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Student Guide
September
2006
Manual History
Course Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Intended Audience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Classroom Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
General Course Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
NX Roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
How to Use This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Classroom System Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Extrude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Extrude Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Multi-Body Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Procedure: Simple Extrusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Activity - Extruding with Offsets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10
Revolve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14
Display of Multiple Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-15
Activity - Creating a Revolve Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16
Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-18
Activity - Using Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-19
Draft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-21
Draft Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-22
Activity - Creating Drafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-25
Edge Blend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-34
Emboss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Emboss Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Activity - Creating an Emboss Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Divide Face . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-13
Activity - Using Dividing Face . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-14
Variational Sweep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-17
Activity - Creating a Variational Sweep Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Polygon Subdivision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Offset Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Activity - Creating an Offset Surface from Sewn Surfaces . . . . . 9-26
Activity - Creating Offset Surfaces Using the Allow Step
Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-51
PMI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-1
The PMI Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-2
Activity - PMI Annotations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-4
PMI Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-14
The PMI Annotation Plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-15
Activity - Defining the PMI Annotation Plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-17
Inheriting PMI Data into a Drafting View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-26
Procedure: To inherit PMI annotations into a drawing view . . . 15-27
Activity - Inheriting PMI Data into a Base Drawing View . . . . 15-28
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-37
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Index-1
The CAD Transition course is designed to familiarize users with the new and
enhanced functionality of NX 4 in relation to NX 2. It covers Gateway,
Visualization, various Modeling categories, as well as Assemblies, Sketcher,
Shape Studio, Drafting and PMI. There are brief activities where warranted.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for those making a conversion from NX 2 to NX 4.
It highlights the differences in design functionality between the different
NX versions.
Prerequisites
Basic understanding of NX 2
NX user interface
Classroom Parts
You do not have the system privilege to modify any of the parts provided with
this course. If you attempt to do so, you will get a system message saying that
the file is Read Only and that you cannot save the changes. However, this
does not restrict you from working on these files.
You can use the FileSaveAs option to save a copy of the current
part under a different name. This allows you to modify the part and
save the changes, if desired.
NX Roles
The activities in this course assume that you are using the Advanced with
full menus role. If your system is set to use a different role, you may see a
different set of icons and toolbars in NX. Roles let you control the appearance
of the user interface. In the case of the Essentials role, not all the toolbars
and icons referred to in this course will be turned on. That is because of the
extra space required in the toolbar to show the icon text.
It is important that you use the Student Guide in the sequence presented
because later lessons assume you have learned concepts and techniques
taught in an earlier lesson. If necessary, you can always refer to any previous
activity where a method or technique was originally taught.
The format of the activities is consistent throughout this manual. Steps are
labeled and specify what will be accomplished at any given point in the
activity. Below each step are action boxes which emphasize the individual
actions that must be taken to accomplish the step. A toolbar icon may also
appear at the end of the action text indicating that you may perform the
same command from a toolbar icon. As your knowledge of NX increases, the
action boxes will seem redundant as the step text becomes all that is needed
to accomplish a given task.
Step 1: Open the mypart part. (The prt extension is always assumed)
Select FileOpen.
While working through lesson activities, you will experience a higher degree
of comprehension if you read the CUE and Status lines.
1 Gateway General
Purpose
This lesson will familiarize you with what is new in the NX 4 Gateway
application.
Objectives
After completing this lesson you will be familiar with the following topics:
Starting NX Applications
QuickPick Enhancements
Units Control
Measurements
1
Starting NX Applications The Application menu has been replaced in NX 4 with a
Start menu, similar to Windows. The Start menu is located at the top-left
where you can easily find it. The common applications are placed at the top-
level menu and a complete list including more advanced applications are
placed under a cascade menu.
1
Access to Load Options Dialog from the File Selection Dialog
A new button has been added to the Open Part File dialog. The Option
button will allow you to directly access the Load Options dialog from the
File Selection dialog. The availability of this option applies to both Windows
and to UNIX.
Windows: UNIX:
1
QuickPick Enhancements
The user interface for the QuickPick menu has been enhanced in this release.
The QuickPick menu now consists of a dialog which clearly lists the objects
you can choose from.
NX 4
NX 2
Launching the QuickPick menu remains unchanged. Position the cursor over
the desired object and wait for the QuickPick indicator (dot-dot-dot
appended) to appear. Click MB1 (left button) to display the QuickPick menu.
Once the QuickPick menu is displayed, you will have the option to specify
categories which will allow you to focus the available list.
1
QuickPick Selection Preferences
The upper portion of the Selection Preferences dialog has been streamlined.
NX 4 NX 2
Some of the options were renamed while two of them were changed to be
controlled in a different manner as stated below:
NX 4 NX 2
Cursor Radius Radius
Cursor Crosshairs Crosshairs
Preview Selection Preselection
QuickPick on Delay Automatic Confirmation
(QuickPick is automatically
Place Quick Pick near cursor
near cursor)
(objects controlled by Selection Sketches/Bodies/Features &
toolbar) All Objects
1
Activity - Using QuickPick
Step 1: Use QuickPick to identify a selectable features.
Open the features part.
You want to select the chamfer at the left back of the part.
However, if you place the cursor on the face, the top face of the
block appears to be selected. Use QuickPick to identify and select
the chamfer.
Move the cursor to the middle of the chamfer and leave it
there until it turns into the QuickPick indicator (dot-dot-dot
appended).
The QuickPick indicator will appear if more than one object lies
under the cursor. In this case, the block feature and the chamfer
feature.
1
Press MB1 to display the QuickPick menu.
This allows you to cycle through the list to highlight the desired
object.
You can also use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move
up and down through the list.
1
There are several methods to selecting an object from the
QuickPick menu, you can click in the object list directly or
use MB1 or the <Enter> key when the desired object is
highlighted in the list.
1
Combining of Selection Modes
Selection mode management has been revamped for NX 4 and works in
conjunction with the new QuickPick function. In previous releases, there
were three selection modes:
Select Features
Select Components
1
Selection Control and Assemblies
In the case of assemblies, there are selection issues when it comes to working
between the Work Part and non-work parts.
When working in an assembly, if you are selecting objects within the Work
Part, selection priority works as outlined above, but if you select outside of
the Work Part, the selection priority becomes component regardless of
any other specified priority.
Example: If you have selection priority set to Feature and you place the
cursor over a face within the Work Part, then the feature the face belongs to is
the first selection candidate. If you place the cursor over a face on a non-work
part, then the component the face belongs to is the first selection candidate.
Within Work Part Only this limits any selection criteria to the work
part; you will not be able to select components even if the selection priority
is specified as Component.
1
Activity - Using NX 4 Selection Modes
In this activity you will explore how the new combined selection modes work.
This is an exploratory exercise, no geometry will be created.
Step 1: Set up the part to investigate selection modes.
Open the ant_sub_assembly part.
Make sure the Selection toolbar is available and that the Type
Filter is set to Any, Select Scope is set to Entire Assembly and
1
The QuickPick dialog comes up showing both the top priority
(Feature) and other possible selections.
Again, move the cursor over objects other than the top. This
time no components or geometry are preselected or referenced. This
is helpful when selecting objects in the Work Part of an assembly
where other non-work part geometry may get in the way of a clear
selection.
Change the selection scope control pull-down back to Entire
Assembly.
1
Position the cursor over the long cylindrical shaft of the
antenna and wait for the QuickPick indicator, then select.
Note that even though the selection priority is set to Face, that the
first priorities are components, then faces.
Step 3: Experiment with the various priority settings to see how they work
in conjunction with other filtering options of the Selection toolbar.
1
Mouse Gesture Enhancements More mouse gesture enhancements have been
implemented to provide quicker access to common functionality using simple
mouse gestures performed in the graphics window.
1
View Rotation About a Preselected Object
You now have a more convenient way to redefine the center of rotation (COR)
for dynamic rotation. A new gesture, MB2-Hold, lets you redefine the center
of rotation at the closest possible location on the model; you can then just
"drag" for rotation about the new center of rotation.
1
Double Click on Selected Object for Default Action
Prior to NX 4, double-clicking on objects while in Global Selection (where
you select objects prior to invoking an operation to act on them) was only
supported for objects that were not already selected. Any other selected
objects would be automatically deselected while the object that was
double-clicked would become selected, with the Default Action being
performed on just that object.
In NX 4, the double-click gesture is also supported on already selected objects.
The behavior is essentially the same: all objects except the double-clicked
object are automatically deselected, and the Default Action is performed on
just that one object.
1
Radial Pop-ups
Radial pop-ups provide fast access to important functions by allowing you to
quickly select graphic options instead of reading through text on a linear
menu.
Radial pop-ups can be used on preselected objects; you no longer have to
select an object to be able to interact with it. wherever you can access the
standard pop-up menu with MB3.
A radial pop-up displays up to eight small icon graphics that surround the
cursor location.
1
These icons represent a subset of application-specific options you can choose
just as you would from a menu.
Which radial pop-up is displayed at any particular time depends on what type
of object is selected.
There is a neutral zone in the very center. Shared items for Object Specific
Popup (such as Edit Parameter or Properties) appear in a consistent location
regardless of the number of items in the popup list.
1
Activity Overview of Radial Pop-ups
With the cursor over one of the fixture lifting eye ring
components, hold down MB3.
1
Because you are at the top assembly level and are using
Components, you get a subset of the MB3Click
Move the cursor straight up until the cursor is over the Mating
Conditions icon , then release.
1
Using MB3Hold over the same lifting eye ring, release MB3
Note that because you are working on the feature level, you get
a different set of radial choices. Of course, different features
will yield different options.
Keep the cursor in the neutral center zone and release MB3 to
close the radial pop-up without selection.
1
Move the cursor over the lower revolved body of the lift eye and
use MB3Hold to invoke a radial pop-up.
Keep the cursor in the neutral center zone and release MB3 to
close the radial pop-up without selection.
1
Selection Intent User Interface
In NX 4 the user interface for Selection Intent has been updated to:
Make selection interface options more discoverable
1
Selection Intent Options Dialog
Some options have been removed from the Selection Intent Options dialog.
The Chain and Chain Tangent options have been removed since they are
superseded by Add Connected and Add Tangent Chain. The old options of
Chain Between and Tangent Angle have remained.
NX 2 NX 4
Note also that Stop At Intersection has moved from the dialog to the toolbar
and a new option, Follow Fillet, has been added.
Follow Fillet
The new Follow Fillet option on the Selection Intent toolbar provides the
ability to automatically follow (and leave) a fillet or any circular curve for
functions that require a section such as extrude or revolve.
Follow Fillet maintains design intent while reducing the number of selections
necessary to define a section that is based on a sketch with a lot of fillets and
whose component lines have not been trimmed.
1
Activity - Using Follow Fillet
The intent here is to create an extrusion by defining a section that uses the
tangent curves on all the corners of the sketch without having to use Stop At
Intersection or trim any geometry.
Step 1: Open the follow_fillet part and make sure the Modeling application
is started.
Select the upper right fillet as the start point of the selection.
1
As soon as the selection is made, the curve rule, i.e. Tangent
Curves, acts in conjunction with the Follow Fillet option to select
all the curves that are tangent and use fillets.
1
Units Control
In previous releases, the display of information was limited to the five
standard unit families. It is now possible to select your own custom units
based on your needs. You can set your own default unit through the Units
Manager. (AnalysisUnitsUnits Manager).
The Units pull-down will reflect this as Custom. The Custom unit name has
been added to the Units pull-down menu indicating that the default unit is
not one of the five standard unit families.
lb in
lb ft g
mm g
cm kg
m
Custom
1
Measurements
In NX 4, you can now measure distances, lengths, angles, volumes, and
areas interactively with visual feedback. When you enter a measurement
function, the system displays multiple measurement options in the graphic
display area allowing you to select the exact distance, angle, or volume that
you want to measure.
Distance
Angle
1
In addition, there are some new additions to the Analysis main menu
pull-down:
When any of these options are chosen, the icon options change:
All these options available through the icon option bar, although accessed in a
different way, are functionally the same as in previous releases. The Keep
Maximum Distance
You can now measure Maximum Distance between object types. The
interaction for maximum distance is the same as the current interaction for
minimum distance. After you select the first object, NX displays a ruler
showing the maximum distance.
The object types for Measure Maximum Distance are a subset of the types
supported for Minimum Distance. For maximum distance to a datum plane,
NX returns distance normal to the datum plane.
Radial Distance
1
Measurements and the Part Navigator
Once a measurement is kept, it is available in the Part Navigator in the
Measures folder, along with its corresponding dependencies and details.
1
In addition to listing Measurements that have been kept, you can also
create Measurement expressions directly from the Expressions dialog using
the Measurements pull-down located in the More section of the dialog.
1
Measurements and Modeling Functions
In addition to storing Measurements as modeling expressions, the same
measurement options that are available through Analysis are available "on
the fly" to facilitate the creation of new expressions.
1
Activity Using Measurements
In this activity, you will experiment with several of the Measurement
options.
1
Select, in order, the edges shown.
Once you are satisfied with your selection, choose the Keep
Measure icon then click MB2.
1
Expand the Measures node down a couple of levels.
Detailed View
Choose ToolsExpression.
1
Set Listed Expressions to Measurements.
1
Use the pull-down in the graphics area to set the measurement
to Mass.
Choose OK.
1
Multiple Graphics Windows [Windows platforms only]
In NX 4 you have the ability to set up multiple graphics windows for the
current displayed part, enabling you to see and work on your displayed part
from different angles.
1
Characteristics of Multiple Windows
You can have as many multiple windows as you want.
