updating “using autodesk inventor” to release 5 appendix …38 updating “using autodesk...

25Ron K C Cheng

Updating “Using Autodesk Inventor” to Release 5

Appendix R5–2Solid Modeling

Chapter 2 explains the key concepts of solid modeling. You construct 3D solid partsusing sketched solid features, placed solid features, and work features. You alsoconstruct derived solid parts. Apart from learning how to construct solid parts, you applylighting to the environment, set materials and color for the solid parts, and export andimport files. This appendix complements Chapter 2 by delineating the following featuresin Autodesk Inventor 5:

⇒ Texture Mapping

⇒ Perspective Viewing

⇒ Polygon Construction

⇒ Dimension Name Display

⇒ Sketch Pattern Construction

⇒ Mirror Sketch Objects and Symmetry Constraint

⇒ 2D Spline Construction

⇒ Ellipse Construction

⇒ Sketch Dimension Display Behavior

⇒ Show Dimension Improvements

⇒ Foreign Data Import

Texture MappingIn R5, you can apply texture map on component parts by using predefined textures or texture that youconstruct. Now perform the following steps to apply texture map to a component part.

1. Open the solid part Mainbody.ipt that you constructed in Chapter 2.2. Select Format>Color.3. In the Color dialog box shown in Figure 2–1, select the Texture tab.

26 Updating “Using Autodesk Inventor” to Release 5

Figure 2–1Colors dialog box

4. In the Texture Chooser dialog box, select a texture and select the OK button.(See Figure 2–2.)

Figure 2–2Texture Chooser dialog box

5. On returning to the Colors dialog box, set %Scale to 400 and select the Applyand Close buttons. (See Figure 2–3.)

Figure 2–3%Scale set

Appendix R5–2 Solid Modeling 27

The selected texture is mapped on the component. (See Figure 2–4.)

Figure 2–4Texture mapped on the component

To modify the color of the component, perform the following steps:

6. Select Format>Colors.7. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to assign a texture map.8. Select the Color tab of the Colors dialog box and select Blue(Clear). (See

Figure 2–5.)9. Select the Apply and Close buttons.

A transparent color together with texture map are applied to the component. (See Figure 2–6.)

Figure 2–5Transparent color being applied


Figure 2–6Transparent color and texture map applied

Perspective ViewingTo set the graphics window to a perspective view, perform the following steps:

10. Select Perspective Camera from the Standard toolbar. (See Figure 2–7.)

Figure 2–7Perspective display


Polygon ConstructionIn R5, there are two ways to construct a regular polygon. The first method is to specify the center point anda vertex of the polygon (specifying an inscribed circle) and the second method is to specify the center pointand the distance from an edge to the center (specifying a circumscribed circle). Now perform the followingsteps to construct a polygon.

1. Start a new part file. Use metric template.2. Select Polygon from the Sketch panel or select the Polygon button from the

Sketch toolbar. (See Figure 2–8.)3. In the Polygon dialog box, select the Circumscribed button and set the number

of sides to 6,4. Select a point to indicate the center and a point to indicate the radius of the

circumscribed circle. A polygon is constructed.5. Select the Done button to close the Polygon dialog box.

Figure 2–8Polygon constructed

Dimension Name DisplayIn R5, each dimension of a sketch has a name. You can display the dimension’s value, dimension name, oran equation with the dimension name and an expression. Perform the following steps to set the display of adimension.

6. Referring to Figure 2–9, add a dimension.7. Select the dimension, right-click, and select Show Name.


8. Select the dimension, right-click, and select Show Expression. (See Figure 2–10.)

Figure 2–9Dimension added

Figure 2–10Dimension’s name displayed


The dimension’s name, together with an expression, are displayed. (See Figure 2–11.) The sketch iscomplete. Select Return from the Command Bar toolbar and save your file. (File name: Polygon.ipt.)

Figure 2–11Dimension expression displayed

Sketch Pattern ConstructionIn R5, you can construct multiple copies of selected geometric objects in a sketch in a rectangular orcircular pattern. Each copy of the objects in the pattern is called an instance. You can set the instances to beassociative to the original geometry and you can suppress individual instances.

Circular PatternA circular pattern is a polar array of selected geometry. Now you will construct associative and non-associative circular patterns.

1. Start a new part file. Use metric template.2. Construct two circles and a line joining the centers of the circles, and add

dimensions. (See Figure 2–12.)3. Select Circular Pattern from the Sketch panel or select the Circular Pattern

button from the Sketch toolbar. (See Figure 2–13.)4. Select the small circle as the geometry to array and the center of the large

circle as the center of array.5. Expand the Circular Pattern dialog box and check the Associative and Fitted

boxes.6. Set the number of count to 6 and spacing to 360 degree, and select the OK

button.


