nx5 cad cam

Experienced CAD User

Student Guide

May 2007

MT13150 — NX 5

This software and related documentation are proprietary to UGS Corp. Copyright 2007 UGS Corp. All Rights Reserved.

All trademarks belong to their respective holders.

Course overview . . . 17

Course objectives . . . 17

How to use this manual . . . 18

Lesson format . . . 18

Activity format . . . 18

Learning tips . . . 18

Common symbols . . . 19

Template parts . . . 20

Teamcenter Integration vs. native NX terminology . . . 21

Layer standards . . . 22

Implementing a layer standard . . . 22

Student responsibilities . . . 23 NX part files . . . 1-1 Introduction to NX . . . 1-2 Gateway application . . . 1-3 The NX window . . . 1-4 Cue and Status lines . . . 1-5 Menus . . . 1-6 Templates . . . 1-7 Using a template to create a new file . . . 1-8 Saving an unnamed template . . . 1-9 Layers . . . 1-10 Activity . . . 1-11 Folder Creation . . . 1-12 Use of existing part files . . . 1-13 Open multiple parts . . . 1-14 Change the displayed part . . . 1-15 Save As . . . 1-16 Close selected parts . . . 1-17 Activities . . . 1-18 Exit NX . . . 1-19 Summary . . . 1-20 The NX user interface . . . 2-1 Toolbars . . . 2-2 Docking . . . 2-3 Customize and display toolbars . . . 2-4

Selection Bar . . . 2-8 Saving toolbar configuration between sessions . . . 2-9 Roles . . . 2-10 Example roles . . . 2-11 Choose a role . . . 2-12 Activities . . . 2-13 Using the mouse . . . 2-14 View shortcut menu . . . 2-16 Radial menus . . . 2-17 Graphics window view manipulation . . . 2-18 Selecting objects . . . 2-20 Deselecting objects . . . 2-22 Preview selection . . . 2-23 QuickPick . . . 2-24 Activity . . . 2-26 Summary . . . 2-27 Coordinate systems . . . 3-1 Overview of coordinate systems . . . 3-2 Absolute coordinate system . . . 3-3 Work coordinate system . . . 3-4 The WCS . . . 3-5 Access WCS Dynamics . . . 3-6 Dynamic Handles . . . 3-7 Activity . . . 3-9 Summary . . . 3-10 Sketch Task Environment . . . 4-1 Sketcher overview . . . 4-2 Constraints overview . . . 4-3 Sketch types . . . 4-4 Using sketches as base features . . . 4-5 Using sketches to modify existing features . . . 4-6 Other applications for sketches . . . 4-7 The sketch process . . . 4-8 Create a new sketch . . . 4-9 Create a sketch on an existing plane or planar face . . . 4-10 Create a sketch on a new plane . . . 4-11 Reference direction . . . 4-12 Name sketches on the toolbar . . . 4-13 Name sketches using the Sketch Properties dialog box . . . 4-14 Sketches and layers . . . 4-15 Activity . . . 4-16 Internal and external sketches . . . 4-17 Making internal sketches external . . . 4-18

Sketch curves . . . 4-19 Inferred Constraints . . . 4-20 Help lines . . . 4-21 Short list . . . 4-22 Profile . . . 4-23 Stopping string mode . . . 4-24 Using a mouse gesture to create an arc in string mode . . . 4-25 Object Type options in Profile . . . 4-26 Input Mode . . . 4-27 Create lines parallel or perpendicular to other lines . . . 4-28 Create lines tangent to curves . . . 4-29 Create lines at angles . . . 4-30 Points . . . 4-31 Snap Point options on the Selection Bar . . . 4-32 Constraints recognized by snap point . . . 4-34 Inferred Constraints . . . 4-35 The Snap Angle option . . . 4-36 Activity . . . 4-37 Sketch curve functions . . . 4-38 Quick Trim . . . 4-39 Quick Trim example . . . 4-40 Quick Extend . . . 4-41 Make Corner . . . 4-42 Fillet . . . 4-43 Constraints basics . . . 4-44 Degrees of freedom . . . 4-45 Degree-of-freedom arrows . . . 4-46 Geometric constraints . . . 4-47 Types of Geometric Constraints . . . 4-49 Displaying constraint symbols . . . 4-51 Show or remove constraints . . . 4-52 Dimensional constraints . . . 4-55 Dimension types . . . 4-56 Create inferred dimensions . . . 4-57 Edit dimensions . . . 4-58 Edits using the Dimensions dialog box . . . 4-59 Retain Dimensions . . . 4-60 Attach Dimension . . . 4-61 Convert To/From Reference . . . 4-62 Evaluating and updating sketches . . . 4-63 Creating inferred constraints . . . 4-64 Deleting or suppressing sketches . . . 4-65 Activities . . . 4-66 Summary . . . 4-67

Datum features . . . 5-1 Datum Planes . . . 5-2 Datum plane types . . . 5-3 Datum plane options . . . 5-4 Applications for datum planes . . . 5-5 Create datum planes . . . 5-6 At Distance . . . 5-7 At Angle . . . 5-8 Bisector . . . 5-9 Tangent to Face at Point, Line or Face . . . 5-10 Curves and Points, Three Points . . . 5-11 Activity . . . 5-12 Datum Axis . . . 5-13 Datum axis types . . . 5-14 Datum axis options . . . 5-15 Applications for datum axes . . . 5-16 Create datum axes . . . 5-17 Two Points . . . 5-18 Intersection . . . 5-19 Curve/Face Axis . . . 5-20 Datum CSYS . . . 5-21 Activities . . . 5-22 Summary . . . 5-23 Swept features . . . 6-1 Types of swept features . . . 6-2 Extrude . . . 6-3 Extrude options . . . 6-4 Boolean operations . . . 6-6 Body types . . . 6-7 Sheet bodies . . . 6-8 Revolve . . . 6-9 Sweep Along Guide . . . 6-10 Activities . . . 6-11 Summary . . . 6-12 Part structure . . . 7-1 Part Navigator . . . 7-2 Dependencies panel . . . 7-3 Details panel . . . 7-4 Preview panel . . . 7-5 Timestamp order . . . 7-6 Part Navigator shortcut menu . . . 7-7 Feature playback . . . 7-9 Reorder features . . . 7-10

