Lesson learned the hard way

[Anonymous]

I did a project a while back where I had to get the developed (straight)
length of a section of round bar that was bent in many places. To construct
the bar I created workpoints, a 3D path and a sweep. To measure the length
of bar I was interested in, I used the measure tool (while in edit sketch
mode) to check both straight lengths and arc lengths of various parts of the
bar. I wrote the various values down and added them up to get my developed
(straight) length. I even used the accumulate feature to double check my
results.

This resulted in a serious error that could cost me dearly. I take full
responsibility for the error but I think the UI is misleading, can be easily
misunderstood, and should be corrected so someone else doesn't make the same
mistake.

It turns out that the length the measure tool returns is not what is
highlighted. For example when measuring a straight section between two bend
radii, the value returned is the distance between the work points, NOT the
length of the straight segment even though the straight segment is
highlighted while measuring. Another example is measuring arc lengths.
Using "select other" changes the measure window from "Radius" to "Length"
while hightlighting the arc. The length returned is not the arc length -
I'm not sure what it is.

I don't know how to measure what I'm looking for with Inventor, I've been
using my calculator instead.

-Russ

[Anonymous]

"I don't know how to measure what I'm looking for with Inventor.."

Russ, if you've used a 3D path and a sweep, the tool you are searching
for is [measure loop] and selecting the 3D path (toggled to visible first
or in edit mode), isn't it?

--
Michael Puschner
mp@scholle.de

[Anonymous]

Measure loop only measures the entire length. In this case I needed to add
the length of several segments. I don't know how to measure the length of
the segments.


"Michael Puschner" wrote in message
news:CB3CB6577793D61610541C6E13A91DBB@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> "I don't know how to measure what I'm looking for with Inventor.."
>
> Russ, if you've used a 3D path and a sweep, the tool you are searching
> for is [measure loop] and selecting the 3D path (toggled to visible first
> or in edit mode), isn't it?
>
> --
> Michael Puschner
> mp@scholle.de
>
>
>
>

[Anonymous]

In the measure distance dialog box select the arrow and one of the options
is Add to Accumulate.

Joe Bartels

"Russ Walker" wrote in message
news:B123D6E9103595C8CACA72170A2F4084@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> Measure loop only measures the entire length. In this case I needed to
add
> the length of several segments. I don't know how to measure the length of
> the segments.
>
>

[Anonymous]

I agree and understand how to add the numbers with the Accumulate gizmo,
it's the numbers themselves that are wrong. For example if you pick a
straight segment, the straight segment highlights in red, but the number
reported is NOT the length of the straight segment - it is the length
between workpoints.

-Russ

"Joe Bartels" wrote in message
news:850F9B9AEEB8E7530F76CEE2C01B0BFC@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> In the measure distance dialog box select the arrow and one of the options
> is Add to Accumulate.
>
> Joe Bartels
>
> "Russ Walker" wrote in message
> news:B123D6E9103595C8CACA72170A2F4084@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > Measure loop only measures the entire length. In this case I needed to
> add
> > the length of several segments. I don't know how to measure the length
of
> > the segments.
> >
> >
>
>

[Anonymous]

I've posted a sample file in CF.

-Russ

[Anonymous]

Russ, I think I got it. Nearly everything works ok:
- accumulating works fine
- the arc length works fine, if you use the "select other" thing
- the length of straight lines work fine (if they aren't rounded!)
But if straight lines are rounded with the 3D sketch "bend" tool,
the length measured is the length without the fillet.
That's a dangerous bug, I guess!

--
Michael Puschner
mp@scholle.de

[Anonymous]

Michael,

Yes - that's it. I thought the arc lengths may be wrong also, but I
subsequently checked them out and they appear to be fine.

Thanks for looking.

-Russ

"Michael Puschner" wrote in message
news:B445D2922450823597CBAC3135A1F9CC@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> Russ, I think I got it. Nearly everything works ok:
> - accumulating works fine
> - the arc length works fine, if you use the "select other" thing
> - the length of straight lines work fine (if they aren't rounded!)
> But if straight lines are rounded with the 3D sketch "bend" tool,
> the length measured is the length without the fillet.
> That's a dangerous bug, I guess!
>
> --
> Michael Puschner
> mp@scholle.de
>
>
>