You can maneuver the windows manually or use the Tile or Cascade
options in the Window menu pull-down.
Static and dynamic graphic input fields move to the window that is made
active.
Static and dynamic input fields move and work between multiple graphic
windows.
In the New Window dialog that appears, select a view in the model to be
the new window and OK.
Cascade
1
Summary
In this lesson you:
learned about the new Start option for NX Applications
became aware that you have access to the Load Options dialog from File
Selection
became acquainted with how Select Modes have been combined and
enhanced
2 Gateway Customization
2
Purpose
This lesson introduces the new changes and enhancements to customize the
user interface in NX 4.
Objectives
After completing this section, you will be familiar with the following
enhancements in the gateway functionality.
Toolbar and Menu Customization
Roles
Customer Defaults
The Save Layout and Reset Layout options have moved to a new Layout page
in the Customize dialog:
Commands Page
The Commands page has changed slightly; in NX 4 you can customize
toolbars by dragging and dropping (more about this later).
Options Page
The Options page is still where you can define icon preferences.
NX 4 now remembers how often you use certain menu options and will reflect
your frequently used options in your "folded", or truncated menus.
Show Full Menus After a Short Delay: is the default condition. This means a
truncated, or "folded" menu will display fully after a few moments:
2 "folded" menu full menu
Reset Folded Menus rolls back all folded menus back to the default condition
(i.e. menu frequency of usage is reset).
The options that control Cue/Status line position and docking are now on
the Layout page.
The cue/status line continues to be available in both a top and bottom docked
location. For NX 4, the top location is now specified as just above the graphics
window. When this option is set it will take effect immediately and will not
require you to restart your session.
2
To drag and drop NX user interface objects (icons, menu options) you must be
in the Customize mode (the Customize dialog displayed).
When you are in Customize mode, there are several other icon customization
options available by using MB3 over an icon.
These options determine the look of your toolbar along with some editing
options to further customize your toolbar.
Select the desired command in the Commands pane (example: Fit) and
drag/drop it into the desired toolbar (1), menu bar (2), menu options (3) or
cascading menu (4).
Optional: Use MB3 over the command object (icon, menu option etc.)
being customized to change its default appearance, name etc.
Using the Toolbars tab, make sure that the View toolbar is on.
2
You decide you want the Section icon to reside in the main
menu bar just ahead of the Tools option, not in the View
toolbar. You have two options:
You can select the Section command from the Commands pane
of the Customize dialog and drag/drop it up in the menu bar,
much like you did for adding it to the View toolbar.
You can select the Section icon from the toolbar where you just
added it and drag/drop it up in the menu bar.
For the sake of experience, you will do the second procedure
here.
Using MB1, select the Section icon from the View toolbar. ;
keep the mouse button pressed down.
With MB1 still pressed down, drag the icon up to the main
menu until you see the drop-in bar just in front of the Tools
option.
Release MB1.
Note that you now have the Section icon in your main menu.
Did you notice cursor symbols change as you did your drag
and drop?
Did you also notice that the icon was physically removed from
the View toolbar?
Using MB3, select the Zoom icon ; keep the mouse button
pressed down.
With MB1 still pressed down, drag the selection to the View
toolbar, positioning it as the last item in the toolbar, then
release MB1.
If you do not want the whole cascade menu of a menu bar entry,
but just one option from the cascade, you can do this using the
Customize dialog.
Step 6: Add a single item from a menu bar option list to a toolbar.
In the Customize dialog, click on the Analysis entry in the
Categories side of the dialog.
The commands associated with the Analysis option are
displayed in the Commands pane.
With MB1 still pressed down, drag the entry over to the View
toolbar, positioning it after the Information entry you just
added, then release MB1.
2
You now have the AnalysisAngle option available on the
Utility toolbar.
In the Commands pane, select the Undo List command (it has
a right-arrow signifying more options).
Drag the Undo List entry over to the View toolbar and drop it
in as the last item in the toolbar
You now have a second-level cascade menu from the main menu
in your toolbar (the Information menu you added earlier was
2 a top-level menu).
Once you get your options into the toolbar, stretch its width
so you can see its title.
In the Commands pane, select the New Menu > entry and
drag/drop it as the last item in your my_gateway_toolbar.
With the cursor over the New Menu entry, use MB3 and key in
a new Name of my_menu_1, then Enter.
As you can see, the new NX 4 customization tools provide you with
the ability to create an interface to streamline your work.
Step 9: Experiment some more on your own. When you are finished:
Delete any custom toolbars you have made.
2. Select (toggle on) the View pop-up button. The View pop-up menu is
displayed.
Procedure:
1. Use the Categories list (1) to navigate to the desired command.
2. The Command list (2) will display the command name and the command
ID of the currently selected item (from the Categories list).
3. Current keys (6) lists shortcut keys that are already assigned to the
command selected in the Categories list (1). The Used in column will
indicate if the shortcut key is global or applicationspecific.
4. Place your cursor in the new shortcut key field (3) and enter a valid
shortcut key combination on your keyboard.
6. Choose the Assign button (5) to create the new shortcut key.
Roles
In NX 4, new portals to NX functionality called Roles have been implemented
for organizing various workflows and making NX easier to use by offering
discreet tool sets that pare down NX into logical groups of functionality.
2
In addition, you can create individual user roles based on your own
customized NX session interface, or roles can be defined based on specific NX
needs of various departments or disciples within a company and be added as
separate, protected role palettes. You can also access legacy .mtx files.
Default Roles
By default, when you begin an NX 4 session you are presented with a core
set of functionality but more specific Roles (sets of tools) can be accessed
These prepackaged roles represent a starting point from which you can
customize the NX user interface and save as a personal role.
User-Defined Roles
It is important to understand that as a user, there are two different
repositories where user-defined roles can be defined:
2 The User folder where you can store your individual roles that reflect
your personal user interface layouts with their specific menus, toolbars
etc. Note the specific resource bar tab and the title of the fly-out window.
Because these personal roles are yours, the .mtx files that define your
roles reside in your home directory.
In Windows, these roles reside in:
\Documents and Settings\<yourname>\Local Settings\Application
Data\Unigraphics Solutions\NX4\roles
You can also define roles as a new palette which references roles in a
directory of your designation. Note the specific resource bar tab and the
title of the fly-out window.
In a blank area of the Roles palette chick MB3. This will bring up the
pop-up
Click on New User Role in the pop-up. This brings up the Role Properties
dialog.
1. Name of the .mtx file as
stored
2. Name of Role as
referenced in
your NX interface
3. Graphic to be used as
Role icon; type in name
or Browse
4. Area to provide a
description of the role.
5. Window showing
application(s)
referenced in Role
6. Toggles to structure
Role; Current Only
is used to capture a
customized interface
Choose the Roles tab on the resource bar and pin the
Roles pane.
icon.
This is the name of your role as it will appear in the resource bar
Roles pane.
The procedure for creating a new palette of roles, perhaps for a department or
group, is somewhat different. An overview of the general procedure follows.
It is important to have all the toolbars, menus etc. set the way you
2
want them prior to creating a role. If you decide later you want
additional customizations saved with a specified role, you will have
to recreate the role.
Navigate to the directory you want the new Role palette to point to. This
creates a tab on the resource bar.
Choose Create.
Summary
In this lesson you:
became familiar with how to customize your toolbars and menus.
2
learned about new NX 4 Roles and how they can customize your interface
3 Visualization
Purpose 3
To familiarize you with what is new in NX 4 Visualization functionality.
Objectives
After completing this lesson you will be familiar with the following
enhancements to visualization.
View Rendering Style which features dynamic hidden line updating
3 NX 2 NX 4
Wireframe options Options
NX 2 NX 4
MB3Display Mode MB3Rendering Style
Wireframe Shaded with Edges
Shaded
Shaded
3
Partially Shaded Wireframe with Dim Edges
Invisible
Type The Type options let you determine how many planes (up to 6) to use
when sectioning your model.
1 plane
2 plane
Sectioning is done using two clipping
planes which can be oriented using
the Section Plane icons.
Dynamic handles can be positioned on
either plane by selecting the desired
plane to be the active clipping plane.
Section Plane/Volume
The Section Plane/Volume options let you determine the X,Y,Z orientation of
the section planes (in conjunction with the Type options). In addition, you can
invoke the Plane dialog to specify a sectioning plane to your specifications.
XC Plane Orientation
3
Sectioning is done using the XC axis
as the Normal clipping plane axis.
YC Plane Orientation
ZC Plane Orientation
Toggles
3 This option works in conjunction with the 2 Planes and Box types. When
Move 1 Plane is in effect, one selected plane will be the clipping plane; when
Move All Planes is in effect, all planes (within the designated Type) will be
clipping planes.
When the tooltip of the icon reads Move 1 Plane, Move All Planes
is in effect. When the tooltip reads Move All Planes, Move 1 Plane
is in effect.
Cap Display
The capping of clipped bodies provides a much better feel for the sectioned
model. There are four choices: No capping, Capping with a specified color,
Capping by Body Color and Body Color plus Interference.
Choose ViewOperationSection.
For immediate sectioning, you can start manipulating the dynamic
sectioning handles using the default conditions
Optional: Use the Section Toggle icon on the View toolbar or use
ViewOperation Section Toggle to go back and forth between
full model and sectioned model.
Step 4: Use the Dynamic Input field to rotate the clipping box 90 degrees.
Select the Y-Normal rotation handle, then key in an Angle of
90.
Note that the capping color reflects the component body color
during sectioning, that the whole sectioning box moves, not just
one plane and that if you drag it up high enough, the bottom
plane of the sectioning box starts clipping the bottom of the
assembly.
With layer 5 the Work Layer, make all other layers Invisible
Regardless of plane type used, there is one active plane at all times; the
"active" plane is the one displaying the Dynamic Positioning handles in
the center.
The last-used sectioning mode and active plane are remembered the next
time the Sectioning Definition dialog is launched.
3
The model is still all there even though part of it is not seen after
sectioning. In functions where selection is enabled, the object that
you hover over, expecting to pre-highlight often will not, because the
object that is being clipped out in Z is actually the one that would be
pre-highlighted. The "extraneous" objects show up in QuickPick.
Fit works on the entire model, not just on the subset of the model that
remains after sectioning.
When the Shade Exterior Faces option is selected, the warning dialog below
will be presented.
The warning is stating that any previously set partially shaded faces will
be reset. The dialog is also pointing out that this operation may be time
consuming when initiated, depending on the size of the model or number
of faces.
5 Modeling General
Purpose
This lesson will familiarize you with what is new in the general use of the
NX 4 Modeling application.
Objectives
After completing this lesson you will be familiar with the following new
general functionality in the Modeling application.
Edit with Rollback
5
Part Navigator enhancements
DesignLogic
5
Edit with Rollback is displayed on the MB3 pop-up menu for any feature
selected (or pre-selected) in the graphics window or Part Navigator.
Part Navigator
The Part Navigator for NX 4 has undergone significant functional and user
interface enhancements; these include:
New feature names are now displayed to match the menu bar names
for features.
A Model Views node that helps you organize 3D annotations that depend
on their view locations. Model views include standard orthographic views,
view sets, and user defined views.
An Unused Items node where objects within the model that have no
parent-child relationship are stored.
The grouping of objects (including sketches) using the MB3 popup menu
of an object. You can edit groups or objects that you add to them from
elsewhere in the tree. You can add the same object to multiple groups.
Feature Names
The Part Navigator and other dialogs now show new feature names that
match the menu bar names for features.
Part Navigator with Old Feature Part Navigator with New Feature
Names Names
NX 2 Name NX 4 Name
TAPER Draft
HOLLOW Shell
BRIDGESRF_SHEET Bridge Surface
BSURF_DEFORM Deform
BSURF_ISOTRIM Isoparametric Trim/Divide
If you wish to work with old-style names for a part for whatever reason, you
can set the preference on the Modeling Preferences dialog.
When using legacy parts, be sure to turn Timestamp Order off to get
the Part Navigator in NX 4 format. The Part Navigator for any new
models will automatically be in the NX 4 format.
notice new collections of different aspects of your model. These are meant to
organize your model to facilitate "browsing" your model for dependencies in:
Model Views
Features
5
Expressions
Reference Sets
Groups
Measures
Model views include standard orthographic views, view sets, and user defined
views. If you designate one of the views as the base view for a view set , all
the other views in that set update their orientations according to the base
view.
The View Set dialog lets you designate what views you want generated from
the current work view.
Create a View Set by placing the cursor over the Model Views node, then
using MB3Add View Set.
The View Set dialog will appear.
In the View Set dialog, designate the views you want in the View Set
and OK.
The designated View Set will be listed in the Part Navigator
Groups can now be added to reference sets. Members of a group that do not
individually belong to any reference set but do belong to a group that is in
a reference set will behave as if they were members of that reference set.
DesignLogic
In NX 4, there is a new project called DesignLogic that pervasively impacts
many design tasks that you might undertake. With DesignLogic, you can
more easily access, create, and associate parametric data as you build your
model.
Analysis
Sketching
window:
These options not only interactively determine measurements for input, but
also generate Analysis Object entities.
Here, you can access functions, geometry, spreadsheet data, or defined rules.
This lets you reference the defining parameters of the geometry you selected.
The Measurement Options When you use the Measure option, you get an icon
options bar of measurement options (the same ones available through
Analysis).
These options may vary depending on the features that you are creating or
editing.
Step 1: Create a new mm part named ***_units where *** is your initials
and start the Modeling application.
