manual de iron cad

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iv Table of Contents - IRONCAD Getting Started Guide


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Chapter 1

About IRONCAD


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IRONCAD Getting Started Guide - About IRONCAD 1-5

After selecting one shape in a part, you can move it, resize it, delete it, or perform other

operations.

Once all the shapes are in place, SmartPaints can be added to your part.

Every part has at least one IntelliShape and at least one SmartPaint component; SmartMotions

are optional. If you want animation effects, you can add SmartMotions to the part from the

Animation catalog or create a custom animation path.

These intelligent components of a part are unique in the world of 3D software. They assist you

in creating parts with more flexibility, extra speed and increased efficiency.

Assemblies and ProductsWhen using IRONCAD to design products, your design may require only a single partcomposed of several IntelliShapes. For example, a machine stand could be a single part that

consists of five shapes: one for the top and four for the legs.

Assemblies are made frommultiple parts.

Other products are more complex and may require that individual components be created as

parts that are then joined into assemblies.

Suppose you want to design a new coffee maker. You might want to start by combining a

number of IntelliShapes to build the heating element section. You could go on to build parts

for the carafe, the reservoir and other components. Finally, you could join these individual

parts to create the finished assembly.

And, of course, very complex products may contain multiple assemblies, each containing

several parts.

IRONCAD facilitates creation of product designs at all levels of complexity. The project canbe contained in a single file or in multiple files linked to a single master assembly file.

Working with IRONCADIRONCAD users work in many design fields. Whether you need to build a machine part or a

coffee maker, you can achieve the desired results using the tools in IRONCAD to work through

the various stages of an IRONCAD project.

Note


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1-6 About IRONCAD - IRONCAD Getting Started Guide

Setting the Scene

To begin a design project in IRONCAD, you must first set up an appropriate scene for your 3D

part design. IRONCAD provides a variety of standard scene templates that are predefined with

appropriate dimensions, lighting and other parameters.

As you become comfortable working in IRONCAD, you may want to create and save custom

scene templates, much as you would create a template for a word processing document.

For more information on setting up the scene, refer to Starting IRONCADin the next

chapter.

The Stages of an IRONCAD Project

An IRONCAD project has six potential stages:

1. Build a part.

Begin by using predefined individual shapes/parts that suit your needs. If none exist,

then join existing IntelliShapes to achieve the basic form of your part or create custom

shapes. Then you can edit or reposition components or a part to refine its design.

2. Build an assembly of parts.

It may sometimes be necessary or desirable to treat multiple parts as assemblies.IRONCAD offers the capability to create such assemblies, and then add, delete or edit

any of its components while maintaining the individuality of each.

3. Create a drawing of a part.

Once a part or assembly has been created, IRONCAD offers a straightforward method

of creating a 2D drawing based on the 3D object. This drawing can be composed of one

or multiple views on single or multiple sheets containing all desired 2D information.

4. Render a part.

Once you create a 3D part, you can apply colors and surface textures to achieve

convincing realism. IRONCAD includes catalogs of SmartPaint elements for this

purpose. For example, you could add a brass finish to a fitting. You also can add

naturalistic details, such as bumps and reflections.

In addition, you can apply a variety of scene rendering techniques to affect the realism

of the part, including facet, smooth and realistic shading. Advanced rendering

techniques offer even more control over the parts appearance.

5. Animate a part.

To animate a part, use SmartMotions included in the Animation catalog, or create a

custom animation path. For complex animation, use the SmartMotion Editor. This tool

is similar to a multi-track tape recorder that offers control of the position and movement

of every animated part in a scene. For instance, you could rotate gears on a gear

reduction assembly.

6. Communicate a part.

IRONCAD parts seldom exist in a vacuum. You can share your parts with others

through 2D drawings, high-resolution printing, electronic mail, OLE integration, andmany other techniques. Export your parts to a wide variety of other applications or

import parts into IRONCAD.

Visual and Precision Part Design

At each stage of the design process, IRONCAD provides two general methods for

accomplishing your goals. They are:

The visual method. You can accomplish many tasks in IRONCAD using the mouse and

visual feedback. For instance, you can edit the size of an IntelliShape by pulling shape or


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1-8 About IRONCAD - IRONCAD Getting Started Guide


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2-2 Starting IRONCAD - IRONCAD Getting Started Guide

To begin working with IRONCAD as quickly as possible, follow the instructions in this

chapter.

In this chapter:

System requirements

What you need to know to work with IRONCAD

Installation

Starting IRONCAD

Navigating the system

Exiting IRONCAD

Getting help and other information


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IRONCAD Getting Started Guide - Starting IRONCAD 2-5

2. Deselect Always show this dialog on startupif you dont want this dialog box

to appear when you start IRONCAD.

3. Choose OK.

The New dialog box appears.

4. On the Newdialog box, choose the scene tab that best fits the type of work you do,

then select one of the scene templates.If youre not sure which template type or scene template to choose, select the Blank

Scene template from the Englishtab.

IRONCAD displays a blank 3D scene. Now youre ready to begin working in IRONCAD.

Navigating the SystemSince youre familiar with Microsoft Windows, you already know how to use most elements of

the IRONCAD interface. Much of your work in IRONCAD involves standard Windows

techniques in two environments: the scene environment for part design and the drawing

environment for 2D drawing creation.

Drag-and-drop object placement. Use this technique in the scene environment to builda part by choosing items from catalogs. You also can edit the components of a part or

drawing view using the drag-and-drop method.

Pop-up menus. Most elements of the IRONCAD working environments include pop-up

menus of unique options. To display the pop-up menu for an item, right-click the item --

that is, click it once with the right mouse button.

Properties sheets. Like pop-up menus, nearly all items in IRONCAD have properties

sheets. These dialog boxes facilitate such operations as customizing the features of a part

or drawing element in IRONCAD. The properties sheet for an item is accessed through its

pop-up menu.

The remainder of this section introduces the unique features of the IRONCAD interface. Once

youre familiar with the basic concepts and techniques in this section, you can move on to the

next chapter and learn how to build a part.

The IRONCAD Window

When you open an IRONCAD scene or drawing, you see its associated main window and those

components listed below that are associated with the current working environment:

3D Scene. This is the workspace for 3D part design in the scene environment.

2D Drawing. This is the workspace for 2D drawing creation in the drawing environment.

Menus. IRONCADs default main menu bars provide access to most of the scene and

drawing commands in IRONCAD. IRONCADs menus are, however, fully customizable.

Toolbars. IRONCADs default scene and drawing toolbars provide options for working

with files, 2D and 3D graphics, drawing tools, and other important features of IRONCAD.

Like menus, IRONCADs toolbars can be customized, as desired.

Catalog. Catalogs are available in the scene environment and are groups of related

resources such as parts and surface finishes. To use catalog items in your part design

projects, simply drag and drop their icons into the scene.

Scroll bar and navigation buttons. Use the scroll bar to move through catalogs, to

browse their contents, or to view sections of a drawing too large to be displayed entirely

on the screen.

Tabs. To display a particular catalog or drawing sheet, select its tab.


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Camera toolbar (Scene)

View toolbar (Drawing)

IRONCADs toolbars will help you implement many scene and drawing functions easily and

quickly.

Moving and Resizing a Toolbar

When you first start IRONCAD, the toolbars may appear across the top, down the left side, and

across the bottom of the workspace. They dont have to remain in these default locations,

however. You can position them anywhere in the IRONCAD window.

To move a toolbar, use the mouse to drag it to a new location.

Drag a toolbar by left-clicking its background between the available options and moving it to a

new location. If you drop it near an edge of the IRONCAD window, it appears as a horizontal

or vertical strip. If you drop it over a sheet or scene, it appears as a palette that floats over the

workspace.

To resize a floating toolbar, drag one of its corners.

Click and drag the corner to display an outline of the toolbars new shape. Drop the toolbar

when the desired shape is displayed.

