PowerShape_Basic-concepts.pdf

PowerSHAPE

Basic concepts

Disclaimer Delcam plc has no control over the use made of the software described in this manual and cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage howsoever caused as a result of using the software. Users are advised that all the results from the software should be checked by a competent person, in accordance with good quality control procedures. Information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment by Delcam plc. The software described in this manual is furnished under licence agreement and may be used or copied in accordance with the terms of such licence. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the express permission of Delcam plc.

Copyright © 1999-2004 Delcam plc. All rights reserved. Delcam plc Talbot Way Small Heath Business Park Birmingham B10 OHJ England Tel:

(UK) 0121-766-5544 (Int) +44 (0) 121-766-5544

Version number 5.7 - 02/12/04

Contents Basic concepts

1

Introduction......................................................................................1

PowerSHAPE

3

What is PowerSHAPE?....................................................................3 How do I run PowerSHAPE? ..........................................................6

User interface

7

What is each area of the screen? ......................................................7 What is a menu?...............................................................................7 How do I use the menus? .................................................................9 What is a toolbar? ..........................................................................11 How do I use the toolbars?.............................................................11 What is the Status bar?...................................................................12 How do I use the Status bar?..........................................................12 What is a dialogue box? .................................................................14 How do I use dialogue boxes? .......................................................14 How do I use the Arm? ..................................................................16 How do I use the mouse? ...............................................................17 How do I use the keyboard?...........................................................23 What is a graphics window? ..........................................................24 How do I use a graphics window? .................................................24 What is the Intelligent Cursor? ......................................................25 How do I use the Intelligent Cursor? .............................................25

Models

29 What is a model?............................................................................29 How do I create a model? ..............................................................29 How do I save a model?.................................................................30 How do I save a model with a new name? ....................................31 How do I save a model with a thumbnail?.....................................35 How do I close a model?................................................................36 How do I open a model? ................................................................36 How do I close and open zipped models?......................................41 How do I reset a model? ................................................................42

PowerSHAPE Basic concepts

Contents • i

How do I create a template model?................................................43 How do I change the description or password of a model? ...........43 How do I delete a model?...............................................................45 How do I keep track of changes made to a model? .......................47 How do I find out what a model contains? ....................................48 How do I find out information about a model?..............................49 How do I compare two models? ....................................................51 How do I find duplicate objects in a model? .................................53 How do I import data into a model? ..............................................55 How do I Import Materials?...........................................................63 How do I export data from a model? .............................................64 How do I use PS-Exchange to translate data? ...............................73 How do I export DXF files?...........................................................80 How do I export materials? ............................................................81 How do I create a .csv file for materials? ......................................83 How do I change the view of a model?..........................................85

Objects

87

How do I create an object?.............................................................87 How do I edit an object? ................................................................88

Entering positions

91

What is a coordinate system?.........................................................91 How do I enter positions? ..............................................................92 What is a grid?................................................................................97 How do I use the grid? ...................................................................98 How do I use point-locking? ..........................................................99 What is the Position dialogue box?...................................................100 How do I use the Position dialogue box? ..........................................100

Selecting objects

111

How do I select objects? ..............................................................111

Calculator and measuring

119

What is the calculator? .................................................................119 How do I use the calculator?........................................................119 How do I measure using the calculator? ......................................125

Parameters

137

What is a parameter?....................................................................137

ii • Index


How do I create a parameter? ......................................................138 How do I edit a parameter?..........................................................140 How do I use a parameter?...........................................................140 How do I find out if a value uses parameters?.............................141

Index


143

Contents • iii

iv • Index


Basic concepts

Introduction This manual provides all the necessary operations such as selecting objects and entering positions. You are also shown how to use the interface. You must be familiar with the operations in this manual in order to make full use of the other manuals.

Other manuals available Getting started To get you quickly familiar with the operations of PowerSHAPE, we strongly recommend that you work through the tutorials in the Getting started Manual. The tutorials are designed to introduce you to the concepts of PowerSHAPE. PowerSHAPE introduces many new ways of working with complex surfaces. Even if you are familiar with other Delcam products such as DUCT5, you can also benefit from investing some time in working through the examples. Wireframe modelling Wireframe objects (points, workplanes, lines, arcs and curves) are described in terms of how to create and edit them. Menus and toolbars This manual describes the menus and toolbars available within PowerSHAPE and how the various functions work. Solid and surface modelling This manual covers:


• 1

• Solid creation and editing • Surface creation and editing • Preparation for manufacture Drafting This manual covers the creation and editing of: • Drawings • Drawing views • Text • Dimensions • Hatching • Balloons • Symbols Managing your PowerSHAPE system This shows you how to manage PowerSHAPE and its data. Topics include: • installing PowerSHAPE • setting up new users • model database areas • backing up data • archiving models • workgroups • trouble shooting

Training courses Training courses are available. Please contact your Delcam Sales Partner for further details.

2 • Basic concepts


PowerSHAPE What is PowerSHAPE? PowerSHAPE is a powerful 3D modeller for designing complex shapes. It is ideally suited to preparing models for manufacture; either from scratch or by editing a part-complete model, imported from another CAD system. PowerSHAPE supports standard Microsoft Windows functionality such as cut, copy and paste, drag and drop, and rubber-band editing of objects. Any modelling object (such as line, arc, curve) can also be edited via pop-up menu - easily raised by clicking the right mouse button. The menus contain all the main operations available for the selected object.

Power Solution PowerSHAPE is integrated with all the other Power Solution products. For example: PowerMILL, which prepares NC data to cut PowerSHAPE models on a CNC machine tool. Over the years, DUCT has grown, from its roots at Cambridge University in England, into the market leading software for the design and manufacture of moulds, tools and dies around the world. The Power Solution products retain the power and flexibility of Delcam’s DUCT5 CAD/CAM system, but with a modern Microsoft Windows style interface. The DUCT range of integrated CAD/CAM products have been continuously developed for over 20 years.

Ease of use Ease of use is central to the product; most objects can be created with one or two mouse clicks only. The dimensions are dynamically dragged by


PowerSHAPE • 3

using the object's editing handles to create the desired size and shape. Discrete values can also be entered using dialogue boxes. At the heart of the uncluttered user interface lies the Intelligent Cursor. This generates construction lines and highlights objects’ snap points and tangencies as the cursor passes over.

Modelling for manufacture PowerSHAPE simplifies the adding of manufacturing features such as chamfers, fillets, split surfaces and draft surfaces. It is designed to handle components with complex surface geometry, making it an excellent tool for designing moulds, dies, electrodes and patterns.

Surfacing tools PowerSHAPE offers sophisticated surfacing tools, including surface creation from curves and dynamic surface manipulation, allowing quick and easy creation and subsequent modification of the CAD surfaces.

PowerSHAPE options The PowerSHAPE product is sold as four main options: • PowerSHAPE • PowerSHAPE for Designers • PowerSHAPE for Toolmakers • PowerSHAPE for Design to manufacture The PowerSHAPE option contains the core functionality. PowerSHAPE for Designers contains: • Core functionality • PS-Assembly • PS-Render • Global surface editing • Solid bulge feature • B-spline sketching • PS-Draft

4 • PowerSHAPE


PowerSHAPE for Toolmakers contains: • Core functionality • PS-Assembly • PS-Moldmaker • PS-Electrode and electrode set up sheets • PS-Draft PowerSHAPE for Design to manufacture contains: • PowerSHAPE for Designers • PowerSHAPE for Toolmakers Please note: If you have not purchased a licence for any option, you can still try the functionality using the evaluation licence (Tools Evaluation Mode). The following shortcuts start the modules of PowerSHAPE. PS-Estimator -estimator or -e PS-Draft -draft or -df PowerSHAPE for Designers -design or -de PowerSHAPE for Toolmakers -toolmakers or -t PowerSHAPE for Design to manufacture -manufacture or -m PowerSHAPE No argument For example, the following starts PowerSHAPE for Design to manufacture: powershape -m

When you start PowerSHAPE, the shortcut determines which licences you can use. If there is a problem accessing any licence, a message will appear stating which licence is not available.


PowerSHAPE • 5

How do I run PowerSHAPE? 1. Log in to a user account. 2. Double click the PowerSHAPE icon

on your desktop.

You can also start up PowerSHAPE by typing in an operating system window: powershape You can start up PowerSHAPE and open an existing model at the same time by typing: powershape model_name After a brief wait, the program starts up. A new large window appears on the screen. This is PowerSHAPE. To get you quickly familiar with PowerSHAPE, a tutorial introduction is provided in the Getting started Manual.

6 • PowerSHAPE


User interface

What is each area of the screen? The PowerSHAPE display uses a Windows™ style interface with pulldown menus and toolbars.

Each area of the screen and how to use the various components are described next.

What is a menu? Virtually every function within PowerSHAPE can be controlled from a menu. These drop down from the main menu bar, which is permanently displayed across the top of the PowerSHAPE window.


User interface • 7

The following provides brief details, but for full information, refer to “How do I use the menus?” and the individual menu chapters which describe the tools and functions available. • File menu - This controls model file related tasks such as Open, Save, Close, and Delete. • Edit menu - This provides the Undo/Redo commands and tools for handling the clipboard such as Cut, Copy and Paste. It also provides general editing tools applicable to most object types, such as Mirror and Rotate. There is also a button which raises the Edit Toolbar, providing one click shortcuts to the editing options. • View menu - This controls how the model(s) appear in the graphics window(s), providing a range of pre-set views. Using View Layout will display the View Edit dialogue box, which allows you to customise the view. • Object menu - This provides tools for creating all the available object types. These include Workplanes, Surfaces, Lines, and so on. The menu option for each type “walks through” to a submenu showing the available creation methods for each one. • Format menu - This provides options to change line types, colours and to assign display levels. Levels are used to reduce screen clutter on complex models. • Tools menu - This provides miscellaneous tools, including macro recording, surface splitting and trim region editing. It also allows you to set the PowerSHAPE options (your preferences on how PowerSHAPE operates). • Application menu - The Application menu lists all applications you can run whilst using PowerSHAPE. • Window menu - The Window menu lists all the graphics windows and allows you to manage them. • Help menu - This controls the dynamic help (pop-up tool tips) and the online help system. It also contains the software version and release details. • Pop-up menus - These are raised by clicking the right mouse button over an object. A menu appears under the cursor containing commands appropriate for editing the object. Right clicking within a graphics window, but away from any objects raises a view menu.

8 • User interface


How do I use the menus? The PowerSHAPE main menu is fixed at the top of the program window. Using the mouse to click on a menu option opens the menu that can contain commands, sub-menus and/or dialogue boxes. Options are dimmed when not available. If you hold the mouse button down and drag the cursor over the menus, the sub-menus open and close as the mouse passes over. The item under the cursor is selected when you release the button. If you decide to not select anything, move the cursor away from a menu before releasing the button. A similar effect is achieved by holding the Alt key down and pressing an appropriate underlined character. For example Alt e opens the Edit menu. You can also navigate around the menus with the arrow keys pre-select items. Enter ↵ selects an item and Esc closes the menus.

to

Some menus contain “walk through” options, indicated by the button at the right of the option. To use these, click the menu option and click again on the button. The walk-through expands and you can now select an option in the usual way. The arrow keys also work with “walkthroughs”. Just press the arrow when the option is highlighted. You can then arrow up and down the walk-through list.

Pop-up menus Pop-up menus are raised by clicking the right mouse button in the graphics window. The menu options vary according to what you click over. If you right click over an object, a pop-up menu is raised and displays the common edit options for that object. At the top of the menu, the type and name of the object are displayed. The name of the level on which the object lies is in brackets.



A click of the right mouse button in the graphics window, but not over an object, raises the View pop-up menu. This pop-up menu provides the shading options from the View menu and other common options.

If a mixture of objects is selected and you click the right mouse button on one of the selected objects, the Selection pop-up menu is displayed. This pop-up menu provides some common edit commands.

Object dialogue boxes and toolbars Double clicking over an object raises an object related dialogue box or a toolbar. The options vary according to the object type. 10 • User interface


Refer to: • "How do I edit an arc?" in the Wireframe modelling Manual • "How do I edit a curve?" in the Wireframe modelling Manual • "How do I edit a line?" in the Wireframe modelling Manual • "How do I edit a power surface?" in the Surface modelling Manual. • "How do I edit a primitive surface?" in the Surface modelling Manual. • "How do I edit a workplane?" in the Wireframe modelling Manual

Option menus Option menus are buttons used in dialogue boxes and toolbars. They show the current selection and expand when clicked to show all the options in the menu. Refer to "Option menus” in “How do I use dialogue boxes?".

What is a toolbar?

The toolbars contain buttons with graphical images (icons) to indicate their operation. In most cases, these provide shortcuts to options that you can reach from the menus. The Main Toolbar shown across the top of the above example picture is always visible. Other toolbars are displayed or hidden according to the functions in use. The image above also shows the Edit Toolbar displaying the Limit Selection tools.

How do I use the toolbars? The toolbars contain many of the features used in dialogue boxes. Typically: command buttons, text boxes and option menus. To use a toolbar, position the mouse pointer over a button and click the left-hand



mouse button. The button appears to press in and the function is activated. Most of the toolbar buttons are labelled with an icon to represent its function. Some have a text description. Many buttons provide shortcuts to main menu items. A few buttons raise secondary toolbars, for example, Surface Edits. Other toolbars change according to the function selected, this occurs on the Edit Toolbar. These have specific purposes and do not necessarily duplicate main menu options. If you are not sure what a button does, hover the mouse pointer over it. After a few seconds, a dynamic help text appears to describe the button’s purpose. Toolbars become fixed once they are displayed. To remove a toolbar from the screen, click the Cross button on the left of the toolbar.

What is the Status bar? This is the area at the bottom of the PowerSHAPE screen. It allows you to set the default drawing plane, enter point co-ordinates and open the Position dialogue box.

How do I use the Status bar? The Status bar is fixed at the bottom of the PowerSHAPE window. The picture below shows all the features in the Status bar.

Temporary workplane button - This allows you to create or remove a temporary workplane. See "Creating a temporary workplane" in the



"Workplanes" section in the Wireframe modelling Manual for further details. Workplane drop down list - This allows you to activate and de-activate workplanes. You can also use it to change the name of the selected workplane. See "Workplane combo box" in the "Workplanes" section in the Wireframe modelling Manual for further details. Origin of the active workplane - This is three boxes, which contain the X, Y, Z coordinates (in red) of the origin of the workplane. Principal plane buttons - These allows you to set the principal plane of the current workspace. Each button displays the label of the axis that is normal to the principal plane. For example, the button with label Z represents the XY principal plane. Select one of the buttons to change the principal plane. Point lock button - Turns on point-locking, for entering positions using the mouse. See "How do I use point-locking?" for further details. Grid on/off button

- Turns on and off the grid.

Grid scale - Displays the scale of the grid when it is switched on. See "What is a grid?" for further details. Coordinates box - This is three boxes, which contain the X, Y, Z coordinates of the cursor. Position button - When you are in object creation mode (such as, creating lines), this button is available. When you click on this, it displays the Position dialogue box which gives you various ways of entering positions. Refer to "How do I use the Position dialogue box?". Calculator button - Start the PowerSHAPE calculator. Refer to "How do I use the calculator?" in the Basic concepts Manual. Connect/Disconnect the Arm button - Connects or disconnects the Arm. To connect to the Arm, you need to have a PS-ARM licence file installed on your computer. See "How do I use the arm?" for further details. Tol - This displays the value of the general tolerance. You can use this text box to change the value. Data entry box - This is used to enter data or to view previously entered data. To enter data, either:



• Move the mouse cursor into the Data entry box and click in the box. Type in the data and press return. Or • Move the mouse cursor into the graphics window and type in the data. The data will appear in the Data entry box. Press return to enter the data. To view previously entered data: 1. Move the cursor into the Data entry box and click in the box. 2. Use the up and down arrow keys on the keyboard to display the previously entered data. The up arrow key will display previously entered data upwards from the last entry. The down arrow key will display previously entered data downwards from the first entry. If you want to enter any of the data again, press return when it is displayed in the Data entry box.

What is a dialogue box? These are movable data input boxes which are raised by PowerSHAPE when it needs you to provide information. Dialogue boxes contain various data entry boxes and buttons. Clicking the Accept button causes PowerSHAPE to use the new information and close the box.

How do I use dialogue boxes? Most PowerSHAPE operations are controlled by pointing and clicking or via the menus. Some raise dialogue boxes. For example, when you want to open a particular model, PowerSHAPE provides a dialogue box for you to select one from a list. This topic covers the features that can be found on most dialogue boxes.

