UFUNC vs Knowledge Fusion

[gergs]

This may get a bit long. Im looking for some opinions on the best tool to Automate some modeling processes. We basically want to drive Splines, Points and Surfaces interactively. We also want the ability to introduce new defining curves and points or delete them from the surface definitions interactively and update the model.

Im an old dinosaur. I have been driving one CADD tool or another for 25 years. I have a lot of experience in MACRO languages such as GRIP and others. I also can recognize the structure of UFUNC code because of this experience and struggle thru some C/C++ UFUNC code definition. Im a Designer/Modeler by trade not a Programmer. Because we are a small company I handle the CADD Admin as well. But I have made many programs over the years to help with various tasks.

With this in mind what would you recommend as the tool of choice to create code to preform tasks similar to what is mentioned above. Im looking for the easiest utility to code without an extensive C/C++ background. Or do I need to bite the bullet and attend some C/C++ courses to have any chance at getting this done. Too bad GRIP didnt keep up with all the new funtionality.

Thanks for your help guys,
GG

 

[Xwheelguy]

GG,

Not too sure I completely understand your desired intent when you say 'interactively driven' points, splines & surfaces. Do you mean that what you want UG to do is update everything no matter which entity (point, spline or surface) you choose to change?

Tim Flater
Senior Designer
Enkei America, Inc.

http://www.enkei.com

 

[looslib]

UG/Open API should have the tools to allow you to create an interactive program to do what you want.

My understanding of KF is that it provides the tools to do what you want, you just have to structure the information in a manner that KF can perform the operation.

You might also look at family tables, if your designs are variations of a 'standard' design.


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

Ben Loosli
CAD/CAM System Analyst
Ingersoll-Rand

 

[gergs]

Hi Tim,

What I want to do is create a surface thru splines. And the Splines thru some points. Then I want to add new defining strings and remove them as requirements change. Like Edit Feature Remove String in UG. But I also want to move the defining points around that define the splines to change the shape. Also if requirements dictate I want to add and remove points from the defining splines. I want the user to select from a Panel to do these operations from data files that contain the coords of the splines and delete or add redundant splines as the definition changes. Maybe the Data file has a Spline count.

In the old GRIP days I could do all of this. But I would delete the original and replace it with the new version. Now I want to update as I would within UG by editing feature. GRIP is useless for this since it stopped adding hooks to the parametric features a few revs back.

Which tool would you recommend to do this with the least amount of programming background? Which can do the most driving geometry like this? Remember I dont just want to revise the data of the original I want to add new data and remove data that defines the original. I know I can do this all within UFUNC. Im just wondering if KF is better for a Novice Programmer.

Thanks!!!
GG

 

[Xwheelguy]

I understand your desire to make the interface smooth & easy for users...but it sounds to me like you can just import the point sets, define Studio splines through them & then create surfaces. If you wish to change points, import the corresponding "second" set of points then edit the Studio spline & the surface will update. This should work fine, but I can see where it could possibly get messy if you're working with point sets that lie close together or even overlap.

I have no experience with any of the UFUNC or Open/API modules, so I'm not sure what all a user could do with it. However I am quite interested in them. Do either of you know where I could get information on either of these modules...sort of an example of the programming or language & then some images of what it does in UG? Also how long would it take to come up with a working program like the one GG desires?

Tim Flater
Senior Designer
Enkei America, Inc.

http://www.enkei.com

 

[gergs]

Hey Tim,

I can send you some general info. Im kind of swamped right now but next week maybe I'll email you some example code and some write ups.

If anyone else has any Knowledge Fusion experience let me know what you think. I have heard and seen some cool stuff. Just wondering how difficult it is to create code in it.


Thanks,
GG

 

[Xwheelguy]

I'd appreciate any info you can provide. Thanks GG.

Tim Flater
Senior Designer
Enkei America, Inc.

http://www.enkei.com