Key in 0.125 as the formula, accept the edit and choose OK.
Select Formula.
Common Options
When you choose Measure Length, Measure Bodies, or Measure Area the
above icon options bar displays. Measure Distance and Measure Angle
include these options and several more.
When you choose Measure Distance the Distance icon options bar appears.
Angle Options
When you choose Measure Angle the Angle icon options bar appears.
5
Inner Angle (the default) measures the angle inside the lines
of the angle
Outer (Major) Angle measures the angle outside the lines of
the angle
The Expressions dialog lists the value and units of each measurement, but
note that the formula column will always read (Measure). Measure refers
to the feature that was created. The name column will show the type and
timestamp of the measure feature, i.e.; distance; angle; and so on.
Measure features can be seen in the Part Navigator under the Measures node.
When you highlight a measure feature in the Part Navigator the associated
measurement expressions and their values are listed in the Details window,
and the Measure is highlighted in the graphics window.
Step 2: Create a 100 x 100 x 250 block, locate it at 0,0,0, and Fit the view.
5
Choose Datum Plane.
Select the datum plane and datum axis, enter 90 for the angle,
and choose Ctrl+MB2.
Select the new datum plane and the endpoint shown below
and choose MB2.
5
Choose Measure Distance.
Choose Hole.
Select the last datum plane just created as the placement face.
Choose Formula.
choose OK.
5
In the Expressions dialog, append * 0.8 to the formula for the
pending new Depth parameter. (The number after the word
distance may vary from the illustration.)
Choose Horizontal.
Key in or use the Copy name method to edit the value of the
CurrentParm to diagonal/2 and choose OK.
Step 6: Edit the values of the block feature to test the design intent.
In the graphics window, place your cursor over the block until
it pre-highlights and chose MB3Edit Parameters.
Repeat the edit to make p2 equal to 500 and again update the
part.
The hole remains on the midpoint of the diagonal.
Summary
In this lesson you:
Learned about the Edit with Rollback option.
Purpose
This lesson introduces the new changes and enhancements to Features in
the Modeling application in NX 4.
Objectives
In this section, you will learn about the following enhancements in NX 4:
Extrude
Revolve
Edge Blend
6
Chamfer
Datum CSYS
Datum Plane
Extrude
The Extrude function has undergone significant changes between the NX2
and NX 4 releases.
Dynamic Handles
Extrude now offers dynamic manipulation and input for the development
of extruded features.
You can also suppress their display by using F3 which is also used to
turn them back on.
You can also grab (MB1) and drag each field to a better position in the view.
Extrude Dialog
The Extrude dialog is used during creation and editing.
6
Specifying Geometry to Extrude
Direction
Boolean
Lets you choose a boolean operation for the extrusion. You can also move the
cursor over the extrusion preview and use the MB3 popup menu to choose
a boolean option.
Subtract Intersect
Select Boolean Target - When available, use this option to select the
target for the specified Boolean operation.
Limits
Symmetric Distance
Value - Enter a fixed value in the data entry
field or in the dynamic input box. Or you
can drag a distance using the Start and End
handles. You can put the Start and End
values on either side of the profile.
Trim - Lets you select a face, sheet body, or solid to mark the bounding
extent of the extrusion. This option is available only when you are creating
an extrusion using other objects to delimit its extents, instead of just
entering distances.
Offset
Offset adds up to two offsets to the extrusion. Offset is available from the icon
options, from the dialog, or using MB3. Values can be entered in the data
entry fields, in the dynamic input boxes. You can also drag the offset handles
in the graphics window. You can specify symmetrical offsets.
1. End - Enter a fixed value in the data entry field or in
the dynamic input box. Or you can drag a distance
using the Start and End handles. You can put the
Start and End values on either side of the profile.
Draft
Draft is available from the icon options, from the dialog, or using MB3. The
taper angle can be entered in the dialog entry field, in the dynamic input box,
or by dragging the taper handle in the graphics window.
Symmetric
Matched End
- NX2NX4 CAD Transition 6-7
Modeling Features, Part 1
Multi-Body Feature
When you create an Extruded feature, where multiple loops exist, the result
of this creation is a single (multi-body) feature; whereas in previous versions,
this would have resulted in multiple features.
For example, if you create an Extruded feature in NX 4 using a sketch with
multiple loops, you will get a single multi-body feature. You can check this in
the Part Navigator. If you subtract, unite, or intersect the single (multi-body)
feature, the result must be a single body.
Optional: If you are dragging the input handles to develop the extrusion,
you may want to use F3 to turn off the dynamic input boxes.
Drag the Limit handles, or use the Distance fields in the dialog or in the
dynamic input boxes to size the extrusion as desired. 6
Click OK
Step 1: Open the cdt_extrude part and start the Modeling application.
Enter .25 for the End (Offset) value and press Enter.
If the Offset drag handle is pointing away from the center of
the part, use a negative value for the End offset. If the Offset
drag handle is pointing toward the center of the part, use a
positive value.
Choose Apply.
Enter .25 for the End (Limit) value and press Enter.
Choose Apply.
Enter .075 for the End (Limit) value and press Enter.
Enter .15 for the Start (Offset) value and .275 for the End
(Offset) value and press Enter.
If the Offset drag handle is pointing away from the center of
the part, use positive values for the offsets. If the Offset drag
handle is pointing toward the center of the part, use negative
values. 6
Choose OK.
Revolve
The Revolve function and user interface is improved to work in a similar
way to that of Extrude.
There is no change in the function itself.
6 The dialog now includes three Selection Steps, the same as the Extrude dialog.
6 With the Select Section selection step active, select all the
edges in the front face of the part.
Shell
The Hollow function has been renamed to Shell and the dialog and user
interface have changed.
The old Hollow "Types" interaction has been replaced with face sets to
manage input selections and their constituent roles. Face sets work like edge
sets in the Edge Blend function.
Choose OK.
Draft
The Taper function has been renamed to Draft and the dialog and user
interface have changed. The new Draft allows you to change faces so that they
are angled relative to a certain draw direction. The drafted faces allow the
part or pattern, and its mold or die, to be easily separated.
Draft Dialog
There are four different draft types. Though the basic procedure is the same
for creating each draft type, the selection steps vary.
You need to specify at least the following inputs for the draft operation:
Draw direction
Stationary objects
Faces to draft
Draft angle
Stationary Plane
Faces to Draft
Stationary Edges
6
Variable Angle Point
Parting Edges
You want to draft the two holes on the end of the part.
In the dialog, an expression has been created for the default draft
angle of 10 degrees. You need a smaller draft angle for the two
holes.
A preview of the draft is shown as the faces are selected. You can
now see that the draft will make the hole larger, or reduce mass.
You actually want the hole to get smaller. 6
The draft preview now shows that the hole will get smaller.
You can now see that the holes diameter at the bottom face does
not change size when the draft is added. This is because the
bottom face was selected as the Stationary Plane to draft from.
6 The features size remains constant thru the stationary plane.
Choose Apply to create the draft.
Step 6: Draft both sides of the center rib; you want the top of the rib to
remain constant so you will use Draft from Stationary Edges
You can now see that the top of the rib width remained constant.
Step 8: The walls adjacent to the cylindrical pivot pad need draft. You
need to add draft that is tangent to the cylindrical face of the pivot
pad. The Draft Tangent To Faces type can be used in this case.
Select the cylindrical face and the three planar faces tangent to
the cylindrical face as shown:
Choose OK.
The three planar faces are drafted while maintaining the tangency
to the cylindrical face.
Edge Blend
The Edge Blend function is accessed by choosing the Edge Blend icon or
choose InsertDetail FeatureEdge Blend.
Blend multiple edge chains having different constant radii within one
feature (and within a single body). Chaining will not be allowed to proceed
onto invalid edges.
For blends, a connected edge can occur only at a vertex that has at least
one other edge thus comprising a branch condition, which terminates
the chain.
Select the two face groups for Face Blends by the selection of the edge
chain that connects them. Although this is a face blend capability, it will
be implemented within the Edge Blend enhancements. After using the
edge to select face groups for face blending, you will be able to select
additional faces for each group.
Specify a radius value for any vertex in an edge chain and for any point on
the edge chain. When needed, you will be able to create points on the edge
chain while working within the fillet operation.
Create stop blends, which are short of a designated vertex. You will be able
to create this on an individual edge chain and individual end vertex basis.
Create a blend that stops at a specified distance from the vertex. When
stop short is applied, an end cap will be created.
Smooth Edge Rollover You are now able to allow fillet surfaces to cross
smooth tangent edges onto adjacent rollover surfaces when the geometry
warrants it.
Twist Patches For areas where the rolling ball analogy breaks down
(e.g., self-intersections, etc.), you can allow for a twist patch result (as that
of Ideas). A default setting (on) of this option creates these twist patches.
Optionally turn the automatic preview off. The preview on-demand will
still be available if automatic preview has been turned off.
There is also a new icon on the dialog for displaying the results of the
completed blend (Show Results) without actually creating the feature. 6
You first want to create smart points at the faces of both circular faces of the
boss on the small body. These will be used to control the location of two of the
variable radius blend points on the lower edge of the other body.
Step 1: Open the edge_blend part and make sure the modeling application
6 is running.
Step 2: Create two associative points at the faces of both circular faces
of the boss on the small body. These will be used to control the
location of two of the variable radius blend points on the lower
edge of the other body.
Select the end of the edge that ends at the near side of the
circular boss (on the small body).
6
Rotate the view and create another associative point on the
other side of the boss.
With only the End Point icon active (on the Snap Point
toolbar), select the right end of the long edge being blended.
With only the End Point icon active (on the Snap Point 6
toolbar), select the left end of the long edge being blended.
With only the Existing Point icon (on the Snap Point
toolbar) active, select one of the two Associative Points you
created at the side of the boss on the smaller body.
With only the Existing Point icon (on the Snap Point
toolbar) active, select the other Associative Point you created at
the side of the boss on the smaller body.
Select the block handle on the right edge of the small block.
Chamfer
The Chamfer function is accessed by choosing the Chamfer icon or choose
InsertDetail FeatureChamfer.
Offset Method replaces the two sets of chamfer methods: the three simple
methods and the two Freeform methods.
Offset Edges Along Faces accomplishes the same thing as the old simple
chamfer methods. The offset values are applied along the faces that 6
intersect at the edge being chamfered.
Offset Faces and Trim does the same thing as the old Freeform methods.
With this option, the chamfer is calculated by offsetting the faces (that
intersect at the edge being chamfered) to determine the limit of the
chamfer faces.
Chamfer All Instances will apply the specified chamfer to all instances of the
selected edges (if they belong to instanced features).
Enable Preview allows the chamfer to be displayed prior to creation.
The Show Results icon displays the results of creating the feature
without actually creating it, When chosen, the icon changes to Undo Result.
Reverse Offsets reverses the faces the values of the offset are applied
to. This is only available for Asymmetric Offsets and Offset and Angle.
You can drag the Offset handle, or enter a value in the field.
If the angle is measured off the wrong face, choose the Reverse
Offsets icon
Choose OK.
Datum CSYS
The Datum CSYS function has been enhanced to provide an improved
appearance, a scale factor and, to offset CSYS objects, a rotate-translate
capability.
The representation of a Datum CSYS has changed.
The Datum CSYS creation is enhanced with Apply, so that you can create
many features in one use of the dialog.
You can control the Display Scale Factor of the Datum CSYS symbol in the
view. This can be done at the time of creation or editing. The default is set to
1.0. The size is relative to the size of the Work Coordinate System.
When creating an offset Datum CSYS, you can select the entire Datum CSYS
by selecting the members of the Datum CSYS. Also, offset Datum CSYS
objects can be translated and rotated in either order. The offset Datum CSYS
icon was moved to the right most icon to provide easier access.
Datum Planes
Datum Plane has been expanded to include more functionality.
Datum Plane construction in inferred mode is similar to methods used in NX
2. However, some methods have been enhanced.
For example, the center plane has been renamed to bisector plane, and it is
still created by selecting any pair of planar faces, planes, or datum planes;
and, an offset datum plane is still created by selecting the planar face. In NX
4, multiple offsets are also supported.
Reverse Normal lets you change the direction of the plane normal.
Double-clicking on the plane normal handle will do the same thing.
The Associative toggle on the Plane dialog lets you create associative
(toggled on) or non-associative planes (toggled off).
Two Lines creates a datum plane by selecting two existing lines. The
resulting plane contains the first line and is parallel to the second. If the two
lines are coplanar, then the plane will include both lines.
Using any type that works, select the two cylindrical faces.
With the cursor over one of the datum plane edge handles,
choose MB3Symmetric.
With the cursor over one of the datum plane edge handles,
choose MB3Reset Plane Size.
Use the Cycle Solutions icon to make sure the datum plane is
in front of both cylindrical faces.
Choose OK.
Create more datum planes using some of the other types on the
datum plane dialog to experiment with the new datum plane
functionality.
6
Step 3: Close all parts when you are done.
Summary
In this lesson you learned about the enhancements to the following modeling
features:
Extrude
Revolve
Shell
Draft
Edge Blend
Chamfer
Datum CSYS
Datum Plane
Purpose
This lesson will familiarize you with what is new in the features functionality
of NX 4 Modeling application.
Objectives
In this lesson, you will learn about the following enhancements:
Body Taper
Trim Body
Spherical Corner
Dart
Replace Feature
Body Taper
After selecting the parting object and the draw direction, the process will
automatically progress to the next selection step.
You can add taper to multiple bodies in the same feature. They will all
use the same parting object, draw direction, and draw angle.
