Joint Constraint and List Parameters

[estringer]

I am using the Joint command in an Assembly and I need to use  the same angle each time I am constraining a large number of items. I noticed that there is an option for List Parameters but it does not allow me to access a parameter so that I can use that instead of manually typing the value every time. Does anyone know how to use the List Parameters and/or what it does?

[A.Acheson]

List parameter should allow you access to the user parameters you have entered in the assemblies fx dialogue for parameters. It should act similar to sketches dimension parameters-unless this drop down is not available in joints. 

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! "List Parameters" shows the list of user parameters. It is like a shortcut to access Parameters dialog. Model Parameters are not listed though.

Many thanks!

[SharkDesign]

List parameters won't just show user parameters, it displays any parameter that has been named explicitly by the user, this could be in the user parameters section, or the model section of the parameters window. 

Anything automatically generated with a 'd', so say d0, d1, d2 will not show. 

Interestingly, if you make a sheet metal part, all automatically generated names in there will show. 

[SharkDesign]

So to actually answer your question, you need to rename the parameter, you can do this whilst sketching etc by typing the name followed by the value.

name = 20

Or by going to the parameters window (fx at the top of the screen) and changing them in there.

This video also demonstrates this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiTrGIkEUtM

[estringer]

I have quite a bit of experience using parameters but the joint command will not let me use it. When I choose the parameter from the list that would have the value I want to use, the parameter is red, meaning it is unusable. Is there a different type of formatting needed in order to use parameters in the joint command?

[SharkDesign]

Is 'southangle' set as degrees in your parameter window, or mm?

[estringer]

I have set it as angularity and degrees and it is still showing red. Do I need a parameter for Start, Current, and End? I am able to manually enter the angle but I would prefer not to do that as there are quite a few items to place.

[SharkDesign]

I thought you could do this how you describe, but I'm not in front of my computer right now. Will have a look later.

[SharkDesign · Accepted solution]

Works fine for me:

This is definitely correct isn't it?

The only other thing is that it doesn't like the angle stated in your parameter.

[SharkDesign]

I just put in an angle greater than 360 and it came out red, is that what you're doing?

[estringer]

But your parameter angle is 20 and the end angle is 30. Why is that? My angle is less than 360.

[estringer]

I don't want a range, I want to place the part at a fixed position.

[SharkDesign]

Doesn't seem to matter what number I put in the end angle as long as it's less than 360.

Can you maybe do a screencast of what you are doing so we can understand this better please?

[estringer]

I have attached a screen cast. My part will not joint to the line that I am selecting on this face but it will on faces that are 'square' to the origin. I guess I do not really understand how the limits work. My real desire is to have a fixed angle parameter that I can select for parts on that face.

[SharkDesign]

Thanks, and what does your parameter window look like?

[estringer]

I see what was wrong, there was still an 'in' on the end of my angle number. Thank you for spending the time on this!