basic how-to on using mathcad to control smartsketch drawings 1

[Randy2002]

Thanks to Ivymike for motivating me to try this.
I found the documentation poor and the process unintuitive. So I wrote a 12 step process to get the basics down...

First, open the "angle.mcd" file, usually in C:\Program Files\MathSoft\Mathcad\samples\CAD\SmrtSkch
then fillow the steps below...

1) doubleclick the smartsketch component below
2) be sure that the Tools>Maintain Relationships menu item is checked
3) draw a line whose length is to be controlled
4) dimension the line with normal smartsketch dimension tools
5) with the dimension highlighted, make sure the Driving/Driven button (this button looks like a dimension w/lock a on it) is depressed.
6) choose the Tools>Variables menu item, the new dimension will appear in the list with a V### name. Give it a name that makes sense, then click the X to close that window.
7) click away from the smartsketch component to return to mathcad.
8) rightclick the smartsketch component and choose "Add Input Variable"
9) click the new placeholder at the bottom and give it a name
10) rightclick the smartsketch component and choose "Properties"
11) go to the blank pulldown next to the newest (last) input, and choose the variable name that was entered into the smartsketch variables list. Click OK.
12) Assign a value to the input variable in mathcad and the drawing should update automagically.

Maybe this is obvious to some, but it would have saved me a few hours! :/

 

[ivymike]

you should make this a "FAQ" for the mathcad forum, or something along those lines.

 

[Randy2002]

Good idea. I submitted it, so we'll see.

 

[Diquan]

THANK YOU!!!, yesterday i was nuts on how to do this!!!

 

[Diquan]

Problem #2: I need the drawing to resize from the center, not from the side. Any advice??

PROBLEM #3: And as you see, also the hatch need a fix.

Thanks!

EXAMPLE...........

 

[gearguru]

Diguan:
you can create the relationship between the dimensions editing the "variables" ( in Tools>Variables menu, column Function ).
For instance if the chimney locating dimension is parameter v1
and the overall size of the house is v2, you can create the relation between them as v2=2*v1 (or v1=0.5*v2) if you want the chimney in the middle. Then you use only one of them to control both locations. As for the crosshatch, I do not have a solution.

 

[Diquan]

Ok, i understand the v2=2*v1, but the thing is let's say (taken the picture for example) the wall is 12in and the fundation is 10ft, let's say i want to keep the wall in 12in but the fundation to 5ft, how do i make to put the wall in the middle without resizing the wall doing the v2=2*v1, because when i do that the wall or the fundation is going to reduce in a linear way based on the dimension that i change (the wall or the fundation).

For the hatch is strange, because when i resize the wall the hatch takes the shape of the new dimension, but in the fundation doesn't work! strange!

 

[gearguru]

Diguan,
you can create the wall and fundation as symmetrical features around a line (which can be on an unvisible layer).
You can also dimension the fundation and wall separately - of course they also have to be drawn that way.
Look in the Smart Sketch book/help menu, there is more info.

 

[Diquan]

Hi!, thanks for the tip, i found the way: (if any one needs here are the steps)

First, you need to have "alignment indicator", "maintain relationships" and "relationship handles" ON!

STEP#1: Make 8 lines of any dimension

STEP#2: In the relationship menu with the "connect" command, connect all lines making 2 boxes

STEP#3: Now with the same command (connect), click on the middle of box on top (in the bottom line) and now another click on the box on the bottom (in top line), and is going to connect both boxes together.

STEP#4: Draw 4 lines for the ground and conncet them with the wall and foundation.

STEP#5: Now follow steps 4 and 6 of "Randy2002", after that save the document

STEP#6: Now go to MathCAD and go to Insert->Component->SmartSktch->From Existing file->Browse->locate your file->Next->Number of inputs 4 (and select them, each one on that box)->Number of output 0-> Finish

And you will have something like this...

STEP#7: Now outside of the image (on top) put 4 variables with dimensions: (ie. "Wall:12in", "Bottom:10ft", "Foundation:20in" and "Ground:28in") after you made that click the image and put the name of the variables you defined on top of the image, on the same order, now you will see that the foundation has been made but out of proportion, right-click the image, click on properties, and on the box check "Automatic resizing", and that's it!!!

Now change the dimension of the foundation, wall, ground etc... and now everything works fine!!

TIP: If you want to se the dimensions on the image you have to go to SmartSketck and go to "File->Sheet Setup" and define a "drawing scale" on "Custom", lets say that "4in equal 10ft", and start from STEP#6.