7 the feature was applied. This can cause previously divided faces to be
merged back to their pre-divide state. In NX 4 that no longer happens
faces are not merged. Body taper features in existing NX files will
continue to merge on update. Newly added features will not merge.
You are going to create a single Body Taper feature for both solids,
and then edit it several ways.
Using Tangent Curves, select all the edges on the bottom of the
two solid bodies.
Enter 15 degrees for the Draw Angle, and turn on Match taper.
7 Choose OK on the dialog twice.
Select the two circular edges and the rear linear edge on the
top of the solid on the left.
Now you are going to replace the parting datum plane with
another.
Select the datum plane above the one you just deselected.
Trim Body
The user interface and dialogs have changed for the Trim Body function. A
Preview switch has been added to better understand the results prior to
completing the feature.
The second selection step is switch-able between two icons: one is for
selection of a tool, the other to define a plane.
Tool
Plane
The third selection step is only active if the second is set to Plane. It then
7 allows you to define the plane used for trimming.
You want to trim off the top of the part, so give it some shape.
Choose the Trim Body icon or InsertTrimTrim Body.
Make sure the second selection step is set to Tool, and select
the surface.
The trim direction is displayed (by the arrow), and the results are
previewed as shaded
With the third selection step set to Inferred Plane, select three
arc centers (as shown below) to define the trimming plane.
Dart
The Dart feature lets you add a dart feature along the intersection curve of
two sets of faces. It is primarily used for creating strengthening "darts" in
sheet metal parts. It can be used for both sheet and solid bodies.
1) Selection Steps
2) Method
7 3) Dimensional Parameters
Selection Steps
First Set Lets you select the faces for the first set. You can select one or
more faces for the face set.
Second Set Lets you select the faces for the second set. You can select
one or more faces for the face set.
Location Plane Lets you optionally specify the position of the dart
feature relative to a plane or datum plane.
Orientation Plane Lets you optionally select a plane for the orientation
of the dart feature.
Method
The Method refers to how you define the location of the dart along the
intersection curve. You have two options:
Along Curve allows you to dynamically define a base point for the dart
anywhere on the intersection curve. The graphics display, face normal vector
and the value in the Arclength field all update as you drag the point along
the curve
7
If you select the Position method and use the Location Plane selection step
to select a plane an offset menu displays, to allow you to define an offset
value from the plane selected.
Dimension Parameters
Preview
This option generates a preview of the dart whenever enough parameters
Step 1: Open the cdt_dart part and start the Modeling application.
Select the upper face as the first face, and use MB2 to finish
the selection.
Step 6: Repeat the same process to generate the third dart at 50%
arclength on the right side, using the same Angle value and using
the right datum plane for orientation.
Step 7: Make layer 10 Invisible then rotate the part to check out the darts.
Replace Features
The Replace Feature function has the following improvements:
Replace Feature lets you re-specify the selection intent of downstream
features.
You can now replace curve features. The basic purpose of Replace Feature
is to re-parent a feature due to a design change.
You can replace a feature in the Part Navigator by clicking MB3Replace
over the Feature. You can replace features using EditFeatureReplace.
The Replace Features Dialog
The Replace Feature dialog has been modified to include four list boxes:
1. Eligible Features to
Replace
2. Features to Replace
3. Dependent Features
4. Replacement Features
You could select the feature in the list and choose the Add Feature
icon.
Double-click on Linked Curve (0) to add it to the Features to
Replace column.
Double-click on both the Linked Curve (2) and Linked Body (3)
to add it to the Replacement Features list box.
The profile with the section for the law extension is highlighted in
the view. You will re-specify this profile using another curve.
Select the long curve near the right end, so that the direction is
correct other wise flip.
7
A direction vector displays. This vector should align approximately
with the other vector.
The first set of tangent faces for the law extension are highlighted
in the view.
Choose ()_Faces for the first wall for Face Blend(5) on the
dialog.
Summary
In this lesson you learned about the enhancements to the following modeling
features:
Body Taper
Trim Body
Dart
Replace Feature
Purpose
This lesson will familiarize you with what is new in free form functionality in
NX 4 Modeling application.
Objectives
After completing this lesson you will be able to:
Use B-Spline Curve Smoothing.
This spline might have been created from a scanned clay model.
It obviously needs to be smoothed before it can be used to create
a slab surface.
Set the Start Boundary Constraint to G2, and leave the End
Boundary Constraint set to G0.
Notice that each time you Apply, that the smoothing factors
designated are applied to the spline.
None will allow the system to decide how best to move the poles.
X, Y and Z Direction will move the poles in the selected direction (parallel
to the corresponding direction of the WCS axis).
Normal will move the poles normal to the surface being edited.
Arbitrary Direction will access the Vector Constructor dialog for you to
specify the direction you want to move the poles.
Move Selected Poles Only allows you to select which poles to be moved.
If you do not use this, all the poles will be available to be moved.
The Boundary Constraints section of the dialog allows you to control the four
8 edges of the surface in five different ways.
None allows the edge to move freely.
G0 constrains the edge so the location does not change.
G1 constrains the edge so the tangency does not change.
G2 constrains the edge so the curvature does not change.
G3 constrains the edge so the curvature acceleration does not change.
The two sliders at the bottom of the dialog allow you to control the amount of
pole movement.
Select the surface. The poles and the U and V directions are
temporarily displayed.
The only poles available for selection for this are those that can
be moved without breaking the boundary constraint conditions
set on the dialog.
In this case (with all four constraints set to G0), all but the outer
poles can move.
OK the dialog.
OK the dialog.
Step 11: Change the smoothing to smooth out the surface in the U
direction, and ignore the location of the edges at V-Min and V-Max.
1) Target Body
2) Trimming Tool
Limit
The Limit options let you specify the kind of Trim and Extend operation.
Distance Extends one or more edges by a distance value that you enter in
the data entry field. No trimming occurs with the Distance option.
If you use the Make Corner option with Until Selected, both the target and
the tool are modified.
If the Make Corner option is not selected then only the target is modified.
Extend Method
8
Natural Tangent - The extension is
created in a linear direction (1).
Natural Curvature - The extension of
the sheet is curvature continuous (2).
Mirrored - The extension of the sheet reflects or "mirrors" the shape of the
original surface, where possible.
Region
This option lets you specify to retain or discard material in trim operations
when Limits are set to Until Selected.
Keep - When you select a tool sheet or edges a vector displays on the target
or the tool. When the vector is on the tool sheet, it points in the direction of
the faces that will be kept on the target. If the vector is on the target sheet
(as with Make Corner) the vector points in the direction of the faces that
will be kept for the tool sheet.
Remove - This option works the same as Keep, but in reverse. When the
vector is on the tool sheet, the vector points in the direction of the faces that
will be discarded on the target.
Keep Remove
Other Options
Enable Preview When you have specified enough parameters to create a
possible TRIM_AND_EXTEND feature, this option generates a preview of it
in the graphics window.
Keep Original Edges Use this option to keep the original edges on the
target or tool geometry. The input edges are unaffected by the trim or extend
operation, and remain in their original state. New edges are created based on 8
the output of the operation and are added as new objects
Tolerance Tolerance value used to create the feature. Default tolerance
value should be derived from Modeling tolerance.
You will extend the narrow sheet body beyond the larger sheet
body, and then edit the trim and extend feature in different ways.
Set the Limit option to Distance, the limit value to 25.00, and
the Extend Method to Natural Tangent.
OK the dialog.
8
Make sure the Region option setting is Keep, then OK the
dialog.
OK the dialog.
Step 6: Extend the front edge of the larger sheet and explore the other
Extend Methods.
Set the Limit to Distance, set the distance to 60.0, and make
sure the Extend Method is set to Natural Tangent.
OK the dialog.
Note the shape of the extension.
OK the dialog.
Keep Original Edges will create new faces, and maintain the
original edges.
Tolerance allows you to specify a tolerance different than the
default, if you wish.
OK the dialog.
8-24 NX2-51
Modeling Free Form Features, Part 1
Inferred Constraints
Inferred constraints use geometry to "infer" continuity for a spline point or
end pole. When geometry is selected, the constraint options appear on screen
for selection.
Once specified, the inferred constraint displays constraint handles. There are
two versions of this handle; one for inferred constraints involving splines and
one for inferred constraints when dealing with surfaces.
Spline Inferred Constraint Handle Surface Inferred Constraint Handle 8
Dragging the cone heads will move point along the U or V direction. Double
clicking on cone heads will align the curve to the U or V direction.
Specified Constraints
If you do not use inferred constraints, you can explicitly specify a constraint;
it has its own handle
Dynamic Positioning
If a node does not have any type of constraint, when it is selected you get
an Axis Drag/Rotate handle.
Select the left end point of your spline, hold down MB1 and
drag the node to the right end point of the left red line.
Since you are referencing other geometry (the end point of the
line), you are able to infer a constraint to that geometry, either
tangency (G1) or curvature (G2).
Step 5: Use Inferred Constraint Handles to change the slope of the spline.
Using MB1, click on the left most constrained node of your
spline.
You will see a Inferred Constraint handle appear.
Try dragging each cone head, in turn, to see how it affects the
slope of the spline. Use Ctrl-Z to cancel the modification.
8
Try doubleclicking on each cone head, in turn, to see how
it affects the tangency of the spline to the line. Use Ctrl-Z to
cancel the modification.
Step 6: Move a middle spline point by using the Axis Drag/Rotate handle.
Select the middle node point of the spline.
Select the center red cube and drag it down to the black spline.
It will "lock" onto the black spline. Position it in the middle of
the black spline and choose a G1 constraint.
If you select and drag a node instead of clicking on it, you can
bypass using the axis handle.
With your cursor over the right most point, use MB3Specify
Constraint.
The Specify Constraint handle appears.
Try dragging the cone heads and sphere to see how they change
the shape of the spline.
Use MB3 on this node after you experiment with the Specify
Constraint handle.
Note that the Inferred constraints are no longer in effect since
you put a defined constraint on the point.
Position your cursor along the spline toward the left end, where
you want to insert an additional defining point.
Step 10: Experiment with adding, deleting and moving points; changing the
inferred constraints until you have a relatively smooth spline.
You can specify constraints only on the first and/or last pole of the spline,
using the Specify Constraint handle.
Purpose
Objectives
In this lesson, you will learn about the following functions that are new, or
have been enhanced for NX 4:
Emboss
Divide Face
Variational Sweep
Polygon Subdivision
Global Shaping
Offset Surface
Through Curves
Emboss
This is a new function for creating features for stiffening or locating geometry
on either solid or sheet bodies.
Emboss Terminology
1. Target (sheet or solid) - The surface
(or quilt of surfaces) on the which
the emboss is built.
Draft From - The option for creating sidewalls, indicating where the section is
drafted from or projected to:
from the Target
This projection constitutes the stationary entity from which the sidewalls
are drafted
Case 1 - Draft From is set to None, so the location of the section is stationary
when determining the drafted sidewalls.
Case 2 - the section is projected to the endcap surface to define the stationary
edge.
Case 3 - the section is projected to the target.
The locating plane can straddle the target (as shown above) or can be
completely above or below the target.
Multi-Convexity
When the endcap intersects the target, you can create the emboss as a pad, a
pocket, or a mix of the two. If there is a draft angle, it is flipped on opposite
sides of the target.
Mixed
Vectors
Draft From - The vector (direction) along which the section is projected
(default is normal to the section). It is bidirectional.
Pull Direction - The vector used to define the draft (or the extrude if the
sidewalls are ruled).
Free Edge Vector - The vector used to trim a joggle - an emboss created when
the projected section goes beyond the target surface, and which therefore
must be trimmed in some way.
9
Procedure
To create an emboss feature:
2. Use the Select Section or Sketch Section steps to select or create a closed
section.
9 Set the Selection Intent to Body Faces and select one of the
faces of the sheet solid, verifying in the Quick Pick dialog if
necessary.
Things to note:
With the cursor on any one of the labels in the graphics
area, you can click and drag it to another location.
You can also toggle the display of these labels on and off
with the F3 key. This key will also toggle the Emboss
dialog on and of as well.
The Cue line is now asking you to select the face geometry you wish
to use to cap the new emboss feature. Notice that the Selection
Select one of the top faces of the Target Sheet solid and confirm
if necessary.
OK.
OK.
Notice that because of the negative value, the Cap is now below
the highest Target face. In a sense, NX has created both Pocket
and Pad like topology. This is because the Multi Convexity option
is Mixed.
Set the Selection Intent to Body Faces and select one of the
faces of the sheet solid, verifying in the Quick Pick dialog if
necessary and
Notice the Cue line is now asking you to select a face in addition to 9
the Section geometry to define the End Cap. Also notice that the
OK.
Offset from Face could also be applied here.
MB2 or OK.
OK.
InsertTrimDivide Face.
The new function has many new features:
Improved user interaction.
Use Selection Intent to pick faces for division, and to pick dividing objects.
Choose OK.
Variational Sweep
This new function allows you to create a feature by sweeping a section
(sketch) along one or more rails. It will vary the section as needed to meet
the sketch and V-Sweep constraints.
It allows you to create and constrain a sketch on the fly, or create a sketch
prior to entering the function.
Choose InsertIntersect.
Select the left edge of the lower right surface, and choose the
OK icon on the option bar.
Step 5: Constrain the two arcs so they have Equal Radii, and create a
dimension to constrain one of the arcs to have a radius of 12.0
millimeters.
Offset Surface
This function is now under a slightly different name, In previous versions, it
was InsertOffset/ScaleOffset. It is now called Offset Surface, but found
in the same place and with the same icon.
