Frames command - positioning the cross-section. 1

I've also found that if the centres of 2 frame elements do not lie on the same plane, then trimming does not work correctly.

bc.
2.4GHz Core2 Quad, 4GB RAM,
Quadro FX4600.

BC,

while still in sketch mode to define/change a profile to be used
within frames you can invoke a utility to define a handlepoint:

C:\Program Files\Solid Edge V20\Frames\Frame Component Utility
(just double click on the .exe)

I've not used it but it might be what you are looking for.
Workflow seems to go like this (short test done)

- LMB on a geometric point of your choice, it can be a point
anywhere on the screen
- select an edge that should be defined as orientation

- click on the bar numbered 3) and wait for the point and the
selected line turn yellow

Quit and save the profile. Now the point you've specified will be
used as default handle point to place the frame components

dy

Don,
Brilliant !! That worked perfectly.
Just to correct my second post - it seems the PATHS of the frame members have to be planar for correct trimming.

bc.
2.4GHz Core2 Quad, 4GB RAM,
Quadro FX4600.

BC,

glad that I could help you in this matter. I only vaguely
remembered that there was something about defining a handle
point but I did'nt know what and where it was. After wading
through the help I found it finally

To get the centroid of an area you can use the Area function.
Unfortunately the named utitility does not accept the 0,0 point
of the CS so you have to place a point on it which can be
used


dy

Thanks Don, by centroid I was really meaning Neutral Axis.
Does this only work if you make it the default?
It would be nice to place several points in the sketch and be able to use any of them at placement time or to shift the section to a new point.


bc.
2.4GHz Core2 Quad, 4GB RAM,
Quadro FX4600.

BC,

> Does this only work if you make it the default?

I fear that that's the case. This utility will attach an attribute
to the model which later on will be interpreted by the frame command
as valid handle point along with those 9 that define the boundry box.

Assuming this to be correct then any placed points won't be honoured
neither by the uitility nor by the frame command. A proof of this might
be: the utility will only accept one point and one orientation edge. If
the sketch has one set of these defined already you have to remove them
by pressing the button on the lower left before you can define a new
set otherwise the utility will complain.
Again we are left with a 'half baked' solution ...

dy

/Edit

when the frame has been created and you would like to change
the handle point you can then specify other points than
those 9 ones. Those points must however, be points of that
geometry: endpoint or midpoint of one of the sketch's elements
is OK. The utility will only define a new default handle and
therefore only one is allowed.
In case the profile contains an error i.e. sketch not closed or
a single (un)connected line the frame command will complain not
being able to copy the profile -- IMHO a very misleading message.
BTW: stray sketch points also not usable will do no harm

dy

Don,
We had tried putting another line in the sketch and got the error about not being able to copy the profile - as you say very misleading. I also found that you could use key-points on the profile.
I'll try it with a construction line later if I get time, but I suspect this will not show either. Only elements that are part of the 'solid' profile are usable.
Thanks for your help.

bc.
2.4GHz Core2 Quad, 4GB RAM,
Quadro FX4600.