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How to place a point at the center of bounded plane 3

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jaguar306

Mechanical
May 7, 2008
11
I am trying to set a point at the center of a bounded plane but it appears that all options end up with a random cursor pick. Is there a way to place a point and be sure it is in the center of the bounded plane.
 
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Hello jaguar, what is the shape of your bounded plane.

I have a suggestion, just create line by connecting some points of your bounded plane to identify the center and put your point there. Hope I able to help. Thanks.



 

Thanks cgelang
There are several different shapes but I will try your method. That sounds like it might give me what i want but I was hoping for something a little more parametric that could change as the bounded plane changed.
 
Using the same geometry you used to create the bounded plane, create an extrusion with a symmetric value for start and end. The value is insignificant. Now perform Analysis > Mass Properties and select the solid you just created. Click the information button and save the values for center of mass. Create a point from WCS using these values. This should be the center of your bounded plane.
 
That is a great approach crazydiamond. I will give that a try.
 
Actually instead of saving the values for center of mass you could just click the button to Create Principal Axes. This will place a axis at the center of your bounded plane. You can then select the axis to create a point. This will not update when you change the shape of your bounded plane but it can be repeated easily.
 
After creating your thin solid using extrude, instead of Mass Properties, use...

Analysis -> Measure Bodies...

...and with the 'Associate' option toggled ON, select the solid and hit OK. Now you will already HAVE a point at the centroid of the 'bounded plane' (just Hide the solid) and what's more, if you edit the bounded plane and the solid updates, the point will as well and remain at the 'Centroid' of the bounded plane.

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

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