The dialog is different, and you can offset each face with only a single value,
but you can include many faces in the feature.
1. Approximate Offset Surfaces allows offset
surface geometry to be approximated,
allowing the feature more latitude during
computation.
Step 1: Open the offset_surface part and make sure the modeling
application is running.
This part contains a sewn sheet body.
You are prompted to select the faces for the new set. Selection
Intent is available for this.
The offset surfaces for the first face set are now highlighted.
Select either of the two angled faces for the second face set.
Rotate the part and use the Part Navigator to investigate the
9 results.
Make sure the arrow is pointing up, and enter a value of 0.0,
and press Enter.
10 Modeling Sketcher
Purpose
This lesson introduces the enhancements to the Sketcher in NX 4.
Objectives
Once you finish this lesson, you will have an understanding of:
the new Create Inferred Constraints and Unconstrained mode
Sketch on Path
Intersections
Automatic Constraints
10
- NX2NX4 CAD Transition 10-1
Modeling Sketcher
Unconstrained Mode
There is now an icon on the Sketch Constraints toolbar, named Create
Inferred Constraints.
This is on or active by default. With it on, constraints are created as you are
used to. When this is off, The symbols for constraints will be displayed as you
are creating the objects, but no constraints will be created.
With this off, the solver is not accessed as heavily, and it allows for creation of
huge amounts of objects without impacting system performance.
Pre-creation, with Create Inferred Constraint turned off.
After creation. Notice there are no constraints. The circle is tangent to the
line, but it is not associative.
10
10-2 NX2NX4 CAD Transition - mt10026_g NX 4
Modeling Sketcher
The new Non-Associative Only setting at the bottom of the dialog (Reference
Outside Work Part) allows you to use any geometry outside of the work part
for creation of new geometry. In order to use this, Create Inferred Constraints
must be turned off. This thus allows you to use the location of geometry
outside the work part for location only. It will not allow you to constrain the
geometry to anything outside the work part
Automatic Constraints
The only change here is that you now have to select the curves to be
automatically constrained.
This is due to the ability to created unconstrained curves and constrained
curves in the same sketch.
10
- NX2NX4 CAD Transition 10-3
Modeling Sketcher
Dimension Creation
There is now a new icon available on the options bar when creating
dimensions.
With it toggled on, all dimensions created (with the exception of Perimeter
dimensions) will be created as Reference Dimensions.
With it toggled off, all dimensions will be created as constraint dimensions.
This can also be controlled by a new option on the Sketch Dimension Dialog.
10
10-4 NX2NX4 CAD Transition - mt10026_g NX 4
Modeling Sketcher
10
- NX2NX4 CAD Transition 10-5
Modeling Sketcher
Part Navigator
To enable the handling of a large number of unconstrained sketch curves, the
ability to group curves has been added to the Part Navigator.
10
10-6 NX2NX4 CAD Transition - mt10026_g NX 4
Modeling Sketcher
Display the Part Navigator, and expand the nodes so you can
see the curves that belong to the sketch.
10
- NX2NX4 CAD Transition 10-7
Modeling Sketcher
Select the four lines on the screen, and then choose OK.
Select the four circles on the screen, and then choose OK.
10
10-8 NX2NX4 CAD Transition - mt10026_g NX 4
Modeling Sketcher
Notice that the green folder icon is now next to the CIRCLES
group you just created. This indicates that it is the Active Group.
Step 4: Create a third group for the arcs (fillets) in a different way, without
selecting the arcs.
Choose InsertNew Active Group.
10
- NX2NX4 CAD Transition 10-9
Modeling Sketcher
Notice that the green folder icon is now next to the ARCS group
you just created. This indicates that it is the Active Group.
With the cursor over the selected items, hold down MB1 and
drag the arcs to the ARCS group.
Release MB1.
The four arcs now belong to the ARCS group, and it is the active
group. That means that any curve now created will automatically
become part of the group.
10
10-10 NX2NX4 CAD Transition - mt10026_g NX 4
Modeling Sketcher
10
- NX2NX4 CAD Transition 10-11
Modeling Sketcher
10
10-12 NX2NX4 CAD Transition - mt10026_g NX 4
Modeling Sketcher
10
- NX2NX4 CAD Transition 10-13
Modeling Sketcher
Sketch on Path
Sketch on Path is a new sketch creation function that allows you to create a
sketch on a plane that is normal (or tangent) to a curve or set of curves.
The function was created primarily for the new Variable Sweep function.
Variable Sweep has the ability to create a sketch, create and constrain curves
in that sketch, within the process of creating a Variable Seep feature.
You can also use the Sketch on Path function outside of the Variable Sweep
function as well.
For creating a sketch, the option bar has a new choice:
The default setting is Sketch in Place (shown above). This works the same as
the create sketch function did in previous versions.
By choosing the small triangle to the right of the icon, you can change to
Sketch on Path. This is the new capability.
The second icon on the option bar (active by default when the option bar is
first accessed) is for selecting the path that you want the sketch related to.
10
10-14 NX2NX4 CAD Transition - mt10026_g NX 4
Modeling Sketcher
Normal to Path will keep the sketch plane normal to the selected
path.
Normal to Vector will orient the sketch plane normal to a specified
vector.
Parallel to Vector will orient the sketch plane parallel to a specified
vector.
Through Axis will constrain the sketch plane to always pass
through the selected axis.
10
- NX2NX4 CAD Transition 10-15
Modeling Sketcher
Step 1: Open the sketch_on_path part and start the Modeling application.
Change (if necessary) the first icon on the option bar to Sketch
on Path.
Make the Path icon active (on the option bar), and set the
orientation icon to Normal to Path.
10
10-16 NX2NX4 CAD Transition - mt10026_g NX 4
Modeling Sketcher
Choose OK.
Intersections
This is a new function which is part of the process of constraining a sketch to
a path or paths.
It is used mostly for the Variable Sweep function.
It is found on Sketch Operations toolbar, or on the Insert menu when in the
Sketcher Task Environment.
They are displayed as Existing Points and are named Vertex. They are
displayed where the selected curve(s) intersect the sketch plane.
10
10-18 NX2NX4 CAD Transition - mt10026_g NX 4
Modeling Sketcher
If there are any views on the active drawing, you will be asked to select the
view you wish the sketch to reside in.
This is also covered in the Drafting Transition lesson.
10
- NX2NX4 CAD Transition 10-19
Modeling Sketcher
Project
When projecting non-sketch curves and edges onto a sketch, Selection Intent
is now used.
This gives you more control over the contents of the Projected feature. If the
model changes, curves can be automatically added to the feature.
If you want to make sure that no problems result by new curves automatically
being added to the Project feature, it may be helpful to convert them to
Reference. For that reason a new option has been added to the Convert
To/From Reference function, to allow you to easily select all the curves in the
Project feature.
With this option turned on, the entire Project feature will be selected.
10
10-20 NX2NX4 CAD Transition - mt10026_g NX 4
Modeling Sketcher
Summary
In this lesson you:
learned about the new Create Inferred Constraints and Unconstrained
mode
tried out the new options for Sketch Dimension creation and editing
were appraised on the new Sketch Display Color switch on the Sketch
Preferences dialog
learned about the new Intersection Sketch operation and how it works
with Variable Sweep
10
- NX2NX4 CAD Transition 10-21
10
11
Lesson
11 Modeling Curves
Purpose
This lesson will familiarize you with what is new in the curves functionality
in the Modeling application.
Objectives
In this section, you will become familiar with enhancements to the following
functions:
Associative Curves.
Associative Points.
Text to Curve
Intersection Curve
Fit Spline
Project Curve
Bridge Curve
Cloud Sections
11
Associative Basic Curves
11
Activity Creating Associative Lines
In this activity, you will create two associative lines using tangent
points and center points. You will observe the associativity first hand
as you edit the parent curves.
Step 1: Open the cdt_abc_curves part and start the Modeling application.
You will be creating a line from a tangent point on the large arc to
a tangent point on the smaller arc.
11
Select the Start=Tangent icon to set the first tangent
constraint method.
11
Step 3: Drag the tangent line.
Place your cursor on the drag handle (the arrow head) of the
left end of the line (near the smaller arc) and extend the line to
the left until it is a line of about 8.0 in length.
Select the larger arc (on the right) and drag/resize the arc so
that it is some measure larger than its original size.
11
Choose Update to update the graphics window. Observe the
tangency of the associative line.
Note that the associative line retains its tangency to the larger
curve. The line responds to the change in the geometry.
Step 5: Create another associated line which spans from the arc center of
one arc to a tangent point on the other arc
Set the Point icon under the first drop down Constraints
option.
11
Select the arc center of the smaller arc (left).
Be sure that you have the arc center selected. You can
confirm that you have the arc center selected when you
see the smaller arc center icon appear near the
selection cursor (as shown below). You may want to set
Snap Point to Arc Center to facilitate selection.
11
Choose OK.
The second associative line is created.
Step 6: Examine what happens to the associated lines when you move
one of the curves
Choose EditTransform.
The Transform dialog displays.
Choose OK.
Choose Translate.
Choose To A Point.
The Point Constructor dialog appears.
Select the arc center of the left arc to define the translation
reference point.
11
Select a location just below the current arc location to define
the translation destination point.
Choose Cancel.
The associative lines were created as individual features in
the part.
11
Step 7: Verify creation of the features.
11
Other Associative Curves
Associative Curves with Solids
Solids created using associative curves are associated to those parent
curves. If the parent curves change, the updates are reflected in the solids
constructed using them.
See the appendix for basic procedures on creating lines and arcs.
11
Associative Points
Associative Points are smart points that are associated to their parent. If
their parent changes, the updates are reflected in the associated points.
When you choose the Point icon from the Curve toolbar (or
InsertDatum/PointPoint), the Point icon options are displayed in the
upper left corner of the graphics window. You can create Associative and
Non-associative points by selecting the appropriate icon.
11
Activity Creating Associative Points
Step 1: Open the cdt_abc_points part and start the Modeling application.
11
Select the following locations to create non-associative points
along the block. Create non-associative points 5-9 as noted
below.
Step 4: Edit the block parameters to see the behavior of the associative
and the non-associative points.
Choose EditFeatureEditParameters
Choose OK.
11
Choose OK three times.
The non-associative points remain in their original locations.
The associative points retain their association to the block.
11
Offset Curves
11
Offset in Face
Several changes have been made to the Offset in Face dialog.
Selection Steps have been added to make selection of faces and curves easier.
The system still automatically selects faces when curves are selected, but the
Selection Steps make it easier to change what is selected.
The Complete Set and Start Next Set Selection Step makes it easier to control
the makeup of each set.
The Trim Corner icons have been replaced by a simple on/off switch: Trim
and Extend to Each Other.
The Boundary icons have been replaced by a simple on/off switch: Extend
to Face Edges.
There is a new Offset Mode option called Tangential, and is calculated as
shown below:
In previous versions it was difficult to create a second offset curve for a given
set. That has been simplified by the addition of MB3Add Offset to Section
(on the set list in the dialog).
Tolerance, Enable Preview and Apply are new to the dialog.
11
Intersection Curve You can now select multiple objects in the input sets to perform an
intersection operation. A new Preview option has been added. You can
preview the output geometry, apply diagnostics on it and change the input
geometry, as needed.
11
Activity - Intersecting Curves Using Two Sets of Objects
Verify that the First Set icon is active. Select the datum
plane.
11
Select all cylindrical faces.
11
Choose OK to create the intersection curves.
11
Close the Part Navigator.
11
Choose OK to accept the new value.
11
Text to Geometry
Text to Geometry is currently only available on the Windows platform.
Text to geometry will now create text that follows along curves and surfaces.
You can now also create text as a full associative text feature.
This text option will generate NX curves from the True Type fonts in your
native Windows font library. You can use this function whenever text is
required as a design element in your part models.
You can create three types of text:
Planar text
11
Activity - Generating Text Along Curve
You can create text along a connected curve. By default, each created text
character will follow the direction of the curve.
Step 1: Setting up for Text
Open the text_curve part.
Select the spline towards the left half (as shown below).
Take note of which end is selected when selecting your curve. This
sets the start direction of your text.
11
Step 2: Preview the Text
11
Step 3: Modify the Shape with Text Handles
There are several handles and on-screen input fields that can be
used to modify the appearance and location of your text.
Item Description
1 Start Direction This conehead represents the start
direction of the text. Your start direction is based on where
you select the curve. Double click the conehead to reverse
the direction of your text
2 Stretch Dragging these anchors along the curve will
stretch the text along the curve itself.
3 Vertical Height Drag these coneheads to control the
vertical height of your text.
4 Center This is the center anchor. Use this to slide your
text along the curve.
5 Vertical Offset and Orientation Drag this conehead to
control the vertical offset location of your text to the curve.
Double clicking the conehead will flip the text orientation
about the selected curve.
6 Percentage along Curve The parameter value represents
the percentage to which the center text anchor is located
from the starting end of the curve. This value increases as
you move away from the starting endpoint of the curve.
11
Step 4: Create the Text
Once you are satisfied with the appearance and placement of your
text, you are now ready to create your text.
11
Activity - Text On Face
Text can be created on one or more connected faces. It can be aligned along a
face, along a selected curve or from a point along a vertical direction.
Step 1: Create the initial text on face.
Open the text_surface part.
11
Choose the existing curve on the surface on the left end.
11
Step 3: Adjust the text using the dynamic handles.
If needed, use the text handles to size and position your text
as desired.
