Drawings - add a PCD line

[tjstephens]

I've got a part that I'm drawing up for quotation that has a series of holes arranged in a circular pattern. Is there a way to add a sketched line (or a marked-up circle in a similar fashion to a centreline) to the drawing to illustrate this to our machineshop? I'm having to use a somewhat inelegant solution at the moment that will break if I change the dimensions of the PCD in the model (see attached) 

[tjstephens]

And whilst I'm at it, wouldn't it be great to have the drill/tap information automatically populate on the callout. The data's in the model already...

[kris_berg]

Hi @tjstephens,

Thank you for posting your questions.  Both items are high on our priority list and are on our roadmap.  Our plan for your PCD line question is to add basic geometry creation commands to the drawing workspace.  On your drill/tap information, that is also known as hole/thread notes.  We are currently working on a symbol palette that will include hole and thread symbols, but it will still require you to enter the information manually.  When hole/thread notes are complete, we will have autopopulation behavior you describe below.   I can't commit to a date when they will be available, but they are fairly high on our list.  Please let me know if you have further questions.

Thank you,

[Anonymous]

Anyone have a workaround for this in the meantime?

Showing and dimensioning a PCD on a paper drawing is pretty fundamental in engineering design. 

[cmiller66]

Hi j.maunder,

Currently we do not have the option of creating either pattern centerlines (like this for the bolt circle) or adding 2D geometry to draw this in.  For this scenario currently the options are to add this information in the hole callout (as tjstepens did) or place a linear or aligned dim across the centermarks of 2 holes and add the PCD note there.  I understand neither of these workarounds is ideal, but as Kris mentions above we are aware of the request and it is on the roadmap.

Thanks,
Chris

[Anonymous]

Guys, I have to say these are FUNDAMENTAL drawing requirements.

I haven't had to use the drawing mode up until a couple of weeks ago, and that part of the package has left me wanting.  Seriously.  I am looking at moving my whole project back to the legacy software that I've been using.  It's a shame that such as I said before FUNDAMENTAL tools are missing from the drawing package.  It's a chore to get half assed manufacturing drawings out the door to vendors.

I love the modeling and CAM portions of the software, but other then maybe patent drawings that side of the package is shocking at the moment.

[TimeraAutodesk]

@Anonymous, thanks for your candid feedback. We realize that there is still much work to do in the Drawings workspace, and the team continues to focus on delivering value to it.

For a more in-depth look into the current state of the project, and what we're working on, visit this blog and this roadmap.

As always, please continue to share your feedback with us here on the forum, or add / vote up ideas on the IdeaStation.

Best,
Timera

[carneeki]

In addition to cmiller66's idea, which works great for an even number of holes, if you have an odd number of holes and a circular feature concentric to the PCD, you can call out a PCR (radius) instead.

Looking forward to seeing some of that roadmap come soon!