Catalogs

The IRONCAD scene environment includes the following default catalogs installed on your

hard drive:

Shapes. This catalog contains a basic set of IntelliShape primitives such as blocks and

spheres. You combine these IntelliShapes to build parts.

Advanced Shapes. This catalog contains IntelliShape primitives that allow the user to

customize a shapes appearance by editing a set of variables.

Sheet Metal. This catalog includes IntelliShapes for items used in sheet metal design,

such as stock, bends, stamps, and punches.

Tools. This catalog contains a set of parameterized IntelliShapes created using the OLE

automation capabilities within IRONCAD. They present the user with an input dialog for

customization.

Animation. This catalog contains motion effects to use to animate your parts.

Surfaces. Obsidian, Rubber, and Shiny Blue are a few of the items in this catalog that can

be dragged and dropped onto parts and shapes in the scene.

Textures. Use a variety of textures, such as Marble, Chrome, or Wood to add realism to

your parts.

Bumps. This catalog contains a variety of different images that use bump mapping to addrealistic textures to parts.

Color. Use a variety of standard windows colors to quickly add color to parts in the scene.

Many other catalogs, including specialty catalogs, are available on the IRONCAD CD-ROM.

You can work with the default catalogs installed on your hard drive or any supplementary

catalogs available on the CD-ROM. The advantage of working with catalogs on the CD is that

it saves hard disk space. Of course, when you want to access a catalog on the CD, the CD must

be in your drive. If you work with a particular catalog frequently, you may want to copy its

Note

Move a toolbar anywhere in theIRONCAD window.


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contents to your hard disk. You can reserve the CD for rarely-used items and experimentation.

Saving Your Work

When youre finished working in IRONCAD, or ready to move on to another project, save

your work. IRONCAD stores all the scene or drawing components and all their associated

properties in a single file.

To save new work in a file:

1. From the File menu, choose Save As.

IRONCAD prompts you for the name of a file.

2. Select the directorywhere you want to save the file if different from the directory

that is displayed.

3. Enter a descriptive titlefor the file name and choose Save.

IRONCAD saves your work in a file with this title. Unless you specify a different

extension, IRONCAD appends the extension .icsto a scene file and .icdto a drawing

file.

The next time you save your work, choose Savefrom the Filemenu instead of Save As.

IRONCAD uses the existing name for the file. The only time you would use the Save Asoption with an existing file is to make a copy with a different name.

Exiting IRONCADWhen youre finished working with IRONCAD and have saved your work in a file, close the

program and return to Windows.

To exit IRONCAD, choose Exit from the File menu.

You will return to Microsoft Windows.

Getting Help and Other InformationWhen you have a question regarding IRONCAD, there are a number of resources available for

answers. Read the remainder of the Getting Started Guide for examples that introduce

some of the most important features of IRONCAD. In addition, theIRONCAD On-line

Help system contains thorough, task-oriented descriptions of nearly every IRONCAD feature.

TooltipsUse Tooltips to view the label

for a button on a toolbar.In addition to the manuals, IRONCAD itself offers on-line help in several forms. For instance,

if you arent sure about the functionality of a toolbar option, you can find out very quickly.

To display the name of a particular tool, point to it.

IRONCAD displays a Tooltip, a small box with the name of the tool. If youd rather not

display Tooltips, its easy to disable them.

To disable Tooltips display:

1. From the ViewMenu, selectToolbars.

2. On the Toolbars dialog box, clear the Show Tooltipsbox, then choose OK.

The Help Tool

Its easy to get information about other elements of the IRONCAD environment, as well.

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To display information about a feature in the IRONCAD window, clickthe Help tool, then click the feature.

IRONCAD opens its on-line help system and displays the requested information.

Browsing the Help System

For information on IRONCAD concepts and tasks, refer to the On-line Help system.

To view a list of Help topics, select IRONCAD Help from the Helpmenu.

IRONCAD displays a tri-pane window with Contents, Index, and Searchtabs for its

Help system displayed on the left and the IRONCAD Welcomescreen on the right. Click

on the icon to the left of a topic on the Welcomescreen or on a topic in the Contentsfor

information on it.

If you dont see the topic you want in the Contents or on the Welcomescreen, look for it

by name by clicking the Indextab to display a complete listing of topics and subtopics. Or

click the Searchtab to define search criteria for locating a topic.

IRONCAD Technical Support

For questions about technical support options, please contact your authorized Channel Partner

or IronCAD.

IRONCAD Web Site

Visit IRONCADs web site at www.ironcad.comfor up-to-the-minute information about

IRONCAD. Our web site is frequently updated with the latest product and support

information.


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Chapter 3

IRONCAD Quick Start


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IRONCAD Getting Started Guide - IRONCAD Quick Start 3-3

Setting Up the Working Environment1. Create a new scene.

From the Filemenu, choose New, and then Scene.

2. Select the template labeled Gray.icsfrom the Metricfolder and then choose OK.

Using IntelliShapes, SmartDimensions

and SmartSnap1. Drag the Blockfrom the Shapescatalog and drop it into the scene.

2. Use the Fit Scenetool from the Cameratoolbar for a close-up view of the block.

3. Select the block at the IntelliShape editing level.

This level is indicated by a yellow sizebox with red handles displayed over the block.

4. Drag the red handles to resize the block, as desired.

5. Right-click on one of the sizebox handles and choose Edit Sizeboxfrom the

resulting pop-up menu.

6. Enter the following values then click OK:

L: 120

W: 100

H: 75

7. If necessary, select the Fit Scenetool again.

8. Drag an H Cylinderfrom the Shapescatalog and drop it on the center of the side

face of the block, as shown. A green dot will indicate the center of the face.

9. Click and drag one of the H Cylinders side sizebox handles until the holes diameter is

approximately the size shown in the following illustration.


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3-4 IRONCAD Quick Start - IRONCAD Getting Started Guide

10. Select the H Cylinder at the IntelliShape editing level and then, from the Createmenu,

select SmartDimension, and then Linear.

Alternately, you can select the Linear SmartDimensiontool on the Dimensions

toolbar.

11. To place the SmartDimension, click the center of the H Cylinder, then click the top

faceof the block (not the edge), and release.

12. With the H Cylinder still selected at the IntelliShape editing level, right-click on the

dimension value and choose Edit this SmartDimensionfrom the resulting pop-up

menu.

13. Enter a value of 45, select the Lockoption, and then choose OK.

14. Select the H Cylinder Intellishape by clicking anywhere on its inner surface (except the

center) and drag it to the end face of the block. Notice the "constrained" movement of

the H Cylinder as it is dragged around the blocks corner.

15. Drag the H Cylinder back to its approximate original location.

16. With the H Cylinder selected at the IntelliShapeediting level, right-click on the

SmartDimension value and choose Deletefrom the resulting pop-up menu.

17. Still at the IntelliShapeediting level, select the H Cylinder and, depressing the Shift

key (to activate SmartSnap), drag the center of the H Cylinder so that it snaps to the

center of the end face of the block, as shown.

Sizebox

Handles

Note

Placing a Smart-Dimensionbetween components of the

same part at theIntelliShape editing level (withthe exception of an edge on

first selection), or betweenseparate parts at the part

editing level, adds a fullyfunctional SmartDimensionwhich can be edited and/orlocked, as necessary.SmartDimensions applied tocomponents of the same part atthe part editing level functiononly as annotation dimensions.and cannot be edited/locked.

...then click here.

Dimension Value

To place the SmartDimension,

click here...


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Creating a New IntelliShape Feature

by Sketching a Profile1. From the Createmenu, choose IntelliShape, and then Extrude.

Alternately, you can select the Extrudetool on the IntelliShape Creationtoolbar.

2. Move the cursor over the upper right corner of the blocks top face until a green dot

indicating its vertexis displayed, as shown. Click on the vertex.

The Extrude Shape Wizardappears.