Text boxes and data boxes These allow you to enter text or numbers. Click in the box, keeping the mouse cursor inside the box, then type the characters. The data is entered when you press return.



Drop Down Lists As for Text boxes, click in the box and type in your data. Clicking the arrow button causes the box to expand showing any previous entries. You can then click on the one you want.

Option menus These appear as drop down lists which expand when clicked to show a menu list. To use an option menu click on the button, then either click on or drag to the option you want. The menu shrinks back to the button which always shows the selected option.

Tabs

Tabs are used in dialogue boxes to show a different work page for each tab.

Radio buttons

These are small buttons placed next to their options. When one button is clicked, a dot appears in the button and the other previously clicked button pops out. Only one radio button can be ON at any time and it’s not possible to have them all off.

Toggle buttons



These are fully independent. A group of these can be any combination of ON and OFF. Just click a button to set ON and click again to set OFF.

Buttons Each button displays a unique image or text to represent a command. When clicked, the button appears to press-in and the associated command is activated. When the command is not available, the icon image or text appears grey and the button will not press-in when clicked.

Accept button This causes PowerSHAPE to make the changes required and close the dialogue box. Note that pressing Enter also accepts a dialogue box.

Apply button This causes PowerSHAPE to make the changes required, but to leave the dialogue box displayed.

Cancel button This removes the dialogue box from the screen, discarding any edits carried out on the model while it was displayed.

How do I use the Arm? There is an Arm button on the status bar that connects or disconnects the Arm. To connect to the Arm, you need to have a PS-ARM licence file installed on your computer. If the Arm button is selected, you are connected to the ARM, and PowerSHAPE is ready to accept the digitised components of the probe. Using the probe To digitise any physical geometry, you need to 1. Select a creation option, for example, line or bezier curve.



You can digitise a surface using the arm with Surface Creation from Patches. 2. Use the probe to pick a point. Picking a point with the probe is the same as picking a point with the mouse. The coordinates picked by the probe are in World workspace. When using the probe, the following should be noted: • The small green box shows the current X, Y and Z coordinates of arm probe. • Pressing the right button on the arm paddle, enters the point selected by the probe. • Pressing the left button finishes entering the command. • Pressing both the buttons simultaneously, cancels the current command.

How do I use the mouse? The mouse is the main device for controlling PowerSHAPE. Clicking buttons or objects with or without certain keyboard “modifier” keys alters the way you can create, select, move, edit or view models on the screen. For simplicity we have used specific instruction conventions within this manual: • Click means press and release the Left mouse button. • Double click means rapidly click the left mouse button twice. • Drag means hold down the left mouse button and move the mouse while holding the button down. When other mouse buttons are to be used we specify the required button e.g. middle-click, middle-drag or right-click. The mouse controls such as double click speed and hit radius are set to default values, but can be controlled from the Mouse page of the Options dialogue box.



Left-hand mouse button This is the main mouse button for selecting menu options, clicking buttons on toolbars and dialogue boxes and for editing model objects. It has different effects according to where the cursor is within the PowerSHAPE window.

Over a menu Single clicking highlights and selects menu options. Double clicking has no particular effect over menus. PowerSHAPE assumes you intended to single click. Dragging moves the cursor over the different options, highlighting the ones that are available. When you release the button over a highlighted option, it is selected.

Over a non-active graphics window… Single clicking in a non-active graphics window activates the window. The title of the active window is highlighted.

Over an active graphics window… Single clicking in an active graphics window usually signifies an attempt to select an object or to enter a position (see Single clicking in "On an object..." below). When selecting objects, clicking away from any object clears the current selection. When entering positions, clicking away from any object inputs a position on the principal plane of the active workplane. Double clicking has no effect unless you are pointing at an object. Refer to “On an object…” below. Dragging draws a rubber band box. Objects within the box are selected. This is indicated by their yellow highlight colour and handles. See "Selecting multiple objects" for further details. Any other objects already selected and not within the box become deselected. If the box contains no objects, the current selection is cleared.



Note: When more than one object is selected, the graphical handles are not displayed. Shift-Dragging (holding down the Shift key while dragging) draws a rubber band box. Objects within the box are added to the current selection. Control-Dragging (holding down the Control key while dragging) draws a rubber band box. Objects within the box are added to the current selection or deselected if they are already selected. Ctrl-Shift-Dragging (holding down both the Control and Shift keys while dragging) draws a rubber band box. Objects within the box are deselected from the current selection. Shift -Alt-Dragging (holding down the Shift and Alt keys while dragging) rotates the view around the X axis.

On an object… Single clicking over an unselected object, selects it and the object turns yellow with its key points shown as graphical “handles”. The selected object’s key point closest to the cursor when selected becomes its anchor point. Any other objects already selected become deselected. If the Intelligent Cursor is ON, the cursor changes as you move over objects and current selections. Double clicking selects the object, but also sends the command Edit-Modify. This raises a dialogue box or toolbar allowing you to edit the object’s properties. When entering a series of points (for example, for a series of lines or a curve), a double click finishes the series. A subsequent single click starts a new series. Dragging on a selected object picks it and while the button is pressed, the object follows the mouse. The object is held when picked and placed when you release the button. When selected, objects are displayed with additional edit handles. For example: • Lines have key points at each end. PowerSHAPE Basic concepts


• Curves have key points on arms extending from the selected control point on the curve. • Arcs have key points at the centre and at the start and end of the arc sector. • Workplanes have a “control rectangle” and origin. If you drag a key point, only the aspect of the object controlled by the point will move. To move the whole object, be careful to click on the object itself, but away from any of its key points. Shift-clicking (holding down the Shift key while clicking) allows you to add objects to the current selection. Toggles the Patch snapping option on the Mouse page of the Options dialogue box. Patch snapping allows you to click a position inside a surface patch or a solid face. Ctrl-clicking (holding down the Control key while clicking) allows you to add objects to the current selection or deselect those already selected. Alt-clicking (holding down the Alt key while clicking) allows you to create composite curves. See "Creating a composite curve" in the Wireframe modelling Manual for further details. Ctrl-Shift-clicking (holding down both the Control and Shift keys while clicking) allows you to deselect objects from the current selection. Control-Dragging (holding down the Control key while dragging) copies the selected objects. The copy is dropped when you release the mouse button. Note: This copy does not over-write data already on the Cut/Copy clipboard.

In a dialogue box… Single clicking selects options and presses buttons. Note: On slider controls, clicks on the track cause the slider to step towards the cursor.



Double clicking is not effective on all dialogues. You can double click in a text box to select all the text. If you then type new text, the selected text is replaced by the new text. You can also double click on items in lists it selects the item and accepts the dialogue box. For example, double clicking a file name in the Open Model dialogue box, accepts the dialogue box and opens the model. Dragging is used on slider controls to move the slider button. Shift-clicking (holding down the Shift key while clicking) is used to select multiple items in a list. All items between the last item selected and the current item clicked become selected.

After a Cut/Copy... Ctrl-Alt-clicking (holding down the Control and Alt keys while clicking) inputs an anchor point for Paste Special. See "Edit - Paste Special" in the Menus and toolbars Manual for further details.

Middle mouse button This button with keyboard “modifier” keys, controls the view of your model. It is not used within the dialogue boxes and does not alter a model’s design. Note that if you have a two button mouse, operations using the middle mouse button are available using the other two buttons. See "Right-hand mouse button" and "Left and right mouse buttons" for further details. To rotate the view, hold down the middle button and move the mouse. The model turns as if the cursor is pushing and pulling on the outer surface of a ball and a ball graphic appears over the centre of rotation to show what is happening. To Pan a particular point to the centre of the view, hold down the Shift key and click the point in the model you want to appear in the middle of the view.



To Pan a particular point to the centre of the view, hold down the Control key and click the point in the model you want to appear in the middle of the view. To Pan the view, hold down the Shift key and drag the middle button. The view follows the mouse movements. To Zoom the view, hold down the Control key and drag the middle button. Moving up the screen magnifies the view. Moving down the screen reduces the view To Zoom to a box, hold down the Shift and Control keys and drag the middle button. A rubber-band box appears. When you release the mouse button, the view zooms to the box size. Shift -Alt-Dragging (holding down both the Shift and Alt keys while dragging) rotates the view around the Y axis.

Right-hand mouse button Over an object... Right mouse clicks in the active model window raise a pop-up menu, containing a number of options including Cut, Copy, Paste and Delete. Clicks over different object types or blank space cause the pop-up menu to show options relevant to the object type. Refer to "Pop-up menus".

In a text box... In a numeric text box, this opens the calculator. The calculation results appear automatically in the text box when you press the enter key or move the mouse outside the numeric text box. In a text box, this displays a pop up menu with options undo, cut, copy, paste, delete and select all. You can use these options on the data in the box. In a numeric text box, this displays a pop up menu with options undo, cut, copy, paste, delete and select all. You can use these options on the data in the box.



Over an active graphics window... To Pan a particular point to the centre of the view, hold down the Shift key and click the point in the model you want to appear in the middle of the view. To Pan a particular point to the centre of the view, hold down the Control key and click the point in the model you want to appear in the middle of the view. To Pan the view, hold down the Shift key and drag the right button. The view follows the mouse movements. To Zoom the view, hold down the Control key and drag the right button. Moving up the screen magnifies the view. Moving down the screen reduces the view To Zoom to a box, hold down the Alt key and drag the right button. A rubber-band box appears. When you release the mouse button, the view zooms to the box size. Ctrl-Shift-Dragging (holding down both the Control and Shift keys while dragging the right mouse) rotates the view. The model turns as if the cursor is pushing and pulling on the outer surface of a ball and a ball graphic appears over the centre of rotation to show what is happening. Shift -Alt-Dragging (holding down the Shift and Alt keys while dragging) rotates the view around the Z axis.

Left and right mouse buttons Shift -Alt-Dragging (holding down the Shift and Alt keys while dragging) rotates the view around the Y axis. To rotate the view, hold down both the left and right buttons and move the mouse. The model turns as if the cursor is pushing and pulling on the outer surface of a ball and a ball graphic appears over the centre of rotation to show what is happening.

How do I use the keyboard? The keyboard is usually used to enter information into a dialogue box. This might be when you want to create or edit an object to a specific size and position.



Certain “modifier” keys are also used with the mouse to change the way the mouse behaves. These are covered in “How do I use the mouse?”. There are also a number of keyboard shortcuts that allow you to do a variety of operations such as open and close models. For a full list of the shortcuts available in PowerSHAPE, see "Shortcuts" in the Menus and toolbars Manual.

What is a graphics window? PowerSHAPE runs within its own program window, which contains the Menu bar, Toolbar, Status bar and a large graphics area. The graphics area can contain a single graphics window (filling the area) or several independent graphics windows which overlay each other and the graphics area. These can be placed anywhere on the screen, not necessarily within the PowerSHAPE graphics area. Each graphics window displays views of a single PowerSHAPE model. You can open as many windows for each model as you like, but closing a model’s last window also closes the model.

How do I use a graphics window? Creating windows, deleting windows and swapping between windows is achieved via the Window menu. Changing the view shown within a window is done via the View menu and/or with the mouse middle button. You can set the graphics area to show a single working window (filling the whole area) or you can have many overlapping windows. Only one window is active at any time, being indicated by its highlighted title. To make a different window active, click in it or select it from the Window menu.

Single window mode Clicking the Windows fix/float button causes the active graphics window to fill the graphics area of the PowerSHAPE program window. To display a different window, select it from the list on the Window menu.

Multi-window mode When the graphics window is filling the graphics area, clicking Windows fix/float causes each window to be displayed in their own 24 • User interface


moveable/resizable frames. Each has a banner across the top which show the window name. Clicking on the banner (or the border) pops the window to the top above the other windows. Dragging the banner moves the window around the screen. The top left corner of each window contains a button which, when clicked, closes the window. Windows also have resize handles at the corners and borders. When dragged, these change the window size. For more information, refer to your operating system documentation.

What is the Intelligent Cursor? The Intelligent Cursor provides dynamic assistance when you are selecting existing objects or positioning new objects. It draws construction lines and the cursor icon will change to assist you when selecting and editing objects.

How do I use the Intelligent Cursor? Turning on or off the Intelligent cursor 1. From the Tools menu, select Options to display the Options dialogue box. 2. Click the Mouse option.



1. In the Intelligent Cursor section, turn on Active (on by default) to switch the intelligent cursor ON. Turn off Active to switch OFF the intelligent cursor. The intelligent cursor provides the various cursor types, construction lines, construction labels and construction distances in the graphics window. Keypoints on a curve are displayed as small circles when the intelligent cursor is moved over them. This is to help you find them more easily and quickly. The keypoint markers display in creation and edit modes.



For further details on the other options on this page of the dialogue box, see "Mouse options" in the "Tools - Options" section in the Menus and toolbars Manual. 2. When you have set the option, click Accept and PowerSHAPE will use the new Intelligent Cursor settings. You can also turn on or off the intelligent cursor by right clicking in an empty space in the graphics window to display the View pop up menu. From the menu, select Intelligent Cursor.

Object highlighting This is active when selecting objects. Objects that can be selected are highlighted when the cursor travels over them. Refer to "Selection using the Intelligent Cursor" under "How do I select objects?".

Construction lines Construction lines are automatically drawn on all models, appearing on the Construction Level. This level is switched off by default, but the lines are selectively displayed by the Intelligent Cursor. It shows only the lines relevant to a particular key point, hiding them again when moved away from the point. When adding or editing objects, you can “wake up” lines by hovering the cursor over a key point. The lines appear (helping you to correctly align your object) and disappear when you move away. Note: You can turn off these construction lines temporarily by holding down the Shift key. If you really want to see all the lines as you work, set the Format Levels option to show the Construction level (refer to “Levels” in the “Format Menu” chapter in the Menus and toolbars Manual). However, the construction level is not intended to be visible and the screen will soon become very cluttered. We strongly recommend that you normally work with this level switched off.



Construction labels Construction labels are generated by the Intelligent Cursor to show when objects’ key points are within snap range of key positions in the model. They appear and disappear as the cursor passes over, but are not drawn on the construction level. The labels mean that you do not have to be totally precise with the cursor. Clicking when a label is shown causes the cursor to snap to the labelled position. Here is the list of labels: • End indicates the key point at the end of a line or an arc. • Mid-point indicates the mid point of a line or an arc between the start and end key points. • On indicates the cursor is on a line, but is not within snap range of an end or mid point. • In indicates a position on the inside of a surface patch or a solid face (not one of the key points or positions along a curve). • Centre indicates the centre of an arc or circle. • Intersection shows where two objects cross. • Tangent shows when a tangent to an arc can be made. It works whether you are placing a line to an arc, an arc to a line or an arc to an arc. • Key-point shows the key points on curves and surfaces. That is, where they can be manipulated. It can also show the origin of a workplane. • End sign shows when clicking will complete a curve or continuous series of lines. You can set the fonts of the labels using the Proportional Font option on the Properties page of the Options dialogue box (which is displayed using the Tools - Options command).



Models

What is a model? A PowerSHAPE model is a representation of a “real life” (usually engineering) component, built on the computer. You build models from a set of geometric objects (lines, arcs, curves and surfaces) which together represent the components. A PowerSHAPE model can be viewed from any angle and can be colour shaded to look very similar to the real component. It can also model other properties such as weight and volume.

How do I create a model? From the File menu, select New. This is the same as clicking the New model button toolbar.

on the Main

This creates a new model and opens a new graphics window for it. The new window automatically becomes the active window. The window title shows the model name (in this case New_Model) and a sequential number. The first time you save this model, the Save Model As dialogue box will appear prompting you to enter a name for your model. Refer to “How do I save a model with a new name?” for further details.


Models • 29

How do I save a model? When you want to keep your work: From the File menu, select Save. This is the same as clicking the Save button

on the Main toolbar.

If a model was originally opened with write access, it is automatically saved, overwriting the stored version. For a new or read-only model, the Save Model As dialogue box is displayed allowing you to enter a new model name. Read-only models cannot be saved using the same name.

Checking for corruption To spot any corruption as soon as possible after it has occurred, the File Doctor is run whenever you save a model. For further details on the File Doctor, see "Tools - File Doctor" in the Menus and toolbars Manual for further details. If the File Doctor finds any problems, you are asked to save the model under a new name or run the File Doctor in fix mode to correct the problem. To stop running the File Doctor on every save, turn off the Check Model Before Save option on the Model page of the Options dialogue box (this dialogue box is displayed using the Tools - Options command). A set of options is available from the Model page of the Options dialogue box. You can select which ones to use when using the File Doctor. For further details, see "Model options" in the "Tools - Options" section in the Menus and toolbars Manual for further details.