Information . . . 7-11 Referenced expressions . . . 7-12 Distance . . . 7-13 Mass properties . . . 7-14 Delayed updates . . . 7-15 Activity . . . 7-16 Summary . . . 7-17 Using sketches . . . 8-1 Drag sketch objects . . . 8-2 Drag multiple curves . . . 8-3 Drag a point . . . 8-4 Drag to assist constraining . . . 8-5 Create an alternate solution . . . 8-6 Create an alternate solution for tangent circles . . . 8-7 Create an alternate solution for a line tangent to an arc . . . 8-8 Activity . . . 8-9 Reattach sketches . . . 8-10 Sketch timestamp and dependencies . . . 8-11 Activities . . . 8-12 Mirror sketch curves . . . 8-13 Activity . . . 8-14 Summary . . . 8-15 Trim Body . . . 9-1 Trim a body . . . 9-2 Activity . . . 9-3 Summary . . . 9-4 Swept feature options . . . 10-1 Selection Intent . . . 10-2 Curve rule options . . . 10-3 Curve collection modifiers . . . 10-4 Extrude with offset . . . 10-5 Two sided offset examples . . . 10-6 Start Offset Zero, End Offset Positive . . . 10-7 Start Offset Zero, End Offset Negative . . . 10-8 Start Offset Negative, End Offset Positive . . . 10-9 Single-sided offset examples . . . 10-10 Offset value too large . . . 10-11 Smaller positive offset . . . 10-12 Negative offset . . . 10-13 Extrude with draft . . . 10-14 Positive and negative draft angles . . . 10-15 Draft and the extrude direction . . . 10-16

Draft examples . . . 10-17 Draft with offset . . . 10-18 DesignLogic parameter entry options . . . 10-19 Reference existing parameters . . . 10-20 Activities . . . 10-21 Summary . . . 10-22 Hole features . . . 11-1 Features with predefined shapes . . . 11-2 Placement Face . . . 11-3 Hole . . . 11-4 Hole Types . . . 11-5 Hole options . . . 11-6 Create a hole . . . 11-7 Positioning . . . 11-8 Positioning terminology . . . 11-9 Positioning Constraints . . . 11-10 Edit hole features . . . 11-11 Edit a hole position . . . 11-12 Feature Dialog . . . 11-13 Reattach . . . 11-14 Reattach Selection Steps . . . 11-15 Reattach Options . . . 11-16 Change Type . . . 11-17 Add positioning dimensions to holes . . . 11-18 Activities . . . 11-19 Summary . . . 11-20 Expressions . . . 12-1 Overview . . . 12-2 The Expressions dialog box . . . 12-3 Expression list . . . 12-5 Listed expressions . . . 12-7 Expression operators . . . 12-9 Conditional expressions . . . 12-11 Suppression by Expression . . . 12-12 Suppress by Expression Procedure . . . 12-14 Activity . . . 12-15 Measurements . . . 12-16 Distance options . . . 12-17 Angle Options . . . 12-18 Measures and measurements . . . 12-19 Activity . . . 12-22 Summary . . . 12-23

Face operations . . . 13-1 Shell . . . 13-2 Create a shell . . . 13-3 Assign different thicknesses . . . 13-4 Shell options . . . 13-5 Selection Intent face rules . . . 13-7 Activities . . . 13-8 Offset Face . . . 13-9 Activity . . . 13-10 Draft . . . 13-11 Draft types . . . 13-12 Draft dialog box . . . 13-14 Activities . . . 13-16 Summary . . . 13-17 Associative copies . . . 14-1 Instance Feature . . . 14-2 Caveats . . . 14-3 Array methods . . . 14-4 Rectangular instance array . . . 14-5 Parameters for Rectangular instance array . . . 14-6 Create a rectangular array . . . 14-7 Rectangular array example . . . 14-8 Circular instance array . . . 14-9 Parameters for Circular instance array . . . 14-10 Create a circular array . . . 14-11 Circular array example . . . 14-12 Activities . . . 14-13 Mirror Body . . . 14-14 Create a mirror body . . . 14-15 Mirror Body options . . . 14-16 Activity . . . 14-17 Summary . . . 14-18 Edge operations . . . 15-1 Edge operations overview . . . 15-2 Edge Blend . . . 15-3 The Edge Blend dialog box . . . 15-4 The preview . . . 15-5 Add New Set . . . 15-6 Resolve blended edge overflow . . . 15-7 Explicit Overflow Resolutions . . . 15-8 Activities . . . 15-9 Variable radius blends . . . 15-10 Tips and techniques . . . 15-13

Activity . . . 15-15 Chamfer . . . 15-16 Create Chamfers . . . 15-17 Chamfer options . . . 15-18 Activity . . . 15-19 Summary . . . 15-20 Introduction to Assemblies . . . 16-1 Definitions and descriptions . . . 16-2 Assembly . . . 16-3 Subassembly . . . 16-4 Component objects . . . 16-5 Component parts . . . 16-6 Introduction to assembly load options . . . 16-7 Part Versions group . . . 16-8 Load states . . . 16-9 Scope group . . . 16-10 Load Behavior . . . 16-11 Reference Sets . . . 16-12 Saved Load Options . . . 16-13 The Assembly Navigator . . . 16-14 Node display . . . 16-15 Icons and check boxes . . . 16-16 The Assemblies application . . . 16-17 Activities . . . 16-18 Select components in the Assembly Navigator . . . 16-19 Identify components . . . 16-20 Component selection . . . 16-21 Design in context . . . 16-22 The Displayed Part . . . 16-23 Use the Change Window dialog box . . . 16-24 The work part . . . 16-26 Associativity . . . 16-27 Assembly Navigator shortcut menu . . . 16-28 Pack and Unpack . . . 16-29 Make Work Part . . . 16-30 Make Displayed Part . . . 16-31 Display Parent . . . 16-32 Activity . . . 16-33 Save the work part . . . 16-34 File→Save . . . 16-35 File→Save Work Part Only . . . 16-36 Summary . . . 16-37

Adding and constraining components . . . 17-1 General assembly concepts . . . 17-2 The Assemblies toolbar . . . 17-3 Use the bottom-up construction method . . . 17-4 Add components . . . 17-5 Activity . . . 17-7 Move Component . . . 17-8 Assembly Constraints . . . 17-9 Constraint types . . . 17-10 Create a Touch Align constraint . . . 17-11 Create a Concentric constraint . . . 17-13 Create a Distance constraint . . . 17-14 Create a Fix constraint . . . 17-15 Create a Parallel constraint . . . 17-16 Create a Perpendicular constraint . . . 17-17 Create an Angle constraint . . . 17-18 Create a Center constraint . . . 17-19 Create a Bond constraint . . . 17-20 Create a Fit constraint . . . 17-21 Activity . . . 17-22 Summary . . . 17-23 Reference Sets . . . 18-1 General concepts concerning Reference Sets . . . 18-2 Default Reference Sets . . . 18-3 The Model Reference Set . . . 18-5 The Lightweight Reference Set . . . 18-7 The simplified Reference Set . . . 18-8 User defined Reference Sets . . . 18-9 Create Reference Sets . . . 18-11 Reference Set information . . . 18-14 Activity . . . 18-15 Replacing Reference Sets . . . 18-16 Replace Reference Sets using the Assembly Navigator . . . 18-17 Replace Reference Sets in context of an assembly . . . 18-18 Activity . . . 18-19 Edit Reference Sets . . . 18-20 Delete and Rename Reference Sets . . . 18-21 Load Options and Reference Sets . . . 18-22 From Search Folders . . . 18-24 Activity . . . 18-25 Summary . . . 18-26 Top-down assembly modeling . . . 19-1 Top-down design . . . 19-2

