Lecture Notes

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Insertions

4/5/02

• Reference Planes (extend to infinity, but are only partially visible).
• The current default is in the x,y plane.
• (Note: although the user may interact with a model with relative distances between objects, the data is stored in the ‘world coordinate system’ in absolute values).
• Reference planes allow the user to precisely specify where in the global ‘CAD world’ he or she is operating.
• By setting up Reference planes one of the three coordinate values become fixed. For example, if one is working the in the x,y plane, the z direction is fixed.
• There are three standard current defaults for these values: x,y y,z and x,z planes.
• The user has the ability to define an arbitrary reference plane.
• This can be done by selecting three points, two coplanar segments, or one coplanar face.
• After this is done, simply select the arbitrary plane tool, and click anywhere on the screen.
• After this in done, one can choose to save the newly created plane by opening up the Planes pallet, and click in the blank space of the pallet, and provide an appropriate name.
• Beyond defining new planes, the user can also extend the viewable plane, and rotate the plane either graphically or numerically to achieve a specific result.
• While working in a reference plane, however, one can constrain movement of an object perpendicular to the reference plane.
• Insertions
• Insert outline.
• This insertion allows the user to insert a segment onto a face, in essence dividing the single face into two or more faces which can be then treaded independently from one and another.
• When using this tool, pre-pick the face, then select the tool. Be careful not to create non-planar faces when moving the newly created faces.
• Insert opening.
• This insertion tool allows the user to take a polygon lying within the bounds of a larger polygon (assuming they are coplanar) and extend a new volume from or into the object to which the larger polygon belongs.
• Insert hole.
• This insertion tool can be useful when creating windows, doors, or any other type of opening in a model. As in the insert opening tool, pre-pick the larger face, select the tool, the click on another coplanar face which possesses the same dimensions as the hole which is to be cut from the object associated with the first face selected. The result is a hole which drives all the way through the object perpendicular to the two planes.