"make selectable" in drafting

[eex23]

Hello,

Why in drafting if i make one layer "selectable", also makes it "visible" in modeling?

NX7 64bit

 

[cowski]

You must be able to see it to select it.

http://www.nxjournaling.com

 

[eex23]

In modeling I have created few model views. When doing drafting, i pick the view I want. The view imports ok, but it is impossible to add drafting dimensions. So I make the layer "selectable". After making it selectable, all the view dependent become visible in modeling.

 

[DaSalo]

When you create your drafting view whichever layers are currently visible will be visible in the drafting view. Even if there is nothing on a layer if it is visible then it is included in the drafting view and anything placed on that layer in the future will appear in your drafting view.

That is only half the story, however. In order to be able to dimension objects in the drafting view, or even select them in anyway, the layers containing those objects must be "Selectable". You can also turn on extracted edges or associative extracted edges and this will create selectable edges in your drafting that you can dimension to. Associative extracted edges really slows down view creation and update so be aware before turning that on.

The dimensions, notes, etc., that you create in drafting are objects themselves and are also subject to the visible/selectable/hidden layer settings. For this reason it is important to pay attention to the work layer when working in drafting. I always use a separate work layer to make sure that all of my drafting will always be visible even if other layers get turned on and off.

There is always a direct link between what you do with layers in drafting, or any other module, and what happens in modeling. If you make something visible in drafting it will be visible in modeling. They are completely integrated and the model is always in the same state no matter which module you are in.

You can also turn off the drafting sheet through the "View" menu and you will see your model just as it would appear in the modeling application. You can actually dimension the model in 3D by doing this but it is cumbersome compared to the PMI functionality and won't flow through to downstream processes the same way.

This is probably more information than you were asking for, or need, but hopefully something in here will be helpful.

NX 7.5.4, NX 8.0.1.5
Tecnomatix Quality 8.0.1.3
PC-DMIS 2011 MR1

 

[Twullf]

If you want a feature or a detail to be invisible in the drafting view, there are two ways to do this. The first is to place the feature on its own layer, but if it is integral to the component and you cannot seperatly place it on a layer, you can right click on the view border or on the view in your tree and select view dependent editor, which will allow you to remove individual lines or surfaces, as well as change line fonts.

 

[eex23]

Thanks DaSalo for the guidelines.
But layers has some issues in nx. for eg., if you use "visible in view" option while being in modeling, so then it is impossible to switch between visible/invisible layers using "layer options" dialog. then you must switch to global, which turns all the layers on again.
using "visible in view" option sometimes very handy, if you want fast make layer invisible (just enter layer number using your keyboard, and press enter, thats it). Of course you can switch layer to invisible mode using "layer options" dialog, but then you must scroll down trying to find appropriate layer.
Also we are using "visible in view" option in drafting. just click on the view you want and select/deselect layers you want being visible/invisible in specified view. "layer options" do not work with views in drafting, or you must create different view sets in modeling, but this not very handy.

 

[DaSalo]

I stay away from "Visible in View" unless I really need it. I try to be very careful about which layers are active when I create a view and then only use "Visible In View" to correct a mistake if I accidentally left something on that I didn't want or if I decide to add something later that needs to be on a new layer. I use it as an adjustment tool, not a central part of my workflow.

For work in modeling I am happy with the "Layer Settings" dialogue. I have never even tried using "Visible in View" in that context. It seems like that could create a lot of confusion for others who might open the model and not realize that certain layers have been made "not visible".

The question on my mind at the moment is how to reduce, or stop, the use of layers. My understanding is that is the way the software is heading. I have been trying to use grouping as much as I can but I still can't quite get my head around how to work cleanly without layers. Anyone out there have any guidelines for what that workflow might look like?

NX 7.5.4, NX 8.0.1.5
Tecnomatix Quality 8.0.1.3
PC-DMIS 2011 MR1

 

[eex23]

I think layers is usefull then you work with 2D data. For eg., our company designs and produces railway turnouts. We have few grip programs, which generates big 2D layout plans (just dumb lines, arcs ans so on, no any associativity). Then we use this 2D geometry as base for our 3D models. So layers is very handy working with 2D (similar to AutoCAD), for eg. you can create two layout plans, which has the same geometry, but diferent positions of sleepers. So put sleepers to diferent layers, and then you can easily make two draftings for two different layouts.
Workink with 3D models make some difference, for eg. you can use hide component in drafting, different reference sets (in assembly), show/hide datums/sheet bodies and so on.
But combining layers with reference sets can be extremely dangerous I think you know it