30 • Models


How do I save a model with a new name? When you want to keep your work but don’t want to overwrite an existing model, you can save the model using a new name. 1. From the File menu, select Save As to display the Save Model As dialogue box.

2. Use the dialogue box to save your model using a new name. See "Save Model As dialogue box" for further details. Note: If your models are single files and stored outside the database, you can always display the Save As dialogue box instead of the Save Model As dialogue box. To do this, turn on the Always save and open from outside the database option on the Model page of the Options dialogue box.

Save Model As dialogue box

This dialogue box is used to save a model using a new name.


Models • 31

Each item on the dialogue box is discussed below. Model Name - Type a suitable name for your model. If there is already a model with the name that you enter, a warning message is displayed, to avoid you accidentally overwriting an existing model. You can choose to continue saving your new model to an existing filename, in which case the existing model will be overwritten. If you import files into a new model, the name of the last one imported minus its extension is automatically displayed as the Model Name when you save the model. For example, if the name of the last file imported is handle.igs, the Model Name is handle. Named - This determines how you name the model. It is only available if you have a naming_convention.mac file in your shareddb folder. The naming_convention.mac file allows you to save vault and temporary models. See "Defining your naming scheme" in the Managing your PowerSHAPE system Manual for further details. Explicit - With this option, you must type in the name of the model in the Model Name text box. By fields - If you select this option, the Location and Saving by Fields sections appear on the dialogue box. These make it easier to name the model as a temporary or vault model. If you use the Explicit option and the name matches the pattern of a temporary or vault model, it is saved as one of those models.

Location - Use this option to select whether the model is saved as a temporary or vault model.

32 • Models


Saving by Fields - These fields are used to name temporary and vault models. When you change the Location option, different fields are greyed and ungreyed, depending on how you define them in the naming_conventions.mac file. You can change these fields for temporary and vault models by changing your naming_conventions.mac file. Note: If you save the model as a vault and a model using that name already exists, the revision number field automatically displays the next available number. Description - Type a suitable descriptive message. This is to help you find specific models that might have similar names. You can leave this box blank if you do not need a description. Password - If you want to protect the model, enter a password. However, don’t forget it, because you may not be able to open the model when you need to. Store outside Database - This allows you to store models anywhere on the local disk or network. Click the button to display the Save As dialogue box. Use the Save As dialogue box to select where to save the model and then click Save to store the model. If models are stored in the database, PowerSHAPE saves and organises models on the local disk or network. When you want to open the model, you only need to remember the model name and PowerSHAPE will find the appropriate files.


Models • 33

Save - This saves the model and removes the dialogue box from the screen. The model is saved in the default format. See "Changing the default format for saving models" for further details. Temporary models are saved in the same folder as any other model. Vault models are saved in the same folder if their database field is the same. In our dialogue box, the ProjectNumber is the database field. Models with the same ProjectNumber are stored in the same folder. The database field is specified in the naming_convention.mac file. If you saved a vault model with a new name in the database field, the following dialogue box appears, prompting you to provide a path.

Use this dialogue box to define the folder for storing the vault model. Select the folder and then click OK. Cancel - This removes the dialogue box from the screen without saving the model. Note: On a new or read-only model, File - Save raises the Save Model As dialogue box.

Changing the default format for saving models When you install PowerSHAPE, you can select the default format for storing models as follows: • a single file (psmodel). • a set of files in a folder.

34 • Models


In the current session of PowerSHAPE, you can change the default format for storing models. 1. From the Tools menu, select Options to display the Options dialogue box. 2. Select the Model option. 3. In the Model Save As Format section, select the default method for storing models. Directory - Stores your model using the directory structure. Single - Stores your model as a single file. 4. Click Accept. Note: With the File Save command, a model is always saved using the same structure regardless of the Model Save As Format option.

How do I save a model with a thumbnail? By default, a new thumbnail of your model is automatically created whenever you save your model. You can choose to save the thumbnail when you want by changing the settings as follows: 1. Open the model. 2. From the Tools menu, select Options to display the Options dialogue box. 3. Click the Model option to display the Model page of the Options dialogue box. 4. Change the Save Mode setting to Manual. 5. Click on Accept. To save the thumbnail, 1. Change the view of the model to the one you want to appear in your thumbnail. 2. From the File menu, select Save Thumbnail. 3. From the File menu, select Save or Save As to save the model and the thumbnail. The Save mode setting is also saved so whenever you open the model you can manually update the thumbnail. PowerSHAPE Basic concepts

Models • 35

How do I close a model? Close a model as follows: 1. If you have more than one model open, make active the model you want to close by clicking in its graphics window or selecting the model from the Window menu. 2. From the File menu, select Close and the active graphics window closes. If the model contains unsaved edits, you will be prompted that you are about to lose those edits. Clicking Yes on the dialogue box closes the file and unsaved edits are lost. Clicking No on the dialogue box stops the close routine. You can then save the model and repeat the close routine when ready. See "How do I save a model?" for details on how to save a model.

Other ways to close a model • Close the last open graphics window of the model (by selecting Close from the Window menu). • Exit PowerSHAPE. • Using the File - Close and Zip command.

How do I open a model? Each model you open is displayed in a separate graphics window on the screen. You can also show each model in a number of windows and can have up to 20 models open at the same time. You can open a model and select its read/write status. 1. From the File menu, select Open to display the Open Model dialogue box. This is the same as clicking the Open model button Main toolbar.

36 • Models

on the


2. Use the dialogue box to open a model. See "Open Model dialogue box" for further details. Note: If your models are single files and stored outside the database, you can always display the standard Windows Open Model dialogue box instead of PowerSHAPE's Open Model dialogue box. To do this, turn on the Always save and open from outside the database option on the Model page of the Options dialogue box.

Open Model dialogue box

This dialogue box is used to open models.


Models • 37

Each item on the dialogue box is discussed below. Models - Select a model name from the list. If you select any item, you can use the keyboard arrow keys to the next model.

to move

Note: Models of the form NEW_MODEL_ are created when File - New is selected. These only appear in the Models list if you have system administrator security. Filter - When the list of model names becomes very long, it can be difficult to find the model you want. Entering a filter reduces the list to only those models which match the filter pattern, for example, entering a filter of *.rg will list only those models which have the extension .rg. We suggest that you use a designer’s initials for model name extensions. For example, mymodel.vnl. The filter is not case sensitive. Entering a filter of *.rg will list models that have the extension .RG as well as those with the extension .rg. Further detail is contained in "Filter options" under the "Tools - Options" menu in the Menus and toolbars Manual. Clear - This clears the text in the Filter box. Password - If the model is protected by a password, enter it in the text box. Read Only - If you want to open the model, but prevent it from being overwritten, click the Read Only box until it shows a tick. If you decide to save any changes, you will need to save the model under a new name using File - Save As. See "How do I save a model with a new name?" for further details. Check & Fix - When ON, File Doctor examines the selected model and corrects any errors before opening the model. Refer to "Tools - File Doctor" in "Tools menu" in the Menus and toolbars Manual. Preview Picture and Properties - If a thumbnail of the model has been saved, it is displayed in the top window. Information about the model appears in the bottom window, including file dates, size and description. Browse - This opens models stored as single files and not in the database. Click the Browse button to display the standard Windows Open Model dialogue box. Use this dialogue box to select and open a model.

38 • Models


Models stored in the directory format and not in the database must be imported. Search - This allows you to create a filter based on the fields used for temporary and vault models. It is only available if you have a naming_convention.mac file in your shareddb folder. The naming_convention.mac file allows you to save vault and temporary models. See "Defining your naming scheme" in the Managing your PowerSHAPE system Manual for further details. Click the Search button to display the Search for files dialogue box. See "Search for files dialogue box" for further details. Recover - This button only appears if you select a model that was not closed properly, for example, if there was a power failure while working on the model. Recover opens the model and restores it back to its state before the failure. Open - The selected model is opened. If the model you are opening is shaded, you can open the model in wireframe mode by pressing the button next to the progress bar on the status bar. Cancel - Removes the dialogue box from the screen without opening a model.

Search for files dialogue box

Creates a filter in the Open Model dialogue box to search for temporary and vault models. Each option on the dialogue box is discussed below. Get the Latest from the Vault - This finds the vault models with the highest revision numbers, which match the Filter in the Open Model dialogue box. Note that you can open any one of the copies of a vault model.


Models • 39

All the fields - These fields are those used to name temporary and vault models. In one or more of the fields, type in the text of the model you are searching for. As you type in strings in the fields, the Open Model dialogue box changes: • A filter appears in the Filter text box. • Only models, which match that filter, are displayed in the Models list. Dismiss - Removes the dialogue box.

Starting up PowerSHAPE and opening a model When you start up PowerSHAPE at the command prompt, you can open an existing model at the same time by typing: powershape model_name See also "Other ways of opening psmodels in PowerSHAPE". Note: For the above commands to work, you must have FILE OPEN IFNONE in your login macro. For further details on the login macro, see "What is the login macro?" in the "PowerSHAPE users" section of the Managing your PowerSHAPE system Manual.

Other ways of opening psmodels in PowerSHAPE As well as using the File Open command to open models in the single file format (psmodel), you can also: • Double-click a psmodel file. If PowerSHAPE is not running, it will start up and then open the model. • Right click the .psmodel file in Windows Explorer and select Open. You can open a selection of models in this way. • Drag and drop one or more .psmodel files into the PowerSHAPE window. • Double-click a PowerSHAPE.EXE shortcut. • Double-click a .psmodel shortcut.

40 • Models


• In a web browser, click on a URL to a psmodel, for example, file://pshape/models/bottle_example.psmodel. You can either open the model immediately or download it and open it later.

Recently opened models Up to four recently opened models are listed at the bottom of the File menu. The read or write status when they were opened is also shown. To open a recently opened model, select the File menu and click the model name you want. It will open with the same read or write status as last time. If the model is not listed or you want a different read/write status, use the File - Open option. Refer to “How do I open a model?” for further details.

How do I close and open zipped models? Files in windows can be compressed to make them take less disk space. This is known as zipping a file. By zipping a model, you can save about 60% of disk space, but it takes longer to open as it needs time to unzip. 1. Save the model if you haven't already done so. 2. From the File menu, select Close and Zip. The model file is stored in a zip file and the original file of the model is deleted. To open a zipped model: 1. From the File menu, select Open to display the Open Model dialogue box. 2. Select the model using the dialogue box. If the model is stored outside the model database, click the Browse button to display the Open dialogue box. Use this dialogue box to select and open the zipped model. You may need to select Zip from the Files of type menu. 3. Click Open.


Models • 41

A copy of the model is extracted from the zip file and stored in the same folder as the zip file. While the model is open, PowerSHAPE saves changes to the copy. Note that zipped directory models are opened using File Import. When you finish working on the model, you can close it using: • File - Close - This saves the copy you are working on and deletes the zip file. • File - Close and Zip - This adds the copy to the zip file and then deletes the copy.

How do I reset a model? You can delete all the changes you have made to a model since you last saved it. Caution: Reset permanently removes all unsaved edits from the active model. It raises a warning, but once accepted, it can’t be undone. From the File menu, select Reset. PowerSHAPE raises a warning dialogue.

If you want to lose the edits, click YES and the model is reset. If you do not want to lose them, click NO and the reset command is ignored.

42 • Models


How do I create a template model? You can create a model from which all new models are created. This model is called: NEW_MODEL_MASTER_10 This model is known as the template model. Each time you create a new model using the File - New command, if the template model exists, a copy of the template model is created, ready for you to use. In your template model, you can store all your company defaults for model dependent options on the Options dialogue box such as tolerance. It can contain your standard level settings and names, and/or line styles. Even standard geometry (such as symbols) can be included in this model. Note: You must have system administrator security to create and edit the template model. To create a template model: 1. Make sure no one else is using PowerSHAPE. You must have system administrator security. 2. Create a model containing all the required settings. 3. Save the model with the name NEW_MODEL_MASTER_10. 4. Delete all existing models with names of the form NEW_MODEL__10, for example NEW_MODEL_1_10. You can edit the template model as you would any other model.

How do I change the description or password of a model? You can change the description and password of a model as follows: 1. Open the model with read-write permissions. 2. In a graphics window of the model, click in an empty space to make sure nothing is selected. 3. From the Edit menu, select Modify to display the Edit Model dialogue box.


Models • 43

4. Use this dialogue box to edit the description and password of the model. See "Edit Model dialogue box" for further details.

Edit Model dialogue box

This dialogue box is used to edit the description and password of a model. Each item on the dialogue box is discussed below. Description - This gives the current description of the model. You can change the description. Current Password - You must enter the current password here if one exists. If you don't, you cannot make any changes using this dialogue box. The password is not displayed as you type in the characters. New Password - Type in a new password here. The new password will not be displayed as you type in the characters. To remove a password from a model, put a space character in this textbox. Accept - Checks if the Current Password matches the model. If it does, then changes as defined on the dialogue box are made and the dialogue box is removed from the screen. Cancel - No changes are made to the model and the dialogue box is removed from the screen.

44 • Models


How do I delete a model? You can delete unwanted models, which are stored in the database. Models stored outside the database can be deleted like any other file using Windows Explorer. 1. From the File menu, select Delete to display the Delete Model dialogue box.

2. Use the dialogue box to delete the model. WARNING: Deleted models are permanently removed and cannot be recovered.


Models • 45

Delete Model dialogue box

This dialogue box is used to delete models. Each item on the dialogue box is discussed below. Models - Click on a listed model name (to select it) and the item is highlighted. If you select any item, you can use the keyboard arrow keys the highlight and scroll the list.

to move

Note: Models of the form NEW_MODEL_ are created when File - New is selected. These only appear in the Models list if you have system administrator security. Filter - When the list of model names becomes very long, it can be difficult to find the model you want. Entering a filter reduces the list to only those models which match the filter pattern, for example, entering a filter of *.rg will list only those models which have the extension .rg. The filter is not case sensitive. Entering a filter of *.rg will list models that have the extension .RG as well as those with the extension .rg. Further detail is contained in "Filters options" under the "Tools Options" menu in the Menus and toolbars Manual. We suggest that you use a designer’s initials for model name extensions. For example, mymodel.lal. Password - If the model is protected by a password, enter it in the text box. 46 • Models


Delete - When you click this button, the following warning dialogue box appears:

Click Yes to remove the model from the database and return to the Delete Model dialogue box. If the Use Recycle Bin option is selected on the Model page of the Options dialogue box, the model is sent to the Recycle Bin (providing the bin is not full). Otherwise, the model is permanently removed from the system. Click No to do nothing and return to the dialogue box. Close - When you have finished deleting models, click Close to remove the Delete Model dialogue box from the screen.

How do I keep track of changes made to a model? If PS-Team is installed on a server and visible from your PC, you can set up a topic to keep track of the changes made to your models. On the PS-Team page of the Options dialogue box, you can specify the names of the topics to use for models named explicitly or by fields. We refer to vault and temporary models as models named 'by fields' and all other models as 'explicitly'. You can also specify the server and the URL for PS-Team. PS-Team is an Internet-based software tool, provided by Delcam, to support communication between teams of people. To start PS-Team, select PS-Team from the Application menu to display PS-Team in the browser window. If the server and URL for PSTeam are not set up on the PS-Team page of the Options dialogue box, a dialogue box appears asking for them. If the browser window is displayed, you can click: • the PS-Team tab • the History tab current model.


to display the PS-Team page to display the task associated with the

Models • 47

When a model is saved with a new name, a new task is automatically created in PS-Team. In the task for the model, you can manually add information to the task associated with a model to record any changes. When you import and export data, the task is automatically updated giving details of the import and export files. If you delete a model, the status of the task is changed to complete. For further details on how to use PS-Team, click Help in the PS-Team window.

How do I find out what a model contains? You can find out how many objects are stored, details of current levels and levels of objects in the selected model. From the File menu, click Properties to display the File Properties dialogue box.

File Properties dialogue box

This dialogue box contains information about levels and objects for the current model in PowerSHAPE. 48 • Models


This dialogue box tells you the following: • Which levels are turned on and off. • The current creation levels for objects. • The number of objects of a particular type in the model. • The levels on which particular types of objects lie. • Totals for objects if they lie on more than one level, • Details about when the model was created, last modified and last accessed. • Path of the model. Close - This removes the dialogue box from the screen. Note: To print the information that is displayed, right click in the dialogue box and select Print. To save the information that is displayed, right click in the dialogue box and select Save To File. When you right click in the dialogue box, a pop up menu appears with various options to copy, print and save the information given.

