sketching 3D, new user

[MrDayshift]

Hi, NX6 question. I want to sketch directly off existing geometry but everything I create is 2D only selected plane. Is there sketch 3D?

I'm a new user, please be patient.

 

[looslib]

No, sketches are always created as 2D geometry.


"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."

Ben Loosli

 

[MrDayshift]

Ok then, I have an extruded hole, one face (end) of the hoel is convex and the other end is sliced at an angle. If I could inset a center line then I could create a plane at the end of the line right?

Also, even sketching 2D can you specify a depth or distance from the plane?

I'm a new user, please be patient.

 

[jerry1423]

Can you show a picture of it?

 

[MrDayshift]

I think I have attached the file properly. All the surfaces near the hole are tilted or curved. I've only been able to use vertical lines for plane set up so far. I've tried to create a slice half way down the hole, but with no luck.

What I would like is to be able to insert a vector along the length of the hole so I can set a plane perp to the vector. This is the beginnings of a local drilling jig.

I'm a new user, please be patient.

 

[cowski]

Which version of NX?

If the hole surface is cylindrical (or conical) you should be able to attach a datum axis to it. Depending on your version, when you cursor over the surface a centerline may appear that you can pick to place your datum axis. You can then use the datum axis to help define a datum plane.

If the hole surface turns out to be a B-surface, all bets are off.

 

[MrDayshift]

That was NX6. Thanks Cowski, looks like it will work.

I'm a new user, please be patient.

 

[MrDayshift]

As a comment after the fact, sketching must be done on a plane and basic curves are used for creating 3d lines.

I'm a new user, please be patient.

 

[cowski]

You can also use multiple sketches to achieve a "3D line", but in many cases basic curves is the way to go.

 

[ewh]

By "basic curves", are you implying that it is not a good idea to use associative curves? My understanding is that sketch curves are by default associative and not "basic" unless brought in as "existing curves". It wouldn't be the first time I've been mistaken though.

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

 

[cowski]

Actually, I simply forgot to mention associative curves. They lie somewhere between basic curves and sketches. They have more 'smarts' than basic curves, but in my experience I have found them a bit unpredictable.

 

[raysapp]

I hesitate to bring this up but Solidworks has a 3d sketcher and although the majority of sketches are and should be planar, there are times when it's pretty convenient. It might have something to do with the ability to constrain the geometry, as well the tidy, self contained nature of a sketch. Just a thought.

Ray S
NX 7.0.1.9

http://www.appliedprecisionproducts.com

 

[uwam2ie]

look at this resource you will see how 3d sketching in nx work:

http://www.osewald.de/tipps und tricks daten/NX5/leitung/leitung1.wmv

 

[MrDayshift]

hey, thanks everyone, I'll be back soon I'm sure.

I'm a new user, please be patient.

 

[raysapp]

Thanks for the video. I realize that generally speaking anything SW can do, NX can do as well or better. I still hold that there's a certain organizational convenience to a bundled 3-d sketch with explicit constraints.

Ray S
NX 7.0.1.9

http://www.appliedprecisionproducts.com