From the Feature Sets context menu, select Create Feature Set.

Select Hole in the Type field, and Plunges in the Use field. Enter an appropriate , in this case 20.

Click Apply to create the holes at all the active toolpath's plunge points.

3. If you look in the Explorer, you can see three holes you have just created.

Create holes from contact normals

Holes can be created normal to the contact point of pattern's points. Taking the following model and pattern:

2. From the Feature Sets context menu, select Create Feature Set.

Select Hole in the Type field, and Normals in the Use field. Choose an appropriate depth using the Define top by and Define bottom by fields.

Enter an appropriate , in this case 20.

Select Multi-Axis. This ensures that all holes are created in one feature set.

Click Apply to create the holes at all active toolpath's plunge points.

3. If you look in the Explorer, you can see three holes you have just created.

Feature - Edit

Edits an existing feature.

You can only edit the active feature. This dialog will remain greyed out unless you have an active feature. Initially the dialog will contain the parameters of the current feature. You can then edit these to your new requirements.

Name - the name of the active feature.

Type - displays whether the feature is a Pocket, Slot, Boss or Hole. This field cannot be altered.

Define Top By - defines the height of the top of the feature.

Absolute - defines the Z Height at the top of the feature as an Absolute Z height.

Height from Bottom - defines the top as a distance from the bottom of the feature.

Maximum Curve Z - all features use a curve (bits of model or pattern) as the input data . These curves have a minimum and a maximum z value which can be used for feature definition. This input method is also very useful for hole definition where you have a set of Z positions that represent the top or bottom of the hole. So this is the Maximum Z height of the selected curve to determine the top of the feature.

Minimum Curve Z - this is the Minimum Z height of the selected curve to determine the top of the feature

Top of Block - defines the top as the height of the top of the block. Model - defines the top as the height of the top of the model.

- specifies the value of the height of the top of the feature. Define Bottom By - defines the height of the bottom of the feature.

Absolute - defines the Z Height at the bottom of the feature.

Depth from Top - defines the bottom as a distance from the top of the feature.

Maximum Curve Z - this is the Maximum Z height of the selected curve to determine the bottom of the feature.

Minimum Curve Z - this is the Minimum Z height of the selected curve to determine the bottom of the feature.

Bottom of Block - defines the bottom as the height of the bottom of the block.

Model - defines the bottom as the height of the bottom of the model. - specifies the value of the height of the bottom of the feature.

Edit Colour - changes the colour of the selected feature. Clicking on this displays the standard Windows Color dialog. Select the relevant colour and click on OK to close the dialog.

Draft Angle - allows you to create features with draft angles. For more information see Draft Angle (on page 187).

Reverse Slots - reverses the slot direction.

Diameter - defines the diameter of the hole. This is only available if Hole is selected in the Type field.

Description - a user defined description. This description can then be used as a selection criteria when selecting features or for drilling methods (you can give a set of holes a description then state that the method only applies to holes with that description). For more information see Select Features (on page 164).

Hole Type - a user defined description. This is only available if there is a Type of Hole. This description can then be used as a selection criteria when selecting features or for drilling methods (you can give a set of holes a description then state that the method only applies to holes with that description). For more information see Select Features (on page 164). Apply - edits the active feature.

Feature - Component

Edits a component of a feature.

shows the component that you are editing. For compound holes, the component that is edited is pale yellow. To edit a different component, select the graphic.

Dimension - allows you to define the shape of the active (pale yellow) component.

Upper diameter - the diameter at the top of the current component. This must be greater than or equal to the Lower Diameter.

Depth - the vertical height of the component.

Draft Angle (on page 187) - allows you to create features with draft angles.

Lower diameter - the diameter at the bottom of the current component. This must be less than or equal to the Upper Diameter.

Coordinates - the location of the hole.

Axis - the orientation of the Z axis of the hole.

This is only editable if the holes are created as Multi-Axis. If you edit any of these fields you must click Apply for them to take effect.

For an example on using this dialog, see Editing automatically identified holes (on page 195).