Patterning Reference Geometry

[EEnd]

Have any of you found a way to pattern or mirror reference geometry such as points, axes or plains? It seems that the pattern and mirror commands do not allow reference geometry to be included in the set of features to act upon. I have even tried encapsulating them into library features and patterning the library feature to no avail.

It seems strange to me that this is not allowed. Is it just that there is not a perceived need to pattern reference geometry? As a matter of style, I tend to use reference geometry in the definition of features as they are more stable than model features such as faces and edges. I would like to be able to pattern the reference geometry along with the model features that I define from them so that I can use them for additional feature definition and for assembly mates.

Am I mistaken in my belief that reference geometry cannot be patterned or mirrored?
Am I crazy for wanting to?

Eric

 

[dsgnr1]

Eric,
Try tools, sketch tools, linear step and repeat.
Does that work?

regards,
dsgnr1

¿)

At some point you just have to shoot the engineer and build the dang thing.

 

[J-C]

It would be a useful option but it's not possible. I suggest filling out an enhancement request for it.

Do you realize that all cylindrical faces have Axis. In the view menu, stoggle "Temporary Axis". You can use it for mating, sketch relations, measuring, etc.

Jason

UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2005 SP5.0 on WinXP SP2
SolidWorks 2006 SP1.0 on WinXP SP2

 

[EEnd]

dsgnr1,

That does not do quite what I’m looking for. Here is an example of what I would like to do.

Let’s say I start with a simple plate. And I want to add a cutout to it. Since I plan to mate something into the cutout in a latter assembly, and since I have not settled on a final shape of the cutout, I begin by making a pair of planes to define the center of the cutout. Then I create the cutout and maybe some screw holes using those two planes to drive the location of all of the features. The advantage that I see to this method is that I can make drastic changes to the cutout (changing from round to square), even deleting it without breaking the screw holes or the mates in the assembly. This is fine until I want to pattern or mirror my cutout. Then I cannot include the defining planes.

There are workarounds. I can use component patterns if I want to mate the same part into each of the cutouts. I can go and create new planes that are defined off of each instance of the patterned cutout. But in the end, what I really want to do is pattern the planes.

Gildashard,
That is a good tip; I find the temporary axes quite useful.

Eric

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

EEnd ... unless you are mirroring about an angled plane, you should be able to use the same planes, or at least one of them, in the mirrored feature.

And no, you are not crazy for wanting to. It could be useful to be able to do that.

MERRY CHRISTMAS
(Unabashedly Politically Incorrect)

 

[J-C]

Well, perhaps you can model the planes as surfaces and pattern those. Maybe a library surface plane or a library set of surfaces like a coordinate system with a Front, Side and Top surface and a reference sketch for the origin to tie it all together.

Jason

UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2005 SP5.0 on WinXP SP2
SolidWorks 2006 SP1.0 on WinXP SP2