Unable to select outside contour of gear

[djlunty]

In the attached file I am unable to select the outside of the gears unless I select every small segment (300 segments - not likely).  Selecting the interior ovals works by selecting the outline but the same does not happen for the outside gears.  I also cannot select the face - I am assuming because there are cutouts?   (But I can select the face when not in the 2D  Contour selection mode??)  I have selected a few of the outside gear segments to show what I can select.  "[T6] 2D Contour5"  - generates a warning and does not create a tool path.

I could create a sketch in the manufactoring space and project the gear onto the sketch and then select the sketch.  This makes a very large sketch which I want to avoid.  This is one gear of a six gear project so would be a lot of sketch elements - not the most efficient way to model.

Is there another way to select either the face or the exterior of the gear - all the teeth in one selection?

Thank you for any ideas/ solutions.

Doug

[Laurens-3DTechDraw · Accepted solution]

l this can be done. But there is an issue with the selection these days that it tries to connect the top and bottom of the part instead of looping around properly. @seth.madore  this something you see too and can write up?

I made a short video so you can see how I did this.

[Laurens-3DTechDraw · Accepted solution]

General selection tips and tricks can be seen here btw:

[seth.madore · Accepted solution]

This is something that's existed since the beginning actually. If dealing with a model that has a high number of possible solutions for chaining, the kernel just gives up and says "well, here's a solution, but I really don't know what you want. I can talk to some folks and see if this is designed or in-fact, a bug.

[Laurens-3DTechDraw]

My biggest issue with it is that you can't guide it into the proper contour without first switching to an open contour.

[seth.madore · Accepted solution]

pish posh

[Laurens-3DTechDraw]

Sorry for the bad example. I'll find you one tomorrow.

[djlunty]

@Laurens-3DTechDraw 

@seth.madore 

Thank you both for the replys and solution.  How do I mark your posts as solving the problem?

Doug

[djlunty]

accept solution option just appeared