Create a new component . . . 19-3 Verify the creation of a new component . . . 19-5 Activity . . . 19-6 Considerations of selecting data during component creation . . . 19-7 Design in context of an assembly . . . 19-8 Sketch in context . . . 19-9 Introduction to interpart modeling . . . 19-10 Geometry types . . . 19-12 Activity . . . 19-13 Localized interpart modeling . . . 19-14 Interpart modeling applications . . . 19-15 Part in process modeling . . . 19-16 Mold/die applications . . . 19-17 Activities . . . 19-18 Edit links . . . 19-19 Activities . . . 19-22 Mirrored Assemblies . . . 19-23 Procedure . . . 19-24 Activity . . . 19-26 Summary . . . 19-27 Interpart references . . . 20-1 General concepts . . . 20-2 Types of interpart references . . . 20-3 Overriding expressions . . . 20-4 Create interpart references . . . 20-6 Edit Interpart References . . . 20-7 Activity . . . 20-8 Partial loading issues . . . 20-9 Load Parts . . . 20-10 Tips and recommended practices . . . 20-11 Summary . . . 20-12 Component Arrays . . . 21-1 Component Arrays . . . 21-2 Editing a component array . . . 21-4 Activity . . . 21-5 Feature-based component arrays . . . 21-6 Summary . . . 21-8 Revisions and substitutions . . . 22-1 File Versioning/Revisions . . . 22-2 Revise a component and assembly using Save As . . . 22-3 The Part Modifications dialog box . . . 22-5 Additional Assembly Reports . . . 22-7

Activity . . . 22-9 Partial Loading issues . . . 22-10 Close assembly component parts . . . 22-11 Reopen component parts . . . 22-12 Substitute components . . . 22-14 Substitute components using Substitute . . . 22-16 Substitute components using Reopen . . . 22-18 Substitute using the Assembly Navigator . . . 22-19 Activity . . . 22-20 Summary . . . 22-21 Master model . . . 23-1 Assembly models . . . 23-2 Master model concept . . . 23-3 Master model example . . . 23-4 Activities . . . 23-5 Summary . . . 23-6 Introduction to Drafting . . . 24-1 Drawings . . . 24-2 Create new drawing sheets . . . 24-3 Open a Drawing Sheet . . . 24-4 Edit a drawing sheet . . . 24-5 Delete a drawing sheet . . . 24-6 Activities . . . 24-7 Monochrome display . . . 24-8 View Preferences . . . 24-9 Hidden Lines . . . 24-10 Edges Hidden By Edges . . . 24-11 Smooth Edges . . . 24-12 Virtual Intersections . . . 24-13 Add a base view . . . 24-14 View creation options . . . 24-15 Add projected views . . . 24-16 Projection lines . . . 24-17 Preview . . . 24-18 Project view options . . . 24-19 Edit existing views . . . 24-20 Dragging Views . . . 24-21 Removing views from a drawing sheet . . . 24-22 Activity . . . 24-23 Utility Symbols . . . 24-24 Utility symbol options by group . . . 24-25 Create utility symbols . . . 24-27 Delete utility symbols . . . 24-28

Create automatic centerlines on existing views . . . 24-29 Create a linear centerline . . . 24-30 Activity . . . 24-31 Create a cylindrical centerline . . . 24-32 Dimensions . . . 24-33 Annotation Preferences . . . 24-34 Dimension preferences and placement . . . 24-35 Appended text . . . 24-38 Tolerances . . . 24-39 Text orientation and text arrow placement . . . 24-40 Editing an existing dimension . . . 24-41 Activity . . . 24-42 Text creation . . . 24-43 Entering text . . . 24-44 Create leaders on notes and labels . . . 24-45 Activity . . . 24-46 Text editor . . . 24-47 Text preview . . . 24-48 Editing tools . . . 24-49 Editing notes . . . 24-50 Helper lines . . . 24-51 Master Model Drawing Guidelines . . . 24-52 Summary . . . 24-53 Additional projects . . . A-1 Project 1 . . . A-2 Project 2 . . . A-3 Project 3 . . . A-4 Project 4 . . . A-6 Project 5 . . . A-8 Project 6 . . . A-10 Project 7 . . . A-12 Project 8 . . . A-14 Project 9 . . . A-16 Project 10 . . . A-18 Project 11 . . . A-19 Project 12 . . . A-21 Project 13 . . . A-23 Project 14 . . . A-25 Project 15 . . . A-27 Project 16 . . . A-28 Project 17 . . . A-30 Project 18 . . . A-32 Project 19 . . . A-34 Project 20 . . . A-36 Project 21 . . . A-38

Project 22 . . . A-40 Expression operators . . . B-1 Operators . . . B-2 Precedence and associativity . . . B-3 Legacy unit conversion . . . B-4 Built-in functions . . . B-5 Scientific notation . . . B-6 System Topics . . . C-1 Overview . . . C-2 Customer Defaults . . . C-3 Customer Defaults levels . . . C-4 Setting Customer Defaults . . . C-7 USER, GROUP, and SITE directories . . . C-9 Managing your changes . . . C-10 Updating to a new release of NX . . . C-11 Interpart Modeling . . . C-12 File Versioning . . . C-13 File Versioning example . . . C-15 Index . . . Index-1

Intended audience

This course is suited for designers and engineers who already have experience with another CAD system and need to learn NX.

Prerequisites

Understanding of parametric modeling and the master model concept.

Course objectives

After successfully completing this course, you should be able to:

• Open and examine NX models.

• Create and edit parametric solid models. • Create and modify basic assembly structures. • Create and modify simple drawings.

How to use this manual

The following guidelines describe how you can get the most benefit from your use of the course guide and the accompanying HTML activities.

Lesson format

The general format for lesson content is: • Instructor presentation

• One or more activities

• Workbook project

Projects allow you to test your new skills without detailed instruction. Consult your instructor for additional information.

• Summary

Activity format

Activities have the following format:

Step 1: This is an example of a step. Numbered steps specify the actions

you will perform.

Action bullets detail how to complete the step.