3. On Page 1 of the Wizard, choose RemoveMaterial, and then Next.

4. On Page 2, choose Nextagain.

5. On Page 3, enter a distance valueof 50, and then choose Next.

6. On Page 4, Choose Nofor display of drawing grid, and then choose Finish.

The 2D drawing surface will appear.

7. From the 2D Editing Toolbar, select the Project3D Edgestool.

If the toolbar is not displayed, select the Viewmenu, choose Toolbars, and thenselect 2D Editing.

8. Click on the two edgesshown below to select them.

Be careful to click only the two edges, and not on the side face of the block, since

selecting the face would project all four edges of that face.


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13. Choose Finish Shape.

14. Use the Orbit Cameratool (F3) from the Cameratoolbar to move your viewpoint

around the block to view the IntelliShape which has been created.

We will now use the Extrude to Add Material to the part in a new feature.

15. From the Createmenu, choose IntelliShape, and then Extrude.

16. Click the top face of the part.

17. On Page 1 of the Wizard, choose AddMaterial, and then Next.

18. On Page 2, choose Nextagain.

19. On Page 3, enter a distance valueof 8, and then choose Next.

20. On Page 4, Choose Nofor display of drawing grid, and then choose Finish.

The 2D drawing surface will appear.

21. From the 2D Editing Toolbar, select the Project3D Edgestool.

22. Select the top face to project to 2D geometry.

23. Choose Finish Shape.

Shelling a Part1. Select the block at the part editing level, displaying its cyanblueoutline.

2. From the Modifymenu, select ShellPart.

Alternately, you can select the desired face and select the Shell Partoption on

the Face/Edge Edittoolbar or you can right-click the part, and select Shell

from the resulting pop-up menu.

The Shell Part session barappears to the right of the Selectiontoolbar.

3. Click the topface of the block to specify that it should remain open after shelling.

4. Enter 4in the Thicknessfield on the Shell Part session bar and select the Apply

and Exit Commandoption.

Tip

When using the 2D editing tools,note the instructions indicatedin the lower left section of the

status bar of the IRONCAD

window.

Tip

On a three-button mouse,the middle button can be

used to Orbit the camera atanytime.


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5. Use the Orbit Cameratool (F3) to move your viewpoint around the block to observe

the results of the shelling operation.

Blending Edges

1. Select the inner cylindrical surfaceof the H Cylinder at the surfaces editing level.It will become highlighted with greenedges.

2. From the Modifymenu, select BlendEdges.

Alternately, you can right-click the surface and choose Blend Edgesfrom the

resulting pop-up menu, or select the Blend Edgesoption on the Face/Edge Edit

toolbar.

The Blend Edges session barappears to the right of the Selectiontoolbar.

3. On the Blend Edges session bar, select Constantas the type of blend and, in the

constant blend radius field, enter 8.

4. Select the Apply and Exit Commandoption to apply the blend and exit the blendoperation.

5. Use the Orbit Cameratool (F3) to observe the results of the blending operation.

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Using a Custom Hole1. From the Toolscatalog, drag and drop a Custom Holeshape on the side of the part,

as shown.

A Custom Holedialog box will appear.


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9. Select the TriBalltool (F10).

10. Drag the tophandle of the TriBallupward a distance of approximately 10, as shown.

11. Right-click on the TriBalls distance value and choose EditValuefrom the resulting

pop-up menu.

12. Enter a value of 10.

13. Select the Apply and Exit Commandoption on the session bar, which will

complete the Move Face operation.

14. From the Editmenu, choose DeselectAll.

Alternately, you can click anywhere in the scene background to deselect current

selections.

Using the Mate and Align Positioning

Tool1. Select the imported part at the part editing level.

2. Select the Mate and Align Positioning tool from the Standardtoolbar.

Alternately, from the Toolsmenu, you can choose Mate and Align Positioning

Tool.

3. Move the cursor over various areas of the selected part and note the arrow feedback.

4. Click on the midpointof the lower edge of the closest face, as shown. (A green

SmartSnap dot indicates the edges midpoint.)

Note

The Face EditingNotificationdialog isdisplayed after completion of all

face editing operations,informing you that thehighlighted IntelliShapes will becombined and that any futuremodifications must be madeusing the face editing tools. Itoffers the option of proceedingwith the operation or cancelingit.


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7. Select the Place the SectionViewtool and position the new section view to the

right of its parent view, as shown above.

Creating a Detail View

1. From the Createmenu, select View, and then Detail.Alternately, you can select the Detail Viewoption on the View toolbar.

2. Click to specify the center of the detailed view and move the cursor, as shown, to define

the source area and click again to set.

3. Move the cursor near the center of the sheet and click to specify the location of the new

detail view.

Adding a Dimension

1. Use the WindowZoomtool to zoom in on the Frontview (lower left).

2. From the Viewmenu, choose Toolbars, and then Dimensions.

The Dimensionstoolbar is displayed.

3. Select the SmartDimensiontool, and then click on the rightmost vertical edge of the

part, as shown. Drag the dimension to the right and click again to position it.

Click here to add


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4. Deselect the SmartDimensiontool.

5. Right-click on the dimension value and choose Propertiesfrom the resulting pop-up

menu.

6. Select the Tolerancingtab and select Show Tolerancewith Plus and Minus

style. Enter the following values and then choose OK:

Above Value: .05

Below Value: .03

7. Use the Fit Sheetviewing tool to zoom out for a view of the entire sheet.


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Chapter 4

3D Design Overview


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IRONCAD Getting Started Guide - 3D Design Overview 4-3

Knowing the ProcessAs you read in Chapter 1 of this Getting Started Guide, an IRONCAD project has the

following potential stages:

Building a part

Assembling parts

Creating a 2D drawing

Rendering a part

Animating a part

Communicating a part

At times you may alternate between these stages or eliminate some of them, but the concepts

and techniques at each stage remain the same.

Throughout the 3D design process, IRONCAD has two general methods for performing many

functions:

The visual method. Use the mouse and instant visual feedback to size, position, and

assemble parts; apply colors and textures to parts; and animate parts.

The precision method. You can use a number of measuring tools and properties sheets to

achieve extreme precision in your 3D designs.

You may want to use visual methods for quick results at the beginning of a project in the

conceptual phase and precision methods later in the detail design phase when precision is

required. Or, you may choose to use precision methods throughout the project.

Starting the ProjectTo create a new scene:

1. If necessary, start IRONCAD.

The IRONCAD opening screen appears, followed by the Welcomedialog box.

2. Choose Create a new Sceneto begin a new project.

3. On the New Scenedialog box, choose the scene tab that best fits the type of work

you do, then select one of the scene templates and click OK.

If youre not sure which template type or scene template to choose, select the Blue.ics

template from the Metrictab.

IRONCAD displays a blank 3D scene. Now youre ready to work in IRONCAD.

Building a PartYou can begin a part with a single IntelliShape. This shape could be one of IRONCADs

standard IntelliShapes or a custom shape of your own design. Shapes and parts are initially

generated by the specified default modeling kernel -- either ACIS or Parasolid. However,

IRONCAD offers the option of switching between the two kernels, on a part-by-part basis, by

selecting the part in the scene and then pressing Ctrl+K. ACIS kernel support is indicated by a

gray surface color on the selected part, Parasolid by beige. To change the default kernel, select

Optionsfrom the Toolsmenu, select the Partstab, and at the bottom left of the dialog box,

select the desired option under Default kernel type for new parts.

If IRONCAD is already running,choose the Newoption fromthe Filemenu and then selectSceneand click OK..

Note


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4-4 3D Design Overview - IRONCAD Getting Started Guide

The IRONCAD catalogs contain many generic and special-purpose IntelliShapes. When you

work with predefined shapes, you drag them from the catalog and drop them in the 3D scene.

For example, to use a block as the foundation for a new part, you would drag it out of the

Shapescatalog and drop it in the scene.

