Another way to move a part in assembly

[dtharrett]

Often I want to move a partially contrained or unconstrained part in an assembly. The most logical was is to click the move icon, select the part and try to move the coordinate system etc. Often, I do not get the results I want, especially if the part is partially constrained.

Instead of using the move comand, click on the constraint command. Then left mouse button click and drag the part. NX allows you to move the part in it's unconstrained axis. Then just cancel out of the constraint dialog. I do not think this was one of the intents of the constraint comand but it seems to work well for me.

Note 1, I am running 7.5
Note 2, If your default constraint is concentric this trick does not work...you need one of the other constraints selected in the dialog box...

 

[Toost]

to my knowledge it is as intended, often when constraining it's easier to pick the correct objects if the component is first moved to the side, therefore you can drag by the described method.
When moving components using the move, you should get the same result it the method is set to dynamic and then grabbing the box of the origin on the csys-handle.

 

[JohnRBaker]

Note that a 'Concentric' constraint still has a DOF (Degree Of Freedom) just that it's a rotation about the centers of the selected arcs.

And YES, this is 'By Design'.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[JonSelby]

I too find this 'drag' feature very useful.

I've noticed that with the MOVE command, if you have more than one component selected and one of these is constrained differently to the others, then this one will constrain the motion of the others.
For instance ... If you have two screws one of which has a TOUCH constraint under the head, then you will not be able to 'lift' them as a pair.
I guess it might be nice if just the unconstrained one lifted but that's where the beauty of your 'drag' feature lies!