Since you have set the Project Curve option on, the text will be
projected onto the surface.
11
Choose OK to create the text.
11
Edit Curve Length and Trim Curve
For NX 4 the Edit Arc Length has been renamed to Edit Curve Length. The
dialog has also changed.
You can now edit both ends of the curve at the same time.
The Selection Step, associated filters and the Confirm Upon Apply have
been removed.
Use the Edit Curve Length option to extend or trim a curve by a given curve
length increment. This option creates separate features that it adds to the
existing curve.
Trim Curve The order of the selection steps on the Trim Curve dialog
has changed. The String to Trim icon now appears first in the order of the
selection steps.
11
Activity - Editing Curves
Step 1: Edit the spline by dragging its end handles.
Open the edit_curve part and make sure the modeling
application is running.
Choose OK.
11
Make the following settings on the dialog:
Single Selection
Relative to WCS
Associative Output
Choose OK.
11
Project Curve
The Project Curve function now has join and fit options on the creation dialog.
The Curve Join Methods allow you to create a join curve at the same time
several curves are being projected. This was only available by using the Join
Curve function after creating the Projected Curve.
Also, when you project curves Along a Vector, at an Angle to Vector, or Equal
Arc Length, the projection direction is now associative.
Modeling Curves
11
Bridge Curve
The arrangement of the dialog is slightly different. The only functional
change is that you can now constrain the curve to lie on a face, for tangent
continuous bridge curves. This enables you to bridge two curves that lie on a
surface, and have the bridge curve associative to the surface as well. There is
a new selection step for this.
- NX2NX4 CAD Transition 11-53
Modeling Curves
11
Activity - Bridging Two Curves on a Surface
You are going to create a tangent continuous bridge curve between the two
existing Curve On Surface curves. You want to be able to edit the shape of the
surface and see all the curves remain on the surface.
Step 1: Open the bridge_curve part and make sure the modeling
application is running.
Associative Output
Select the curve on the left (in its right half) as the First Curve
Select the curve on the right (in its left half) as the Second
Curve
Choose OK. until the part updates and the dialog disappears.
11
Choose Entire Row (constant v).
11
Geometric Properties
Geometric Properties now allows you to see radius of curvature and location
information dynamically as you float the cursor over a curve or surface.
11
Summary
In this lesson you:
learned about creating basic associative curves.
were told about using associative curves to generate solids and about
creating associative mirror curves
learned about the point output function available when sectioning curves
12 Assemblies
12
Purpose
This lesson introduces the new changes and enhancements to the Assemblies
application in NX 4.
Objectives
In this lesson, you will learn about the following:
Create New Parent
Assembly Cut
Assembly Arrangements
Clearance Analysis
12 last active arrangement of the previous Displayed Part will be used to orient
the occurrences in the new parent part. The newly created parent assembly
is a completely new NX part.
When an Undo is performed right after creating new parent, the new part
that becomes empty basically the components are removed from the new
parent part.
The Create New Parent option gives you an easier way to build more complex
assemblies when you are doing bottom up assembly design.
The New Part File dialog appears, except the Non-Master Part option is
not present, and the Units default to the units of the current work part.
4. Choose OK.
The new assembly now becomes the displayed part and work part in your
current session. (Creating the new parent does not close the original
assembly.)
12-2 NX2NX4 CAD Transition - mt10026_g NX 4
Assemblies
This property can be used to maintain Model and Lightweight reference sets
for assemblies, but is also available for general use. For example, you might
want to maintain a SIMPLE reference set both for assemblies and for piece
parts. While new components will be added automatically to reference sets
that have this property set, nothing will be done to prevent the components
from being removed subsequently.
When a new component is added to an assembly, it will be added to all
reference sets for which the Add Components Automatically property is set,
according to these rules:
If the work occurrence is currently represented by the reference set,
then the component will be added using the reference set provided to
add component this seems to match the intent defined in the Add
Component interaction.
The Add New Components Automatically toggle will also be added to the Edit
Attributes dialog for the reference set that indicates whether new components
are added to the reference set automatically or not. Changing this toggle will
change the reference set behavior. The transition from Off or On will set the
add components automatically property on the reference set and ensure that
all of the current components in the assembly are added to the reference set.
The toggle will be available for all reference sets, including managed
reference sets.
12
This new functionality leaves all other reference set functionality unchanged.
12
Assembly Cut
It is sometimes necessary to create a cutaway view of an assembly for
illustrations or demonstrations.
12
12 Selected bodies are associatively copied into the work part (if they are not
there already), and the tool bodies are subtracted from the target bodies.
Tool bodies can be selected from the work part or from components of
the work part.
All the resultant copied bodies and Booleans are presented as a single
Assembly Cut feature in the Part Navigator.
When you select an Assembly Cut feature in the Part Navigator, its target
and tool bodies are shown in the Details panel. You cannot, however, see
or edit the individual features that make up an Assembly Cut feature set.
Assembly Cut bodies act much like promoted bodies. They hide their
parent bodies from view, and they exist at the assembly level.
If none of the selected tool and target bodies intersect, you receive a
message, but an Assembly Cut feature is still created.
Deleting an Assembly Cut feature removes all its copied bodies, Booleans,
and downstream features.
Assembly Cut features are updated using the arrangement that was in
effect when the cut was created. (You can see the defining arrangement by
selecting an Assembly Cut feature and choosing InformationFeature.)
12 If the tool and target bodies were already associatively copied into
the work part when the Cut is created, the location of these bodies is
determined by the arrangement that was in effect when the bodies were
copied.
When you are editing an assembly cut, you cannot change a tool body into
a target body (or vice versa). You must delete and recreate the cut.
Target bodies that are completely inside the tool body are not eliminated
during the subtract operation, but they do not cause the failure that
occurs when a target body is completely inside a tool body during most
modeling operations.
Activity Using Assembly Cut to Make a Cutaway Drawing for the Vise
You want to make a cutaway illustration of the vise assembly showing
the attachment of the jaw plates, the screw and bushing arrangement
of the handle mechanism, and the way the shaft passes through the
moving jaw and attaches to the fixed jaw. 12
To manage this you will use a higher level assembly that will contain
the cut geometry. This avoids modifying the original
Choose EditSketch.
Choose Finish.
12
12
12
Use works like selecting on the arrangement name - it
displays that arrangement in the view.
If you try to unsuppress a constraint, as for example the one shown below,
you will receive a warning message.
Activity Arrangements
In this activity, you will suppress mating conditions on components
within different arrangements to demonstrate different configurations
of the assembly.
12
Step 1: Use Load Options to set Partial Loading to off.
Step 3: Save As this assembly into your own student folder with the name
XXX_blender_inlet_fixture-03_ASSM.
12
The Assembly Arrangements dialog is displayed.
As you select names from the list, they also highlight in the
graphics area.
12
You will see that the mating conditions for each of the
clampstraps, washers, and hex nuts have already been
renamed, to make it easier to find them.
12
Step 11: Repeat the above Reposition procedure to rotate the other two
clamps.
12
12
12
Step 15: Define a final arrangement, with the part in place and the clamps
turned correctly.
With the cursor on the assembly part name in the assembly
navigator, MB3ArrangementsEdit.
13 Drafting Part 1
Purpose 13
This lesson will familiarize you with what is new in the NX 4 Drafting
application.
Objectives
After you complete this section of the lesson you will be able to:
Create a "base" view of a part using the cursor and MB3 pop-up menus.
Immediately create a projected view after the base view has been
established.
Add a detail view or auxiliary view using the View Creation Options bar.
Set the View Creation Option Bar as desired and place view.
Set the View Creation Option Bar as desired and place view.
Add Base View is the default option (bold) in the pop-up menu. So,
the base view can be added simply by selecting the drawing border.
The following options are available (left to right) on the tool bar: 13
Style, View, Scale, Orient View Tool, and Move View.
Style (1) option provides the same set of parameters as the View Preferences
option. However, when these options are set from this toolbar they are specific
to the view that is being placed on the drawing.
View (2) option determines the orientation of the base view. A pull-down
menu list the canned views and any custom views that have been created.
Scale (3) option provides a means to set the scale of the base view. A pull-down
menu list several preset scales as well as the options to enter a custom scale
or define the scale by an expression.
Orient View Tool (4) option provides a means to orient a view to a orientation
that is not listed in the View pull-down menu.
Move View (5) option only appears on the toolbar if there is already a view
on the drawing. The purpose of this option is to allow you to move existing
views during the operation of adding a new view.
Orient View Tool When the Orient View Tool is selected a preview screen is
presented along with several options to orient the model as desired.
13
When you have an assembly, you can use the Hide Component and Show
Component icons to choose what components you want to have displayed
on the drawing sheet.
View Display
You can display views as wireframe or shaded images.
Choose PreferencesDrafting and choose the Preview tab.
In the View section of the page, set the Style option to Wireframe.
MB3 Options
Explore new MB3 options available on view border.
Move the cursor over an existing view so that it is displayed pre-highlighted,
then click MB3
You can see that the number of choices has been increased. Many will let
you create a specific type of projected view. (These are also available on the
toolbar and in the Part Navigator pop-up menu.)
13
Notice that you can update an out-of-date view with this menu.
Explore new MB3 options available on drawing sheet border.
Use the Part Navigator to open drawing sheet SH2.
Place the cursor on the dashed border of the drawing sheet (so that it
pre-highlights), then click MB3.
Among the various options, Add Base View is bold. So you could just select
the border of the drawing sheet to launch the "add base view" procedure.
13
Choose the Style icon to display the View Style dialog for this view.
Choose the Perspective tab. Turn on the Perspective option, then key
in a Distance value.
OK the dialog, indicate a good location in the center of the drawing sheet
for the view, then click MB2 to get out of the view creation procedure.
You can add perspective to any view on the drawing. To do this you
would:
Double-click the border of the view to display the View Style
dialog for that view.
OK the dialog.
Place the cursor over the border of an existing view, then choose
MB3Add Detail View.
The View Creation Options bar presents icons that will help you create
the type of detail view you need.
The Style icon will let you display the View Style dialog for
13
this particular view.
You can use the Scale drop down menu to choose a preset scale.
You can toggle between the Rectangular Boundary and
Circular Boundary styles.
You can use the Label Style drop down menu (with Circular
Boundary option) to choose the letter style you need
(Embedded, Label, Note, and so on).
When you have an assembly, you can use the Hide Component
and Show Component icons to choose what components you
want to have displayed on the drawing sheet.
Choose the origin of the detail view, select any available point.
Indicate a good location for the detail view near its parent.
Press the Escape key (or click MB2) to get out of the view creation
procedure.
13
Auxiliary views are created much like detail views, except that you need 13
to define a hinge line.
To create an auxiliary view:
Open a drawing sheet.
Choose the Add Projected View icon on the Drawing Layout toolbar
(or use one of the MB3 methods).
13
Define the vector direction. If you need to, choose the Reverse Direction
icon on the bar to change the direction of the arrow.
Youll notice that you can place the view anywhere, but when it is
perpendicular to the hinge line, youll get a dashed line to the view.
Indicate a good location relative to the parent view, then click MB2 to
end the procedure.
13
13
Choose OK.
13
Move the cursor to the right of the Front view so that the
alignment line is horizontal.
13
Press Escape.
Move the cursor around the Right view from the 12:00 to the
9:00 position.
Notice that approximately at the 10:00 position that a face in
the Top and Front views highlight as well as the corresponding
edge in the Right view. If you select a location with these faces
highlighted you will create a true auxiliary view of that face.
13
In some cases you will have to define a hinge line for the
auxiliary view. You will now delete the view and recreate it
by defining a hinge line.
Press Escape.
Place the cursor over the auxiliary views border and click
MB3; choose Delete.
13
Choose OK.
In the Snap Point toolbar, toggle off all icons except Arc Center.
Move the cursor to the right of the Top view and locate the
section view.
13
Choose Apply.
13
Choose Cancel.
Step 11: Create a projected view using the Offset Dynamic Input Box.
Place the cursor over the Top views border; click MB3 and
choose Add Projected View.
Move the cursor to the right of the Top view so that the
Press Escape.
Choose the Orient View Tool icon from the View Creations
Option Bar.
The Orient View window appears.
Place the cursor in the Orient View window, hold MB2 down
and rotate the part to get a better visual perspective.
Select the triangular face to define the view plane and confirm
if necessary.
13 The part immediately rotates to the new orientation. The view
orientation is derived from the direction of the selected faces
normal. If desired the direction of the normal can be reversed.
13
Now the normal points into the drawing. If you were to place
the view on the drawing now and make hidden lines invisible,
the triangular face would not appear.
is closest to you.
13
Click MB2 or choose OK.
Choose Reset.
Choose ToolsExpression.
13
When you choose the Add Section View to Drawing icon on the Drawing
Layout toolbar (or use one of the MB3 methods), the View Creation Options
bar is displayed which you can use to create the section view you need.
The options are much the same as you have seen with the exception of the
Section Line Style icon .
When you select the parent view, and the hinge line symbol is displayed on
the cursor and some more icons are available on the View Creation bar.
Additional Icons:
The Hinge Line icon will let you define the hinge line at a specific
angle.
The Reverse Direction icon will let you reverse the direction of the
section arrows.
After you define the hinge line a few more option will be available on the
View Creation icon options bar.
The Add Segment icon will let you create cut sections for a stepped
section view.
The Section View Tool will display the Orient View window so that
you can choose an orientation you need.
13 Finally, you would finish the section view just as you did in the simple section
view.