Always read the Cue and Status information while working through activities and as you perform your regular duties.

As you gain skills you may need only to read the step text to complete the step.

Learning tips

• Ask questions.

• Confirm important facts by restating them in your own words.

It is important to use your Student Guide in the sequence it is written.

Common symbols

The student manual and workbook use special symbols as shown below. Design Intent – Information about the task and what must be accomplished.

Tip — Useful information or advice.

Note — Contains useful information that supplements or emphasizes the main points.

Example — Shows a possible way that the current topic of discussion could be used.

Caution — Contains important reminders or information about a task. Warning — Contains information essential to your success.

Template parts

Template parts are an effective tool for establishing customer defaults or any settings that are part-dependent (saved with the part). This may include non-geometric data such as:

• A frame of reference, such as a datum coordinate system

• Commonly used expressions

• An initial application such as Modeling, Drafting, or Sheet Metal • Part attributes, for example, attributes for a parts list

• Drawing formats

• User-defined views

• Layer categories

The following graphic shows the dialog box where you can choose a template.

Teamcenter Integration vs. native NX terminology

Teamcenter Integration Term Native NX Term

Item Part

Item revision Part revision

Dataset Part file

Item ID Part number

UGMASTER dataset Master part file

UGPART dataset

(specification or manifestation)

Non-master part file (.dwg, .mfg)

When you work in NX, you manipulate parts, part revisions and part files. These correspond to items, item revisions, and datasets in Teamcenter Integration and Teamcenter Engineering.

Layer standards

Parts used in this course were created using layer categories the same as or very similar to those found in theModel template parts.

Layers provide an advanced alternative to display management (Show and Hide) to organize data.

Layer categories in the Model template parts

Layers Category Description

1–10 SOLIDS Solid bodies

11–20 SHEETS Sheet bodies

21–40 SKETCHES All external sketches

41–60 CURVES Non-sketch curves

61–80 DATUMS Planes, axes, coordinate systems

91–255 No category assigned

Implementing a layer standard

You may implement or enforce layer standards using some of the methods below:

• Create NX Open programs to create a standard part organization and verify it upon release.

• Use a macro to create layer categories: Tools→Macro→Playback.

• Your administrator can enforce company standards by providing suitable templates.

In this course you may use a layer organization method you anticipate using in your work.

Student responsibilities

• Be on time.

• Be considerate of the needs of other students. • Listen attentively and take notes.

• Ask questions.

• Practice what you learn.

• Have fun!

1

NX part files

Purpose

This lesson is a fundamental introduction to working with NX parts. Objectives

Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to: • Start an NX session.

• Create a new part.

• Open a part.

• Copy a part.

• Close a part and exit NX.

1

Introduction to NX

The first step in working in NX is to log on to a workstation and start an NX session.

• Your instructor will provide the steps needed to log in and start NX in the classroom.

After you start NX, you see the No Part interface. You can change defaults and preferences, open an existing part, or create a new part.

1

Gateway application

The tools in NX are grouped into a series of applications that support

different major workflows, including creating geometry, building an assembly, or producing a drawing.

Gateway is the first application you access when you:

• Create a new part.

• Open a part that was saved in Gateway after NX 4. • Open a part that was last saved in NX 3 or earlier. Gateway allows you to review existing parts.

To create or edit objects within a part, you must start another application, such as Modeling.

1

The NX window

1. Work and displayed part names

2. Main menu 3. Cue line 4. Status line 5. Resource Bar 6. View rotation triad 7. Rail

1

Cue and Status lines

TheCue and Status lines appear at the top of the main application window. • The Cue line provides specific information on what to select for the

highlighted item in the dialog box.

• TheStatus gives you feedback and confirmation on what you selected.

You can move theCue and Status lines below the graphics window.

1. Choose Tools→Customize.

2. Click the Layout tab.

3. In Cue/Status Position, select Bottom.

1

Menus

By default, menus display all available commands.

You can display “folded” menus, showing only frequently-used commands. When you see folded menus, click theExpand button to display the full menu.

To display folded menus:

1. Choose Tools→Customize.

2. Click the Options tab.

3. Clear the check box for Always Show Full Menus.

1

Templates

Use templates to create a new part. ChooseFile→New to select a template. Templates are grouped by types, such as model or drawing.

Your system administrator determines the templates that are available. Use blank templates to create parts with no custom content.

When you create a new part from a template, the part has a copy of all the objects in the template part and inherits all its settings.

After you create the part, NX starts the appropriate application for the template the part was based on. For example, if you select a modeling template, NX will start Modeling.

A default name and location for the new file is assigned, based on customer default settings for each template type.

You can change the name and location: • Before you begin work on the part.

• In native mode only, when you save the part for the first time.

You can specify a master part to reference when you create a new non-master file.

• Choose File→New and define the attributes in the dialog box.

• ChooseFormat→Database Attributes→Assign and define the work part’s attributes in theAttributes dialog box.

Benefits of using template parts

• Easy to use and help to enforce company standards. • Automatically start the appropriate application.

• Simplify using master models by defining a master part reference as you create a new file.

1

Using a template to create a new file

• On the Standard toolbar, click New .

• Click the tab for the file type you want (1). • Select the template you want (2).

• (Optional) Enter the name and path information (3).

You can also enter this information when you save the part.

1

Saving an unnamed template

1. On the Standard toolbar, click Save .

2. In theName Parts dialog box, notice the name of the first file for which you must provide a name (1).

3. Enter the name and press Tab to continue (2).

4. Optionally, use the browse buttons to help to define the name and/or path (3).

5. When you press Tab after entering a name, the template is checked in the list (4), the indicator moves to the next file that requires a name, and the OK button becomes active.

If you click OK or press Enter before you have specified all names, files that are named will be saved, and unnamed files will not be saved.

You will receive a warning.

6. When all files are named and optional path information is entered, click OK (5).

1

Layers

Use layers to organize geometry.

Use layer categories to organize and name layers.

To access theLayer Settings dialog box, choose Format→Layer Settings. There are 256 layers in NX, one of which is always the work layer.

You can assign any of the layers to one of four classifications of status:

• Work

• Selectable

• Visible Only

• Invisible

The work layer is the layer that objects are created on and is always visible and selectable.

When you create a new part, layer 1 is the default work layer .

When you change the work layer, the previous work layer automatically becomes selectable. You can then assign it a different status.

The number of objects on one layer is not limited. You may choose which layers to create objects on and what the status will be.

