Sketch and/or features?

[CAD2015]

I start almoust every model in UG with a Sketcher. Most of the times I can create a lot of details using skecher geometry only(for instance, a circle in Sketcher insteed of Hole in Modeling, Fillet in Sketcher insteed of Blend, etc).
I'd like to know which option should I use:
A) To simplify the Sketcher as much as possible and add
features
B) To use as much as possible Sketcher geometry and add in Modeling only the featurea which can not be created in Sketcher.
Thanks

 

[hudson888]

Nx is designed to be fully flexible. You can bet that the features were put there with a purpose in mind. It is not to say that you can't sketch many things but I'm sure that the reason why you ask the question is because you rightly suspect that there is a lot more value to be had using all of the tools that it provides instead of just one of them.

If you use NX-5 or higher then you're starting to see holes created from sketches. It is a very good example where you may quickly realise that a threaded counterbored hole is more than just a circle in a sketch. It can much more easily be created with the hole feature than by defining sketches for all the aspects of each hole.

Similarly you mention blends and with those you will find that blending edges is far more flexible and capable of better results than using corner radii in the sketcher on many if not most occasions.

Neither A nor B is a 100% correct answer in every case. It is a matter of learning other tools in order to be comfortable with when and where it is appropriate to use them. I in fact use fewer sketches than most people but more than quite a few, so I'm more on the A side, but I have been using NX for a long time so some of what I do others might say is a tad old school.

I seldom spend too much time worrying about how many features are in the tree and I always try to keep things as quick and simple as possible. I model how I think and spend less time in planning my approach than others. I like to visualise the object emerging as I go along. Having to construct the entire result in my head before I commence is something that really gives me a headache and I don't like to work that way.

I hope that answer helps you somehow. Your question is subjective to some extent so in most things do what seems simplest to you.

Best Regards

Hudson

www.jamb.com.au

Nil Desperandum illegitimi non carborundum

 

[jerry1423]

I strongly suggest that you use the hole feature for holes, and the blend feature for rounded corners and fillets. It will make life so much easier for you.

Can you make your question a bit more clear? or maybe give an example of what you are doing, maybe even attach a part file so better things can be suggested for you.

Do not try to rewrite the "best practices" book on NX. I have seen too many people try to do that.

 

[ewh]

There's a "best practices" book???;-)

My experience has been similar to Hudson's; I use sketches to control geometry that is not readily available as a feature. The advice to use the hole and blend commands instead of embedding them in a sketch is especially important when the model has to be revised. It is much easier (for me at least) to manipulate individual features than to modify a complex sketch to obtain the desired result.

"Good to know you got shoes to wear when you find the floor." - [small]Robert Hunter[/small]

 

[jerry1423]

I am really not sure if there is a "best practices" book but I know there is (or was) a class on it.

 

[MickyV007]

If working with "changing" parts like for example a rod thats being cut and bended and cut again in a production flow, here by my experience is to best work with the sketcher envoirement. You can put the parameters of your sketch (or multiple sketches) in a family table and create the different models needed.

If you just have the need to make one model/part, then you can create basic shapes with sketching and use the features for finishing.

Best regards

Michaël