How do I find out information about a model? You can find certain information about a model, without opening it in PowerSHAPE. 1. In Windows Explorer, select a psmodel.


Models • 49

2. From the File menu, select Properties to display the File Properties dialogue box for the model.

On this dialogue box, the following are stored whenever a model is saved as a psmodel: • Date of creation • Company • Application name • The name of the model and its description • The names of the drawings (contained in the model) and their descriptions When saving a psmodel for the first time (with a save as), the following are stored on the Windows Explorer's Properties dialogue box: • Current user as the Author (on the Summary page) • Version of PowerSHAPE in the Comments section (on the Summary page) • Revision is set to 0 (on the Statistics page) When opening a psmodel, the following will be read from the Windows Explorer's File - Properties dialogue box and stored by PowerSHAPE: • title • subject 50 • Models


• author • keywords • comments • last saved by • revision number • manager • company information This information can be used when creating text. See "How do I insert strings from the File Properties?" in the Drafting Manual for further information.

How do I compare two models? You may have two models of the same component and want to see what the differences are between the two models. 1. Open the two models you wish to compare. Suppose we have the following two models.

2. Click in the graphics window of the model in which you want to display the differences. This makes the graphics window active. In our example, we made Model_1 the active model.

3. From the Tools menu, select Model Compare to display the Model Compare dialogue box.


Models • 51

4. Use the dialogue box. See "Model Compare dialogue box" for further details.

Model Compare dialogue box

This dialogue box is used to compare models. Each item on the dialogue box is discussed below. Primary selection - This is used to choose the model in which the differences are shown. On the right of this, the name of the model is displayed. When you first display this dialogue box, the Primary selection is the model of the active graphics window. You can change the Primary selection if you want. Do this by pressing down the button on the left of Primary, if it not already pressed down, and then clicking in another graphics window. The name of the model of the new selection is displayed. We will call this model the primary model. Secondary selection - This is used to choose the second model in the comparison. On the right of this, you can see a cross. This indicates that no model is selected yet. To select the second model, press the button to the left of the Secondary button and click in the graphics window of the model you want to compare. We will call this model the secondary model. Surface Trimming Comparison - You can choose how to compare surfaces with trim boundaries and p-curves. There are three options:

52 • Models


Exact - This option finds surfaces with exactly the same pcurves and trim boundaries. Boundaries - This option finds surfaces with exactly the same trim boundaries. Any p-curve not part of a trim boundary is ignored in the comparison. None - This option treats two surfaces as the same if the untrimmed surfaces are the same - even if they have different trimmed regions. Accept - Compares the two models. All objects, which are in the primary model and not in the secondary model, are highlighted as selected in the primary model.

Note that objects that are in the secondary model but not in the primary model are not shown. To show these objects, simply carry out the above steps with the secondary model as the primary model and the primary model as the secondary. Warning: Models are compared on the basis of positional information (XYZ coordinates) only. Differences, for example, in tangent direction, colour and level, are not picked up. This is done for reasons of speed. This command can be a useful tool to aid comparison of models, but you must use it with care and check manually for small differences that the command may not pick up.

How do I find duplicate objects in a model? Sometimes, you may have a copy of an object on top of itself. This command allows you to check if you have any duplicate objects by highlighting them in the model. 1. Click in the graphics window of the model in which you wish to check for duplicate objects. This makes the graphics window active.


Models • 53

2. Select objects if you want to check for duplicates in the current selection. 3. From the Tools menu, select Find Duplicates to display the Find Duplicates dialogue box.

4. Use the dialogue box. See "Find Duplicates dialogue box" for further details.

Find Duplicates dialogue box

This dialogue box is used to find duplicate objects within a model. Selection - This displays the name of the model to find duplicates objects in. By default, it is the active model. You can choose another open model by either clicking in its graphics window or selecting it from the Window menu to make it active. Find duplicates in the current selection - If on, duplicates are found only in the objects which are currently selected. Otherwise, the whole model is checked. Select first instances - If on, any instance of the object before the last is considered to be a duplicate. If off, any instance of the object after the first is considered to be a duplicated. Find Duplicates Method - Duplicate surfaces are selected depending on the two options below.

54 • Models


All - This selects duplicate surfaces depending on the Surface Trimming Comparison option. Untrimmed - If all duplicate surfaces are untrimmed, this option selects all the duplicates. If some of the duplicate surfaces are trimmed, it selects all of those duplicates which are untrimmed. In some imported models, each surface is supplied untrimmed and trimmed. This command allows you to select all the untrimmed surfaces. Surface Trimming Comparison - You can choose how to compare surfaces with trim boundaries and p-curves. There are three options: Exact - This option finds surfaces with exactly the same pcurves and trim boundaries. Boundaries - This option finds surfaces with exactly the same trim boundaries. Any p-curve not part of a trim boundary is ignored in the comparison. None - This option treats two surfaces as the same if the untrimmed surfaces are the same - even if they have different trimmed regions. Accept - The dialogue box is removed from the screen. All duplicated objects are highlighted as selected. Note that for each set of duplicate objects, one is not selected. This allows you to operate on all duplicates within a model. For example, you can now delete them all by pressing the Delete button . Warning: Duplicates are detected on the basis of positional information (XYZ coordinates) only. Objects may be selected as duplicates even if they differ in level, colour, tangent direction, or other non-positional ways.

How do I import data into a model? When you import a PowerSHAPE model, it is automatically opened as a new model. However if you import any other file, it is opened in the current model window. You can use one of the following commands to import data: • File - Import command. • Import Wizard - This is similar to the File - Import command except it gives options to set up the data once it is imported. You can also import files by dragging and dropping them into the PowerSHAPE window. PowerSHAPE Basic concepts

Models • 55

Using the File - Import command 1. From the File menu, select Import to display the Import dialogue box. This is the same as clicking the Import button on the Main toolbar.

2. Use the dialogue box to choose a file. See "Import dialogue box" for further details. 3. Click Open.

Import dialogue box

56 • Models


This dialogue box is used to select files. Each item on the dialogue box is discussed below. Look in - Select the correct directory. Up one level button folder structure.

- Click this button to go up one level in the

Create new folder button

- Click this button to create a new folder.

View menu button - Click this button to display a menu containing options on how to display the files in the dialogue box. File name - Select or type the name of the file. Files of type - This displays the filter pattern which filter the file names of the current directory. By default, the pattern is *.* which displays all files. This selector lists the default filters for the file types that can be imported. You can select a filter from the pull down list. Once a filter is selected, files satisfying that filter are displayed. Note that Files of type is only used to help find files more easily. It does not determine the type of file to be imported. When a file is imported, PowerSHAPE looks at the contents of the file to determine its type and not its name. For example, if Files of type is set to *.pic, you can still import an IGES file by typing in the name in the File name text box. If an IGES file is called file.pic, this filter will help find it, but the file will still be imported as an IGES file. The types of files that can be imported are given below. PowerSHAPE Model (*.psmodel)

Model (doc.det)

DUCTdraft drawing (drawing.det) PowerSHAPE Basic concepts

This is the PowerSHAPE model using the single file format. If you have a model on removable media (tape or disk) which does not appear in your model database, it can be imported into your model database. Each model is held in a directory that contains the model files. This is the PowerSHAPE and DUCT5 model using the directory format (a set of files in a folder). If you have a model on removable media (tape or disk) which does not appear in your model database, it must be imported. Each model is held in a directory that contains the model files. This is the DUCTdraft drawing format. The contents of the drawing are imported Models • 57

Delcam Geometry (*.dgk) Delcam Machining Triangles (*.dmt)

IGES (*.ig*)

DWG Files (*.dwg) DXF Files (*.dxf) Rhino (*.3dm) Catia Files (*fic*), (*mod*), (*.cat), (*.exp) Catia5 (*.CATpart) 58 • Models

into a new model with the same name as the drawing. This is a special format that defines PowerSHAPE and PowerMILL data in a single file. This file is imported as a symbol. The symbol definition is also stored in the model and has the same name as the file. See "Symbols" in the Drafting Manual for further details. This defines the model according to the IGES (International Graphics Exchange Standard) specification. Most high level CAD systems can provide models in this model format. You can set how data is imported from IGES files using the Options dialogue box. See "IGES options" in "Tools Options" in the Menus and toolbars Manual for further details. Blanked IGES surfaces are imported as blanked. PS-Exchange may not import drafting objects from an IGES file. If you try to do so, a message is displayed explaining the drawbacks of using PS-Exchange. The message asks you if you want to continue to use PS-Exchange. If you say no, the PowerSHAPE translator is automatically used instead. This format defines the model as DWG data (usually exported from AutoCAD). This format defines the model as DXF data (usually exported from AutoCAD). This format defines the model as a Rhino file. These define the model as a Catia file. The Catia export files *.cat and *.exp are made up of a number of Catia fic files. By default, each fic file is imported into a PowerSHAPE Basic concepts

CADDS (_pd*), (*.C4X) Cimatron (*.pfm) Ideas (*.mf1) PDF Files (*.pdf)

Picture (*.pic)

ProE Files (*.prt*) Unigraphics (*.prt) Solidedge (*.par) ACIS (*.sat) Solidworks (*.sldprt) Step files (*.step), (*.stp) Stereo lithographic file STL format (*.stl)


separate new model. You can import the fic files into the same model by turning off the Open a new file for each fic option on the Import/Export page of the Options dialogue box. This format defines the model as a CADDS file. CADDS files of version 4 and 5 can be imported into PowerSHAPE. This format defines the model as a Cimatron file. This format defines the model as an Ideas file. PDF files are imported using pdf2vector. Note: pdf2vector is a third party product supplied by Square One. If this software is not installed on your system, a message is displayed referring you to the Square One website www.square1.nl This format defines the model as a wireframe using arcs, lines and curves. PowerSHAPE can read DUCT5 pictures. This format defines the model as a ProEngineer file. This format defines the model as a Unigraphics file. This format defines the model as a SolidEdge file. This format defines the model as an ACIS file. This format defines the model as a SolidWorks file. This format defines the model as a Step file. This format imports the triangulated representation in STL (Stereo Lithography) format. STL files normally represent closed solids as they are primarily used for rapid prototyping and many rapid prototyping machines require a fully closed

Models • 59

Duct triangles (*.tri)

VDA-FS (*.vda)

UG Parasolid (*.xmt*), (*.x_t), (*.x_b) Zipped files (*.zip)

triangular mesh. This file is imported as a symbol. The symbol definition is also stored in the model and has the same name as the file. See "Symbols" in the Drafting Manual for further details. This format defines the model as a VDAFS file. VDA-FS version 2 files can be imported directly. All VDA-FS entities are supported, with the following constraints: curves of a degree higher than 3 are approximated by cubic beziers to tolerance. This format defines the model as a UG Parasolid file. You can import a zip file if it contains one of the following: • a single file such as IGES or dgk • a single psmodel file • a single directory model

Note that PowerSHAPE uses its own default tolerance values when importing an IGES file. If you don’t want to use the defaults, change them in the Options dialogue box before importing. The new values affect only the current model. Remember large tolerances produce poor quality surfaces and small tolerances make the application run slowly. You may need to experiment to find the best balance for your models. Open - This closes the dialogue box and imports the selected file. When you import certain files, a log file is generated containing details about what is imported. This log file is added to either the directory containing the imported file or the temp directory. If you import files into a new model, the name of the last one imported minus its extension is automatically displayed as the Model Name in the Save Model As dialogue box when you save the model. For example, if the name of the last file imported is handle.igs, the Model Name is handle in the Save Model As dialogue box. This name also appears in the banner of the model's window, next to the new model's name. For example, NEW_MODEL_1(handle).

60 • Models


If you import a model that has the same name as one already in the model database, its name is appended with [n] where n is an integer. The integer starts at 1 and increases as other models with the same name are imported. Once such a model is imported, you need to open it in PowerSHAPE using the Open Model dialogue box. Generally, models are automatically opened in PowerSHAPE when they are imported. Cancel - This removes the dialogue box from the screen without importing any files. Note: You can use either PowerSHAPE's internal translators or PSExchange to import data. See "How do I use PS-Exchange to translate data?" for further details.

Using the Import Wizard 1. From the File menu, select Import Wizard to display the first page of the Import Wizard.

2. Choose whether you want to automatically orientate surfaces. This points the normals of surfaces on each level in the same direction. 3. Click Next to display the next page of the Import Wizard.


Models • 61

4. Choose whether you want to automatically view the model. This turns on all the used levels and displays the model using zoom full. 5. Click Finish to display the Import dialogue box.

6. Use the dialogue box to choose a file. 7. Click Open.

Starting up PowerSHAPE and importing a file When you start up PowerSHAPE, you can open a model and import a file at the same time by typing: powershape -file f1 -import f2

62 • Models


where f1 is the name of the model and f2 is the path of the imported file. You can also used the following commands. Powershape f1 f2 powershape -import f2 -file f1

To import a file into a new model, type one of the following commands: powershape -import f2 powershape f2

Note: For above commands to work, you must have FILE OPEN IFNONE in your login macro. For further details on the login macro, see "What is the login macro?" in the "PowerSHAPE users" section of the Managing your PowerSHAPE system Manual for further details.

How do I Import Materials? In order to import materials you must have a.csv file that has been created previously. A .csv file is created automatically when you export materials using the Export Materials option (File menu). If you want to import user-created materials into PowerSHAPE you must create a .csv file manually. 1. From the File menu, Select Material Import/Export…. 2. Select Import Material. The Label Select File to Import Material dialogue box is displayed.

Label Select File to Import Material dialogue box.

Each item on the dialogue box is discussed below. Select Material File - Enter the path to a valid .csv file containing the materials data that will be imported into your PowerSHAPE database. For example, if the .csv file and corresponding image is stored on your "D" drive, the path will be D:/file_name.csv. You can either type the path in or select Browse and use the dialogue box that is displayed. PowerSHAPE Basic concepts

Models • 63

Note: In order to import materials you must have a.csv file that has been created previously. A .csv file is created automatically when you export materials using the Export Materials option (File menu). If you want to import user-created materials into PowerSHAPE you must create a .csv file manually. Import - The materials data contained in the .csv file is imported into PowerSHAPE. Dismiss - Removes the dialogue box. Note: You must restart PowerSHAPE after importing materials in order to make the materials available for use.

How do I export data from a model? You can export models to formats other than PowerSHAPE. You can use the following command to export data: • File - Export.

Using the File - Export command 1. Select the model or the specific objects you want to export. 2. From the File menu, select Export to display the File Export dialogue box.

64 • Models


3. Use the dialogue box to select the target system and settings for exporting files. See "File Export dialogue box" for further details.

File Export dialogue box

This dialogue box allows you to select the target system and settings for exporting files. Target - Select a target system for exporting files from the list. The settings for the target system selected are set automatically on the Data Exchange pages of the Options dialogue box. • Export using settings for… - Select this option, then select a target system from the list. Unknown is the default export setting. AutoCAD Cadkey Camax CamtexPeps Catia Cimatron Cimlink


Models • 65

DeltaMESH_Stamping Ideas Mastercam Parasolid based modellers Rhino PowerSolution Pro-Engineer SolidEdge SolidWorks Unigraphics Unknown Unknown solid modeller Export, re-setting to default settings - select this option to reset all export settings on the Data Exchange pages of the Options dialogue box to the default PowerSHAPE settings. Export - Exports your file using the selected Target System. See "Export dialogue box" for further details. Options - Opens the Data Exchange pages of the Options dialogue box where the settings for the selected Target System are displayed.

Export dialogue box

66 • Models


This dialogue box allows you to export files in various formats. Each item on the dialogue box is described below. Save in - Select the correct directory. Up one level button folder structure.

- Click this button to go up one level in the

Create new folder button

- Click this button to create a new folder.

