Automating point creation

[JHLynn]

Hello,

I am trying to create a set of points on a curve, but they are not at equal distances from each other. As far as I can tell, the point set tool will not work unless the points are evenly spaced. Is there a way for me to create a set of points (there are 28 points) along a curve at set arc lengths without having to go through the 'Point' tool each time?

 

[JohnRBaker]

What version of NX are you running?

Have you looked at the 'Incremental Arc Length' Subtype when using the Type 'Curve Points'?

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]

For unequal point distribution along a curve the nearest I could suggest would be to use select the Point Set subtype as "Curve Percentage".

This allows you to list multiple points along a curve but you can stipulate the percentage distance for each point.
This does however apply to each individual curve selected, so it might be more apprpriate for one long spline rather than multiple curves.
Also if, for instance, your using the points to create drilled holes in a plate, your unlikely to end up with nice round numbers for the planar position of each hole.

Then again ... If your working off a spline, you achieve the same thing by setting the Point Set type as "Spline" which would daub a point wherever your spline has a "Defining Point". Also not a very constrained way of working depending on what your using it for.

Jon S

Medical Design Engineer - Glos. UK
NX 6.0.4.3 / TCE V10.0.3.8.6

 

[petulf]

Thanks Jon!

I have been having similar problem, and wrote a program to handle uneven spacing of points a long a spline/curve. It works well at finding the positions, but I was not satisfied with how the end result was presented to the user e.g a bunch of associative points on curve in the part navigator. But point sets with curve percentage solves this and allows me to collect all the points and values within one feature.

 

[JonSelby]

I don't know whether JohnRBaker can shed some light ... but maybe these could all be driven by and expression and therefore maybe the %'age could be the result of a spreadsheet formula that gives you precise distances in mm (or inches).

Glad you found it useful though!

Jon S

Medical Design Engineer - Glos. UK
NX 6.0.4.3 / TCE V10.0.3.8.6