Say you want to create a parameter called "stock width". Find the F(x) "button" and hit that. In the window that pops up, at the bottom there is a "New parameter of type" button. Choose length from the list to the right. Click the "New parameter of type" button. Your parameter shows up in the list. Highlight the name of the parameter in the textbox just above the "New parameter of type" button and change it to "stock width". Hit the tab key and give it a number. The new parameter also shows up in your tree under the parameters section (depending on settings)
You want to use this value for a real purpose? Say you've made a rectangle in a sketch and want to assign this parameter to one of it's dimensions.
Make a length dimension in your sketch and double click it. In the window that pops up, right-click in the text box containing the dimension and choose "edit formula". The formula editor opens up. Click once on the parameter you've created in the tree. The parameter shows up in the parameter editor. Click OK and you're done.
There is no limit to what you can do with parameters if you're creative enough. There's more, but that's the bare bones.
Nick
Light structural commercial aircraft parts
PCDMIS 4.3 CAD++, CATIA V5 R20
APM Consortium Inc.
Ontario, Canada
