Learning CAD with Alibre Atom3D

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

Today I paid for my licence for Atom3D. Now that I'm a paid-up Atomiser, I want try to customise it a bit. To start with, is it possible to alter the default font for 2D drawings? Exporting them to another CAD program alters the size dramatically, too, so much so that they are unreadable and require resizing. Any ideas what would cause that, aside from the way the 2D CAD program parses the ATOM output?

Over to you…….

John

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Yes that should be easy enough, I alter the size and have also use to alter fonts for title blocks.

When in the 2D drawing and on the first tab "drawing management" if you click "dimension styles" that allows you to alter things like font, arrows, units, decimal places etc. Tick box at the bottom to make any changes default.

Edited By JasonB on 28/03/2019 13:17:57

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

John – once you have decided upon your preferred dimension styles, consider making your own custom template for 2D drawings. 2D drawing properties (including available dimension styles) are inherited from the template used, the supplied templates are read only to prevent overwriting, but you can make your own custom templates. See this video for a quick overview, or this article for more details. Both were created for Alibre Design, but the basics are the same for Atom3D.

Edited By David Jupp on 28/03/2019 14:54:31

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

Thanks, Jason. I knew there would be an easy answer, if only I knew where to look! I'll try it in a moment when I've finished my afternoon tea and cake.

John

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

And thank you, David. I tried Jason's tip and it worked fine. Also saw the article about custom templates and resolved to do that later this evening.

John

[JC54Participant @jc54]

I am still strugling with simple parts but getting there slowly. I am sorry if this question has already been asked, is there a simple way to draw a hexagon? I want to make a part from a piece of 12mm AF hexagon bar approx 20mm long.

Many thanks John

Bolts and nuts are simple hexagons!!!!

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

If you look in the "sketch figures" section which is the place you go to select line, circle etc there is a tab for "regular polygon" it defaults to a six sided hexagon. just click that and then draw your hex much like you would a circle.

[JC54Participant @jc54]

Many thanks Jason, so simple but for some reason just could not see it. John

[Colin HeseltineParticipant @colinheseltine48622]

Do Alibre contact us when the 6 month free trial is over to see if wish to purchase or is it up to us to contact them by the end of the six months.

Colin

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

Colin,

A couple of answers – you may well be contacted by Alibre or your local reseller as you near the end of the extended trial. If for any reason that doesn't happen, you'll actually get a message on screen at end of trial reminding you contact them. Obviously this is in the hope that you'll wish to purchase a licence to continue using the software.

Should you not wish to purchase a licence, or if you simply aren't ready to do so yet – please read on. I had previously reported that at end of trial period, the software will revert to 'viewer mode'. Due to some alterations in how the extended trial is managed at the licensing server, the behaviour has changed slightly. It is possible to access 'viewer mode' after the trial expires, but that does now require a small effort. This new article on the Alibre web site explains how to remove the extended trial licence and access viewer mode.

[John Davies 6Participant @johndavies6]

Thanks for your help all of you – question about visibility in Alibretatom 3D

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 01/05/2019 13:54:20

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Some stray posts tidied up into this thread.

Neil

[Ted WebbParticipant @tedwebb25830]

Alibre Atom3D Registration Query

About four or five years ago I downloaded a trial version of Cubify Invent. I completed a number of Cubify Invent tutorials and was duly impressed. However, because it did not support more than one part I didn’t pursue and continued to dabble with TurboCad (and SketchUp). My interests in CAD and 3D modeling are hobby related only.

Winding the clock forward, I recently stumbled upon Alibre Atom3D and noticed the similarity between the GUI of the two applications (Cubify Invent and Alibre Atom3D). I also noticed that Alibre 3D supported multiple parts and furnished a tutorial on how to create assemblies. I was very excited! I immediately downloaded the Atom 3D trial version and Exercise manual.

I attempted to install the Alibre Atom3D trial version in the laptop (which is connected to the internet) and was basically told that Alibre Atom3D would not install in my machine (32 bit). I then visited the Alibre web site and found that Alibre 3D is 64 bit. Well, I was pretty bummed by that discovery.

I do have a 64-bit desktop that is NOT connected to the internet. I do my semi-serious CAD on that computer. My plan was to trial Alibre Atom3D on the laptop, if I like it, make the purchase, permanently install on the 64-bit desktop and somehow register the program without going online.

However, since the laptop is out of the picture (because it is 32 bit), my only recourse is to install on the 64-bit desktop that does not have internet.

I’m finally getting to my question. When I install the trial version of Alibre Atom3D and register for the 6 month trial period extension, will the registration process call for me to have internet connection??? If so, is there a way to get around this?? OBTW – I live in Australia and my authorized dealer in New Zealand if that makes a difference.