A circular pattern of the small circle is constructed. The pattern is fitted within 360 degree spacing and theinstances are associative to the original geometry.

Figure 2–12Sketch constructed

Figure 2–13Circular pattern being constructed


7. With reference to Figure 2–14, construct a circle and a line and adddimensions to the sketch.

Figure 2–14Circle, line, and dimensions constructed

8. Select Circular Pattern from the Sketch panel or select the Circular Patternbutton from the Sketch toolbar. (See Figure 2–15.)

9. Select the circle indicated as the geometry to array and the center of the largecircle as the center of the array.

10. Expand the Circular Pattern dialog box.11. Uncheck the Associative box.12. Select the Suppress button and select the highlighted instance of the circular

pattern.13. Select the OK button.

A non-associative circular pattern with an instance suppressed is constructed. (See Figure 2–16.)

14. With reference to Figure 2–16, modify two dimensions of the geometry for theassociative pattern.

The geometry is modified and the instances of the associative pattern are modified as well. (See Figure 2–17.)


Figure 2–15Non-associative circular pattern being constructed

Figure 2–16Dimensions of the geometry for the associative pattern being modified

15. With reference to Figure 2–17, modify a dimension of the geometry in the non-associative pattern.

The geometry is modified but the instances of the non-associative pattern remain unchanged.


16. Select the geometry of the associative pattern, right-click, and select EditPattern. (See Figure 2–18.)

Figure 2–17Non-associative pattern being modified

Figure 2–18Pattern being edited


17. In the Circular Pattern dialog box, select the Suppress button. (See Figure 2–19.)

18. Select an instance of the pattern.19. Select the OK button.

The selected instance is suppressed. Save and close your file. (File name: CircularPattern.ipt)

Figure 2–19Instance being suppressed

Rectangular PatternA rectangular pattern is a rectangular array of geometry. Similar to a circular pattern, instances of arectangular pattern can also be associative and suppressed individually.

1. Start a new file. Use metric template.2. With reference to Figure 2–20, construct a rectangle and a circle, and add

parametric dimensions.3. Select Rectangular Pattern from the Sketch panel or select the Rectangular

Pattern button from the Sketch toolbar. (See Figure 2–21.)4. Select the circle as the geometry to array.5. Expand the Rectangular Pattern dialog box and check the Associative button.6. Select the lower edge and the vertical edges one by one to specify Direction 1

and Direction 2.7. With reference to Figure 2–21, set the horizontal count to 3, horizontal spacing

to 12 mm, vertical count to 2, and vertical spacing to 15 mm.


8. Select the OK button.

Figure 2–20Circle and rectangle constructed

Figure 2–21Rectangular pattern being constructed


An associative rectangular pattern is constructed. To appreciate the meaning of associativity, you will editthe basic geometry of the pattern.

9. With reference to Figure 2–22, modify two dimensions.

Figure 2–22Dimensions being modified

Save and close your file. (File name: RectangularPattern.ipt)

Mirror Sketch Objects and Symmetry ConstraintThere are two ways to construct a sketch with symmetric sketch objects: You mirror existing sketch objectsor apply symmetry constraint to existing objects.

1. Start a new part file. Use metric template.2. With reference to Figure 2–23, construct a sketch with four line segments.3. Select Mirror from the Sketch panel or select the Mirror button from the Sketch

toolbar. (See Figure 2–24.)4. Select the Select button from the Mirror dialog box and select the line

segments indicated in Figure 2–24.


Figure 2–23Line segments constructed

Figure 2–24Sketch objects selected

5. Select the Mirror Line button from the Mirror dialog box and select the lineindicated in Figure 2–25.

6. Select the Apply and then the Done buttons.


7. Move the cursor over the graphics area, right-click, and select ShowConstraints. (See Figure 2–26.)

Figure 2–25Mirror line selected

Figure 2–26Constraint symbols displayed


The selected sketch objects are mirrored and the constraints are displayed. (Note that symmetric constraintsare automatically applied to mirrored objects.) Now save and close your file. (File name: MirrorSketch.ipt)

Now you will construct a sketch and apply symmetric constraint to it.

1. Start a new part file. Use metric template.2. With reference to Figure 2–27, construct a sketch.3. Select Symmetric from the Sketch panel or select the Symmetric button from

the Sketch toolbar.4. Select the objects indicated in Figure 2–27 one by one.5. Select the object indicated in Figure 2–28 as the symmetry line.