Layer categories in the Model template parts

Layers Categories Description

1–10 SOLIDS Solid bodies

11–20 SHEETS Sheet bodies

21–40 SKETCHES All external sketches1

41–60 CURVES Non-sketch curves

61–80 DATUMS Planes, axes, coordinate systems

91–255 No category assigned

1. You will learn the meaning of the term External sketches in a future lesson.

1

Activity

In the NX part files section, do the following activity: • Create a new part

1

Folder Creation

You can create a new folder from within theNew Part File and Open Part File dialog boxes if you have write access to the selected parent folder.

1. Right-click over an existing parent folder in the folder tree list. 2. Select the New Folder option.

You may also Rename an existing folder.

You cannot delete a folder from the New Part File and Open Part File dialog boxes.

Default container

The last folder used when creating a file will be the default folder when creating data later in your session. To change the default folder, select the Folder icon to change it.

1

Use of existing part files

NX parts have a .prt extension.

Useful features on Windows file dialog boxes

TheLook in: list shows the name of the current selected drive or folder.

Up One Level works with the Look in: option menu to traverse back up through the folder hierarchy.

Create New Folder option allows new sub-folders to be created in the current folder.

View Menu allows the appearance of the listing in the window to be modified.

1

Open multiple parts

You can open or load more than one part at any time and work on several parts concurrently.

There are two identifiers for loaded parts:

Displayed The part is displayed in the graphics window.

Work The part is accessible for creation and editing operations.

1

Change the displayed part

You can have multiple parts open, or loaded, at the same time.

Control which part is displayed in the graphics window by using Window on the menu bar.

The Window option works in two ways:

• The list contains up to ten recently displayed parts. Select from the list to display a part.

• SelectMore to display the Change Window dialog box.

The Change Window dialog box contains a list of all components in an

assembly structure as well as any loaded parts not contained in a loaded assembly.

1

Save As

File→Save As allows you to save the current part under a different name and/or in a different directory.

When you selectSave As, a file selection dialog box displays asking for the new name and location.

The name/location must be unique within the current directory. If you specify a name that already exists, an error message displays. The current part is filed under the new name, and the new part file name displays on the graphics window.

1

Close selected parts

ChooseFile→Close→Selected Parts to select parts to close from a list.

1

Activities

In the NX part files section, do the following activities: • Open an existing part

• Save part as

• Close selected parts

1

Exit NX

End an NX session by choosing File→Exit.

If you modified any parts and did not save them, you get a warning message.

1

Summary

In this lesson you:

• Started an NX session.

• Created, opened, and saved parts. • Copied a part.

• Closed a part.

• Learned how to exit NX.

2

2

The NX user interface

Purpose

This lesson is a fundamental introduction to the NX user interface. Objectives

Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to: • Customize toolbars.

• Save and restore toolbars by applying a role. • Select objects in the graphics window.

• Manipulate the orientation of the work view.

2

Toolbars

Each application has its own set of toolbars.

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Docking

• You can dock toolbars horizontally or vertically in the NX window. • You can move undocked toolbars on your screen.

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Customize and display toolbars

• You can hide or display available toolbars for each application. • You can either display or hide available buttons for each toolbar.

• For each toolbar you can add buttons from other toolbars, or remove them. • You can save and share toolbar arrangements for all or selected

applications, using Roles.

Display toolbars

1. Choose Tools→Customize from the main menu bar.

2. On the Toolbars (1) page, select check boxes (2) to display toolbars and clear to hide them.

SelectText Below Icon (3) to display names on the buttons.

2

Display toolbars using the shortcut menu

1. Right-click in the NX window but outside the graphics window (1) to display a shortcut menu of all toolbars.

2. Select the listed toolbar names to display toolbars or clear the check boxes to hide them (2).

Empty check boxes are not displayed beside menu items that are not selected.

You can also select Customize (3) to open the Customize dialog box.

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Add or remove toolbar buttons

Toolbar options are an efficient way to turn on and off the display of buttons within a toolbar.

1. ClickToolbar Options on a toolbar and select Add or Remove Buttons.

2. Select a toolbar to modify, or select Customize to open the Customize dialog box.

3. Click an item with no check box to display it. Clear the check box to hide an item.

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Toolbar options on undocked toolbars

Access toolbar options on undocked toolbars as shown below.

Dialog Rail

Dialog boxes open at a predefined location on the Dialog Rail.

To ensure a consistent location and presentation of all dialog boxes, you can attach or “clip” most dialog boxes to a “rail” located along the upper edge of the graphics window. This prevents the graphics window from being obscured by dialog boxes. You can move the dialog boxes right or left, temporarily hide them, or unclip them if you prefer to have them float.

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Selection Bar

The Selection Bar consolidates various selection options in one convenient location.

1. Selection options to specify types of objects to select, for example, features only, instead of faces, edges, bodies.

2. Selection Intent options. 3. Snap Point options.

4. Annotation placement options, available in Drafting.

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Saving toolbar configuration between sessions

When you exit an NX session, the current state of your toolbars is saved by default. They will be the same when you start a new session.

You can control how this is saved:

1. Choose Preferences→User Interface.

2. On the General page, select Save layout at exit.

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Roles

As you define your own roles, you or your administrator can add them to a palette for others to share.

Roles let you control the appearance of the user interface in a number of ways. For example:

• The items displayed on the menu bar • The buttons displayed on the toolbars

• Whether button names are displayed below the buttons

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Example roles

NX comes with a number of example roles. These give you a choice of starting points as you customize toolbars to meet your needs.

The roles palette includes these groups:

• System Defaults — generic roles for new and advanced users

• Industry Specific — examples of configurations for various industries • User — exists after you save one or more personal configurations

For those starting to use NX or those who use NX infrequently, one of

the Essentials roles in System Defaults is recommended.

For more information about any role, hold your cursor over its button.

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Choose a role

1. On the Resource Bar, click theRoles tab to display the palette. 2. Click the role you want or drag it into the graphics window.

3. Click OK to accept the new role.

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Activities

In the NX User Interface section, do the following activities: • Toolbars

• Roles

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Using the mouse

There are three mouse configurations in common use. The buttons are identified below.

1. Left 2. Middle 3. Right

On a two-button mouse, use the left and right buttons together when you need the middle button.

On a three-button mouse, you can use combinations of mouse buttons. • Use middle plus right buttons to pan.

• Use middle plus left buttons to zoom.

Here is a summary of the various actions that can be performed using the mouse buttons.

Mouse Button Action

Left mouse button Select or drag objects.

Middle mouse button ClickOK while in an operator.

Press and hold down while in the graphics window to rotate the view.

Hold down Shift and the middle mouse button to pan.

Hold down Ctrl and the middle mouse button to zoom in or out.

Right mouse button Display shortcut menu with various functions. Also display action information for currently selected objects.

Rotating mouse wheel Zoom in and out in graphics window. Scroll in lists, menus, and the Information window.