Thank you for your reply.

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

Off-line activation (without direct internet connection) is only available for Alibre Design, not for Atom3D – there is also an additional charge for enabling off-line activation.

The internet connection is only required for activation of Atom3D, then approximately once a month for licence verification – it is not necessary in routine use.

Some users provide a temporary internet connection (for example by mobile phone) to a PC that otherwise doesn't have a connection, just to allow activation and licence verification.

Licensing policy is set centrally by Alibre, LLC.

I'm sure you will find Gordon at BayCAD helpful – any feedback or special requests regarding licensing should be made via your reseller.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Ted Webb on 11/05/2019 00:29:59:.

…

I attempted to install the Alibre Atom3D trial version in the laptop (which is connected to the internet) and was basically told that Alibre Atom3D would not install in my machine (32 bit). I then visited the Alibre web site and found that Alibre 3D is 64 bit. Well, I was pretty bummed by that discovery.

…

However, since the laptop is out of the picture (because it is 32 bit), my only recourse is to install on the 64-bit desktop that does not have internet.

…

Hi Ted,

Always annoying when an old friend lets you down with a thud! The problem is that 32 bit computers are obsolete. You've reached the equivalent of taking a reliable old car into the garage for its usual cheap service, and the man says 'you can't get the parts guv'.

New computers are 64 bit and have been for several years. 64 bit is highly advantageous for programs like CAD because they need a fast processor, fast graphics, and loads of memory.

You do have another option – buy a new laptop! Even a cheap one will run rings around a 32 bit machine, and it will also be compatible with currently available software.

If only chucking cash at it was the only issue! The problem with not upgrading a computer for several years is the size of the learning gap that opens up. Jumping from Windows-XP to Windows 10 can be painful, but I guess that's what's on your 64-bit machine? If you have the time, money and inclination, I think you'll find upgrading the laptop well worth it.

Dave

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Are you sure that your computer hardware isn't 64 bit?

I once had a 64 bit laptop running a 32 bit version of Windows, as the result of a like-for-like version update.

I think I had to wipe the hard drive to allow a 64 bit O/S installation.

Martin.

[Ted WebbParticipant @tedwebb25830]

Gentlemen,

Thank you for all the helpful replies. I have decided to get a USB Wi-Fi dongle for my 64-bit desk top. My wife uses Wi-Fi on her tablet via her portable modem. I'm sure she'll share her user name and password if I mow the lawn!

I'm looking forward to installing the Alibre Atom3D Trial version and having a play!

Again, a big 'thank you' for your replies and support.

Ted

[JC54Participant @jc54]

This is more than likely one of my stupid questions but,,, I am trying to model a steam engine cylinder and want to drill a hole "steam port" at an angle to the "XY" plane. Is there a simple way to do this please? Many thanks in advance, JC

[JC54Participant @jc54]

Sorry on reading above post perhaps I should say Draw rather than Drill??? JC

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

You need to create a plane that is at 90degreed to the hole you want to draw, then it is just a case of sketching a circle on that plane and cut extruding it. An alternative is to add an axis then draw a half section of teh hole and cut rotate about the axis.

Give me a while as I think Atom is slightly different for adding planes than my Pro version and I'll see what can do.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Well it came out a bit fuzzy but should give you an idea of how to first set a plane at the desired angle and then I added an offset plane to that before sketching on the offset plane. Also a bit of editing as the holes were cutting into the cylinder sides. I think Atom has the same plane options if not post a screen shot of what options come up when you click the "insert ref plane" tab.

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

Another option (depends on the specific model) might be to add a chamfer to a straight edge to get an angled face – then use that to sketch on.

The key points are

• You can only 2D sketch on planes, or on planar faces of existing solids.
• You can add your own reference planes to help in creation of features.

Jason's method is very similar to how you might actually drill the holes – first set work up at desired angle, then drill.

The nice thing with CAD is that if the angle wasn't quite right, you can go back and change it without wrecking anything.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Similar to David's suggestion of a chamfer is to sketch a random shape with one side at 90 degrees to the angle of your hole, the long edge in this case

Then extrude that to any length I went with 1"

You then just select that surface to sketch on

Then once again cut to geometry

You can go back to alter the angle of your first line or move the circles if need be. Then just select the cut extrusion on the left hand list by right clicking and select "suppress" so it does not show on the model. Final thing on a cylinder like this is to mirror the cut extrude of the drillings about the central plane.

 

Edited By JasonB on 15/06/2019 10:29:52

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I've been doing that sort of thing by creating angled planes

[JC54Participant @jc54]

Many thanks Jason, David and Neil will have time tomorrow to give it a try. John

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