View menu button - Click this button to display a menu containing options on how to display the files in the dialogue box. File name - The file is given the default name mymodel plus the extension. You can change it by selecting or typing the name of the file. If you enter a filename with no extension, then the extension for the selected Files of type is automatically added. For example, you select Files of type '*.pic (Picture Files)' and enter the filename my_picture, a file my_picture.pic is created. If you enter a filename with a valid export extension, then the type specified by the extension overrides the type selected in the Files of type selector. For example, when you first raise the dialogue box the Files of type selector displays '*.dgk (Surface Files)'. If you then type in the filename my_file.iges without changing the Files of type selector to '*.ig* (IGES)', an IGES file my_file.iges is created. Save as type - This shows the current file type to export to. Click on the arrowhead at the end of the Save as type to display the list of export file types available. The file types you can export to are given below. Delcam Geometry (*.dgk)


This is a special format that defines PowerSHAPE and PowerMILL data in a single file. If objects are selected, only symbols, points, surfaces, solids, and wireframe objects in the selection are exported. If a workplane is active, it is automatically exported. If nothing is selected, PowerSHAPE exports symbols, points, surfaces, solids, wireframe objects and workplanes on levels which are ON. Note that a symbol is exported as its individual objects. Models • 67

.dgk + features

Delcam Machining Triangles (*.dmt)

DXF Files (*.dxf)

DWG Files (*.dwg) IGES (*.ige), (*.igs), (*.iges)

68 • Models

Symbol triangles are exported as a dmt file during dgk export. It will have the same name as the dgk file but with an extension .dmt. Features will be in .mac and .xml files. Note: This works in the same way as exporting with the Create Hole Features for all DGK option on the Maufacturing page of the Options dialogue box set ON. When you export to this type of file, only selected triangles are exported. These triangles can be read into any of the other Delcam products. You can set the tolerance for exporting triangles on the Data Exchange pages of the Options dialogue box. This format defines the model as DXF data (AutoCAD data). To export DXF files, you can use either the DXF translator called Part Export or the internal translator. See "How do I export DXF files?" for further details. This format exports only the drawings in the model. This defines the model according to the IGES (International Graphics Exchange Standard) specification. Most High level CAD systems can provide models in this model format. Only selected objects are exported. If nothing is selected, you are asked whether you want to export the entire model. Note that if a drawing window is selected, only this drawing is exported. Otherwise the model and all its drawings are exported. You can set how data is exported to PowerSHAPE Basic concepts

Catia 5 (*.CATPart) CADDS (*.c4x)

Picture (*.pic)

ACIS (*.sat)

STEP (*.step)

Stereo lithographic file STL format (*.stl)


IGES files using the Options dialogue box. See "IGES options" in "Tools Options" in the Menus and toolbars Manual for further details. PS-Exchange may not export drafting objects to an IGES file. If you try to do so, a message is displayed explaining the drawbacks of using PS-Exchange. The message asks you if you want to continue to use PS-Exchange. If you say no, the command is cancelled. This exports Catia5 files using PSExchange for exporting surfaces. This format defines the model as a CADDS file. CADDS files of version 4 can be exported from PowerSHAPE. The entire model is exported regardless of what is selected. This format defines the model as a wireframe using arcs, lines and curves. PowerSHAPE can write DUCT5 pictures. Only selected wireframe objects and surfaces are exported. This exports selected surfaces and solids to this format. If nothing is selected, all the solids and surfaces in the model are exported. Note that solids are exploded into surfaces when you export. This exports selected surfaces and solids to this format. If nothing is selected, you are asked whether you want to export the entire model. This format exports a triangulated representation of each selected solid or surface in STL (Stereo Lithography) format. STL files normally represent closed solids as they are primarily used for rapid prototyping and many rapid

Models • 69

VDA-FS Files (*.vda)

Virtual Reality Markup Language (*.wrl)

70 • Models

prototyping machines require a fully closed triangular mesh. PowerSHAPE attempts to produce a closed mesh from the selected model. If it fails, you are prompted to use CopyCAD to close the mesh manually or save an 'open' STL file which may not be suitable for rapid prototyping. You can set options for exporting triangles on the STL page of the Options dialogue box. See "STL options" in "Tools - Options" in the Menus and toolbars Manual for further details. You can also set the tolerance for exporting triangles on the Import/Export page of the Options dialogue box. See "Import/Export options" in "Tools - Options" in the Menus and toolbars Manual for further details. This format defines the model as a VDA-FS file. VDA-FS version 2 files can be exported directly. All VDA-FS entities are supported, with the following constraints: curves of a degree higher than 3 are approximated by cubic beziers to tolerance. Only selected surface, solid and wireframe objects are exported. This exports the selected surfaces and solids to this format. Any VRML reader can then view these. By default, the material, lighting and view data are exported with the model. To export just the view data with the model, change the Output Mode option to model on the Options dialogue box. See "Import/Export options" in "Tools - Options" in the Menus and toolbars Manual for further


UG Parasolid (*.xmt_txt), (*.xmt_bin), Duct5 format part (*.DUCT5) PowerSHAPE model version 1 (*.PSModelVer1) PowerSHAPE model version 2 (*.PSModelVer2) PowerSHAPE model version 3 (*.PSModelVer3) PowerSHAPE model version 5 (*.PSModelVer5) PowerSHAPE model version 6 (*.PSModelVer6) PowerSHAPE model version 7 (*.PSModelVer7) PowerSHAPE model version 8 (*.PSModelVer8) PowerSHAPE model version 9 (*.PSModelVer9)

details. This exports the selected surfaces to this format. If no surfaces are selected, then all the surfaces are exported. This exports the model to this format. This exports the model to this format. PowerSHAPE versions from 2000 to 2731 use this format. This exports the model to this format. PowerSHAPE versions from 3000 to 4040 use this format. This exports the model to this format. PowerSHAPE versions from 4100 to 4221 use this format. This exports the model to this format. PowerSHAPE versions from 4230 to 4251 use this format. This exports the model to this format. PowerSHAPE versions from 4252 to 5120 use this format. This exports the model to this format. PowerSHAPE versions from 5121 to 5201 use this format. This exports the model to this format. PowerSHAPE versions from 5210 to 5301 use this format. This exports the model to this format. PowerSHAPE versions from 5310 to 5400 use this format.

Save - Exports data as specified on the dialogue box and removes the dialogue box from the screen. Note that if you selected the File Type as '*.vda* (VDA-FS Files)', the VDA-FS File Export dialogue box is displayed for you to enter the header data for the VDA-FS file. See "VDA-FS File dialogue box" for further details. Cancel - This removes the dialogue box from the screen without exporting any files.


Models • 71

Note: You cannot export badly trimmed surfaces. PowerSHAPE tells you if badly trimmed surfaces are detected on export and gives you two options: • export the selection with the offending surface(s) untrimmed. • abandon the export. This allows you to fix the surfaces using the trim region editing tools. For further details on these tools, see "Trimming surfaces" in the Surface modelling Manual for further details. Note: You can apply certain operations (such as link solids) while exporting a model to any file type. See "Import/Export options" in "Tools - Options" in the Menus and toolbars Manual for further details. Note: You can use either PowerSHAPE's internal translators or PSExchange to export data. See "How do I use PS-Exchange to translate data?" for further details.

VDA-FS File Export dialogue box

This dialogue box is used to enter the header data for the VDA-FS file. Fill in the text boxes on the dialogue box.

72 • Models


Accept - Adds the data on the dialogue box to the header of the VFA-FS file, exports the VFA-FS file to location specified on the Export dialogue box and removes the dialogue box from the screen. Cancel - No data is exported and the dialogue box is removed from the screen.

How do I use PS-Exchange to translate data? PS-Exchange is a stand-alone program which is linked to PowerSHAPE to allow you to translate certain types of data. It can also be used on its own. We will show you how to use PS-Exchange within PowerSHAPE to translate data, but not how to use PS-Exchange stand-alone. You can use either PowerSHAPE or PS-Exchange to translate data. The file types you can import using PS-Exchange are listed in "Importing files using PS-Exchange" and those you can export in "Exporting files using PS-Exchange". PS-Exchange understands the same licence options as PowerSHAPE's built-in translators. For example, if you have a licence for importing CATIA files, you can use this to import CATIA files using PS-Exchange. However, if you have not purchased a licence for importing CATIA files, for example, you can still use PS-Exchange to import the file by purchasing a 'pay-per-use' voucher from Delcam's web site.

Importing files using PS-Exchange A list of files you can import using PS-Exchange are given below. We also give the benefits of using PowerSHAPE and PS-Exchange (if any). File type

Benefits using PowerSHAPE

Benefits using PS-Exchange

ACIS SAT

Not available

Can import file.

Catia (exp/fic/model)

PowerSHAPE imports 3D wireframe and drafting objects.

Solids are imported as solids.


Blanked objects are only imported from the file if the Import blank entities

Models • 73

option is turned on (option on the PS-Exchange page of the Options dialogue box). Catia5

Not available.

Can import file.

Cimatron

Not available.

Can import file.

DWG

Not available.

Can import file.

DXF

None.

Recommended as it is more flexible.

Ideas

Not available.

Can import file.

IGES

PowerSHAPE can import drafting objects, but not solids. To import solids, you must first run igstoigs to convert them to surfaces and then import them.

This imports surfaces, solids and wireframe. Note that wireframe converts to composite curves and solids can be converted to surfaces.

Note that igstoigs will remove drafting annotation (such as text) from the file. Pro-E

Not available.

None.

Rhino

Not available

Can import file.

SolidEdge

Not available.

Can import file.

SolidWorks

Not available.

Can import file.

STEP

Not available.

Can import file.

UG Parasolid/ Unigraphics

Not available.

Can import file.

VDA-FS

This imports solids.

None.

PS-Exchange is the default translator of all files. See "Translating data using PS-Exchange or PowerSHAPE" for instructions. For full details on what objects are imported using PS-Exchange, see the on-line help available within PS-Exchange.

74 • Models


Exporting files using PS-Exchange A list of files you can export using PS-Exchange are given below. We also give the benefits of using PowerSHAPE and PS-Exchange (if any). File type

Benefits using PowerSHAPE

Benefits using PS-Exchange

ACIS SAT

Not available

This exports files.

DMT

PowerSHAPE can export triangles which exist within the model.

None.

DWG

Not available

This exports: wireframe, annotation, views

DXF:

None

Recommended as it is more flexible

IGES

PowerSHAPE exports the same entities as PSExchange plus drafting entities.

This exports surfaces, solids, wireframe and symbols which don't contain drafting objects. Objects are exported relative to the active workplane. If no workplane is active, they are exported relative to the world workspace. Note that wireframe converts to composite curves. Solids can be converted to either surfaces or B-rep entities.

Rhino

Not available

This exports files.

STEP

Not available.

This exports wireframe, surfaces and solids.

UG Parasolid

Not available.

This exports surfaces only.

PS-Exchange is the default translator of all files, except DMT files. See "Translating data using PS-Exchange or PowerSHAPE" for instructions. For full details on what objects are exported using PS-Exchange, see the on-line help available within PS-Exchange.


Models • 75

Translating data using PS-Exchange or PowerSHAPE 1. From the Tools menu, select Options to display the Options dialogue box. 2. Select the Data Exchange option and then PS-Exchange. 3. In the Import and Export sections, select the type of files you want to import and export using PS-Exchange. De-select the type of files you want to import and export using PowerSHAPE. 4. Click Accept. 5. From the File menu, select Import or Export to display the required dialogue box. Note that PS-Exchange may not export or import drafting objects to or from an IGES file. If you try to do so, a message is displayed explaining the drawbacks of using PS-Exchange. The message asks you if you want to continue to use PS-Exchange. If you say no and you are exporting, the command is cancelled. If you say no and you are importing, the PowerSHAPE translator is automatically used instead. 6. Fill in the dialogue box and select the type of file. 7. Click Open or Save. If you want to use PS-Exchange and don't have a licence to translate a particular type of file, the Voucher Required dialogue box is displayed. See "Voucher Required dialogue box" for further details on this dialogue box. Note: You must install PS-Exchange to use it.

76 • Models


Voucher Required dialogue box

This dialogue box is used to insert vouchers to use PS-Exchange. Important: Before you can insert vouchers, you must register PSExchange. If you have not registered PS-Exchange, see "How do I register PS-Exchange?" for details. If you don't have a PS-Exchange licence for a given file type, you must purchase a voucher for each file you translate. Once you have purchased a voucher, you can translate the same file as many times as you like (providing its contents have not changed). 1. Click the link https://www.delcam.com/psexchange/PSX10gen.html to display the application form on the web page.

2. Fill in the form. User Id - You were given this when you registered PS-Exchange.


Models • 77

Password - This is the name password you entered when you registered PS-Exchange. File Signature - Copy the text from the Voucher Required dialogue box and paste it here. 3. Click Generate Voucher to display the next page.

4. Copy the text between ----cut here--- from the web page and paste it into the Translation Voucher section of the Voucher Required dialogue box. 5. Click Accept to import the data. Tip: PS-Viewer (the free version of PowerSHAPE) uses PS-Exchange to import data. You can use PS-Viewer to import the data and check it. If you are happy with the data, you can get a voucher to import it into PowerSHAPE.

How do I register PS-Exchange? You only need to register PS-Exchange once. 1. Go to the web page https://www.delcam.com/psexchange/PSX10reg.html. to display the PS-Exchange Registration Form.

78 • Models


2. Fill in the Registration Form. Note that the password can be anything you choose. Write down your password and keep it safe. 3. Click Register Now to display the next page.

4. Follow the instructions given below. 5. Use a text editor such as Notepad to open a new file. 6. Copy the text between ----cut here--- from the web page and paste it into the file. 7. Make a note of your User Id. You will need it when filling out the application form for vouchers. 8. Save the file as: C:\dcam\config\vdb


Models • 79

How do I export DXF files? To export DXF files you can use, PS-Exchange, the DXF translator called Part Export or PowerSHAPE’s built in DXF translator. PS-Exchange is the default translator for exporting DXF files. You can switch off PS-Exchange by selecting the DXF option on the PS-Exchange dialogue box (from the tools menu). The built in translator will then be used. However, if the option Export using Part Export on the DXF option dialogue box is selected, the Part Export translator will take priority over PowerSHAPE’s built in DXF translator. Part Export DXF is intended to be used primarily for exporting PowerSHAPE drawings into AutoCAD. The Part Export DXF translator can export wireframe, surfaces, text, symbols and dimensions, whereas the internal translator can only export wireframe. If you export a DXF file called output using Part Export, a number of files will be created. Depending on the contents of the input file, Part Export will create the following files: output.dxf

This file will contain all the wireframe, text, dimension and symbol data.

output_surf.dxf

This file will contain all the surface data.

output_sheet1.dxf

This file will contain all the data from sheet 1

output_sheet2.dxf

This file will contain all the data from sheet 2.

and so on. Note: You must install Part Export in order to use the Part Export DXF translator. It is available on the installation CD. To export DXF files using Part Export: 1. From the Tools menu, select Options to display the Options dialogue box. 2. Select the DXF option. 3. Turn on or off the Export using Part Export option. If this option is ON, Part Export is used to export DXF files. 4. Click Accept. 5. From the File menu, select Export to display the Export dialogue box. 80 • Models


6. Click Export. 7. In the Select a File to Export to dialogue box, select the type of file and filename. 8. Click Save.

How do I export materials? 1. From the File menu, Select Material Import/Export…. 2. Select Export Material. This option exports the following: • A group of materials. • A single material. • All materials. The Label Select Materials to Export dialogue box is displayed.

Label Select Materials to Export dialogue box

Each item on the dialogue box is discussed below. Export Group - Select this option to export a group of materials. 1. From the Select Group Name drop down list, select the group of materials that you want to export.


Models • 81

2. In Export To, browse or specify the path to the destination folder that you want to export the group of materials to. 3. Select Export. Export Single Material - Select this option to export a single material. 1. From the Select Group Name drop down list, select the group of materials that you want to export from. 2. From the list of corresponding materials displayed in the dialogue box, select the specific material you wish to export. 3. In Export To, browse or specify the path to the destination folder that you want to export the material to. 4. Select Export. Export All - Select this option to export all materials. 1. In Export To, browse or specify the path to the destination folder that you want to export all the materials to. 2. Select Export. Select Group Name - This lists the names of the groups of materials available to be exported. Export To - The export data is stored in the location specified. To enter the path, you can either type it in or select Browse and use the dialogue box that is displayed. Export - This exports the selected materials. A new ExportMaterials directory is created at the location specified in Export To, containing the materials images and the .csv file. Note: Care must be taken if you modify the .csv file, as the Import Materials functionality to import the images into PowerSHAPE by another user will fail if the .csv file is damaged. Dismiss - Removes the dialogue box.