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Here is a summary of things you can do by moving the mouse cursor. Over buttons on a

toolbar

Display Balloon Help for the button. Over buttons in a

dialog box

Display the button name. Over objects, features

or components in graphics window

Pre-highlight objects based on the Selection Type Filter.

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View shortcut menu

When the mouse cursor is in the graphics window, but not over geometry, right-click to display the view shortcut menu. This menu lists frequently used NX functions.

Option Description

Refresh Refreshes the entire graphics window. Erases temporary display entities.

Fit

Fits the entire part to the view. Utilizes the fit percentage found in the Preferences→Visualization→Screen dialog box.

Zoom Fits the view to a user specified rectangle.

Rotate Activates the rotate mode to rotate the view with the cursor.

Pan Activates pan mode to pan the view with the cursor.

Rendering Style

Specifies the method of shading and hidden edges in which the model is displayed.

Orient View

Displays the current view in a canned view orientation. The original visualization settings and view modifications are retained. Active only in modeling view.

Set Rotate Point

Defines a point about which the model is rotated. The point may be defined on a curve, edge, face, or point in space. Clear Rotate

Point

Removes a rotate point that was previously set.

Undo Removes the effect of the last single operation performed.

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Radial menus

When you right-click and hold, a radial menu displays buttons around the cursor location. These buttons differ depending what is beneath the cursor. As you learn the position of the buttons, just moving the mouse in the appropriate direction will choose the option.

1 —Shaded

2 — Shaded with Edges

3 —Studio

4 — Fit

5 —Wireframe with Dim Edges

6 — Face Analysis

You can also use the View toolbar to perform the view manipulation functions found in the view shortcut menu, and more.

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Graphics window view manipulation

You can rotate the view by dragging with the middle mouse button. Release the mouse button to stop rotating.

If the cursor is near the boundary of the graphics window, you can use inferred rotation about a horizontal, vertical, or normal axis.

If the cursor is in the middle of the graphics window, the axis of rotation is determined by the direction in which you drag the cursor.

Other options to manipulate the view orientation are described below. Orient View button _{Modifies the orientation of a specified view to a}

predefined view. Changes only the alignment of the view, not the view name. This option can be invoked from the View toolbar or from the shortcut menu.

Home key Orients the current view toTrimetric.

End key Orients the current view toIsometric.

F8 key

Orients the current view to a selected planar face or datum plane or the planar view (top, front, right, back, bottom, left) that is closest to the current view orientation.

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View triad

Click an axis of the view triad to restrict middle mouse button dragging to rotation about that axis only.

Press Esc or click the rotation triad origin handle to return to normal rotation.

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Selecting objects

Use the Selection Bar to identify the types of objects you want to select.

You may either select an object first and then choose a function to perform, or, choose a function first and then select the required object.

Use the selection Type Filter to control which type of objects you can select. The content of the list changes with the active NX function.

The General Selection Filters allow you to further restrict what type of objects you can select.

You can use toolbar options to add many additional buttons to the Selection Bar.

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You can right-click an object and choose commands for the shortcut menu for the object type.

The cursor must be over the object, and the object must be highlighted.

The shortcut menu changes depending on the object. The following shortcut menu is for a typical feature.

Options also vary with the application: Modeling, Drafting, Manufacturing, etc.

If you right-click and hold over an object, a radial menu appears. The options vary depending on the object. The following radial menu is for a typical feature.

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Deselecting objects

You can deselect and object by holding the Shift key as you click it.

To deselect all objects in the graphics window, press the Esc (Escape) key.

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Preview selection

Objects are highlighted in the preview selection color as the selection ball passes over them.

By default, Preview Selection is enabled. Turn it off by choosing Preferences→Selection from the menu bar.

The color of preview highlighting is determined by thePreselection setting found underPreferences→Visualization→Color Settings.

When you hold the Shift key, the preselection color is applied to currently selected objects that you can deselect.

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QuickPick

When you select objects, more than one object will often be within the selection ball. QuickPick provides easy browsing through selection candidates.

If there is more than one selectable object at the selection ball location and the cursor lingers for a short period of time, the cursor changes to a QuickPick indicator:

This cursor display indicates that there is more than one selectable object at that position. Click after the cursor changes to display the QuickPick dialog box.

You can change the amount of time the cursor must be stationary for the QuickPick indicator to appear.

• ChoosePreferences→Selection.

• In theQuickPick group, change the Delay value (in seconds).

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Use the middle mouse button to cycle through the items in the list and then click when the desired object is highlighted.

Use the buttons in the dialog box to filter the list to include object types:

• All • Construction • Features • Body objects • Components • Annotations

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Activity

In the NX User Interface section, do the following activity: • Views

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Summary

In this lesson you:

• Modified the location and contents of toolbars. • Applied a role to restore saved toolbar settings. • Manipulated the work view orientation.

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3

Coordinate systems

Purpose

This lesson is an introduction to the coordinate systems that are used in NX. Objectives

Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to: • Describe the absolute coordinate system (ABS). • Describe the work coordinate system (WCS).

• Move the WCS.

• Obtain geometry information relative to the WCS.

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Overview of coordinate systems

You can define planes and coordinate systems for constructing other geometry. These planes and coordinate systems are completely independent of the viewing direction. You can create geometry on planes that are not parallel to the screen.

A three-axis symbol is used to identify a coordinate system. The intersection of the axes is called the origin of the coordinate system. The coordinate values of the origin are X=0, Y=0, and Z=0. The figure below illustrates that, starting at the origin, the positive direction of each axis is represented by a line.

This lesson describes the following coordinate systems: • Absolute coordinate system (ACS)

• Work coordinate system (WCS)

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Absolute coordinate system

The absolute coordinate system, or model space, has the location and orientation coordinate of a datum CSYS and the working coordinate system in use when a new Model template is opened. The datum CSYS in the template is actual model geometry; however, the absolute coordinate system is a conceptual location and orientation.

Other coordinate systems may be defined, but one particular coordinate system, called the work coordinate system or WCS, is used for construction. You can always return the WCS to the absolute coordinate system in any part, regardless of whether any geometric coordinate system exists with that location and orientation.

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Work coordinate system

You can locate and orient the WCS anywhere in model space.

The WCS is not itself a geometric entity; however, it can be positioned on an existing coordinate system entity.

The WCS axes have identifying colors. X is red, Y is green, and Z is blue. WCS axes also have the letter C appended to the axis name.

You must consider the location and orientation of the WCS when you: • Create a fixed datum plane or fixed datum axis.

• Create a rectangular instance array.

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The WCS

You can access WCS options from the Utility toolbar or by choosing Format→WCS on the menu bar.

Options available to manipulate the WCS include:

Origin Specify the location without changing the

orientation.