13-30 NX2NX4 CAD Transition - mt10026_g NX 4
Drafting Part 1
You need to create a section view through the center of the part.
13
You open onto a D size drawing sheet (SH1). There is just the one
top view of the part.
Move the hinge line symbol around until you highlight the arc
center of the central hole (look for the arc center symbol near
the cursor), then select it.
13
The hinge line is now anchored to the center of the part, but you
can rotate it to any angle around its anchor point.
Move the cursor below the top view and keep it within the
orthographic snap angle so that the hinge line remains
horizontal then indicate a good location.
Step 6: Create a hinge line at an exact angle that goes through the bolt
hole cut outs on the flange of this part.
13
Optional: Turn on only the Arc Center icon on the Snap Point
toolbar.
Use the drop down menu on the Vector icon to set it to Two
Points.
Select the arc center of these two bolt hole cut outs.
13
Step 7: Place the view to the lower right of the parent view with the
section line arrows pointing away from the section view
13
Now you can see a little more clearly what the section plane
is cutting.
Choose the Close icon at the top right corner of the Section
View window.
13
13
This method does not use a "hide" or "show" assembly procedure, but actually
brings in a view from a selected part.
Step 1: Open the cdt_bonnet part and start the Drafting application.
13
You would like to show that a hand wheel sits above this part.
Indicate a location for the view of the hand wheel above the
bonnet, then use MB2 to get out of the view creation procedure.
Optional: Move the view of the hand wheel directly over the
view of the bonnet.
13
In the past you had to use the Assembly application procedures to do this
after the view had been placed on the drawing. But now you can make these
choices without leaving the Drafting application.
This is accomplished by choosing Hide Component on the View Creation
Options bar.
You can open a master model drawing of the gate valve assembly.
Step 1: Open the gate_valve_dwg part from the gate_valve_asmb
directory.
The assembly consists of all the components that are required for
this gate valve. 13
You open onto a size A0 metric drawing sheet (SH1). The scale for
the drawings sheet has been set to 3/4 full size.
Step 3: Choose the Add Base View icon on the Drawing Layout
toolbar.
Notice that the scale for this view is automatically set to 0.75
because of the scale setting on the Drawing Sheet dialog.
Notice, too, that you get a Custom Scale (pencil and equal sign)
icon on the View Creation bar.
13
13
OK the selection.
Indicate a good location for the front view in the center of the
drawing sheet, then use MB2 to get out of the view creation
procedures.
The view is established on the drawing but the wheel is not
displayed.
Step 5: Create a right view of this part without the hand wheel or the
body of the valve using the Part Navigator.
13
Indicate a good location for the right view on the right side of
the drawing sheet, and click MB2.
13
Before you placed the view, you would choose MB3Style, then
choose the Base tab.
13
Turn the Load option on, choose the Browse option, then select an
assembly arrangement part.
From the Arrangement pull-down menu, you would choose the name of
the arrangement you wanted to display in the view.
OK the View Style dialog, and place the view on the drawing sheet.
13
In previous releases, you could create a "reference" dimension but not with
a tolerance.
To accomplish this click the Inspection icon to turn it on.
Summary
In this lesson you:
Familiarized yourself with the new view creation methods for all types
of views.
Learned how to add a view that comes from a different part to a drawing
sheet.
14 Drafting Part 2
Purpose
To introduce additional changes to the Drafting application in NX 4.
Objectives
In this section, you will learn about the following changes in NX 4: 14
create a sketch in drawing view
14
drafting sketch names are derived from the member view or drawing
sheet in which they reside
if you move the member view, the associated sketch will move along with it
if you move the view to another drawing sheet, the sketch will also move
along with it
14
The drawing sheet contains a top view, side view, and circular
detail view.
You can see that you are currently in the sketcher and the drawing
view did not have to be expanded, as in previous versions of NX.
The sketch is associated to this drawing view.
Create the four sketch curves as shown below then terminate
the operation.
14
Select the four lines you just created then choose Equal Length.
You can see that the sketch curves are partially constrained.
14
Choose OK.
14
14
Two new Parent View detail labeling positioning options have been added
to the View Label Preferences dialog.
Text After Stub
These allow you to specify the position of the detail views label text in the
parent view relative to its leader stub. Look for these two options under
Preferences View Label Detail.
Datum on Centerlines
You can now attach a Datum Leader to centerlines.
Cylindrical
Block
14
Select the leader of the top label. Over the same leader line
that you just selected, use MB3 Edit Associativity.
14
Pull-down Selection.
14
The Feature Control Frame Builder should look like the figure
below.
You are ready to place the feature control frame on the drawing.
This will set up the point on the feature control frame to align to.
On the Annotation Placement toolbar, choose the Origin Tool
icon.
This will set up the alignment point on the dimension that you
are going to offset from.
14
has full margin support for both multiple and dynamic margins
lets you re-specify the origin location the ordinate dimensions are
associative
Step 1: Open the ordinate part and make sure the Drafting application
is running.
14
Step 3: Create an origin for the ordinate dimensions on the bottom left
hand corner of the die plate.
Select the bottom edge and the left edge of the die plate.
14
First Offset is the distance of the first margin to the edge of the
part.
Spacing is the distance of the first margin to the next margin.
Number of Margins is the total number of margins.
When the margins are displayed, notice that one set is displayed
as a solid line and the other set is dotted. The margin that is
displayed as a solid line is the Active margin.
14
Notice that when the new margins are created, the Active margins
have changed.
14
Step 6: Change the active margin (where the ordinate dimensions will be
placed when they are created).
14
Choose OK.
14
14
Press the D key.
Key in 30 for the Start Offset, then press Enter. As you can
see, the dogleg changed shape and the Angle value changed
with respect to the new Start Offset value.
14
Step 1: Open the ordinate_auto part and make sure the Drafting
application is running.
Choose OK.
Step 3: Set the auto ordinate dimension parameters to find only holes of
a specific size
Choose OK.
14
Choose OK.
Open SHT3.
Click and drag a rectangle around the view to select all the
geometry in it.
14
Choose OK.
With the cursor over the origin name, choose MB3 Move
Origin.
Tracelines
The traceline tool is used to create lines that show how assembly components
in an exploded view fit together.
14
Anywhere in the open menu bar area, press MB3 and verify
that Exploded Views is checked.
Insure that all of the icons you will need for this activity are
currently displayed inside your Exploded Views toolbar.
your selection.
14
Distance = 6.0.
Choose OK.
your selection.
Distance = 2.0.
Choose OK.
14
14
Select the hole visible on the top edge of the fork. (green)
Choose TRI.
Note that you can also control the color, font and width display of
the hidden portion of the tracelines. You can likewise specify a gap
between the tracelines and the adjacent components.
Choose OK.
14
your selection .
Distance = 8.0.
Choose OK.
Note how the end of the traceline has moved along with the shaft.
The drafting view will likewise reflect this change.
In the next activity you will add some tracelines to an existing
exploded view. However in this case the exploded components have
not only been moved away from their assembled positions, they are
no longer aligned with their mating components. What happens
in this case is that NX will automatically add bend segments to
the tracelines. You can either accept the initial placement of the
segments or move them for better visibility.
From the Exploded View toolbar, select Fork from the Work
View Explosion pull-down menu. (Assemblies Exploded
Views Show Explosion Fork OK)
14
Start a traceline from the edge of the axle pin and end it at the
hole on the nearside of the fork. However before you OK the
traceline, move the bend segments to a better position in the
view. To do this, click and drag one of the segment arrows that
appear between the start and end points of the traceline. The
direction of movement will be parallel to the start and end
point directions.
Step 6: Create a second traceline between the wheel and the fork, then
move the segments as needed for better visibility in the view.
Your finished view should resemble the one below.
14
If your traceline still needs work after you created it, MB3 click it,
then choose an option from the pop-up menu. Here you can move
the traceline segments, edit the display of the traceline, blank or
delete the traceline altogether.
14
Position the cursor over the border of one of the selected views.
The other view(s) you selected will move along with it.
Again position the cursor over one of the selected views borders
then click and drag it to move all of the views.
Choose the Add Section View icon or Insert View Section View.
can be used to import views from multiple parts onto a single drawing
sheet
The centerline symbols angle is not associative and will not update if the
hinge line inside the parent view changes.
14
14
Choose Apply.
14
The other dimensions you selected will move along with it.
Horizontal
Vertical
Parallel 14
Perpendicular
Cylindrical
You have the choice of either selecting a point on the extension line or
selecting the dimension arrow itself to align to when attaching a leader line.
Once a leader has been attached to an extension line it will move when the
dimension moves.
14
behaves like a parallel dimension when two tolerant edges are selected
When two spline or conical edges are selected the dimensions value is based on
the normal direction at the point of selection on the first edge and the point of
intersection between the normal vector and the second edge selected. The
dimension will then calculate the shortest distance between these two points.
14
Step 1: Open the thickness part and make sure the Drafting application
is running.
14
Step 2: Create a Thickness dimension.
Click the bottom edge in this view and drag the dimension to a
location on the drawing.
Note how you can drag this dimension to any point along the
edge of the part or past the actual part itself. In this case the
dimensions extension lines are circular.
Position the cursor over the top edge of the part in the upper
view.
14
Note how you can drag this dimension to any point on the edge as
well as beyond the edge itself
Apply a Radius dimension to the edge of the part in the lower
view.
14
You can used the Screen Position option in combination with the other Point
Position options Control Point, Intersection Point or Arc Center. However if
you need a screen positioned centerline symbol to move with a view, make
sure you create the symbol inside the expanded view.
Summary
In this lesson you were introduced to the new NX 4 functionality within the
Drafting application, including:
creating a sketch in drawing view
creating simple GD&T symbols using the new GD&T symbol interface
A NX 2 to NX 4 Menu Maps
File Menu
Edit Menu
View Menu
NX 2 Location Change
ViewCurvature Graphs Removed
ViewOperationNavigate Removed
ViewToolbars Removed
ViewVisualizationCreate Quick Image Removed
NX 2 Location NX 4 Location
InsertCurvePlane InsertDatum/PointPlane
InsertCurvePoint InsertDatum/PointPoint
InsertCurvePoint Set InsertDatum/PointPoint Set
InsertCurveSpline by Points InsertCurveStudio Spline
InsertCurveSpline by Poles InsertCurveStudio Spline
InsertCurve OperationBridge InsertCurve from CurvesBridge
InsertCurve InsertCurve from CurvesCombined
OperationCombined Projection
Projection
A InsertCurve OperationExtract InsertCurve from BodiesExtract
InsertCurve OperationIntersect InsertCurve from BodiesIntersect
InsertCurve OperationJoin InsertCurve from CurvesJoin
InsertCurve OperationOffset InsertCurve from CurvesOffset
InsertCurve OperationOffset in Face InsertCurve from CurvesOffset in Face
InsertCurve OperationProject InsertCurve from CurvesProject
InsertCurve OperationSection InsertCurve from BodiesSection
InsertCurve OperationSimplify InsertCurve from CurvesSimplify
InsertCurve OperationWrap/Unwrap InsertCurve from
CurvesWrap/Unwrap
A-2 NX2NX4 CAD Transition - mt10026_g NX 4
NX 2 to NX 4 Menu Maps
NX 2 Location NX 4 Location
InsertFeature OperationBody Taper InsertDetail FeatureBody Taper
InsertFeature OperationChamfer InsertDetail FeatureChamfer
InsertFeature OperationEdge Blend InsertDetail FeatureEdge Blend
InsertFeature OperationEmboss SheetInsertCombine BodiesEmboss Sheet
InsertFeature OperationFace Blend InsertDetail FeatureFace Blend
InsertFeature OperationHollow InsertOffset/ScaleHollow
InsertFeature OperationInstance InsertAssociative CopyInstance
InsertFeature OperationIntersect InsertCombine BodiesIntersect
InsertFeature OperationOffset Face InsertOffset/ScaleOffset Face
InsertFeature OperationPatch InsertCombine BodiesPatch
InsertFeature OperationPromote InsertAssociative CopyPromote
InsertFeature OperationScale InsertOffset/ScaleScale
InsertFeature OperationSew InsertCombine BodiesSew
InsertFeature OperationSimplify InsertDirect ModelingSimplify
InsertFeature OperationSoft Blend InsertDetail FeatureSoft Blend
InsertFeature OperationSplit InsertTrimSplit A
InsertFeature OperationSubtract InsertCombine BodiesSubtract
InsertFeature OperationTaper InsertDetail FeatureTaper
InsertFeature OperationThread InsertDesign FeatureThread
InsertFeature OperationTrim InsertTrimTrim
InsertFeature OperationUnite InsertCombine BodiesUnite
InsertFeature InsertOffset/ScaleWrap Geometry
OperationWrap
Geometry
NX 2 Location NX 4 Location
InsertForm FeatureBlock InsertDesign FeatureBlock
InsertForm FeatureBoss InsertDesign FeatureBoss
InsertForm FeatureBounded Plane InsertSurfaceBounded Plane
InsertForm FeatureCone InsertDesign FeatureCone
InsertForm FeatureCylinder InsertDesign FeatureCylinder
InsertForm FeatureDart InsertDesign FeatureDart
InsertForm FeatureDatum Axis InsertDatum/PointDatum Axis
InsertForm FeatureDatum CSYS InsertDatum/PointDatum CSYS
InsertForm FeatureDatum Plane InsertDatum/PointDatum Plane
InsertForm FeatureExtract InsertAssociative CopyExtract
InsertForm FeatureExtruded Body InsertDesign FeatureExtrude
InsertForm FeatureGroove InsertDesign FeatureGroove
InsertForm FeatureHole InsertDesign FeatureHole
InsertForm FeaturePad InsertDesign FeaturePad
InsertForm FeaturePocket InsertDesign FeaturePocket
A InsertForm FeatureRevolve InsertDesign FeatureRevolve
InsertForm FeatureSheet from CurvesInsertSurfaceSheet from Curves
InsertForm FeatureSheets to InsertOffset/ScaleSheets to Solid
Solid Assistant
Assistant
InsertForm FeatureSlot InsertDesign FeatureSlot
InsertForm FeatureSphere InsertDesign FeatureSphere
InsertForm FeatureSweep along Guide InsertSweepSweep along Guide
InsertForm FeatureThicken Sheet InsertOffset/ScaleThicken Sheet
InsertForm FeatureTube InsertSweepTube
InsertForm FeatureUser Defined InsertDesign FeatureUser Defined
NX 2 Location NX 4 Location
InsertFree Form FeatureBridge InsertDetail FeatureBridge
InsertFree Form FeatureExtension InsertSurfaceExtension (Hidden)
InsertFree Form FeatureFillet InsertDetail FeatureFillet
InsertFree Form FeatureForeign InsertSurfaceForeign (Hidden)
InsertFree Form FeatureFrom InsertSurfaceFrom Point Cloud
Point
Cloud
InsertFree Form FeatureFrom Poles InsertSurfaceFrom Poles
InsertFree Form FeatureLaw Extension InsertFlange SurfaceLaw Extension
InsertFree Form FeatureMidsurface InsertSurfaceMidsurface
InsertFree Form FeatureN- InsertMesh SurfaceN-Sided Surface
Sided
Surface
InsertFree Form FeatureOffset InsertOffset/ScaleOffset
InsertFree Form FeatureQuilt InsertCombine BodiesQuilt (Hidden)
InsertFree Form FeatureRibbon Builder InsertSurfaceRibbon Builder
InsertFree Form FeatureRough Offset InsertOffset/ScaleRough Offset
InsertFree Form FeatureRuled InsertMesh SurfaceRuled
InsertFree Form FeatureSection InsertMesh SurfaceSection
InsertFree Form InsertMesh Surface1x1
FeatureStudio
Surface1x1 InsertMesh Surface1x2 A
InsertFree Form
FeatureStudio InsertMesh Surface2x0
Surface1x2
InsertFree Form InsertMesh Surface2x2
FeatureStudio
Surface2x0 InsertMesh Surfacenxn
InsertFree Form
FeatureStudio
Surface2x2
InsertFree Form
FeatureStudio
Surfacenxn
InsertFree Form FeatureStyled Blend InsertDetail FeatureStyled Blend
InsertFree Form FeatureSurface by InsertSurfaceSurface by 4 Points
4
Points
InsertFree Form FeatureSwept InsertSweepSwept
InsertFree Form FeatureSwoop InsertSurfaceSwoop
InsertFree Form FeatureThrough Curve InsertMesh SurfaceThrough Curve
Mesh Curves
InsertFree Form
FeatureThrough
Mesh InsertMesh SurfaceThrough Curves
NX 2 Location Change
InsertSheet Metal Removed
FeatureUtilitiesStra
in
InsertView (Drafting) View creation broken into many different
options on menu.