82 • Models


How do I create a .csv file for materials? In order to use the Import Materials functionality you must have a .csv file that has been created previously. The .csv file is created automatically with the Export Materials option and can be viewed with Microsoft Excel or other editor. If you want to import user-created materials into PowerSHAPE you must create a .csv file manually. Note: To create or modify a .csv file you will be working with PowerSHAPE's database, and it is advisable to be familiar with the attributes of materials in the "Materials" table in the PowerSHAPE database. 1. Create and name the .csv file. There are specific names for .csv files, as follows: • Importing a group of materials GroupName_MaterialGroup.csv • Importing a single material MaterialName_Material.csv • Importing all materials Material_all.csv 2. Enter the following lines as the top two lines in the file. Material File UserCreated 3. Make entries in the file on the following lines in the sequence: Material name, Group Name, Red, Green, Blue, Polish, Emission, Translucency, reflect, shader_scale 4. You must also keep image files of the corresponding materials in the same folder where the .csv file is stored. The file names must follow the example below: Material_Name.extension where extension refers to ".jpg", ".bmp", ".tif" or ".rgb".


Models • 83

Viewing the .csv file for materials 1. Locate the .csv file in the directory you specified as the directory to Export to on the Label Select Materials to Export dialogue box. 2. Double click the filename to open the spreadsheet. It shows all the details for all the materials selected to be exported, as shown in this example.

84 • Models


How do I change the view of a model? Each window can contain: • A single view of the model. • Two views of the model splitting the model window vertically. • Four views of the model splitting the model window vertically and horizontally. Each of these views can be from any direction, at any scale, and can be parallel, isometric or perspective projections. Surfaces can be drawn as wireframe or shaded and objects can be blanked from specific views to reduce clutter. The Window menu is used to create, delete and select windows. The View menu contains commands to alter the view of the model in the active window. View - Layout displays the View Edit dialogue box, which allows you to set up customised view arrangements. View Views Toolbar displays the Views toolbar, which provides many options to change the view. In addition to the View menu commands, which allow you to choose specific view directions, PowerSHAPE allows you to dynamically alter the view. The middle mouse button (used with certain keyboard modifier keys) provides rotating, zooming and panning. Refer to the chapter on “View menu” in the Menus and toolbars Manual.


Models • 85

86 • Models


Objects

How do I create an object? The PowerSHAPE philosophy has a two-step creation process: 1. Initial creation produces an object in the model. At this stage, the object may not be exactly the shape you want. 2. The second step involves adjusting the object until it is exactly the shape you want. To create an object: 1. Select the object type and creation method from the Object menu or from the Main toolbar. 2. Enter one or more positions and/or selections as necessary. 3. Drag the edit handles at the object’s key points to resize it. As the cursor can only operate in two dimensions, all the positions it creates will fall on the active plane. If the point you want is not on that plane, you will need to use the Status Bar to change the current active plane and/or enter a specific position. For more complex positions, you can use the Position dialogue box. In some infrequent cases, you may need to provide more information about how the object is to be modified. This is achieved by using Edit Modify which provides appropriate tools for each object type. It is raised by double clicking the object or by selecting Modify from the Edit menu. Refer to the Edit menu topics in the Menus and toolbars Manual.


Objects • 87

How do I edit an object? To edit object(s), first select those you want to change. If you select only one, then graphical handles appear which are specific to that type of object. If you select more than one object, the handles are not displayed. You can now: 1. Delete the object Press the keyboard Delete key, click on the main toolbar or choose Delete from the Edit menu. This works on any number of objects. 2. Drag move an object Select an object by positioning the cursor over it, but away from any of its edit handles or key points. Press and hold the left-hand mouse button. The object is picked by its key point closest to your click position and dragged as you move the mouse. The object is dropped when you release the button. This works with any number of objects. 3. Drag Copy an object Hold down the Control key while drag moving an object. A copy of the original is moved to the new position. 4. Cut or Copy an object Click or from the Main toolbar or choose Cut or Copy from the Edit menu. The object is held in a temporary store from where it can be “Pasted” window or another model.

into another position, another model

5. Reshape an object Drag edit handle(s) to alter the object’s size and/or shape. • Lines • Arcs • Curves • Surfaces • Solids • Workplanes Refer to the object chapters in the Wireframe modelling Manual, the Solid Modelling Manual and the Surface Modelling manual. 6. Trim or transform an object using the editing tools. 88 • Objects


• Limit • Rotate • Mirror • Move/Copy • Scale Refer to the "Edit - General Edits" section in the Menus and toolbars Manual. 7. Modify the object’s parameters: Choose Modify from the Edit menu or double click the object. This raises an object-specific dialogue box or toolbar.

Editing objects using the Intelligent Cursor If the Intelligent Cursor is switched on (refer to Tools -Options - Mouse in the Menus and toolbars Manual), it provides additional information during point input and selections. Once you start to drag an object, a group of objects or an edit handle of an object, the cursor feeds back information about points you can snap to. The Intelligent Cursor: • Finds intersections between wireframe items and a surface or solid. • Snaps to the projected intersection of wireframe items and surfaces. The Intelligent Cursor button is displayed on the Views toolbar. This toggles the Intelligent Cursor on and off. Selecting this button is the same as selecting the Intelligent Cursor option from the Options page. Refer to "Using the Intelligent Cursor to enter positions" and "Selection using the Intelligent Cursor".


Objects • 89

90 • Objects


Entering positions

What is a coordinate system? All models are created within the global workspace. The coordinate system defines the position of every object within that workspace. The coordinate system contains the three axes X, Y and Z which meet in the centre of the workspace, at a position called the origin. Every position in a model is defined as three coordinates. For example: a position of 9 5 3 means 9 along the X axis, 5 along the Y axis and 3 along the Z axis.

You can create a model while working entirely within the global workspace, selecting the default drawing plane (also known as the principal plane) and entering co-ordinate values when necessary. However, models can contain many angled faces and it is often easier to specify co-ordinates relative to a face rather than to the model as a whole. Workplanes allow you to do this. For further information on workplanes, look in the Wireframe modelling Manual.


Entering positions • 91

A workplane is a graphical object, which defines a local co-ordinate system. You can have as many as you like, placed anywhere in the model, with axes rotated to align conveniently with features of the model.

Only one workplane can be active at a time. Any specified co-ordinates apply to this workplane, not to the global workspace. PowerSHAPE automatically and “invisibly” converts the local values to global values. The three axes of a workspace define three planes: • the XY plane lies through the X and Y axes, • the ZX plane lies through the X and Z axes, • the YZ plane lies through the Y and Z axes. The Principal plane buttons on the Status bar define which plane is the principal plane of the workspace. When clicking the mouse to enter positions in an empty space, the positions lie on the principal plane. Each button displays the label of the axis which is normal to the principal plane.

How do I enter positions? To create an object, you need to specify its position in the workspace. Consequently, entering positions is one of the most common and important operations within PowerSHAPE. You can create point objects to mark locations in your model. See "Points" in the Wireframe modelling Manual for further information.

92 • Entering positions


Entering positions via the cursor As the cursor moves across the principal plane (e.g. XY of the active workplane or global workspace), its coordinates with respect to the active workplane are shown in the status bar. To enter a new position, move the cursor and click. If the cursor is clicked within a certain radius of an existing object, the cursor will snap to the closest key point actually on the object or to a point of intersection between objects. This radius is known as the hit radius.

Using the Intelligent Cursor to enter positions The Intelligent Cursor is switched on by default (but can be turned off). It shows additional information, which helps you to define the position you want. When the cursor is over an object, labels appear and disappear to indicate what will happen if you click while the label is shown. The list of labels is as follows: • End Shows that the position will snap to the end point of a line, arc, curve or profile. • Mid-point Shows that the position will snap to a point mid way between the start and end points of a line or arc. • Centre Shows that the position will snap to the centre of an arc or circle. • Key-point Shows that the position will snap to the nearest key point on the object under the cursor (e.g. a surface patch corner or a curve key point). • On Shows that the position will snap to a point which lies exactly on the object, but not at one of its key points (for example, end, corner, centre points). If Intelligent Cursor Gridding is switched on, a number representing a distance along the object from the last key point visited by the cursor is displayed. The values are rounded to the nearest sensible value. Zoom out to see coarser increments. Zoom in to see finer increments. PowerSHAPE Basic concepts


• In Shows that the position will snap to a point on the inside of a surface patch or a solid face (not one of the key points or positions along a curve). • Intersection Shows that the position will snap to the intersection between the two objects under the cursor. • Tangent Shows that the position will be calculated so that the line or arc being created is tangential to the line or arc under the cursor. The position will not necessarily be under the cursor. • End sign This is a sign which shows that clicking will complete a curve or continuous series of lines.

Construction lines If you hover the cursor over an important key point (one which raises any of the construction labels), construction lines are created from that key point. You can now drag the cursor along a construction line and see the appropriate labels appear. Clicking causes the position to snap to that point. For example, to draw a box: 1. Select Lines

and choose Continuous line mode

.

2. Click to start a line 3. Drag along a construction line and click

4. Drag along a 90 degree construction line and click. The line snaps to give a square intersection.

5. Drag the cursor down to the original start point and hover. The cursor shows “End” and the construction lines appear.



6. Drag along the vertical construction line until “Intersection” is shown.

7. Snap to the start and finish with one more click when “End” is displayed.

If the Intelligent Cursor Gridding is switched on, the label “ON” in the above diagrams is replaced by a distance from the last point selected. For example:

This provides a convenient way to enter accurate dimensions. Note: You can turn off these construction lines temporarily by holding down the Shift key.

Entering positions from dialogue boxes Where a dialogue box expects a position to be entered, separate text boxes for the X, Y and Z axes and a Position button are provided. An example of this appears on the Workplane dialogue box. You can enter a position as three co-ordinate values or for more complex constructions, raise the Position dialogue box. To enter position coordinate values, click in the first box to select it, enter the value and then either press the tab key to select the next box or click in it. The values are stored when you accept the dialogue box.



The Position dialogue box is covered in “How do I use the Position dialogue box?”.

Using the status bar You can enter Cartesian and polar positions in the Data entry box on the Status bar. You can also type the coordinates in the graphics window and they are automatically entered into the Data entry box on the status bar. When you press return, coordinates are read into PowerSHAPE. Entering Cartesian positions The syntax for entering Cartesians positions is as follows: [workspace] X [Y [Z]] [units]

Square brackets [] show elements which are optional. workspace - This specifies the origin from which to measure the coordinates. You can use the following options: • world = world workspace. Note that you can abbreviate world to w. • absolute or @ = absolute workspace. This uses the origin of the current workspace. Note that you can abbreviate absolute to abs. • relative = relative workspace. This uses the last point entered as the origin. Note that you can abbreviate relative to re. X [Y [Z]] - These are the X Y and Z coordinates and, by default, entered in this order. If the second and third values are not given, they are treated as zeros. Note that the order of the X Y and Z coordinates is determined by the option Local point input on the Workplane page of the Options dialogue box. See "Tools - Options" in the Menus and toolbars Manual for further details. units - You can enter the type of units, for example, mm or inches. Default units are used if none are specified. Examples of Cartesian coordinates are given below. 20 30 40 w 15 @ 25 60.8 mm abs 50 mm



re -30.7 0 90

Entering polar positions The syntax for entering polar positions is as follows: > angle [angle_units] length [length_units]

Square brackets [] show elements which are optional. > - This indicates that polar coordinates are being entered. angle - This is the value of the angle. angle_units - You can enter the type of units, for example, degrees. length - This is the value of the length. length_units - You can enter the type of units, for example, mm. Examples of polar coordinates are given below. > 45 30 > 45 degrees 30 mm > 30 2.5 inches

What is a grid? A grid is an array of points joined by lines. You can use the grid as a guide to quickly enter positions by snapping to its points.



How do I use the grid? To turn on the grid: From the Status bar, click the Grid on/off button on the screen.

to draw the grid

The grid is drawn on the principal plane.

On the grid, you will see the name of the current workspace and the principal plane. You may also see an arrow at the origin of the current workspace. This shows the axis normal to the principal plane. You can snap to the intersections of grid lines as if they are key points. You can view the grid as either ruled or dotted lines by changing the Grid type option on the View page of the Options dialogue box. In the Status bar, you can see a text box which shows the scale of the current grid. You can change the scale of the grid by zooming in and out. To increase the scale, zoom out, and to decrease the scale, zoom in. The scale is locked by default to a value of 10. To unlock the scale, deselect the Lock Grid Scale option on the Views page of the Options dialogue box. To set your own grid scale, type your value into the grid scale text box. The grid scale is automatically locked to that value. If you change the principal plane, the grid automatically redraws on the new plane. To turn the grid off: From the Status bar, click the Grid on/off button grid from the screen.


to remove the


How do I use point-locking? When point-locking is ON, every position you enter using the mouse is locked onto the principal plane. For example, if the principal plane is XY, every point you enter using the mouse will have a Z coordinate of zero. To turn point-locking on: From the Status bar, click the Point lock button a shut lock ).

(which changes to

Note that point-locking only affects points entered using the mouse. If you want to enter a position that is not on the principal plane, you can still do so, by either using the Position dialogue box or typing in the coordinates. If you snap to a key point which does not lie on the principal plane (as shown below),

then the new position is projected onto the principal plane.

When you hover the intelligent cursor over such a key point, it changes to show that clicking the key point will project any new position onto the principal plane. To turn point-locking off: From the Status bar, click the Point lock button an open lock ).


(which changes to


What is the Position dialogue box? The Position dialogue box provides you with tools allowing you to define positions and constructions that would be difficult (if not impossible) by any other method. It can be opened by clicking the Position button located on the Status bar or on any of the object menus (double click objects to raise these menus).

How do I use the Position dialogue box? Entering positions (X, Y, Z) values via a dialogue box or the Status bar or clicking positions with the mouse is not always sufficient. For example, you may want to specify a point at a particular proportion along an object. The Position dialogue box offers many tools to assist with such constructions. To access the Position dialogue box, click the Position button

.

Note: The Position button is only active when positions are required by the program. For example, when in object creation mode or when editing objects.

Position dialogue box

The above shows the default page of the Position dialogue box. It actually has several pages that can be accessed by selecting the relevant tabs. Pages for each tab are discussed later.



Items which are common to all the pages are covered here. Workspace - This option menu allows you to select which workspace you are working in. The available options are: • Relative - The position being defined is relative to another position which becomes the origin of the workspace. The positions are aligned with the active workplane or the global workspace if no workplane is active. Relative mode is not always available since there may not be a suitable relative co-ordinate. In this case, select a suitable position (such as the intersection of two lines) and make it the origin of a relative workspace with the Become Origin option. • Workplane - The position being defined is relative to the active workplane if one exists. • World - The position being defined is relative to the global coordinate system. NOTE: If any items are locked, the locks are discarded when you select a different workspace. Current Plane - This menu allows you to select one of the three principal planes. The current plane is relative to the selected Workspace option. Many of the Position dialogue box options contain a button to fix (or lock) the component value. This button can be switched between Locked and Unlocked . Locking a value ensures that it remains fixed regardless of what happens to other components. The lock remains ON until you click the button again to unlock it. Dialogue box editing fields affected by a lock are greyed out. Many tools available from the Position dialogue box involve using the mouse to select objects in the model. You make these selections in the normal way. All the Position dialogue box functions show the current position as an icon in the model. When you adjust the position controls (such as the slider in Along and Between) you can see the icon move in the model. This allows you to confirm the position is where you want it before accepting the dialogue box. Become Origin - If you click this button, then the coordinates of the position defined by the dialogue box become the origin. Any relative coordinates are measured from this origin.



Apply - Inputs the position. If the current operation allows multiple points, the dialogue box remains on the screen, ready for you to input more points. Otherwise, it is removed from the screen. Accept - Inputs the position and removes the dialogue box. Cancel - Aborts the position entry.

Cartesian page

This page provides separate fields for each axis. Each can be individually locked using the appropriate lock button. Usually you can enter a value into a field without affecting the other values. However if you have locked some components using the polar page, then the values of the other fields may change to comply with the constraints created by the locks. If you click a position in the graphics window, its Cartesian coordinates are read into the dialogue box.



Polar page

This page is affected by the Current Plane setting, which determines how the coordinates are calculated from the Angle and Elevation/Height fields. The Angle field refers to the polar angle from the origin in the currently selected plane in the selected workspace. The option menu displaying Distance contains: • Distance, which is the distance from the workplane origin. • X, Y or Z options, these allow you to enter a distance on either of the axes on the currently active plane. The option menu displaying Elevation contains: • Elevation, which is the angle of elevation above the active plane from the origin of the workspace. • Height, which is the distance perpendicular to the selected plane. For example, the Z component when the XY plane is selected. If you click a position in the graphics window, its polar coordinates are read into the dialogue box.