Dynamics Use handles to adjust the origin and

orientation.

Rotate Specify rotations in a dialog box

Orient Use a dialog box with Dynamic, Absolute,

Current View, and several other methods. Change XC

Direction

Use a dialog box with several options to specify the XC axis.

Change YC Direction

Use a dialog box with several options to specify the YC axis.

Display Show or hide the WCS.

Save Create a CSYS geometry entity at the current

WCS origin and orientation.

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Access WCS Dynamics

You can access WCS Dynamics in one of these ways: • Double-click the WCS in the graphics window.

• ClickWCS Dynamics on the Utility toolbar.

• From the main menu, chooseFormat→WCS→Dynamics.

You can exit WCS Dynamics mode in one of these ways:

• Press Esc.

• Click the middle mouse button.

• On the Utility toolbar, click WCS Dynamics .

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Dynamic Handles

1 Translation

2 Rotation

3 Origin

Move the WCS (freeform)

1. Place the cursor over the origin handle (cube-shaped) on the WCS. 2. Drag the WCS to any location.

Move the WCS origin to a point

To move the WCS origin to a specific point:

1. (Optional) Use theSnap Point options on the Selection Bar to enable one or more point selection methods.

2. Indicate the snap or screen position to which you want to move the WCS. You can also use the point constructor .

The WCS moves to the specified point.

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Drag the WCS along an axis

1. Place the cursor over any of the three translation handles on the WCS. 2. Drag the WCS in either direction along the axis.

Move the location of the WCS along an axis using a dynamic input box 1. Place the cursor over any of the three translation handles and click. 2. Type a value in the dynamic input box.

3. Press Enter. Rotate the WCS

1. Place the cursor over any of the three rotation handles. 2. Drag to rotate the WCS around its axis.

Dynamic input boxes indicate current angle and snap increment. Orient the WCS to an object

1. Select one of the WCS axes.

2. Select an object, such as an edge, to which you want to align the WCS. To specify a vector, in theWCS Dynamics dialog bar, click Vector

Constructor .

The WCS orients to be parallel with the object, without changing the origin coordinates.

Reverse the direction of the WCS To flip the WCS 180 degrees:

• Double-click one of the WCS axes.

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Activity

In the Coordinate Systems section, do the following activity: • The working coordinate system (WCS)

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Summary

The absolute coordinate system is a stationary coordinate system that defines a fixed point in model space while the work coordinate system (WCS) is a mobile coordinate system that may be moved and reoriented as necessary to support other functions.

In this lesson you:

• Identified the difference between the absolute coordinate system and the work coordinate system.

• Relocated, rotated, and reoriented the WCS.

• Reviewed the Point Constructor and CSYS Constructor. • Obtained geometry information relative to the WCS.

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4

Sketch Task Environment

Purpose

This lesson introduces the methods of creating a sketch. Objectives

Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to: • Create a sketch.

• Create sketch curves.

• Apply dimensional constraints to sketches. • Apply geometric constraints to sketches. • Identify constraints.

• Convert sketch curves and constraints to reference status.

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Sketcher overview

The Sketch Task Environment, informally called the sketcher, is an NX application that you use to create two-dimensional geometry within a part. A sketch is a named collection of 2D curves and points residing on a plane that you specify. You can use sketches to address a wide variety of design needs. For example, you might create:

• Detailed part features by sweeping, extruding, or revolving a sketch into a solid or a sheet body.

• Large-scale 2D concept layouts with hundreds, or even thousands, of sketch curves.

• Construction geometry, such as a path of motion, or a clearance arc, that is not meant to define a part feature.

This lesson shows you examples of sketches that define features.

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Constraints overview

Sketcher tools let you fully capture your design intent through geometric and dimensional relationships that we refer to collectively as constraints.

Use constraints to create parameter-driven designs that you can update easily and predictably.

Sketcher evaluates constraints as you work to update geometry and to ensure that they do not conflict.

A fully constrained sketch has as many constraints as there are degrees of freedom in the sketch, so that there can be no ambiguity in the final shape.

While it is not required, UGS recommends that you fully constrain sketches that define feature profiles.

Sketcher also offers you the flexibility to create as many, or as few, constraints as your design requires. That means you can use Sketcher to create wireframe drawings that can serve a wide variety of up-front design purposes, and are not meant for downstream processing.

Optional toolbar buttons, Inferred Constraints, which opens the Inferred Constraints dialog box, and Create Inferred Constraints, which is hidden and active by default, allow you to mix constrained and unconstrained geometry in a single sketch.

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Sketch types

When you create a sketch, you can define its plane and orientation using one of two methods:

• Sketch in Place

Use this option to sketch on an existing planar face or datum plane, or on a new datum plane.

• Sketch on Path

This is a specialized type of constrained sketch that you use to create a profile for a Variational Sweep feature, discussed in Intermediate NX Design and Assemblies. You can also use the Sketch on Path option to position a sketch for features likeExtrude and Revolve. Select a target path and define a sketch plane location on that path.

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Using sketches as base features

Does the sketch that you are creating define the base feature for the part? If yes, create an appropriate datum plane or datum coordinate system on which to sketch.

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Using sketches to modify existing features

Is the sketch adding to an existing base feature?

If yes, select an existing datum plane or part face, or create a new datum plane with an appropriate relationship to existing datum planes or part geometry.

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Other applications for sketches

You will also find sketches useful in free form designs. Consider them for guide paths for swept features, or as section curves for free form features.

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The sketch process

The steps typically involved are:

1. Select a sketch plane and horizontal reference. 2. (Optional) Rename the sketch.

3. Set your options forInferred Constraints. 4. Create the sketch.

Depending on your settings, Sketcher creates many constraints automatically.

5. (Optional) Add, modify, or delete constraints.

6. (Optional) Drag the shape or modify dimension parameters. 7. Exit Sketcher.

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Create a new sketch

1. (Optional) Set the work layer for the sketch.

2. Click Sketch .

3. Define the sketch plane.

• For a base feature, select an existing datum or create a datum CSYS from the Create Sketch dialog box.

• For a detail feature, select a planar face of a body, a relative datum, or create a relative datum from the Create Sketch dialog box.

4. Define a horizontal or vertical reference. 5. (Optional) Name the sketch.

6. Click OK.

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Create a sketch on an existing plane or planar face

When you first create a sketch, you must define a plane on which to place the sketch curves.

You can define the sketch plane as an existing planar face, relative datum plane, or a datum plane belonging to a datum CSYS. You can also create a relative datum plane or a datum CSYS from the Create Sketch dialog box. To create the sketch on an existing face, datum plane, or datum CSYS plane: 1. Select the planar face, datum plane, or datum CSYS plane.