Initial shape for new part

The following are a few other IntelliShapes that are included in the Shapesand Advanced

Shapescatalogs:

Sample shapes

When you drag a shape from a catalog and drop it in the scene, youre practicing the visual

method of part design. Much of your part design can be accomplished using the drag-and-drop

technique with shapes, colors, textures, lights, and other items.

At other times, however, you may require precise results that are beyond the capability of

visual, drag-and-drop part design methods. For example, if none of the predefined

IntelliShapes meet your requirements, you can create a custom shape using one of the available

IntelliShape Creationtools.

For precise part design, you canuse the 2D Technical Drawingtools to create a cross-sectionand then extend it into 3D.

To create a custom shape, use the 2D Technical Drawingtools to create the desired cross-

section, as shown on the left below:

Use the visual drag-and-dropmethod to work with

IntelliShapes from IRONCADcatalogs.

Note

Note

2D cross-section . .

. . . extruded into a 3D shape


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IRONCAD Getting Started Guide - 3D Design Overview 4-7

Creating a 2D DrawingOnce a part or assembly has been created, IRONCAD allows you to create a 2D drawing of its

3D structure. Drawings can be created in standard or custom sizes, displaying single or

multiple views, and can be drawn on a single sheet or multiple sheets, as desired.

A drawing is created by first specifying a view type and then selecting a 3D file to be

associated with the 2D drawing. Each view type includes options for selecting configurations

(if applicable); controlling rendering properties such as displaying hidden lines, defining

styles/layers; and setting scaling/framing properties. Additionally, IRONCAD includes the

capability of creating 2D support geometry to facilitate adding annotation, such as dimensions

and text, to the views contained within a drawing. Also offered are the options of creating a

Bill of Materials table and placing selected elements into separate layers.

Rendering a PartIRONCAD has many features for adding realistic surfaces to your part in the next phase of

design and offers OpenGL features, as supported by your graphics card. The easiest way to

add a color or texture is to drag one of the SmartPaintsfrom an IRONCAD catalog and

drop it on a shape or part. For example, if you drag the Silver Gradienttexture from theTexture catalog and drop it on a part, the results are similar to that shown below:

Part with Silver Grdient surface texture

In addition to colors and textures, IRONCAD allows you to create bumpy and transparent

surfaces with realistic reflections. Experiment with different surfaces and textures. Try the

default catalog set or use other catalogs available on the IRONCAD CD.

Some IRONCAD projects end after one or more of the first four phases. Other projects include

animating parts and/or sharing them with the outside world.

Animating a PartIRONCAD includes a catalog of animation effects called SmartMotions. For example, if you

want to make a gear spin around a shaft, drag the Height SpinSmartMotion from the

Animationcatalog and drop it on the gear.

Use SmartMotions for drag-and-drop animation.

As with all other aspects of the program, IRONCAD has precision tools to complement simple

drag-and-drop animation effects. You can use the SmartMotion Editor to create complex,

multi-track animation for presentations, multimedia development, and other demanding

applications. The SmartMotionstools offer even more flexibility and control in creating

custom animation sequences.

Note


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4-8 3D Design Overview - IRONCAD Getting Started Guide

Communicating a PartThe last phase of the part design process is sharing your creation with the outside world. This

can take the form of a 2D drawing layout, a translated part file using one of the supplied

translators, or an OLE document container.

For instance, you might use Microsoft Word to write a report and illustrate it with a 3D part.

Just drag a scene from IRONCAD and drop it into a Word document.

In addition to drag-and-drop OLE support, IRONCAD offers a suite of tools for

communicating your parts with other applications and users. IRONCAD supports high-

resolution printing for top-quality output.

This concludes your introduction to 3D design with IRONCAD. Continue on to the next

chapter to create an actual part.

Be sure to access On-line Helpas a ready reference for details on IRONCAD functions and

tasks, as well as for detailed reference information and how to and Show-Me topics to

quickly learn the application.


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Chapter 5

Creating and Editing Shapes

Using 2D Cross-sections


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IRONCAD Getting Started Guide - Creating and Editing Shapes Using 2D Cross-sections 5-3

Using 2D Cross-sections in Shape

Creation and Modification

Creating the Flywheel with a Spin IntelliShape

A spin IntelliShape is a 3D shape created by revolving (spinning) a 2D profile (cross-section)

about an axis. The profile must consist of one or more closed loops of connected 2D lines with

no overlaps and no lines that cross over the spin axis (the Widthaxis).

1. From the Filemenu, select New, Scene,and click OK. From the Metrictab, select

the template Gray.icsand click OK.

2. To create a spin IntelliShape, click the Spintool from the IntelliShape Creation

toolbar, or click Create, IntelliShape, Spinfrom the menu bar, and then click

anywhere near the center of the screen to specify the location of the shape.

The Spin Shape Wizardappears.

3. Click Nextand Nextagain to accept default values for the first two steps, and then

specify the settings for the third step, as shown, and click Finish.

4. To position your view normal to the drawing surface, click the Look Attool and then

click on the drawing surface. Use the other camera positioning tools as needed to orient

your view so it looks approximately like this:

Note

To Control which toolbars aredisplayed, click View,Toolbarsfrom the main

menu bar. Alternately, right-click on any blank space next toa toolbar and select from thelist displayed.


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5-4 Creating and Editing Shapes Using 2D Cross-sections - IRONCAD Getting Started Guide

Setting the Drawing Options

Before you begin, make sure your 2D drawing options match those used in this chapter.

1. Right-click (click the right mouse button) anywhere in the view and select Snap...from the menu, as shown. Alternately, click Format, Grid...from the menu bar and

select the Snaptab.

2. Set the Snapoptions exactly, as shown.

3. Click the Constraintstab, set the options, as shown, and click OK.


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time.

1. Select the leftmost vertical line below its midpoint, as shown. Now move your mouse

cursor over the horizontal endpoint dimension text until it changes to a "hand" icon, and

then right-click and select Edit Value....

2. Change the Horizontaldistance to 12.7, as shown, and then click OK.

3. Repeat this same technique to position the adjacent horizontal line to 25.4 mm above

the horizontal axis: select the line, right-click on its vertical endpoint dimension, select

Edit Value..., change the Verticaldistance to 25.4mm, and click OK.

4. Select the next horizontal line, as shown, and change its Verticalposition to 63.5

mm.

1. Click

2. Right-Click and

select Edit Value

15.9

107.7

25.4


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5. Select the vertical lines shown and change their Horizontaldistances to 139.7and

127

Accurately Positioning Lines Using CurveDimensions

1. Click theShow Endpoint Positions tool to turn it OFF, and click the ShowCurve Dimensionstool to turn it ON.

63.5

139.7

127


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2. Select the angled line shown at a point above its midpoint (notice the difference if you

select it below its midpoint). Place your cursor over the blue dot connected to the

angular dimension and notice how your cursor changes to a hand. These blue dots are

called curve handles. Drag the angular curve handle clockwise by a few degrees to

change the angle of the line.

3. Now set the angle by typing in a value. Right-click the angular dimension text and

select Edit Value.... Change the value to 45-degreesand then click OK.

4. Select the adjacent vertical line, as shown. Grab the linear curve handle (not the angularcurve handle) and drag it over to the vertex shown, and release.

TIP

If you press and hold the Shiftkey while dragging the curvehandle, youll notice that ittemporarily disables the

Smart Cursor (whichactivates green lines thatindicate relationships betweenthe cursor location and otherlines). This is useful for caseswhen the cursor is too snaphappy (snapping when youdont want it to). You can alsodisable the smart cursor byright-clicking on the drawing

grid, selecting Snapanddeselecting the SmartCursoroption.

36.4

Drag handle and snap to vertex

Linear

curve

handle

38.1


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Endpoint dimensions and curve handles also may be used to position multiple lines

simultaneously.

1. Click the Box Selecttool on the Selectiontoolbar and draw a box around the

lines, as shown. Alternately, you can select the lines by clicking one of them and then

Shift-clicking the rest (hold the Shiftkey while clicking).

