Learning CAD with Alibre Atom3D

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

Just one way to do this – it isn't the only way, I don't claim it is 'better' than any other way that works. It has the advantage of minimising the number of figures in the sketch – just one rectangle.

Symmetric constraint makes sure both sides of rectangle are same distance from axis. Dimensions should be obvious. I used a tangent constraint to fix bottom of rectangle to bore. Previous feature was based on 2 concentric circles.

Working like this avoids the need for lots of trimming. It generally make editing much easier, there is less to 'go wrong' in any sketch. That also means it is less likely to confuse the constraint solver.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

As David says you have just locked the first vertical line which has no length set, if you had set it's length and position it would have been constrained and those constraints carried over into the other two lines. Must say I have never used the lock constraint.

Like Neil I would have drawn the two circles then a rectangle of length 5/16, set it symmetric about the vertical axis and set the top edge whatever distance it is meant to be from ctr of circle and then just trimmed the fat.

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

Jason – even a fully defined sketch figure won't carry dimensions, constraints through an offset operation. The offset is a simple one time creation of new lines. If you go back later and edit the source lines, the offset figure doesn't update. You'll also find that you can drag the offset figure around if you don't fix it somehow.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

David, why not use inches? because I'm stupid! Much easier when I switched



Looks like I'm still thinking 2D, creating a round boss as one sketch, a rectangular lump as another then dimensioning the rectangle from the boss centre and symmetric about a vertical from the boss centre worked in about 10 minutes. I'd been hours trying to do it my 2D based way. Must try to think in terms of shapes rather than lines. Neil's way works as well, dropping a rectangle on top of a circle then trimming away the redundant lines

Just one more query for the time being, if I select a figure, (shift left click drag) then copy with base point and select the centre of the circle. Then paste, it puts a copy overlaid on the original just a bit offset to the NE. I would expect it to ask where to put it (no silly puns)



Thanks

Edited By duncan webster on 02/12/2018 16:56:32

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I've got a problem trying to create a sphere.

I have a circle on a plane, and I'm trying to rotate it 180 degrees around the axis to make the sphere.

I'm getting this error;

WIRE_X_AXIS: Wire Intersects Axis

The circle is set so its centre point is on the axis.

If I use a semicircle and rotate 360 degrees, I don't get this problem.

I've had this come up with other rotate operations, can you explain what it means so I can avoid it more easily in future?

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

Neil, for revolutions the profile must not cross the axis of revolution – the message means that the profile crosses the axis. The profile can meet/touch the axis, but must not cross it.

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

Duncan, having copied with base point and nominated the base point – use Paste Stamper, the base point that you nominated will follow the cursor and can be placed wherever you wish.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Posted by David Jupp on 02/12/2018 17:36:46:

Duncan, having copied with base point and nominated the base point – use Paste Stamper, the base point that you nominated will follow the cursor and can be placed wherever you wish.

Thanks again, #2 son came round and gave me a teach in, if I can remember it I'll be a lot better. It would have been a lot easier not to know anything about 2D. He even managed to not lose his rag with his elderly parent being dim! Never mind I can still run rings round him on stress calcs.

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

Duncan, absolutely right – experience with 2D CAD can be a bit of a handicap when first adapting to 3D CAD.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by David Jupp on 02/12/2018 17:30:27:

Neil, for revolutions the profile must not cross the axis of revolution – the message means that the profile crosses the axis. The profile can meet/touch the axis, but must not cross it.

Ok, so I can make a sphere from a half-circle. but not a full circle.

Thanks,

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

nearly there, everything is constrained. I finished up modelling a 1/4 section then mirroring everything. Good job I'm not earning my living at it, still very slow.

Only issue now is getting rid of the red lines which are hovering.Wait for #2 son to visit again I think

Thanks again for your help

 

 

Edited By duncan webster on 02/12/2018 23:41:57

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

sorted, toggle sketches button turns the red lines off.

Then I closed down without saving. Not to worry, I've got the quarter sections so just mirror them again

[AJSParticipant @ajs]

I am just starting the base component of the Mini Gauge.When clicking on the blue part icon the work space opens but the three planes do not appear.

The XY plane was selected using the design explorer.

2D sketch was selected and the circle drawn and sized.

2D sketch was deactivated and the circle just drawn disappeared.

It would appear that maybe a global setting is incorrect.

Can you help please?

Thanks

Alan

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

You probably have references toggled off. From Viewing & Analysis tab on Ribbon – click References. See image.

[John Barber 5Participant @johnbarber5]

Posted by AJS on 05/12/2018 18:24:05:

2D sketch was deactivated and the circle just drawn disappeared.

Just wondering if you might have created a "reference" circle, rather than a "sketch figures" circle.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

No sketch can "disappear" if you don't have it highlighted down the left hand side of the page. But most likely also has Sketches toggle off as that is the one next to the planes toggle.

Edited By JasonB on 05/12/2018 20:10:06

[AJSParticipant @ajs]

Thank you for your prompt replies gents. Problem solved, as Jason suggested by setting the "sketches toggle"

Now on to the next part with renewed vigour!

Alan

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

More progress, I'm getting faster, still slow compared with someone who knows what he's doing. The calculated mass comes out within 1 gm of the weighed mass of the real thing, which is re-assuring. Creating the tapered flute gave me a headache

[John HardingParticipant @johnharding75458]

What is the recommended graphics card/graphics board?

Is it a virtual presence for downloading or a physical entity to plug in to computer?

Thanks in advance

John

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

The basic system requirements are detailed here

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

John, like most software these days you download the installer 'from the cloud'. Installer for atom is available here

To get the extended trial you'll need to use the magic link in MEW to register.

Graphics wise, any fairly modern PC should cope – separate card is better than integrated, but even integrated should function. Make sure to use graphics drivers from the graphics chip manufacturer NOT the default drivers that Windows installs (these don't support all features of DirectX that are required).

[John HardingParticipant @johnharding75458]

Thank you Jason and David. as far as computing goes I live in a fog. Jason I found your ref previously but the choice of fast or mulicore looses me. I assume an ssd is a usb stick. Presumably I have to install the grapics first. I am looking for guidance on what card to search for/purchse/install.

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

John, graphics – just try what is in your computer first. It might well manage OK, and if you decide to upgrade later there's no need to re-install Atom3D. If you try Atom and the workspace is grey with nothing happening in it, you'll have to update graphics drivers.

An SSD is a disk drive without moving parts (like a USB stick but as main storage inside the computer).

The fast vs multi-core stuff refers to the fact that most of what happens inside CAD has to be done in sequence, so it doesn't benefit much from having multiple core processors. So if you had the choice, faster clock speed (More GHz) would be your preference over slower clock speed with more cores. Not really worth worrying about as computers are rarely built for a single task.

 

Edited By David Jupp on 06/12/2018 14:54:00

[John HardingParticipant @johnharding75458]

Thank you David the fog begins to clear.

[Paul AbramsParticipant @paulabrams18342]

I'm trying to put a dome end onto an air cylinder but cannot find the information in the help files. Can you point me in the right direction. I have been trying to adapt the instructions on page 20 of MEW but getting nowhere!

A written manual or book on the Atom 3D would be really helpful – I know I'm expecting too much but any ideas please!!

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