect.

Thanks, Mark S. (Mark S. seems to be a pest today doesn't he?)
8 REPLIES 8
Message 2 of 9
Anonymous
in reply to: mssolly

If you project your work axis the projection will always stay aligned to
the work axis.

--
Kent Keller
http://www.MyMcad.com/KWiK/Mcad.htm

Assistant Moderator
Autodesk Discussion Forum Moderator Program

"mssolly" wrote in message
news:f1968b8.-1@WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> How do I constrain centerlines to a work axis of a feature while
sketching a new feature? Like referencing the axis of something else.
Can I trust projecting edges? What if those projected edges rotate away,
will the constraint of my new sketch still follow the rotated feature?
> Why have work axis for a feature if I can't use the contraints to tie
into them. For example: drill a hole and then drill another to bysect
it. If one hole moves or rotates the other is to follow and always
intersect.
>
> Thanks, Mark S. (Mark S. seems to be a pest today doesn't he?)
>
Message 3 of 9
Anonymous
in reply to: mssolly

You need to Project the Axis to the current sketch.

Yes, the projected entity will follow the defining feature as its
geometry changes.

QBZ


"mssolly" wrote in message
news:f1968b8.-1@WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> How do I constrain centerlines to a work axis of a feature while
sketching a new feature? Like referencing the axis of something else.
Can I trust projecting edges? What if those projected edges rotate away,
will the constraint of my new sketch still follow the rotated feature?
> Why have work axis for a feature if I can't use the contraints to tie
into them. For example: drill a hole and then drill another to bysect
it. If one hole moves or rotates the other is to follow and always
intersect.
>
> Thanks, Mark S. (Mark S. seems to be a pest today doesn't he?)
>
Message 4 of 9
mssolly
in reply to: mssolly

Thanks guys, I have to start doing that. It should save me a ton of time constraining new sketches.

Mark S.
Message 5 of 9
mssolly
in reply to: mssolly

I just got done trying that option of placing a work axis and projecting it to the surface of a new sketch so I can constrain to it. It works out good but it is a little different from how we do it in Solid Works. In SW a hole is actually a revolved surface (I'm sure Inventor is the samd way) and any revolved surfaces has an axis. In SW you can view the temporary axis's of holes and contrain to them with new sketches. I can't seem to be able to bring up the revolve axis from Inventor's hole wizard to do the same thing. Do I have to place a work axis in the hole all the time before I start a new sketch and then project it all the time?

Mark S.
Message 6 of 9
Anonymous
in reply to: mssolly

Basically, yes, but I have to wonder why you need to follow what seems
to be a less than optimum workflow.

Since 2 intersecting holes (axes) would define a plane, why not capture
both holes in one sketch defining their "start" points all in one shot.

A sketch would need to be placed normal to each defined hole "path" and
the "start" projected to these sketches so that the hole command can
grab the point. (holes can be placed on endpoints, sketchpoints,
centerpoints, projected WorkPoints, and of course; holepoints)

Entities (visible ones) can be projected from other sketches.

QBZ


"mssolly" wrote in message
news:f1968b8.3@WebX.maYIadrTaRb...

> Do I have to place a work axis in the hole all the time before I start
a new sketch and then project it all the time?
Message 7 of 9
Anonymous
in reply to: mssolly

I know what you mean.

I'd also like automatic axes for holes and extruded arcs as well.

If you need to constrain to a hole's axis, in order to make something
coaxial, project the hole's edges and it will give you the center point so
you can use it.

If the new feature hole is normal to the hole, you can use the midpoint of
the hole's edge.

Rui



"mssolly" wrote in message
news:f1968b8.3@WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> I just got done trying that option of placing a work axis and projecting
it to the surface of a new sketch so I can constrain to it. It works out
good but it is a little different from how we do it in Solid Works. In SW a
hole is actually a revolved surface (I'm sure Inventor is the samd way) and
any revolved surfaces has an axis. In SW you can view the temporary axis's
of holes and contrain to them with new sketches. I can't seem to be able to
bring up the revolve axis from Inventor's hole wizard to do the same thing.
Do I have to place a work axis in the hole all the time before I start a new
sketch and then project it all the time?
> Mark S.
>
>
Message 8 of 9
Anonymous
in reply to: mssolly

Go into Tools > Application Options and on the Sketch tab turn on
"Autoproject during Curve Creation". With this option on you can:
- Start a sketch tool (line, circle, etc)
- Move the cursor over any projectable entity (hole edge in your case)
- Scrub the entity (rub the cursor back an forth over the entity a couple of
times, with no mouse buttons down). It will project into the sketch.
- Attach to the projected entity as required.

One plus is that if you don't build a constraint between the autoprojected
geometry and you sketch geometry, the projected geometry is removed from the
sketch. Be warned that sketching with this option on requires a bit of
practice and care to avoid projecting unwanted geometry.

Neil


"RuiF" wrote in message
news:5A0CCFD5B18B67861330E55A7062ACAA@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> I know what you mean.
>
> I'd also like automatic axes for holes and extruded arcs as well.
>
> If you need to constrain to a hole's axis, in order to make something
> coaxial, project the hole's edges and it will give you the center point so
> you can use it.
>
> If the new feature hole is normal to the hole, you can use the midpoint of
> the hole's edge.
>
> Rui
>
>
>
> "mssolly" wrote in message
> news:f1968b8.3@WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > I just got done trying that option of placing a work axis and projecting
> it to the surface of a new sketch so I can constrain to it. It works out
> good but it is a little different from how we do it in Solid Works. In SW
a
> hole is actually a revolved surface (I'm sure Inventor is the samd way)
and
> any revolved surfaces has an axis. In SW you can view the temporary axis's
> of holes and contrain to them with new sketches. I can't seem to be able
to
> bring up the revolve axis from Inventor's hole wizard to do the same
thing.
> Do I have to place a work axis in the hole all the time before I start a
new
> sketch and then project it all the time?
> > Mark S.
> >
> >
>
>
Message 9 of 9
Anonymous
in reply to: mssolly

> Be warned that sketching with this option on requires a bit of
> practice and care to avoid projecting unwanted geometry.

Since I have no method (that I know of anyway) to verify exactly what has
been projected, I don't use this method.

It's useful for some quick things, but in general, I leave it off . If
there is a way of knowing exactly what is being projected (ie. "edge of
Extrusion5" in the status bar, for example) and being able to go back and
see what was projected, then I'd use it more.

Till someone tells me how to do both these things, I think I'll play it safe
and explicitly project everything I need.

"Once bitten ....."

Rui

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