2. While all five lines are still selected, click the line shown and change its Horizontal

distance to 152.4.

3. Now suppose you've changed your mind and want to position this group of lines relative

to the "outer" line instead of the "inner" line. To do this, first make sure all five lines are

still selected (or box select them again if they are not), and then click on the outer line,

as shown, and change its Horizontaldistance to 152.4.

152.4

39.6

25.4

152.4


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3. Experiment with pulling on the handles to modify the shape.

Editing the Cross-section of an ExistingIntelliShape

1. Select the flywheel part at the IntelliShape level. (Click it until it highlights in yellow.)

2. Right-click on the IntelliShape and select Edit Cross-Section. Be careful to click ona surface of the shape, and NOTon any other icons, such as handles or the anchor.

The 2D drawing surface appears again and you are now back in 2D editing mode.

Notice that the 2D lines are displayed in the context of the 3D part. Normally, they should be

easy to view, but the visibility can be affected by your various rendering and color settings, and

by the complexity of the shape. To improve the visibility of the 2D lines, experiment with one

or both of these techniques:

Turn part edges off. From the main menu bar, select Format, Rendering...and

deselect the Draw part edgesoption.

Turn perspective off. Use the Perspective Cameratool on the Cameratoolbar.

This is particularly useful if your view is exactly normal to the drawing surface and youwish to see the exact relationship between 3D edges and 2D lines.

Using the Offset Command

Now suppose you want to use a constant wall thickness for the flywheel.

1. Delete the three (3) inner lines, as shown, by right-clicking each line and choosing

Delete, or by selecting each line (or all the lines at once using Shift-click) and pressing

the Deletekey. Note: The red dots indicate endpoints that are not connected to

another line.


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2. Select the three (3) lines shown (click the first line, and then Shift-click the remaining

two lines).

3. Click the Offset 2D Curvestool from the 2D Editingtoolbar.

The Offsetdialog appears.

4. Set the Distanceto 19, leave the Number of copiesat 1, and click Apply. If the

lines are offset to the wrong side (below instead of above), click Flip Direction.

Click OK.

5. To reconnect the lines, drag the two red dots to their closest respective endpoints.

6. Click Finish Shape.

Using 2D Constraints

Youve seen how IRONCAD enables you to easily create and modify shapes without forcing

you to worry about exact dimensions or constraints if you dont want to. This freedom is

especially useful when youre in the conceptual design phase. However, when you want to

enforce exact dimensions and constraints, including parametric relationships, IRONCAD

allows you to do that too. You can enforce as much or as little design intent information, as

desired.

1. Select the flywheel shape at the IntelliShape level.

2. Grab the Spin Anglehandle, as shown, and drag it approximately 100 degrees.

Alternately, you can right-click on the handle, select Edit Value...and enter an exact

value.

1. Click

2. Shift-Click

3. Shift-Click


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3. Right-click on the IntelliShape and select Edit Cross-Section.

4. Click the Dimension Constrainttool on the 2D Constraintstoolbar and apply

the three dimensions shown by clicking in the order shown. For the third dimension

(referenced by the number 7), notice that you can orient the dimension either as

horizontal, vertical, or shortest distance between two points simply by moving yourcursor until it snaps into the desired orientation.

Drag ~100-degrees


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5. Click the Angle Constrainttool and apply the angular dimension shown by clicking

the two lines that define the angle. Notice that you can reposition a dimension at any

time after placing it. Just end any currently active command, and then drag the

dimension text to a new location.

6. Click the Parallel Constrainttool and click the two angled lines.

7. Right-click on each blue icon that indicates a horizontal or vertical line and select

Lock.

1.

3.5.

6.

2.

4.

7.

19

68.2

19

1.

2.

68.2

68.2

TIP

You can also lock horizontaland vertical lines automaticallyas you draw them. Just right-click on the drawing grid,

select Constraint... and thenselect the Horizontal/Verticaloption.


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8. Dimension the vertical distance of the two angled lines, as shown. Modify the location

of any previously placed dimensions, as desired, by simply dragging the dimension text.

9. To modify the value of an existing dimension, simply right-click on the dimension text

and select Edit.... Use this technique to change the dimensions to the values shown.

Right-Click on ALL Horizontal

and Vertical icons and select Lock.

19

19

68.2

19

22.768.2

33.9

12.7

63.5

25.4

12.7

25.4


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10. Experiment with dragging lines and vertices, as shown. Notice that you can move and

stretch the profile to some extent, but only in a manner that does not violate any of the

constraints. This is possible because the profile is not yet fully constrained.

If you wish to fully constrain the profile, you must somehow dimension or constrain it relative

to a fixed point. One way to do this is to right-click on a vertex and select Lock Position.

Another way is to dimension a vertex relative to some other fixed point, such as the origin.

For this profile, we dont want to lock down any particular vertex, so it makes sense to

dimension relative to the origin.

11. Use the Two Point Line tool to draw a horizontal line with one endpoint at the originand the other endpoint to the left of the origin.

12. Right-click the endpoint at the origin and select Lock Position.

13. Right-click the blue horizontal icon and select Lock.

14. Right-click the line and select Use Outline for Construction Only.

15. Apply a horizontal dimension between the top right corner of the profile and the origin.

DragDrag

12.7 63.5

25.4

LockLock

ConstructionLine

25.4

148.2

12.7

63.5

25.4

12.7

25.4


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16. Click the Colinear Constraint tool and then click the bottom horizontal line of the

profile and the horizontal construction line. This constrains the profile relative to the

horizontal axis. Alternately, you can apply a vertical dimension between endpoints of

these two lines and set the value to zero.

17. Apply a horizontal dimension between the origin and the vertex at the bottom left

corner of the profile. Edit the value and change it to 1.0. The profile is now fully

constrained.


How Constraints Affect the Behavior of ShapeHandles

1. Select the flywheel at the IntelliShape level and try pulling the shape handlecorresponding to each line segment. The handles cannot move because the profile is

fully constrained.

2. Edit the profile. Now right-click the horizontal dimension that controls the radius of the

hole and select Lockto unlock it (right-click again and youll see that the lock has

toggled off).

1. Click

2. Click

25.4

25.4

25.4

25.4

25.4


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3. Drag the line (or one of its vertices) and notice that the line moves freely and the value

of the unlocked dimension updates accordingly.


5. While the IntelliShape is selected, try pulling on each shape handle again. Notice that

the handle corresponding to the unlocked dimension is now free to move but the

remaining handles are still constrained.

6. Grab the Spin Anglehandle and swing it back around to a full 360-degree spin.

Alternately, right-click on the handle, select Edit Value... and enter a value of 360

degrees.

Drag-and-Drop Modeling vs. 2D Cross-sectionModeling

In this section, you will first modify the 2D cross-section to effectively delete the hole in the

center of the flywheel. Then you'll recreate the hole as a separate IntelliShape feature using the

drag-and-drop method from the standard Shapescatalog.

1. Edit the cross-section of the flywheel.

TIP

When a dimension is unlocked,if you right-click on it and

select Lock, it will lock to the

currently displayed value.However, if you right-click,select Edit, and then selectLock from the Editdialog, youcan lock the dimension to its

previously locked value.

Drag25.4

32.1

Pull


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2. Right-click on the horizontal dimension that determines the radius of the hole and select

Delete.

3. Drag the leftmost vertical line until it snaps to the vertical axis.

4. Right-click on the bottom left vertex and select Lock Position.

5. Click Finish Shapefrom the Edit Cross-sectiondialog.

The hole in the center of the flywheel should now be gone.

6. Open the Shapescatalog on the right side of your screen and drag the H Cylinder

shape to the center of the flywheel, as shown. As you're dragging the H Shape, notice

that when your cursor touches the top surface of the flywheel, the center point is

highlighted with a dark green dot, which turns to bright green when your cursor touches

it. This behavior is an example of SmartSnapfeedback. Use it to ensure that you

snap to the exact center of the flywheel.