Along page

This creates a position at a chosen parameter along an object. It contains a measurement method option menu. Object - Select an object using the mouse. Once an object is selected, its name appears in the text box. Option menu displaying Proportion - When Proportion is shown on the menu, the number in the adjacent text box refers to the proportional distance from the start of the object. In this case, 0.5 indicates half way along. 0.25 would mean a quarter (or 25%) from the start of the object. When Distance is shown on the menu, you can enter a measurement from the start of the object. You can either type in a value in the text box next to the option menu or used the slider below it. The slider indicates the portion from the start of the object. By default, the slider has 10 graduations. You can change the number of graduation on the slider, either by using the and buttons or by typing a value into the box.



Between page

This operates in the same way as Along, but instead of using points at the ends of an object, you select the start and end points which need not be on the same object. This allows accurate placement of a position between two connected or unconnected positions. Click two positions in the model. First point - This displays the coordinates of the first click. Second point - This displays the coordinates of the second click. Resultant point - This displays the coordinates of the between value as defined by the dialogue box. Option menu displaying Proportion - When Proportion is shown on the menu, the number in the adjacent text box refers to the proportional distance from the first point towards the second. In this case, 0.5 indicates half way along. 0.25 would mean a quarter (or 25%) along. When Distance is shown on the menu, you can enter a measurement from the first point. You can either type in a value in the text box next to the option menu or use the slider below it. The slider indicates the portion from the first point. By default, the slider has 10 graduations. You can change the number of graduation on the slider, either by using the and buttons or by typing a value into the box.



Intersect page

This finds the position where two objects intersect. Select two objects in the model. You can do this by either: • Clicking one object, then holding down the Shift key and selecting the second object; • Box selecting both objects. The name of one of the objects selected is placed in text box with label One and the name of the other object is placed in Two. If the position does not lie on either object, the objects are extended. • Lines are treated as if they are of infinite length. The intersection point of two lines that don't cross is shown below.

• Arcs are treated as full circles. • Curves are extended by maintaining the curvature at the end point.



If there are two possible intersections, the intersection position is the one closest to the last mouse click.

Normal page

This allows you to input a position which is perpendicular to an object from the origin of the workspace displayed on the dialogue box. Normal to object - Click the object you want the position to be normal to. The name of the object appears in the text box and the cursor moves to the position normal to the object. To allow positions to be found which do not lie on the object, lines are treated as if they are of infinite length and arcs as full circles. An error dialogue is raised if a position cannot be found normal to the selected object.



Key Point page

This allows you to select a position at a specific key point on the selected object. This is useful where more than one object has key points at the same position and (for example) you want to snap to a hidden key point on a specific object. There are many ways of ensuring you select the correct object such as View - Blank and Format - Levels (Refer to the "View menu" and "Format menu" in the Menus and toolbars Manual), but Key Point is quick and convenient for specific objects. Object - Click an object. The name of the object appears in the text box. Key point - This determines which point on the object is selected. The option menu contains the following options: • Centre applies to the centre point of arcs and circles. • Start and End can apply to any object as they all have start and end positions. • Numbered Position is intended for use with curves (which can have many positions along their length). The Position Number window activates, allowing you to enter a number.



Vector page

This measures a vector between two points and uses it to define a position. It also displays the offsets, angles, length and elevation between the two points. You must already have a starting position from which the new position is entered. 1st pt - Enter the first point of the vector here or click on a point on the model to enter its coordinates. This point is displayed in pink on the screen (using the default colour scheme). 2nd pt - Enter the second point of the vector here or click on a point on the model to enter its coordinates. This point is displayed in red on the screen (using the default colour scheme). When you click Accept or Apply, a new position is entered by going along the vector from the start position. In the remaining boxes, information is automatically displayed from the two positions of the vector. Each box is discussed below. Offsets - These are the differences in the X, Y and Z values of the first and second points of the vector. Angles - These are the apparent angles. The apparent angle is measured between the projection of the vector onto a plane and the selected axis. If the axis is X, the plane is XY. For Y the plane is YZ and for Z it is ZX. An example is shown below of the apparent angle for the X axis.



Length - This is the true length (in 3D) between the points. Elevation - This is the elevation angle of the new vector from the current plane.



Selecting objects

How do I select objects? If you want to do anything to an object, you must select it first. This is a basic requirement for editing objects. Some creation and construction commands allow selection of objects, but most selection is done within Select mode - accessed by clicking the main toolbar. The Select option menu contains the following options:

on

Normal selection Whole box Selection filter Select all wireframe objects Select all surfaces and solids Select only wireframe objects Select only surfaces and solids The current selection is highlighted in yellow. Single selected objects have their key points visible as graphical handles. When more than one object is selected, the key point handles are not displayed, but the objects remain yellow.

Selecting single objects 1. Click

or

(selection menu).

2. Using the left mouse button, click on the object and it will turn yellow with its key points visible as graphical handles.


Selecting objects • 111

Selecting multiple objects The Normal selection button from the Select option menu allows you to select all objects that are partially or completely enclosed by a box, whereas the Whole box button selects only those objects which are completely enclosed by a box.

Using Normal selection 1. Click

(selection menu).

2. Using the left mouse button, click a point on the screen where you want the box to start.

3. Keeping the mouse button pressed, move the mouse to a second position on the screen. This creates a rectangular "rubber band" on the screen.

4. Release the mouse to select all of the objects that are partially or completely enclosed in the box.

In our example all the lines are selected as they are partially or completely enclosed by the box.

112 • Selecting objects


Using whole box selection 1. Click

(selection menu).

2. Using the left mouse button, click a position on the screen where you want the box to start.

3. Keeping the mouse button pressed, move the mouse to a second position on the screen. This creates a rectangular "rubber band" on the screen.

4. Release the mouse to select all of the objects that are completely enclosed in the box.

In our example only the line completely enclosed by the box is selected.

Adding or removing objects To add or remove objects from a selection, hold down the Control key while clicking or dragging. Selected objects will be de-selected and unselected objects will be selected.



Selecting only wireframe objects 1. Click

(selection menu).

2. Using the left mouse button, click a point on the screen where you want the box to start. 3. Keeping the mouse button pressed, move the mouse to a second position on the screen. This creates a rectangular "rubber band" on the screen. 4. Release the mouse to select all of the wireframe objects that are partially or completely enclosed in the box.

Selecting only solids and surfaces 1. Click

(selection menu).

2. Using the left mouse button, click a point on the screen where you want the box to start. 3. Keeping the mouse button pressed, move the mouse to a second position on the screen. This creates a rectangular "rubber band" on the screen. 4. Release the mouse to select all of the solids and surfaces that are partially or completely enclosed in the box.

Deselecting objects To deselect all objects, either: • click in space away from any objects, or • from the Edit menu, choose Select followed by Clear selection.

Selecting coincident objects When several objects are beneath the cursor and clicking selects the wrong one, click again without moving the mouse and PowerSHAPE will select the next object in the database at that position. Repeat until the one you want is selected.

Selection using the Intelligent Cursor When the Intelligent Cursor is switched on (it is by default), objects are highlighted as the cursor passes over them. This shows which can be selected if you click at that point. 114 • Selecting objects


When several objects are beneath the cursor and one of them is selected, the Intelligent Cursor highlights the next object from the database at that position. A click now will deselect the selected object, select the highlighted object and highlight the next one. This allows you to select the correct object from the group. You must click within the time specified by the Next Selection Timeout option on the Mouse page of the Options dialogue box (which is displayed by choosing Options from the Tools menu). You can also right click to display the object's pop up menu and click Next Selection to select the next object. The Intelligent Cursor button is displayed on the Views toolbar. This toggles the Intelligent Cursor on and off. Selecting this button is the same as selecting the Intelligent Cursor option from the Options page.

Object key points All objects have a number of key points which define the object’s position and size. These are as follows: • Lines - at each end and the mid-point. • Arcs - at each end of the sector, the centre point and the mid-point. • Curves - at each point where the curve can change direction. • Surfaces - at each corner of the surface patch (the key points on the associated curves behave as for curves). • Workplanes - at the origin and end of each axis pointer.

Selection anchor point When the object is selected, PowerSHAPE chooses one of its key points as the object’s anchor point for the current selection. The next selection may (or may not) use a different key point. The anchor point is used by PowerSHAPE to decide where to position the object, for example during all types of moves and copies. The rules for which key point is chosen to be the anchor are as follows: • When a single object is selected, the anchor point is the object’s key point which was nearest the cursor when you selected the object.



• When objects are selected using a rubber box, the anchor point is at the centre of the smallest box capable of containing the objects. This applies whether the rubber box contains one or many objects. • If objects are shift selected individually, the anchor point for the group is the key point nearest the cursor on the last object selected. Tip: When you want a specific anchor point for a group: rubber-box select a group of objects, then Control de-select and Control re-select one. The anchor point for the group selection is then on this object rather than at the centre of the rubber box.

Selection filter Complex models can become cluttered with objects making it difficult to select the ones you want. The selection filter is an aid which helps you to choose the type of object you want to select. You can also select styles of objects and levels on which objects are kept. Using the selection filter: 1. Click

(selection menu).

2. Use the Selection Filter dialogue box to filter the selections.

Selection Filter dialogue box

This dialogue box is used to choose which objects, styles and levels are selected. Each item on the dialogue box is discussed below. You can select an object on the screen and the lists will update to show the type, style and level of that object.



Type - This shows a list of the different objects that can be created in PowerSHAPE. By default each type is selected. Clicking on an item selects or deselects it. Items that are selected are highlighted. When you have selected items from the list, then only those items can be selected on the screen. Style - This is a list of styles used in the model. By default each style is selected. Clicking on an item selects or deselects it. Items that are selected are highlighted. When you have selected items from the list, only those items can be chosen on the screen. Pattern - This is a list of patterns for the selected style. Clicking on an item selects or deselects it. Items that are selected are highlighted. Level - Each level that is used is listed here. By default, each level is selected. Clicking on an item selects or deselects it. Items that are selected are highlighted. When you have selected items from the list, only those items can be chosen on the screen. Invert - This inverts the current selection, that is, those which are selected become unselected and those which are unselected, selected. All - This selects all items in the list. Each item will be highlighted to show that it is selected. Select All - When you click on this, all items on the screen, which match the selections you made on the dialogue box, will be selected. Blank - When you click on this, all items on the screen, which match the selections you made on the dialogue box, will be blanked. Unblank - When you click on this, all items which are blanked and match the selections you made on the dialogue box, will be unblanked. Accept - This saves the changes you made to the dialogue box and removes it from the screen. You can only select those items you specified on the dialogue box. Cancel - This removes the dialogue box from the screen and discards any changes made to it. To return to normal selection after using a filtered selection, click on the Selection option menu in the main toolbar and select Normal Selection . When you return to the Selection Filter dialogue box, all types, styles and levels are selected.



Selecting an object by name To select an object by its name: 1. From the Edit menu, choose Select followed by Select by Name to display the Add Item To Selection dialogue box.

2. Use the dialogue box to select an object by its name.

Add Item To Selection dialogue box

This selects an object by its name. Each item on the dialogue box is discussed below. Item Type - Choose the type of the object you want to select. Item Name - Enter the name of the object. Clear The Selection First - If on, all previously selected objects are deselected. Add - This adds the selected object to the current selection. If the object is blank, it unblanks when selected. The dialogue box remains on the screen so that you can add more objects to the selection. Dismiss - This removes the dialogue box from the screen.



Calculator and measuring

What is the calculator? The calculator allows you to make calculations while working on a model.

You can enter complex expressions. It can also measure objects in the model. It also interacts with dialogue boxes, automatically entering the result into the selected boxes.

How do I use the calculator? From the Status Bar, click the Calculator button

.

The Calculator dialogue box is displayed. PowerSHAPE Basic concepts

Calculator and measuring • 119

You can also display the calculator from within a dialogue box by rightclicking in a box (used to enter numbers). Use the calculator and then click the Accept button and the results are automatically added to the box. The calculator operates in the same way as any pocket calculator. You can click buttons to enter numbers and commands or you can use the keyboard numeric keypad.

Calculator dialogue box

This is used to calculate numeric values. Each item on the dialogue box is discussed below. There are two boxes at the top of the dialogue box. The one on the left displays the expression and the other displays the results of the calculations. You can use either the keyboard or the numeric key pad to enter an expression to calculate. As you enter expressions, the results in the right box are updated.

120 • Calculator and measuring


Below the boxes, the calculator is divided into two sections. The left half contains the numeric key pad and the right half displays the operations for selected tab. The tabs provides the calculator with additional features for you to use to build the expressions: • Measure • Options • Logical • Parameters • Memory • Functions You can switch from one tab to another as you calculate an expression. Each tab, except for Measure, is discussed below in its own section. For the Measure tab, see "How do I measure using the calculator?" for further details. The numeric key pad is used in the same way as any other calculator to add, subtract, divide and multiply numbers. Other buttons are described below. ( ) - Adds brackets around the current expression. AC - Deletes any expression stored in the memory and removes the current expression. C - Removes the current expression. Backspace - Removes the rightmost character from the current expression.

Options page



Decimal places - This is the number of decimal places to display the answer. Use the slider to change the number.

Logical page

The result of a logical expression is 0 or 1, where 0 is false and 1 true. You can combine buttons to give more operators. Each logical operator is discussed below. A == B outputs 1 if A equals B and 0 otherwise A != B outputs 1 if A does not equal B and 0 otherwise AB outputs 1 if A is greater than B and 0 otherwise A >= B outputs 1 if A is greater or equal to B and 0 otherwise A AND B outputs 1 if A and B are true and 0 otherwise. A OR B outputs 1 if either A or B is true and 0 otherwise.. !A outputs 1 if A is false and 0 if true. This is known as the NOT operator. test ? result_true : result_false if test is true then output result_true otherwise output result_false.



Example 1 a>=b ? a+b : a-b

This outputs a+b if a>=b and a-b if a20)?10:((b>30)?20:30)

This example uses a nested expression to determine the value of a, based on the value of b if b > 20 then a = 10 else if (b > 30) then a = 20 else a = 30

Parameters page

See "How do I use a parameter?" for further information.

Memory page



Each button on the dialogue box is discussed below. Store - This stores the current expression into the memory. Recall - This appends the current expression with the stored expression. Reset - This erases any expression stored in the memory. Replace - This replaces the current expression with the stored expression. Note that AC, on the left side of the calculator, deletes the memory and removes the current expression, whereas C just removes the current expression. The calculator remembers the memory value when it is lowered and raised.

Functions page

Each function button is discussed below. Note that when you click a function button, the current expression is enclosed in brackets and the function is performed on the value of the current expression. Sin - This calculates the sine of the current expression. Cos - This calculates the cosine of the current expression. Tan - This calculates the tan of the current expression. Asin - This calculates the angle whose sine is equal to value of the current expression. Acos - This calculates the angle whose cosine is equal to value of the current expression. Atan - This calculates the angle whose tangent is equal to value of the current expression. Sqrt - This calculates the square root of the current expression.



^ - This is the "to the power of" sign. For example, if the current value of the expression is 2, you select ^ and enter a value 3, then the following calculation is performed: (2)^3=2*2*2=8 Ln - This calculates the natural logarithm of the current expression. For example, if the current value of the expression is 7.389056 and you select Ln, then the following calculation is performed: Ln(7.389056) = logarithm(7.389056) = 2 Max - This determines the maximum value of a list of values in the expression. The list of values in the expression must be of the form: A1; A2; … ; AN Min - This determines the minimum value of a list of values in the expression. The list of values in the expression must be of the form: A1; A2; … ; AN Exp - This calculates the exponential value of the current expression with respect to e, the base of the natural logarithms. For example, if the current value of the expression is 2 and you select Exp, then the following calculation is performed: Exp(2) = e2 = 7.389056 Abs - This calculates the absolute value of the current expression. In other words, removes the minus sign. For example if the value of the expression is -56.98 and you select Abs, then the new value is 56.98.

How do I measure using the calculator? From the Status Bar, click the Calculator button

.

The Calculator dialogue box is displayed.



Each button on the Measure page is discussed below. Note: straight line segments of curves are treated as lines.

Measuring automatically This intelligently measures lines and arcs. It also measures the radius of curvature on arcs, curves and surface curves. Click

.

