Using array in sketches.. 1

[ChadPoe]

Hello,

Im very new to SE (coming over from SW), and I have a couple very basic questions.
Im trying to draw a sketch similar to this;

http://imgur.com/o5gQMPi

However, for the life of me I cannot figure out where the array command is.

So I tried to do it a different way, and just use the copy command. But this is the problem I would run into, instead of being able to choose which point I want to copy from, it automatically makes me choose a point that does not allow me to connect the lines together.

http://imgur.com/4fBFa7K

The red circle represents the automatic copy point, the black circle represents the copy point I would like to use.

Thank you guys very much for your help!

 

[swertel]

Conspicuously missing from the Solid Edge sketcher is a pattern / array command.
You can use COPY, and copy it multiple times, but each instance of the copy does not automatically create a Connect relationship, so you'll have a disjoint sketch.
The COPY command does allow you to pick the starting and end point. The start point is not automatic. If I could see your workflow, I could tell where the problem is. I'm sorry to say, it is a PEBKAC error, though.

Finally, can you explain why you are including that much detail within a sketch?
I'd start by extruding a rectangle.
Then I'd cut out one of the square slots.
Then I'd feature pattern the cutout.

--Scott
www.wertel.pro

 

[ChadPoe]

Thats a much better idea. I was just used to doing it in SW where you can easily array a sketch and just extrude the sketch. I'll give it a shot doing it the way you suggest.

Just for future reference, how do I choose a starting point when using the COPY command? I select the lines, press control + c, and then paste using control + v and it automatically selects that start point. Im assuming there is a much better way of doing it?

Its frustrating switching from SE to SW and not knowing how to do the basics. Thanks for your time though!

 

[KENAT]

Unless it's changed in newer versions, use the move command and toggle on the copy button rather than 'copy & paste'. This allows you to control where you put your copy.

Like swertel implies, one of the ways SE seems different is it's a bit more feature based and less sketch based than SW - even in the older non ST versions. For instance typical workflow is to create the sketch for a cutout or protrusion on the the fly within the feature, rather than creating a separate sketch feature and then using that to create a feature.

Posting guidelines faq731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[jettocrack]

Arrays in sketches are not usually a good idea. Having using SW along with SE I can just say that that option should be always avoided. Drawing just a rectangle to cut and then apply the array to the cut operation is a much better option.

Working this way, if the number of cuts changes (for example they become bigger) you should not have any problems. If the number of lines within the sketch changes, you should get into many issues.

Keep your sketches the simpler possible ALWAYS, no matter which software you are using and what options are available. Be careful with SW, it has sooo many features that is easy for users going the wrong way.

If you dive into SW tutorials, courses or what you prefer, one of the first things you'll hear about pattern in sketches is: AVOID THEM MOST OF THE TIME

As TD, and from my experience, most people get good formation about commands but there's little (or wrong) knowledge about modeling strategies, which are not linked to any software in particular. Whenever you miss some specific functionality in your software which you can't find, try to think if there's a real need for that feature, since most of the time the answer is NO.

 

[beachcomber]

Just to add to jetto's excellent post - I would create a sketch for the slot profile and also include the pattern profile in there.

bc.
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