7. To adjust the diameter of the hole to 2 inches, right-click the handle shown, select Edit

Sizebox..., change the Lengthor Widthvalue to 50.8,and click OK. Note that,

for this particular IntelliShape, the Lengthand Widthvalues are constrained to be

equal.

Right-click and delete

25.4

38.7


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Setting Part and IntelliShape Names and Color

As your design starts to become more complex, you may want to start naming individual parts

and their various IntelliShapes. It's also useful to add some color.

1. Open the Scene Browser using the Scene Browsertool on the Standardmenu.

2. Click the "+" symbol next to the flywheel part to display its component IntelliShapes.

3. To change the name of the part, click the part name once, wait a moment, and then click

it again and the name will become editable. Change the name to Flywheeland press

Enter.

Alternately, you can right-click on the part name, select Part Properties..., selectthe Generaltab and edit the User name.

4. Repeat this same procedure to change the name of Shape 1to Spin Profile.

5. To change the color of the flywheel part, open the Surfacescatalog on the right side

of the screen and drag a new SmartPaintitem anywhere onto the part. For example,

try using the Goldsurface. Alternately, you can select the part, then right-click on it,

selectSmart Paint...and edit the SmartPaintproperties.

Creating a Bolt Hole Pattern

1. Open theAdvshapescatalog, drag out the H Bolt Circleshape and use

SmartSnapfeedback to center it on the flywheel, as shown. If you have difficulty

snapping to the center, make sure your view is oriented exactly, as shown. This is

important because SmartSnapfeedback only works when your cursor is over a face -

- it cannot snap to "air." In other words, the flywheel must be oriented such that your

cursor can touch both the center point and the cylinder face at the same time.

Note

If you dont see a tab for theSurfaces catalog, select theCatalogs, Open...menu and

search for the catalog under theIRONCAD installationdirectory (for example,C:\Program Files\

InnovationSuite\Catalogs).


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2. While the H Bolt CircleIntelliShape is selected, right-click on one of its Widthor

Lengthhandles, select Edit Sizebox...and change the value to 101.6. This gives

the bolt pattern a radius of 50.8 mm.

3. Now zoom in on one of the bolt holes so that you can easily select it, then right-click on

the face of the hole, as shown, and select IntelliShape Properties...

4. Select the Variablestab and change the Number of Circlesvalue to 6and the

Radius of Circlesvalue to 6.35 * .001(the .001 multiplier is necessary because

the variable units are meters). Click OK. A message will appear asking you if you want

to replace the formula for the Radius of Circles parameter. Click Yes.

Creating the Crankshaft

In this section, you will create a crankshaft part that mates with the flywheel.

1. Position your view of the flywheel, as shown, and click the Extrude Shapetool on

the IntelliShapestoolbar, and then use SmartSnapfeedback to center the originof the extrude shape on the flywheel, as shown. The Extrude Shape Wizard

appears.


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2. Select Stand aloneso this shape will create a new part.

3. Click Nextthree times to review and accept the remaining default values, and then

click Finish.

A 2D drawing surface appears.

4. Click the Project Edge/Face tool from the 2D Editingtoolbar, and then click thetop face of the flywheel, as shown.

5. Press the Esckey or click the Project Edge/Facetool again to turn it OFF.

6. Click any blank area on the drawing surface to deselect the lines.

7. Right-click on the outer (largest) circle, select Curve Properties...and change the

Major Radiusto 76.2.

Alternately, turn on Show Curve Dimensions, select the circle, right-click on the

radius dimension text, select Edit Value..., change the value to76.2,and click OK.

8. Delete the innermost circle.

9. Click Finish Shape. The 2D profile is extruded and a new part is created.

Click

Note

Notice that, unlike most 3DCAD systems, IRONCAD doesnot require you to create each

part in a separate environment(and a separate file) and then

switch to an assembly modeto put them together. Its very

simple to create the parts in thecontext of their mating parts,enabling what we call fit by

design. By default, the partsare all created in one file.

However, individual parts and/or subassemblies may be splitout into separate linked files toenable multiple team membersto work concurrently on anassembly. Conversely, you canbuild parts in separate files

first and then link themtogether in other files.


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10. To adjust the height of the new shape, right-click the shape, select Edit Forward

Condition, Extrude to Distance, change the Distancevalue to 25.4,and click OK.

Note that this value also could have been specified at the time of initial creation in the

Extrude Shape Wizarddialog.

Adding More Shapes to the Crank Shaft1. Drag a CylinderIntelliShape from the Shapescatalog and snap it to the center of the

crankshaft, as shown. Adjust the Lengthand Widthto 50.8and the Heightto

152.4.

2. Now drag and drop a cylinder onto the other side of the crankshaft, as shown. Adjust the

Lengthand Widthto 48.3and the Heightto 31.8.


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3. To bevel the front edge of the crankshaft, click the Chamfer Edgestool from the

Face/Edge Edittoolbar, and then click the front/top edge of the crankshaft. Type in a

distance of 6.35for both sides of the chamfer and then click the Apply and Exit

Commandbutton.

4. Repeat this same process using the Blend Edgestool to blend the crankshaft edge to

a radius of 6.35, as shown. Blends are also sometimes referred to as "rounds" or

"fillets."

Creating the Crank Arm

1. In this section, you will begin creating a crank arm that mounts on the end of the

crankshaft, as shown.

2. Click Extrude Shapeon the IntelliShapestoolbar and then use SmartSnap

feedback to center the origin of the extrude shape on the crankshaft end, as shown.


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3. Click Stand alonein the Extrude Shape Wizardand then click Nextand

Nextagain.

4. Set the Distanceto 50.8, and then click Finish.

5. Use the Look Attool and other camera tools as needed to position your view of the

drawing grid, approximately as shown.

6. Use the Project Edge/Facetool to project the circular edge from the end face of the

crankshaft and then turn the tool OFFby pressing the Esckey or clicking the tool

button again.

7. Now use the Circle: Center Radiustool to create three more circles, as shown, for

a total of two pairs of concentric circles.

Creating Tangent Lines

Now you will connect the two outer circles with tangent lines and then trim away portions of

the circles to form a single closed profile with two holes.

1. Click the Tangent Linetool and select the left outer circle anywhere along the top

half of the circle. Now move your cursor around and notice that the line stays tangent to

the circle regardless of your cursor location. Notice also the prompt in the bottom left

TIP

Notice that when you activate acommand by pressing a toolbutton, a context sensitive

prompt is displayed in thelower left corner of the

IRONCAD window. You shouldget in the habit of reading theseprompts. They often revealsecrets that you might nototherwise notice. For example,most of the 2D editingcommands assign specialbehavior to a right-mouse-click.These right-mouse-clickbehaviors often add substantial

power to the command.


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corner of the IRONCAD window. The system is prompting you to either pick another

point, or to right-click to specify a distance and angle.

2. Move your cursor along the top edge of the right outer circle until the line snaps to the

tangent point of the circle, as shown, and then click that point. If you have difficulty

snapping to the desired point, try holding down the Shiftkey to disable

SmartCursorsnapping.

3. While the Tangent Linetool is still active, repeat to create a tangent line along the

bottom sides of the outer circles, as shown, and then press the Esckey to end thecommand.

4. UseTrim Curve Between Curvesto trim the interior portion of each outer circle.

Creating Tangency and Concentric Constraints

In this section, youll fully constrain the cross-section.

1. Right-click on each tangency icon and select Lock.

Alternately, use the Tangent Constrainttool and click pairs of adjacent lines to

make them tangent.


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2. Select the left inner circle and then right-click its center point and select Lock

Position.

3. Click Concentric circle or arc and apply the two concentric relationships, as

shown.

4. Using the Dimension Constrainttool, dimension the radius of each circle and arc.

Click once to select the circle or arc and once again to specify the dimension location.