2. Define a horizontal or a vertical reference. 3. Click OK.

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Create a sketch on a new plane

To create a datum plane from theCreate Sketch dialog box:

1. In the Sketch Plane group, expand the Plane Option list and select Create Plane.

2. Select the required method and objects to define the datum plane, or open

the Plane Constructor .

3. Click the middle mouse button to complete the step. 4. Define a horizontal or vertical reference.

5. Click OK.

To create a datum CSYS instead of a datum plane in the above procedure, in the Plane Option list, select Create Datum CSYS.

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Reference direction

You must specify a reference object with which to determine the horizontal and vertical sketch directions.

In some cases, such as with a datum CSYS, a direction reference object is inferred, but there must always be a direction reference object with a timestamp earlier than the sketch.

The default reference direction is horizontal.

If there is no linear object in the desired direction, you may specify a vertical reference.

To change the direction of an axis:

• To reverse the direction of a sketch axis, double-click the vector conehead. • To specify a new direction, first select the axis to change and then select

a straight object. The object is projected to the sketch plane to define the new direction.

If you select a datum plane as the sketch plane, a Z axis is displayed. Change the normal of the sketch plane by double-clicking the Z axis. In the following example, the shaded face (1) is specified as the placement face. An edge (2) is defined as the vertical reference. The resulting sketch orientation is shown on the right.

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Name sketches on the toolbar

Give descriptive names to external sketches.

Sketches are assigned a default name with a numeric suffix such as SKETCH_000, or SKETCH_001. You can rename any sketch to a more descriptive name.

1. On the Sketcher toolbar, select the name of the sketch.

2. Type a new name and press Enter.

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Name sketches using the Sketch Properties dialog box

1. When you edit a sketch, from the main menu , choose Task→Sketch Properties.

2. Click the General tab.

3. Type a new name in theName box. 4. Click OK.

You can also access the Sketch Properties dialog box from:

• Over a sketch node in thePart Navigator, right-click and select Properties.

• Over a sketch in the graphics window: right-click and select Properties.

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Sketches and layers

• The sketch environment keeps all objects created in or imported into an external sketch in the same layer.

• If you edit an external sketch the work layer is set as the layer in which you created (or moved) the sketch.

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Activity

In the Sketch Task Environment section, do the following activity: • Sketch creation

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Internal and external sketches

Sketches that you create from within commands likeExtrude or Revolve are

internal sketches. The parent feature manages access to, and the display of,

internal sketches. Use internal sketches when you want to associate the sketch with only one feature.

Sketches that you create independently using the Sketch command are

external sketches, and are visible and accessible from anywhere within a

part. Use an external sketch to keep the sketch visible or to use in more than one feature.

Differences between internal and external sketches

• Internal sketches are visible in the graphics window only when you edit the parent feature.

• External sketches are created in the current work layer.

You can hide external sketches using thePart Navigator. Use Layer Settings for more advanced control over visibility of sketches.

• You can access an internal sketch only through the parent feature. That is, you cannot open an internal sketch directly from the Sketcher environment.

• You cannot use an internal sketch with any feature other than its parent unless you externalize the sketch. Once you make a sketch external, the former parent has no control over the sketch.

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Making internal sketches external

To externalize an internal sketch, right–click the owning feature in thePart Navigator and choose Make Sketch External.

NX places the sketch before its former owner inTimestamp order.

To reverse this operation, identify the child feature by highlighting or the Dependencies group, right-click the child feature, and chooseMake Sketch Internal.

Make Sketch Internal does not appear if the sketch has more than one child feature.

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Sketch curves

Create sketch curves using theSketch Curve toolbar.

Icon Name Function Key

Profile

Creates a series of connected lines or arcs. The end of the last curve becomes the beginning of the next curve.

Z

Line Creates lines.

Arc Creates a arc through three points or by center

and end points. A

Circle Creates a circle through three points or center

and diameter. Derived

Lines

Creates new lines from existing lines: parallel to a line, the midline of parallel lines, or the bisector of lines at angle.

Quick Trim

Trims a curve to closest intersection or to a

selected boundary. T

Quick Extend

Extends a curve to a nearby curve or to a selected boundary.

Make

Corner Extends or trims two curves to make a corner.

Fillet Creates a fillet between two or three curves. F

Rectangle Enables three methods to create rectangles. R

Studio Spline

Dynamically creates and edits splines. Introduced in Intermediate NX Design and Assemblies.

Fully discussed in Mechanical Free Form Modeling and Industrial Design with NX.

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Inferred Constraints

As you create curves, the Sketcher can assign some geometric constraints. You can control which constraints are assigned by addingInferred Constraints

to the Sketch Constraints toolbar.

When you preview a constraint, click the middle mouse button to lock the constraint.

Constraints are discussed in more detail later.

If you need to create a curve without a constraint that would normally be inferred, hold the Alt key while you place the curve.

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Help lines

Help lines indicate the alignment to control points of curves, including line endpoints and midpoints, arc endpoints, and arc and circle center points. Two types of help lines are displayed during the creation of curves:

• A dotted help line shows the alignment with recently-created or recently highlighted objects.

• A dashed help line is part of the preview for an inferred constraint. As you create curves, dashed help lines are displayed for certain types of constraints, such as perpendicular and tangent.

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Short list

Sketcher maintains a memory of five objects called the short list to check for: • Inferred constraints.

• Help lines.

Curves are added to the list as you:

• Create them.

• Pass your cursor over a curve. Additional notes about the short list:

• Lines snap normally along their length to short listed curves, which includes lines, arcs, ellipses, conics, and splines.

• Lines, arcs, and circles snap tangentially along their length to the short listed curves, including lines, arcs, ellipses, conics, and splines.

• To lock an inferred constraint click the middle mouse button.

To unlock a locked constraint, click the middle mouse button again. • The short list is structured from top to bottom. When curves are created

or passed over with the cursor, they are placed on top of the short list. When the list is full, the curve at the bottom is removed and a new curve is added at the top.

• Sketcher clears the short list when you leave a curve option.

• When Sketcher infers a constraint between an object on the short list and the curve currently being created, the short list object is highlighted and you see a preview of the constraint.

• As you preview when you create a curve, all enabled constraint types (for example, Perpendicular and Collinear) are checked against the top object on the list.

When a constraint condition is found, the constraint is previewed and the short list object is highlighted.

If there are no valid constraints, the tests are repeated for the second object on the list, and so on until the bottom of the list is reached.

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Profile

TheProfile option lets you create a series of connected lines and/or arcs in

string mode; that is, the end of the last curve becomes the beginning of the

next curve.

Here is a pipe vise profile that you can easily create with a series of mouse clicks using the Profile option.