Format Menu
Tools Menu
Assemblies Menu
NX 2 Location NX 4 Location
AssembliesDelay Interpart Updates ToolsUpdateDelay Interpart
AssembliesUpdate Session ToolsUpdateUpdate Session
A-6 NX2NX4 CAD Transition - mt10026_g NX 4
NX 2 to NX 4 Menu Maps
WCS Menu
The entire WCS menu has been moved to the Format menu.
NX 2 Location NX 4 Location
WCSChange XC Direction FormatWCSChange XC Direction
WCSChange YC Direction FormatWCSChange YC Direction
WCSDisplay FormatWCSDisplay
WCSDynamics FormatWCSDynamics
WCSOrient FormatWCSOrient
WCSOrigin FormatWCSOrigin
WCSRotate FormatWCSRotate
WCSSave FormatWCSSave
Analysis Menu
AnalysisShapeDraft
Removed
AnalysisFace
AnalysisShapeFace
Removed
AnalysisMass
PropertiesArea
using Faces
Removed
AnalysisMass
PropertiesArea
using Solids
AnalysisShapeGrid
Section
AnalysisShapeSurfa AnalysisShapeSurface
ce Continuity
Continuity Analysis
- NX2NX4 CAD Transition A-7
NX 2 to NX 4 Menu Maps
Preferences Menu
NX 2 Location NX 4 Location
PreferencesUG/Manager PreferencesNX Manager
Application Menu
Lines and Arcs is a special pull-down menu and toolbar that lets you quickly
create associative or non-associative lines and curves using predefined
constraint combinations. You do not have to open a dialog or operate any
icon option controls.
Basic Procedures
Choose this option to specify that the
Associative curve you create is an associative feature.
Associative curves update automatically if
their input parameters change. You can
edit associative curves using Edit
Parameters or the Part Navigator Details
Panel. This option works like a toggle
switch. B
Creates a line using start and end point
Line Point-Point constraints.
1. Select the start point location for the
line.
2. Select the end point location.
3. Click MB1 to create the line.
Creating an Offset Surface from Sewn Using the Feature Control Frame
Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26 Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15
Creating Angled Centerline Variable Radius Edge Blend . . . . 6-36
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-50 Analysis Objects
Creating Automatic Ordinate Display Enhancement . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-29 Information Enhancements . . . . 4-15
Creating Chamfers . . . . . . . . . . . 6-44 Assemblies
Creating Drafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-25 Advanced Weight
Creating Fit Splines . . . . . . . . . 11-43 Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-49
Creating Offset Surfaces Using the Assembly Arrangements
Allow Step Boundaries . . . . . . 9-29 The Assembly Arrangements
Creating Tracelines . . . . . . . . . 14-37 Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-17
Defining the PMI Annotation Assembly Cut Characteristics . . . 12-7
Plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-17 Assembly Cut Notes . . . . . . . . . . 12-9
Editing Curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-34 Assembly Navigator
Editing Sketch Dimensions . . . . . 10-5 Filtering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-34
Examining the New Trim Clearance Analysis
Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9 Default Settings . . . . . . . . . 12-44
Falloff with Translate along Control Study Clearance
Polygon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-31 Violations . . . . . . . . . . . 12-43
Fitting a Face and Using Clearance Analysis
Constraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-49 Enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . 12-40
Generating Text Along Curve . . 11-25 Display Instancing: Facet
Grouping Curves . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7 Sharing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-50
Inheriting PMI Data into a Base New Parent Assembly . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Drawing View . . . . . . . . . . . 15-28 Partial Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-38
Intersecting Curves Using Two Sets of Reference Sets Enhancements . . 12-3
Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-19 WAVE Geometry Linker
New Datum Plane Datum Coordinate System . . 12-6
Enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-52 Assembly Arrangements
PMI Annotations . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-4 Base Drawing Views . . . . . . . . . 14-35
Replacing Features . . . . . . . . . . . 7-38 Automatic Constraints . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Selecting and Editing a
Leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-11 B
Text On Face . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-29
Body Taper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Through Curves (Normal to End
Sections) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Using Dividing Face . . . . . . . . . . 9-14 C
Using Follow Fillet . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25 Chamfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-43
Using NX 4 Selection Modes . . . . 1-11 Clearance Navigator
Using QuickPick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6 Enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-40
Using Refit Face with a Target Curve Fit Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24 Curves
Using Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-19 Bridge Curve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-53
Using the Enhanced Ordinate Cloud Sections
Dimension Tool . . . . . . . . . . 14-19 Point Output . . . . . . . . . . . 11-56
Employer Location
Thank you for your participation and we hope your training experience will be an outstanding one.
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NX2-NX4 CAD Transition Course Agenda
Monday Morning
Introduction & Overview
Lesson 1. Gateway General
Lesson 2. Gateway Customization
Afternoon
Lesson 3. Visualization
Lesson 4. Shape Studio
Tuesday Morning
Lesson 5. Modeling General
Afternoon
Lesson 6. Modeling Features, Part 1
Lesson 7. Modeling Features, Part 2
Wednesday Morning
Lesson 8. Modeling Free Form Features, Part 1
Afternoon
Lesson 9. Modeling Free Form Features, Part 2
Lesson 10. Sketcher
Thursday Morning
Lesson 11. Modeling Curves
Afternoon
Lesson 12. Assemblies
Friday Morning
Lesson 13. Drafting Part 1
Lesson 14. Drafting Part 2
Afternoon
Lesson 15. PMI
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Accelerators
The following Accelerators can be listed from within an NX session by choosing
InformationCustom MenubarAccelerators.
Function Accelerator
FileNew... Ctrl+N
FileOpen... Ctrl+O
FileSave Ctrl+S
FileSave As... Ctrl+Shift+A
FilePlot... Ctrl+P
FileExecuteGrip... Ctrl+G
FileExecuteDebug Grip... Ctrl+Shift+G
FileExecuteNX Open... Ctrl+U
EditUndo Ctrl+Z
EditCut Ctrl+X
EditCopy Ctrl+C
Edit-Paste Ctrl+V
EditDelete... Ctrl+D or Delete
EditSelectionTop Selection Priority - Feature F
EditSelectionTop Selection Priority - Face G
EditSelectionTop Selection Priority - Body B
EditSelectionTop Selection Priority - Edge E
EditSelectionTop Selection Priority - Component C
EditSelection-Select All Ctrl+A
EditBlankBlank... Ctrl+B
EditBlankReverse Blank All Ctrl+Shift+B
EditBlankUnblank Selected... Ctrl+Shift+K
EditBlankUnblank All of Part Ctrl+Shift+U
EditTransform... Ctrl+T
EditObject Display... Ctrl+J
ViewOperationZoom... Ctrl+Shift+Z
ViewOperationRotate... Ctrl+R
ViewOperationSection... Ctrl+H
ViewLayoutNew... Ctrl+Shift+N
ViewLayoutOpen... Ctrl+Shift+O
ViewLayoutFit All Views Ctrl+Shift+F
ViewVisualizationHigh Quality Image... Ctrl+Shift+H
ViewInformation Window F4
ViewCurrent Dialog F3
ViewReset Orientation Ctrl+F8
InsertSketch... S
InsertDesign FeatureExtrude... X
InsertDesign FeatureRevolve... R
InsertTrimTrimmed Sheet... T
InsertSweepVariational Sweep... V
FormatLayer Settings... Ctrl+L
FormatVisible in View... Ctrl+Shift+V
FormatWCSDisplay W
ToolsExpression... Ctrl+E
ToolsJournalPlay... Alt+F8
ToolsJournalEdit Alt+F11
ToolsMacroStart Record... Ctrl+Shift+R
ToolsMacroPlayback... Ctrl+Shift+P
ToolsMacroStep... Ctrl+Shift+S
InformationObject... Ctrl+I
AnalysisCurveRefresh Curvature Graphs Ctrl+Shift+C
PreferencesObject... Ctrl+Shift+J
PreferencesSelection... Ctrl+Shift+T
StartModeling... M or Ctrl+M
StartAll ApplicationsShape Studio... Ctrl+Alt+S
StartDrafting... Ctrl+Shift+D
StartManufacturing... Ctrl+Alt+M
StartNX Sheet Metal... Ctrl+Alt+N
StartAssemblies A
StartGateway... Ctrl+W
HelpOn Context... F1
Refresh F5
Fit Ctrl+F
Zoom F6
Rotate F7
Orient View-Trimetric Home
Orient View-Isometric End
Orient View-Top Ctrl+Alt+T
Orient View-Front Ctrl+Alt+F
Orient View-Right Ctrl+Alt+R
Orient View-Left Ctrl+Alt+L
Snap View F8
Evaluation Delivery
NX2 NX4, Course #MT10026
Dates thru
Please share your opinion in all of the following sections with a check in the appropriate box:
Instructor: 5
If there were 2 instructors, please evaluate the 2nd instructor with Xs
Instructor: 7
1. clearly explained the course objectives
2. was knowledgeable about the subject
3. answered my questions appropriately
4. encouraged questions in class
5. was well spoken and a good communicator
6. was well prepared to deliver the course
7. made good use of the training time
8. conducted themselves professionally
9. used examples relevant to the course and audience
10. provided enough time to complete the exercises
11. used review and summary to emphasize important information
12. did all they could to help the class meet the course objectives
Class Logistics:
1. The training facilities were comfortable, clean, and provided a good learning
environment
2. The computer equipment was reliable
3. The software performed properly
4. The overhead projection unit was clear and working properly
5. The registration and confirmation process was efficient
Hotels: (We try to leverage this information to better accommodate our customers)
1. Name of the hotel Best hotel Ive stayed at
2. Was this hotel recommended during your registration process? YES NO
3. Problem? (brief description)
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Evaluation - Courseware
NX2 NX4, Course #MT10026
:
Please share your opinion for all of the following sections with a check in the appropriate box
Material:
1. The training material supported the course and lesson objectives
2. The training material contained all topics needed to complete the projects
3. The training material provided clear and descriptive directions
4. The training material was easy to read and understand
5. The course flowed in a logical and meaningful manner
6. How appropriate was the length of the course relative to the material? Too short Too long Just right
Student:
1. I met the prerequisites for the class (I had the skills I needed)
2. My objectives were consistent with the course objectives
3. I will be able to use the skills I have learned on my job
4. My expectations for this course were met
5. I am confident that with practice I will become proficient
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