5. Using the Dimension Constrainttool again, dimension the horizontal distance

between the two inner circles. Click one circle, then click the other circle and then click

to locate the dimension.

Right-clickto lock

1.

2. 3.

4.

52.1

25.4

40.2

15.4


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6. Place another dimension between the circle centers, but this time align it vertically and

make sure its set to 0.0.

7. Now edit each dimension to achieve the values shown.

Parametric Constraints with ExpressionsIn this section you will learn how to define mathematical relationships between dimensions.

1. Right-click on the drawing grid and select Parameters.

2. Move the Parameter Tabledialog off to the side and notice that the dimensions are

now displayed as symbolic parameters rather than numeric values. The parameter

names on the drawing grid correspond to those in the parameter table.

3. Enter the expressions shown below for the R1and R2parameters. (In this example, R1

is the radius of the right arc and R2is the radius of the right circle. Your parameter

names may be arranged differently. If so, you need to compensate accordingly). Click

OK to apply the changes.

1.

3.

2.

52.1115.5

25.415.4

40.2

50.8

76.2

38.1

27.9 19.1

27.9

50.8

19.1

38.176.2

mm

mm

mm

mmmm

mm


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5. Rename the assembly and its component parts, as shown.

6. Open the Surfacescatalog and drag your favorite color onto the crank arm. If you

have the assembly selected, or nothing selected, you will be prompted to choose

whether to apply the new SmartPaintobject to the entire assembly or only to the

part. Choose Replace SmartPaint for this part only. If the part is selected

when you drop the SmartPaintonto it, you will not be prompted and only the

selected part will be affected.

7. To blend the outer edges, click Blend Edges, set the radius to 6.35, select Extend

to smoothly connected edgesand then pick the two outer edges, as shown, and

apply the command.

Adding Gear Teeth to the Flywheel

In this section, you'll go back to the flywheel shape and add gear teeth.

1. Click Extrude Shapeand then click anywhere on the back face of the flywheel, as

shown.

6.35 6.35


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2. Select Remove Materialin the Extrude Shape Wizardand then click Finish.

Now use the TriBallto position the origin of the drawing surface at the center of the back face

of the flywheel.

3. Click the TriBalltool and then right-click on the center of the TriBall, as shown, and

select To Center Point. Click the circular edge of the back face of the flywheel, as

shown. The origin of the drawing surface should now be located at the center of the

back face of the flywheel.

4. Turn off the TriBall.

5. Click the Project Edge/Face tool and right-click an edge of the outermost

cylindrical face of the flywheel, as shown.

6. Deselect the Project Edge/Facetool, right-click the projected circle from the

previous step, and select Use Outline for Construction Onlyfrom the resulting

pop-up menu.

7. Click any blank spot on the drawing surface to deselect the projected circle. Notice that

the circle has been projected as construction geometry instead of regular geometry.

8. Select the horizontal datum line and then drag it by its vertex (at the origin) and snap it

to the intersection of the vertical datum and the projected circle, as shown.

Click

1. Right-click

2. Click

Click


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9. Using the Vertical Construction Linetool on the 2D Constructiontoolbar,

create a vertical construction line to the right of the vertical datum line. Use endpoint

dimensions to set the horizontaldistance to 3.8mm.

10. Use the Horizontal Construction Linetool to create a horizontal construction

line below the horizontal datum line. Use endpoint dimensions to set the Vertical

distance to 3.2.

11. Click the Two Point Linetool and create a line segment of arbitrary length

originating at the intersection of the original horizontal datum line and the newly

created vertical construction line. Then use the angular curve handle to adjust the angle

to -60 degrees, as shown. Finally, use the linear curve handle to snap the line to thehorizontal construction line.

12. With the line just created still selected, click the Mirror tool and then click the vertical

datum line. A mirror copy of the line segment is created.

13. Use the Two Point Line tool to create two horizontal lines connecting the angled line

segments, as shown.

You've just created a profile for cutting out material between two teeth, but now you must make

radial copies of this pattern all the way around the perimeter of the Flywheel.

14. Right-click any one of the four line segments comprising the trapezoid and choose

Select Outline. All four lines should now be selected.

Drag

3.73.2

2.0

-60.00


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15. Click the Rotate 2D Curvestool and use the right mouse button to drag the outline

a few degrees clockwise. When you release the mouse button, select the Copy Here

option.

16. Enter 5for Rotation Angleand 360/5 - 1for Number of copies.


18.Now specify the depth of the cut to ensure that it goes all the way through the edge of

the flywheel.

19. With the newly created shape selected at the IntelliShape editing level, right-click on

one of its faces, select Edit Forward End Condition and then Extrude thru

Part. This ensures that the extrusion always goes through the entire part, regardless of

any dimensional changes made to other features of the part.

Creating Linked Instances of a Cross-section

The technique you just used to cut the teeth in the Flywheel may not always be the best

approach. In this section, you will explore an alternative technique that provides superior

power and flexibility for future modifications.

1. Edit the cross-section of the negative extrude shape created in the previous section.

2. To delete all the trapezoidal shapes except for the original created prior to copying the

others, select Edit, Select All Curvesfrom the main menu, and then Shift-click thefour line segments of the original trapezoid to deselect them. All curves, except those

you want to keep, are now selected. Now just press the Deletekey.

3. Click Finish Shape. You should now have only a single cutout, as shown.

4. With the shape still selected, click the TriBalland then click the handle on the axis of

the TriBallrunning parallel to the axis of the crankshaft, as shown. The axis is

highlighted in yellow to indicate that it is "locked." It is temporarily constrained to

only allow motion about or along this axis. Now use the right mouse button to rotate the

TriBallabout the locked axis using an upward dragging motion, as shown. Upon

releasing the mouse, select the Link Hereoption. Enter 360/5 -1for Numberand 5

for Angleand then click OK.


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5. Turn OFFthe TriBall, open the Scene Browser, and notice the shapes listed under

the flywheel shape. Now instead of just one extrude IntelliShape, thee are 72 linked

instances of a single extrude shape! If you make a geometric change to any one of theseshapes it will apply to all of them, as you will see in the following section.

2D Fillets vs. 3D Blends

You have already seen how Blend IntelliShapes can be used to round or fillet the edges of your

parts. In this section, you will use 2D fillets instead of 3D blends to round the edges of the teeth

on the flywheel.

1. Select any one of the linked "tooth" IntelliShapes and edit its cross-section.

2. Click the Fillettool and then click the bottom right vertex. Now the system is

prompting you to left-click and drag if you want to visually specify the radius, or to

right-click and drag to precisely specify the fillet radius. Right-click and drag, enter a

value or 1.3,and click OK. Repeat for the bottom left vertex.

3. Delete one of the rounded corners (right-click the arc line segment and select Delete

or select it then press the Deletekey). Notice that the sharp corner reappears.

4. Press Undoto undo the delete, or create the fillet again.

1. Click

2. Right-Drag

3. Choose Link Her

1. Click

2. Right-Click anywhere

and enter radius


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5. Click Finish Shape. Notice that this change is reflected in all 72 linked instances of

the shape.

This concludes the chapter, demonstrating some of the more advanced capabilities of the of

creating and editing shapes using 2D cross-sections.


