Details on dealing with Dimensions and Constraints

[fsonnichsen]

I am trying to get a better handle on dimensions and constraints.
To begin with is there a table somewhere listing what the small icons are that appear on various elements?
Some look similar to the icons in the toolbar--others do not.

     Can someone tell me what the icon that looks like a small "keyboard" is?

      What is the icon that looks like a "T"?

When I have a complex sketch, and try to add a constraint such as a dimension, it will indicate that this results in and over-constrained condition if this is indeed the case. However I don't see how I can tell which constraint it is over specifying- for example I would like to click on the new constraint and have it highlight the conflicting constraints-is there something like this available?

Somewhat unrelated, but how do I increase the resolution of the dimensional display? I did this once but in the scattering of menus I cannot find this option again.

Thanks
Fritz

[g-andresen]

Hi Fritz,

Please show pictures instead of describing them with words.

This could happen, for example, in a screenshot of a corresponding scene or a screencast of a process.

Follow:

günther

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@fsonnichsen wrote:

a small "keyboard"

a "T

When I have a complex sketch, ....

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Are you on a Windows OS or Mac?

Can you File>Export your *.f3d file to your local drive and then Attach it here to a Reply that illustrates issue with your complex sketch.

[fsonnichsen]

I am on windows 10.

   I tried to save to f3d but the constraint icons disappear when I reload them. The constraints are still there--just the icons disappear. Help me get past this one then I can send you some f3ds.

thanks

fritz

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@fsonnichsen wrote:

I am on windows 10.

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Shift Win S to grab screen captures and Ctrl V to Paste in Reply here.

and/or

Screencast Recorder

and

File>Export and then Attach actual *.f3d file here.  

• Logical and simple steps to resolution of issues. (Has worked for me in 30+ years of using various CAD softwares.)

[g-andresen]

Hi Fritz,

constraints symbols appear only:
1. ... in an active sketch
2. ... if they are activated in the sketch palette
3.  coincident symbols are only shown when you move the mouse over the position

günther

[fsonnichsen]

Gunter-

  I have "show constraints" clicked in the Sketch Palette but the constraints still do not appear. Only when the design is first drawn do they appear.

[fsonnichsen]

Showing missing constraints

[jeff_strater]

it is entirely possible that that sketch does not have any constraints, that's why you don't see them.  Try adding a Vertical, or Parallel constraint to that sketch - does it still not show up?

[fsonnichsen]

Jeff

  I think the (2.0) indicates that this is a constrained value--I have the equals constraint set.

I tried the parallel one as you suggest and it will not accept it. I get the message: "select other geometries" and the constraint does not take.

[TheCADWhisperer]

The (2.0) indicates that this as a Driven Dimension.

Can you Attach your *.f3d file here?  

(This is a binary Yes/No question.)

What do you see if you hover the mouse over a vertex?

What do you see if you select the second line for the Parallel constraint?

[jeff_strater]

a couple of things here:

1. dimensions are not constraints.  They are separate things.  Constraints are things like parallel, perpendicular, etc.
2. That "(2.0)" dimension, to me, looks dimmed out.  That would imply it is from the other sketch in your design.  As @TheCADWhisperer requested, if you share your design here, it will be much easier to see what is going on.

[TheCADWhisperer]

What do you see if you click on the arrow to expand your Sketches folder?

Your Timeline indicates that you have two sketches.

Which sketch is active?

In the image below - the geometry is in Sketch1, but my active Sketch is Sketch2.

I cannot add a Parallel constraint in Sketch1 without Finish Sketch2 and Edit Sketch1.

(My guess is that you already have Parallel constraints in Sketch1, but don't see them as Sketch1 isn't active.

[g-andresen]

Hi,

did you register what I wrote in post 6

günther

[fsonnichsen]

Ok--so I guess the constraints vanish once the file is saved. They can be shown intermittently after that.

[fsonnichsen]

I am not sure how 2 sketches became active. I am showing how I opened it in the screencast:

https://autode.sk/3eNwYzE

I basically open my sketch, then select "Sketch" and click on a cube-fact to get into sketch mode. At that point the 2nd sketch reappears. So there must be a way to directly  open the file as a sketch to begin with?

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@fsonnichsen wrote:

Ok--so I guess the constraints vanish once the file is saved. They can be shown intermittently after that.

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No, this is not what is happening.

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@fsonnichsen wrote:

I am not sure how 2 sketches became active. I am showing how I opened it in the screencast:

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No, there are not 2 active sketches.

Your screencast is Private - only you can see it.

Can you File>Export your *.f3d file to your local drive and then Attach it here to a Reply?

The answer is a binary Yes or No.

[jeff_strater]

constraints do not "vanish when the file is saved".  Constraints are hidden when the sketch is not actively being edited.  If you edit the sketch, they will be shown again.  It has nothing to do with saving a file.  Unlike dimensions (which CAN be shown for a non-active sketch), constraints cannot be visible unless you are editing that sketch, and because only one sketch can be edited at one time, only the constraints for one sketch can be seen at a time.