iLogic Method of Identifying Face Name That a Hole Feature Is On

[sean.boyle77X79]

Hello, I'm currently writing some code for an automatic DXF rule, and I'm running into issues with countersunk holes, as the DXF should display the smaller "though" hole, not the open countersunk end.

My question is, how can use utilise the code to identify the entity face name that the countersunk hole has been modelled on? The idea is that if it's been modelled on "Face0", that's where the larger hole will be so the DXF will be taken from the opposite face "Face1" for example.

Does someone have a snippet of code which can identify this?

[sean.boyle77X79]

Hello, I'm currently writing some code for an automatic DXF rule, and I'm running into issues with countersunk holes, as the DXF should display the smaller "though" hole, not the open countersunk end.

My question is, how can use utilise the code to identify the entity face name that the countersunk hole has been modelled on? The idea is that if it's been modelled on "Face0", that's where the larger hole will be so the DXF will be taken from the opposite face "Face1" for example.

Does someone have a snippet of code which can identify this?

[A.Acheson]

Hi @sean.boyle77X79 

If you have a look at this VBA sample here you will see that you can look at the start faces.

Another approach and maybe slightly easier is to get the sketch that made the hole and check it's parent which will be a planar Face in your situation but could also be a workplane. Haven't tested this mind you so let us know if you run into issues.

Syntax

HoleFeature.Sketch() As PlanarSketch

Syntax

PlanarSketch.Parent() As Object

I would suggest to pair this with some highlighting code so you can test your outcomes. See forum post here that Wesley put together which is handy. 

[A.Acheson]

Hi @sean.boyle77X79 

If you have a look at this VBA sample here you will see that you can look at the start faces.

Another approach and maybe slightly easier is to get the sketch that made the hole and check it's parent which will be a planar Face in your situation but could also be a workplane. Haven't tested this mind you so let us know if you run into issues.

Syntax

HoleFeature.Sketch() As PlanarSketch

Syntax

PlanarSketch.Parent() As Object

I would suggest to pair this with some highlighting code so you can test your outcomes. See forum post here that Wesley put together which is handy. 

[Curtis_Waguespack]

Hi @sean.boyle77X79 

Not sure if this will help in your case, but when I've done this sort of thing in the past, I've just set the holes to be simple thru holes and then set them back to counterbore, countersinks, etc. after the DXF out.

Here's a simple example.

I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com

Dim oHole As HoleFeature
oHole = ThisDoc.Document.ComponentDefinition.Features.Item("Hole1")

Dim oCBoreDepth As String
Dim oCBoreDiameter As String
Dim oList As New ArrayList

For Each oHole In ThisDoc.Document.ComponentDefinition.Features.holefeatures

	If oHole.HoleType = HoleTypeEnum.kCounterBoreHole Then
		'get counterbore info
		oCBoreDiameter = oHole.CBoreDiameter.Value * 0.39370079 'converts value from cm to inch
		oCBoreDepth = oHole.CBoreDepth.Value * 0.39370079 'converts value from cm to inch

		'assemble info using vertical bar as separator
		oList.Add(oHole.Name & "|" & oCBoreDiameter & "|" & oCBoreDepth)

		'set to simple drilled hole
		oHole.SetDrilled
	End If

Next

MsgBox("your DXF export code here",,"iLogic")

For Each oHole In ThisDoc.Document.ComponentDefinition.Features.holefeatures
	
	For Each oHoleInfo In oList
		oStrings = Split(oHoleInfo, "|") 'split value using vertical bar
		
		sHoleName = oStrings(0)
		oCBoreDiameter = oStrings(1)
		oCBoreDepth = oStrings(2)

		If sHoleName = oHole.Name Then
			'set back to counter bore
			oHole.SetCBore(oCBoreDiameter, oCBoreDepth)
		End If
	Next
Next

[Curtis_Waguespack]

Hi @sean.boyle77X79 

Not sure if this will help in your case, but when I've done this sort of thing in the past, I've just set the holes to be simple thru holes and then set them back to counterbore, countersinks, etc. after the DXF out.

Here's a simple example.

I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com

Dim oHole As HoleFeature
oHole = ThisDoc.Document.ComponentDefinition.Features.Item("Hole1")

Dim oCBoreDepth As String
Dim oCBoreDiameter As String
Dim oList As New ArrayList

For Each oHole In ThisDoc.Document.ComponentDefinition.Features.holefeatures

	If oHole.HoleType = HoleTypeEnum.kCounterBoreHole Then
		'get counterbore info
		oCBoreDiameter = oHole.CBoreDiameter.Value * 0.39370079 'converts value from cm to inch
		oCBoreDepth = oHole.CBoreDepth.Value * 0.39370079 'converts value from cm to inch

		'assemble info using vertical bar as separator
		oList.Add(oHole.Name & "|" & oCBoreDiameter & "|" & oCBoreDepth)

		'set to simple drilled hole
		oHole.SetDrilled
	End If

Next

MsgBox("your DXF export code here",,"iLogic")

For Each oHole In ThisDoc.Document.ComponentDefinition.Features.holefeatures
	
	For Each oHoleInfo In oList
		oStrings = Split(oHoleInfo, "|") 'split value using vertical bar
		
		sHoleName = oStrings(0)
		oCBoreDiameter = oStrings(1)
		oCBoreDepth = oStrings(2)

		If sHoleName = oHole.Name Then
			'set back to counter bore
			oHole.SetCBore(oCBoreDiameter, oCBoreDepth)
		End If
	Next
Next

[sean.boyle77X79]

Thanks, this is appreciated gentleman. I will play with both methods when I get back into work tomorrow and provide an update

[sean.boyle77X79]

Thanks, this is appreciated gentleman. I will play with both methods when I get back into work tomorrow and provide an update