Figure 2–27Sketch constructed and objects selected


Figure 2–28Mirror line selected

6. With reference to Figure 2–29, select a pair of objects to make themsymmetric.

The sketch is complete. Save and close your file. (File name: Symmetric.ipt)

Figure 2–29Objects to be set symmetrical


2D Spline ConstructionA spline is a free-form curve defined by specifying two end points and one or more intermediate points. Theend points of the spline are called fit points. They are positionally constrained. The intermediate pointsalong the spline are called shape points. They are unconstrained.

Now you will construct a spline.

1. Start a new part file. Use metric template.2. Select Spline from the Sketch panel or select the Spline button from the Sketch

toolbar.3. Select five locations on the current sketch plane to define five points on the

spline.4. Right-click and select Create. (See Figure 2–30.)

A spline with five points (two fit points at the ends of the spline and three shape points along the spline) isconstructed.

Figure 2–30Spline being constructed

Now you will modify the shape of the spline by manipulating its fit and shape points.

5. Select the spline to display the fit and shape points.6. Select a fit point and drag it to a new location. (See Figure 2–31.)7. Select a shape point and drag it to a new location.

The spline is modified. Note that the other points of the curve remain unchanged while a fit or a shape pointis manipulated.


Figure 2–31Spline being modified by selecting and dragging one of the fit points

Now you will modify the shape of the spline by dimensioning the fit and shape points of the spline.

8. Select the spline to display the fit and shape points.9. Select General Dimension from the Sketch panel or select the General

Dimension button from the Sketch toolbar.10. With reference to Figure 2–32, select two points of the spline and select a

location to place the dimension.11. Fully dimension the spline in accordance with Figure 2–33.

The spline is constrained.


Figure 2–32Dimension being constructed

Figure 2–33Spline fully dimensioned

Now you will constrain an end point of the spline to make it tangent to an existing object.

12. With reference to Figure 2–34, construct a line, select an end point of thespline, and drag it to the end point of the line.


13. Select Tangent from the Sketch panel or select the Tangent button from theSketch toolbar and select the spline and the line. (See Figure 2–35.)

A tangent constraint is applied to the spline and the line.

Figure 2–34Line constructed

Figure 2–35Tangent constraint being applied


Now you will construct a spline with its start point tangent to an existing object.

14. Select Spline from the Sketch panel or select the Spline button from the Sketchtoolbar.

15. Select the end point of the line and drag to a new location. (See Figure 2–36.)16. Select three more locations on the sketch plane and double-click. (Either right-

clicking and selecting Create or double clicking ends a spline.)A spline tangent to an existing object is constructed. (See Figure 2–37.)

Figure 2–36Selecting the end point of an existing object and dragging

Now you will insert additional shape points to a spline.

17. Select the spline, right-click, and select Insert Point. (See Figure 2–38.)18. Select a location along the spline.

A shape point is inserted. (See Figure 2–39.)


Figure 2–37Spline tangent to a line is constructed

Figure 2–38Right-click menu


Figure 2–39Shape point inserted

Now you will modify the way a spline is fitted along the shape points.

19. Select the spline, right-click, select Fit Method, and then select Sweet. (SeeFigure 2–40.)

The fit method is changed. There are three fit methods: Smooth, Sweet, and AutoCAD. The default fitmethod is smooth. The sweet method is much faster. The AutoCAD method uses the same algorithm asAutoCAD to construct a spline.

Now you will display the curvature comb to show the variation of the spline curvature.

20. Select the spline, right-click, and select Display Curvature.The curvature comb is displayed. (See Figure 2–41.)


Figure 2–40Fit method changed

Figure 2–41Curvature comb displayed

Now you will close a spline.

21. Select the spline, right-click, and select Close Spline. (See Figure 2–42.)The spline is closed.


Now you will open a closed spline.

22. Select the spline, right-click, and unselect Close Spline. (See Figure 2–43.)

Figure 2–42Spline closed

Figure 2–43Spline opened


The spline is opened. Note that the end points of the opened spline are coincident initially. Now you willdrag them apart.

23. With reference to Figure 2–44, select the opened end points of the spline anddrag them to new positions.

Figure 2–44An end point moved

Save and close your file. (File name: Spline.ipt)

Ellipse ConstructionIn R5, an ellipse can be trimmed and the half major and minor axes can be dimensioned without using pointobjects.

1. Start a new part file. Use metric template.2. With reference to Figure 2–45, construct two points and a line joining the

points. (The purpose of constructing the points and line is to provide referencefor the orientation of the ellipse to be constructed.)