Hover the mouse over an object. If the object is a line or an arc, the intelligent cursor displays the intelligent measurement of that object. The intelligent measurement of lines and arcs are: • Line - length

• Arc - radius

• Full arc (circle) - diameter



If a span of a curve or a surface curve has constant curvature, then the radius of curvature is displayed when you hover the mouse over the span. To enter that value into the calculator, click the object. The value is entered into the expressions box. If no intelligent measurement is associated with an object, then no value is displayed. When no value is displayed and you click a position on the screen, the calculator waits for you to enter a second position. As you move the mouse cursor, a rubber-banded line displays from the first position to the cursor position. The length of the rubber-banded line is also displayed. Once you enter the second position, the shortest distance between the two points is entered into the expressions box.

Measuring the length This measures: • the length of a line • the span of an arc • the length of a curve or a composite curve • the distance between two points To measure the length: 1. Click

.

2. Either select the object or click two points to enter the value into the expressions box.

Measuring the radius This measures the radius of any arc or circle. It also measures the radius of curvature on curves and surface curves. 1. Click

.

2. If you hover the mouse over an arc, its radius is displayed. If a span of a curve or a surface curve has constant curvature, then the radius of curvature is displayed when you hover the mouse over the span. 3. Click the object to enter the value into the expressions box.



Measuring the diameter This measures the diameter of an arc. 1. Click

.

2. If you hover the mouse over an arc, its diameter is displayed. 3. Click the arc to enter the value into the expressions box.

Measuring angles and

measure angles.

measures minor angle and

major angle.

To measure an angle, click the button for the angle required. You can now select the following items: • One line. If you hover the mouse over the line, the minor and major angles are both displayed, where the type not required is in brackets.

Double-click the line in exactly the same position to enter the value into the expressions box. • Two lines. The minor and major angles are measured between the two lines as shown below.

Select one line and then select the other line. The angle between the two lines is entered the value into the expressions box. Suppose you have two lines that don't lie on the same XY, YZ or ZX plane, but intersect in space. PowerSHAPE measures the angle on the plane that is defined by the intersection point and the end points of the lines that lay away from the intersection point. 128 • Calculator and measuring


Suppose you select two lines that don't intersect in space. No angle exists between two such lines. In PowerSHAPE, the position selected on the second line is treated as a position and the angle is calculated as described when a line and a position are selected. • An arc. The minor and major angles are the spans of the sector of the arc and the missing sector of the arc. See below.

When you hover the mouse over an arc, both the minor and major angles are displayed, where the type not required is in brackets.

• One line and one position. Select a line. Depending on which end of the line is selected, you will see a rubber-banded angle from the line to intelligent cursor.



Suppose the top end of the line is selected. The angle is measured from the top part of the line. As you move the mouse cursor, the rubber-banded angle moves too.

Use this rubber-banded angle as a guide to determine the angle you want to measure. Enter the position. The angle is entered into the expressions box. Note that the angle is calculated in the plane made by the two end points of the line and the position. • Three positions. The three positions define two lines as shown below. The minor and major angles are measured between these two lines.



When you enter the first position, a rubber-banded line is displayed from the position to the mouse cursor.

This helps you to choose the second position. Once you enter the second position, a rubber-banded angle is displayed as shown below.



This helps you to choose the third position. When you enter the third position, the angle is entered into the expressions box. Note that the angle is calculated in the plane made by the two end points of the line and the position.

Measuring the volume This measures the volume of surfaces, solids or triangulated symbols. 1. Click

.

2. Select the surface or solid.

Measuring the area This measures the area of a composite curve, surface, solid or triangulated symbols . 1. Click

.

2. Select either a composite curve or a surface or a solid.

Measuring wall thickness This measures the wall thickness of a solid. 1. Click

.

2. Move the cursor over the solid to display the wall thickness (see below). 3. Click the solid to enter the value into the expressions box.



Measuring the radius using 3 points This measures the radius of an arc using three points. It is ideal for measuring the radius of curvature on curves and surface curves. 1. Click

.

2. Input the first position to define the start point of an arc.

3. Input the second position to define the end point of an arc.

4. Input the third position to define a position on the circumference of the arc. The value is entered into the expressions box.

Measuring draft angles This measures the draft angle of surface and solid points. 1. Click

.

2. If you hover the mouse over a position on a surface or solid, the minor draft angle is displayed with the major draft angle in brackets. An arrow representing the surface normal of the position is also drawn.



By default, only draft angles of positions on the surface curves are measured. You can measure the draft angle of positions within a surface patch by either holding down the Shift key or turning on the Patch snapping option on the Mouse page of the Options dialogue box (which is displayed by choosing Options from the Tools menu). The draft angle is measured from the principle plane to the normal of the point on the surface under the cursor. 3. When you click the position on the surface, the draft angle is entered into the expressions box.

Measuring the minimum distance This measures the minimum distance between two objects. 1. Click

.

2. Click two objects to enter the value into the expressions box.

Arrows are drawn on the objects to show where the minimum distance is measured.



Note that the objects are currently restricted to points, lines, arcs, curves, composite curves, and surfaces.

Using the Projected option Projected - When on, measurements are taken from projections on the principal plane. A line is measured from a projection on the principal plane as shown below.

You can measure three values from the projection: its length and its length along either of the axes of the principal plane.

To measure the length of the projection, hover the mouse over the line until a value displays and then double click the line to enter the value into the expressions box.



To measure the length along one of the axis, click the line once and the move the mouse in the direction parallel to the axis you want. As you move the mouse, a value displays. Click the mouse to enter the value into the expressions box. You can also measure angles of lines and positions that are projected onto the principal plane. In the figure below, Angle A is measured between Lines 1 and 2 when Projected is turned off, and Angle B when turned on.

Note that you cannot calculate projections of arcs. Therefore, if you measure an arc, its value is the same regardless of whether Projected is on or off.



Parameters

What is a parameter? A parameter is a user-defined variable, which is used to store numbers and expressions. For example, parameters pi and radius are defined as follows: pi = 3.141592654 radius = 56 A third parameter circumference can be defined using parameters pi and radius: circumference = 2*pi*radius When you update the radius, circumference is automatically updated. • Parameters can be used to automatically update your model when their definitions are updated. For this to work, you must create your model using relational geometry and define its objects using parameters. • Parameters can be used anywhere you need to enter numbers. Parameter names are now case sensitive. So, FRED Fred fred are three different parameters • You can now create a parameter in a text box on a dialogue box or toolbar by typing param_name=expression where param_name is the name of the parameter and expression is an expression representing the numeric value of the parameter. PowerSHAPE Basic concepts

Parameters • 137

How do I create a parameter? You can create parameters by: • using the Parameter Editor dialogue box • typing in values

Using the Parameter Editor dialogue box 1. From the Object menu, select Parameter to display the Parameter Editor dialogue box. 2. Use this dialogue box to create your parameter.

Parameter Editor dialogue box

This is used to create and edit parameters. To create a new parameter, click New. In the Parameter text box, a default name for the parameter appears. Change it to something more meaningful to remind you what the parameter is used for. To edit an existing parameter, use the Parameter combo box to choose a parameter. Use the rest of the dialogue box to define or modify the parameter. By default, a parameter is a measurement of length, however, by using the Dimension option menu, you set it to ratio, length, area, volume or angle.

138 • Parameters


By default, a parameter has no tolerance associated with it. The Tolerance drop down list contains various types of tolerance you can set: None -:+:-:+ +:+ Limit-Fit If you choose one of the four options with the + and - symbols, use the Values text boxes to enter the tolerance values. If you choose Limit-Fit, use the Limit-Fit combo-box to either enter a limit value or select one from the list of common values. Assign a value or expression to the parameter using the calculator functions on the right side. To delete an existing parameter, use the Parameter combo box to choose a parameter and then click the Delete button. To create a copy of an existing parameter, use the Parameter combo box to choose a parameter and then click the Duplicate button. Click Apply to create/modify the parameter. Continue creating/modifying parameters if you wish. Once you have finished, click Accept to remove the dialogue box. Note that clicking Cancel removes the dialogue box and delete all the parameters created whilst the dialogue box was displayed. Any parameters modified are also changed back to their original values.

Creating parameters by typing in values You can create a parameter in a text box on a dialogue box or toolbar by typing: param_name = value

where param_name is the name of the parameter and value is the numeric value of the parameter. The type of parameter created (that is, length, angle, area, volume or ratio) is determined by the values used in the text box.


Parameters • 139

How do I edit a parameter? 1. From the Object menu, select Parameter to display the Parameter Editor dialogue box. 2. Use the Parameter Editor dialogue box to edit the parameter definition. See "Parameter Editor dialogue box" for further details.

How do I use a parameter? Whenever you can enter a numeric expression via the calculator, you can specify a parameter instead. The current value of the parameter is used as the number being input. 1. Raise the calculator. If you are entering a value into a text box on a dialogue box, right clicking the text box raises the calculator. 2. Use the calculator as you usually would. Steps 3 and 4 give instructions of how to put the value of a parameter into your calculation. 3. Click the Parameters tab to display the Parameters page of the calculator.

All the parameters are listed on the right in the calculator. If you click a parameter, its value is displayed in the box below the list of parameter. 1. Choose the parameter by double clicking on the parameter's name in the list. The name of the parameter is entered into the calculation indicating that the parameter's value is entered into the calculation. 2. Once you have completed your calculation, press Accept and the resulting value is entered into the dialogue box or toolbar. 140 • Parameters


How do I find out if a value uses parameters? You can find out if a value uses parameters in a text box on a dialogue box by looking at the text box's dynamic help. The dynamic help is displayed by putting the cursor in the text box. If the value uses parameters, the dynamic help will show you the expression containing the parameters in addition to the usual help message. This only works for values that are parametric. A parametric value is one which remembers the parameters used to define it. When the value of any parameter is changed, the parametric value updates automatically. Currently, parametric values only exist on the following dialogue boxes: • Solid Cut • Solid Boss • Primitive Solid • Primitive Surface • Solid Extrusion • Solid Fillet • Solid Bulge • Solid Thicken • Solid Chamfer • Solid Hole • Solid Hollow • Surface Extrusion • Chamfer Editor


Parameters • 141

142 • Parameters


Index A Add Item To Selection dialogue box 118 application menu 8 area 132 arm using the 16

C calculator 119 displaying 22 functions 121 logical operators 121 measuring 121, 125 memory 121 options 121 parameters 121 using the 119 Calculator dialogue box 120 closing models 36 zip models 41 comparing models 51 composite curves creating 20 construction lines 27, 94 coordinate system 91 copying objects 20, 88


creating models 29 parameters 138, 139 cutting objects 88

D Delete Model dialogue box 46 deleting models 45 objects 88 description 43 dialogue box 14, 20 Accept button 16 Add Item To Selection 118 Apply button 16 buttons 16 Calculator 120 Cancel button 16 combo box 15 data box 14 Delete Model 46 Edit Model 44 entering positions 95 Export 66 File Export 65 File Properties 48 Find Duplicates 54 Import 56 Model Compare 52 object 10 Open Model 37 option menu 15 Parameter Editor 138 Position 100 Position. See Position dialogue box radio buttons 15 Save Model As 31 Select Item by Filter 116 tabs 15 text box 14 toggle buttons 15 using the 14

Index • 143

VDA-FS File Export 72 duplicate objects 53

E edit menu 8 Edit Model dialogue box 44 editing objects 19, 88 objects using the intelligent cursor 89 parameters 140 entering positions 92, 100 along an object 104 at an intersection 106 at object key point 108 between positions 105 cartesian 96, 102 in dialogue boxes 95 normal to an object 107 polar 97, 103 using the cursor 93 using the intelligent cursor 93 Export dialogue box 66 exporting 64, 73, 80, 81 badly trimmed surfaces 72 Delcam machining triangles 73 DXF 80 DXF using Part Export 80 IGES 73 materials 81

F File Export dialogue box 65 file menu 8 File Properties dialogue box 48 find duplicates 53 Find Duplicates dialogue box 54 format menu 8

G general tolerance 13 144 • Index

graphical interface 7 graphics window 24 activating 18 multiple windows 24 single window 24 using a 24 grid 97, 98

H help menu 8 hit radius 93

I IGES exporting 73 importing 55, 73 Import dialogue box 56 importing 55, 56, 62, 63, 73 CADDS files 55 catia files 73 Catia files 55 data at start up 62 Delcam machining triangles 55 Duct triangles 55 IGES files 55, 73 log file 60 materials 63 models 55, 62 picture files 55 pro-e files 73 STEP files 73 surface files 55 UG Parasolids files 73 VDA-FS files 55 wizard 61 zip files 55 intelligent cursor 25 construction labels 28 construction lines 27, 94 editing objects 89 entering positions 93


highlighting objects 27 turning off construction lines 27, 95 using the 25 intersection position 106

K key points 115 keyboard using the 23

L levels objects stored on 48 lines construction lines 27, 94 log file 60

M main toolbar 11 materials exporting 81 importing 63 measuring 121, 125 angles 128 arc length 127 arcs 126 area 132 diameter 128 distance between two points 127 draft angles 133 lengths of composite curves 127 lengths of curves 127 line segments of curves 126 lines 126, 127 minimum distance 134 radius 127, 133 radius from 3 points 133 radius of curvature 126 solid wall thickness 132 volume 132 PowerSHAPE Basic concepts

wall thickness 132 menus 7 application 8 edit 8 file 8 format 8 help 8 object 8 option 11 pop-up 8, 9 selecting 18 tools 8 using 9 view 8 window 8 minimum distance 134 Model Compare dialogue box 52 models 29 as a set of files in a folder 34 as a single file 34 checking for corruption 30 closing 36 closing and zipping 41 comparing 51 creating 29 deleting 45 duplicate objects 53 editing the description 43 editing the password 43 importing 55, 62, 73 opening 36, 40, 41 opening model at start up 40 opening zip 41 properties 48, 49 psmodel 34 recently opened 41 recover 39 resetting 42 restoring 39 reverting to last saved model 42 save as 31 saving 30, 31 saving with new name 31 Index • 145

storing on disk 34 template 43 tracking changes 47 mouse click 17 double click 17 drag 17 left and right buttons 23 left-hand button 18 middle button 21 right-hand button 22 using the 17 moving objects 19, 88

O object creating 87 dialogue boxes 10 editing 88 key points 115 parameters. See parameters toolbars 10 object menu 8 objects selecting by name 118 Open Model dialogue box 37 opening models 36, 40, 41 psmodels 40 zip models 41 option menus 11

P Parameter Editor dialogue box 138 parameters 137 creating 138, 139 editing 140 using 140 values using 141

146 • Index

Part Export 80 password 43 paste special 21 point-locking 99 points. See positions pop-up menu 8, 9 Position dialogue box 100 along 104 between 105 cartesian 102 current plane 101 intersect 106 key point 108 locking 101 normal 107 polar entry 103 using the 100 vector 109 workspace 101 positions absolute 96 entering 92, 100 entering along an object 104 entering at an intersection 106 entering at object key point 108 entering between positions 105 entering cartesian 96, 102 entering in dialogue boxes 95 entering normal to an object 107 entering polar 97, 103 entering using the cursor 93 entering using the intelligent cursor 93 point-locking 99 relative 96, 101 workplane 101 PowerSHAPE 3 starting up 6, 40, 62 principal plane 91, 92 PS-Team 47


R

T

resetting models 42 reverting to last saved model 42

template model 43 thumbnail 35 tolerances general 13 toolbars main 11 object 10 using the 11 tools menu 8 tracking changes 47

S Save Model As dialogue box 31 saving models 30, 31 corruption 30 screen area 7 layout 7 Select Item by Filter dialogue box 116 selecting objects 18, 19, 111 adding to selection 19, 20, 113 all surfaces and solids 111 all wireframe 111 anchor point 115 box selection 113 by level 116 by name 118 by style 116 by type 116 clearing the selection 18, 114 coincident objects 114 de-selecting 114 filter 116 key points 115 multiple objects 112 only solids 114 only surfaces 114 only surfaces and solids 111 only wireframe 111, 114 removing from selection 19, 20, 113 single objects 111 using the intelligent cursor 114 solids measuring wall thickness 132 status bar 12 using the 12 surfaces exporting badly trimmed 72


V VDA-FS File Export dialogue box 72 view menu 8 viewing models 21, 85 pan 21, 23 rotating 21, 23 rotating around X axis 19 rotating around Y axis 22, 23 rotating around Z axis 23 zooming 22, 23 zooming to box 22, 23 volume 132

W window menu 8

Z zip files importing 55 zip models closing 41 opening 41 zooming 22, 23 to box 22, 23

Index • 147

148 • Index


PowerShape_Basic-concepts.pdf

Recommend Documents