Datum CSYS origin & sketch constraints 1

[monty011]

Hey guys, I think there is a setting i'm not seeing that is killing my sketching. It just started happening yesterday. My datum csys point is not selectable for a point reference when orienting sketch planes. Also, i'm not able to constrain sketches to other sketches (ie. point of current sketch on curve of another sketch drawn on same plane). Anybody ever run into this problem?

 

[cowski]

I'm not sure that this is your issue, but bear in mind that you can only reference objects that come before the sketch in the part history. You cannot constrain a sketch to an object with a later timestamp; try right clicking on your sketch feature and choosing "edit with rollback". This will hide all features with a later timestamp; you will be able to clearly see what you can reference in your current sketch.

www.nxjournaling.com

 

[jerry1423]

There are three choices in the pull-down: Entire Assembly, Within Work part Only, and Within Active Sketch Only
You Do Not want Within Active Sketch Only

Jerry J.
UGV5-NX11

 

[monty011]

Hmmm...i'm stumped. I have the correct selection scope, and i'm also trying to constrain a current sketch to an earlier sketch in the tree. I just tried a test with local NX11 instead of integrated and am running into the same issue.

For the test, i'm extruding a hex along Z with symmetric value. Then creating a sketch plane on the top of the hex with with csys dialog. I can select the plane (top surface of hex), and I can select the csys X axis for the vector reference. But I can't select the csys point for the origin reference.

 

[jerry1423]

I don't know why you are unable to select that point, but you may be better off selecting the end point of the horizontal reference curve that should be in your first sketch, if you used sketch polygon for your hex.

Jerry J.
UGV5-NX11

 

[monty011]

Yeah, it is very strange. For the time being, that is what I ended up doing (end point on inscribed radial line). I keep thinking it is a setting somewhere that I accidentally changed, but haven't a clue as to what happened.

 

[cowski]

In the "specify point" section of the dialog, is there a specific point snap set? If it is set to something like "center" or "end point", it won't pick up the point object of the datum csys.

I ran a quick test in NX 11 according to your description and I was able to select the datum csys point as expected.

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[monty011]

I did try different snap settings. Existing point, inferred, etc. but nothing worked. I added another datum csys on the opposite side of the part and tried to do what I did on the top side. I was able to select the datum csys origin for a reference. Whatever is wrong, it is definitely associated with the original datum csys.

 

[monty011]

Okay, I just noticed something while testing with native NX. Before sketching anything, the datum csys is there and the point is clearly visible. After sketching the polygon, and then extruding the polygon curve, the datum csys point disappears. When I hover over where it should be, the origin is nowhere in the list.

On edit: I deleted the extrude, and the point came back.

 

[cowski]

Do you have the option "allow selection of hidden wireframe" turned on?
With that option turned off, the datum point doesn't appear in the quick pick list for me, but it will if the option is turned on.

Try hiding the solid of the extrude to see if it was hiding the datum point.

www.nxjournaling.com

 

[monty011]

Cowski, I believe you just found the issue! As soon as I extruded through the datum csys, it was gone. So long as it was not inside the part, it was fine. I have no idea how I turned that setting off. Thanks! I thought I might have been losing it for a half a day.

 

[jerry1423]

Where is that setting ?

Jerry J.
UGV5-NX11

 

[monty011]

Hey jerry, it's just to the left of the snap controls right above the graphics window. Search can pinpoint it for you if you enter the exact text that Cowski has in quotation marks.

 

[cowski]

For me, it is in the top border bar (with other selection options). I think that is the default location, but I may have customized my UI to put it there. If it isn't there, you can use the command finder to locate it.

www.nxjournaling.com

 

[jerry1423]

Thank you.

Jerry J.
UGV5-NX11