3. Select Ellipse from the Sketch panel or select the Ellipse button from theSketch toolbar.

4. Select the left end point as the center and the other end point as the end pointof the major axis.

5. Select a location to indicate the minor axis. (See Figure 2–46.)6. Select General Dimension from the Sketch panel or the General Dimension

button from the Sketch toolbar.


Figure 2–45Points and line constructed

Figure 2–46Ellipse being constructed

7. Select the ellipse and select a location to indicate a half axis dimension. (SeeFigure 2–47.)

8. With reference to Figure 2–48, construct another dimension.


Figure 2–47Dimension constructed

Figure 2–48Half axes dimensioned

9. Construct a vertical line and add an angular dimension to orient the ellipse.(See Figure 2–49.)


10. Construct a line. (See Figure 2–50.)

Figure 2–49Vertical line and dimension added

Figure 2–50Line constructed

11. Trim the ellipse and the line. (See Figure 2–51.)


12. With reference to Figure 2–52, add two dimensions.The sketch is complete. Save and close your file. (File name: Ellipse.ipt)

Figure 2–51Ellipse and line trimmed

Figure 2–52Dimensions added


Sketch Dimension Display BehaviorWhen a sketch is dimensioned, there are chances that the sketch is distorted. To avoid distortion ofsketched, always dimension the innermost (or the smallest dimension) and work from inside to outside.

1. Start a new part file. Use metric template.2. With reference to Figure 2–53, construct a sketch.

Figure 2–53Sketch constructed

3. Add a dimension and give it an extreme dimension value. (See Figure 2–54.)Note that the sketch is distorted.

4. Undo the last command.5. With reference to Figure 2–55, construct a dimension.


Figure 2–54Sketch distorted

Figure 2–55Dimension undone and another dimension constructed

6. Select the dimension, double-click, and change the dimension value to 1000.7. Select Zoom All from the Standard toolbar. (See Figure 2–56.) Note that the

sketch resize accordingly without any distortion to the general shape.


Figure 2–56Dimension value modified

Show Dimensions ImprovementsEditing a solid part is much easier by showing the dimensions of the features and editing the dimensions.

1. Open the file Polygon.ipt that you constructed.2. Set the display to an isometric view (if it is not displayed in isometric).3. Select Extrude from the Feature panel or select the Extrude button from the

Feature toolbar.4. In the Extrusion dialog box, set the taper angle to 5 degree and the extrusion

height to 10 mm, and select the OK button. (See Figure 2–57.)5. Select the Extrusion feature from the browser, right-click, and select Show

dimensions. (See Figure 2–58.)


Figure 2–57Sketch being extruded

Figure 2–58Dimensions displayed

6. With reference to Figure 2–59, select a dimension, double-click, and changethe dimension value to 10.

7. Select Update from the Command Bar toolbar. (See Figure 2–60.)


The solid part is modified.

Figure 2–59Dimension being modified

Figure 2–60Modified solid part updated


In-Line Work FeatureIn R5, you can construct a work feature during the creation of another work feature. The work feature thuscreated is called an in-line work feature. For example, you can construct work planes and work axes whilemaking a work point, construct work planes and work points while making a work axis, and construct workpoints and work axes while making a work plane. To learn how to construct in-line work features, you willperform the following steps:

1. Start a new part file. Use metric template.2. Referring to Figure 2–61, construct a rectangle measuring 40 mm times 30

mm, set the display to an isometric view, and extrude the sketch a distance of15 mm.

Figure 2–61Extruded solid being constructed

3. Select Work Points from the Features panel or toolbar.4. Move the cursor over the graphics area, right-click, and select Create Plane.5. Select the face indicated in Figure 2–62 and drag the mouse to construct an

offset work plane.6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 twice to construct two more offset work planes. (See

Figure 2–63 and 2–64.)


Figure 2–62In-line work plane constructed

Figure 2–63


Second in-line work plane constructed

Figure 2–64Third in-line work plane constructed

A work point residing at the intersection of three in-line work planes is constructed. (See Figure 2–65.)


Figure 2–65Work point constructed at the intersection of three in-line work planes

Foreign Data ImportIn R5, you can incorporate free-form features in a solid part by opening an IGES or ACIS file or importingthese files to an Autodesk Inventor solid part file. Now perform the following steps to input a set of surfaces(shown in Figure 2–66) in IGES format.

Figure 2–66Surfaces saved in IGES format


1. Start a new part file. Use metric template.2. Select Import>Insert.3. In the Import dialog box, select an IGES file and select the Open button.

The surface data from the IGEs file is imported. (See Figure 2–67.)

Figure 2–67Surface data imported

updating “using autodesk inventor” to release 5 appendix …38 updating “using autodesk...

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