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6-2 Inside the TriBall - IRONCAD Getting Started Guide

Hailed by some as the most useful tool in the history of CAD, the TriBall is a powerful and

flexible tool for performing 3D spatial transformations in IRONCAD. Most of the examples

here show how to position individual parts; however, it is important to know that the TriBall

can be used in many other applications within IRONCAD, including:

Assembly Positioning

Part Positioning

Feature Positioning

Direct Face Modeling

Profile Plane Positioning

Key Frame Animation Path Manipulation

Loft and Sweep Path Manipulation

Texture Mapping Placement

Camera Positioning

Point and Spot Light Positioning

Anchor Positioning

Attachment Point Positioning

The purpose of this chapter is to demonstrate, via examples, some of the more advanced

capabilities of the TriBall. It assumes that the reader is somewhat familiar with the basic

capabilities of the TriBall. Two files, triball1.ics and triball2.ics (located under the

Program Files\InnovationSuite\Documentation\Tutorials folder), are required for these

examples. Topics covered here include:

Using the center handle of the TriBall

Using the inner orientation handles of the TriBall

Using the space bar to detach and reposition the TriBall

Temporarily constraining an axis of the TriBall

Increment snapping with the TriBall

Using the TriBall to copy radial / linear array patterns

To Point command

Point to Point command

Parallel to Edge command

Perpendicular to Face command

To Center Point command

Parallel to Axis command

Reverse command

Creating Patterns


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Opening the sample file

1. Open the file, triball1.ics, from the directory: C:\Program

Files\Innovation\Documentation\Tutorials.

2. Select the shaft shown, then turn on the TriBall.

Using the TriBalls Orientation Handles to Position Parts

1. Right-click on the orientation handle shown below and choose Parallel to Axisfrom

the resulting pop-up menu.

2. Then click on the cylindrical surface, as shown. This will cause the shafts selected axis

to be aligned with the axis of the hole. Note that, in this case, the inner surface of the

hole could have been chosen instead of the outer surface and the result would have been

identical.

Note

When using theParallel to Axisfunction, the target must beeither a true cylindrical orelliptical surface.

1. Right-click and choose

2. Click on cylindrical surface.

Parallel to Axis.


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2. Then click the edge shown on the holes keyway. This will cause the selected axis of the

TriBall to become aligned with the target edge by rotating about the TriBall center

point.


Perpendicular to Face Command

1. Select the key and turn on the TriBall.

2. Align the key with the keyway by right-clicking on the orientation handle shown and

choosing Perpendicular to Facefrom the resulting pop-up menu.

3. Then click the top surface of base, as shown. This will cause the selected axis of the

TriBall to become aligned perpendicular with the target face.

4. Click in a blank area of the scene to deselect the selected axis.

Drag-and-Drop Method of Repositioning the TriBall

1. Relocate the TriBall on the part by pressing the Space bar. The TriBall color will

now change to white, indicating that it is detached and can be moved independently

of the part.

2. Now drag the center of the TriBall to the corner of the key, as shown (zoom in, if

necessary).


2. Click this

edge.

Parallel to Edge.

1. Right-click and choose Perpendicular to Face.

2. Click this face.


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IRONCAD Getting Started Guide - Inside the TriBall 6-7

3. Then press the Space baragain to reattach the TriBall to the part (color returns to

blue).

To Point Command

1. Position the key into the keyway by dragging the center of the TriBall to the corner

point of the shaft, as shown. Alternately, right-click the center of the TriBall and choose

To Point from the resulting pop-up menu and then select the corner point of the shaft.

Both approaches have the same result.

2. Deselect the TriBall.

The shaft and key should now appear as shown below.

1. Press the Space bar

2. Drag the center of the TriBall


to the corner of the key.

(TriBall color changes to white).

(TriBall color returns to blue).


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Perpendicular to Face Command

Select the part shown and turn on the TriBall. Now, right-click on the orientation handle

shown and choose Perpendicular to Facefrom the resulting pop-up menu. Then click the

face shown.

Parallel to Edge Command

1. Next, right-click on the orientation handle shown and choose Parallel to Edgefrom

the resulting pop-up menu.

2. Then click the edge shown.

Repositioning the TriBall Using the To Point Command



now change to white, indicating that it is detached and can be moved independently

of the part.


Perpendicular to Face.

2. Click this top face.

1. Right-click and choose Parallel to Edge.

2. Click this edge.


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3. Now, drag the center of the TriBall to the corner shown. Then press the Space bar

again to reattach the TriBall to the part (color returns to blue).

4. Position the key into the keyway by dragging the center of the TriBall to the corner

point of the shaft, as shown. Alternately, right-click the center of the TriBall and

choose To Pointfrom the resulting pop-up menu and then select the corner point of

the shaft. Both approaches have the same result.

The part should now appear as shown:

1. Press the Space bar (TriBall


2. Drag the center of the


TriBall to the corner.

color changes to white).

1. Right-click and choose To Point.

2. Click this point.


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Reverse Command

1. Turn off the TriBall, select the part shown, and then turn on the TriBall.

2. Right-click on the top orientation handle shown and choose Reversefrom the

resulting pop-up menu. This will flip the part 180 degrees in the direction of the

selected axis.

Point to Point Command

1. To align the pegs with the holes, first right-click on the orientation handle shown and

choose Point to Pointfrom the resulting pop-up menu.

2. Then,in the order indicated, click the two center points of the holes shown. This will

cause the selected axis of the TriBall to become aligned parallel to a virtual line between

the two target points.

Repositioning/Constraining the TriBall


now change to white, indicating that it is detached from the part and can be moved

independently of the part.

Right-click and

choose Reverse.

1. Right-click and choose Point to Point.

3. Pick thiscenter point.

2. Pick thiscenter point.


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2. Next, click on the top outer TriBall handle shown. This action will cause the vertical

axis of the TriBall to become highlighted in yellow, which indicates that the TriBall is

now temporarily constrained to move/rotate only on that axis.

3. Now, drag the center of the TriBall to the lower circular edge shown. The TriBall should

slide up the constrained vertical axis and snap perfectly into alignment with the base

of the peg.

4. Now, press the Space baragain to reattach the TriBall to the part (color shouldchange back to blue).


6. To place the pegs in the holes, simply drag the center of the TriBall to the center of the

hole. Again, an alternate method is to right-click the center of the TriBall and choose To

Pointfrom the resulting pop-up menu and then click the center of the hole.

The parts should now appear as shown.

1. Press the Space bar (Triball


2. Click this handle.

3. Drag center to this circular edge

color changes to white).


Drag center of

TriBall to center of hole.


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To Center Point Command

1. Open the file, triball2.ics (shown below), from the directory: Program

Files\InnovationSuite\Documentation\Tutorials.

2. Select the shaft and turn on the TriBall. Move the shaft to the center of the socket by

first right-clicking on the center of the TriBall and selecting To Center Pointfrom

the resulting pop-up menu. Then click the inner spherical surface, as shown. In this

case, the outer spherical surface could be chosen as the target, as well, which would

have the same result since the inner and outer spherical surfaces are concentric.


To Center Point.

2. Click this

spherical surface.


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3. To align the shaft, right-click on the top orientation handle shown and choose Parallel

to Axisfrom the resulting pop-up menu. Then, click on the cylindrical surface shown.

This will cause the shafts selected axis to be aligned with the axis of the hole. Note that

there are several other co-axial cylindrical surfaces that could be used for the target

selection which would have the same result.

4. Deselect the TriBall tool.

Using the TriBalls Copy in Plane option

1. Set the Selection Filter to Face by auto-feature and select the counter-bored hole

as shown.

2. Click the Move Facetool from the Face-Edge Edit toolbar.


2. Click on this cylindrical

Alternative Drag-and-Drop Method: Simply dragthe orientation handle to the center of this hole.

Parallel to Axis.

surface.


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3. Activate the TriBall and right-click and drag the top plane handle on the TriBall.

4. Enter 3.5 for Distance 1 and 2 for Distance 2 and click OK.

5. Click the Copy Featureicon on the Move Face toolbar then click Apply and Exit

Command.

Using the TriBall to Create Linked Copies

1. Now, use the TriBall to make a linked copy of an Intellishape. First, select the

IntelliShape hole shown and turn on the TriBall.

2. Then, click the outer TriBall handle, as shown. As in the previous examples, this action

will cause that axis of the TriBall to become highlighted in yellow, which means that it

is now temporarily constrained to move/rotate only on that axis.3. Now, holding the rightmouse button, drag the center of the TriBall to the midpoint of

the edge shown. The TriBall should slide along the constrained axis and snap into

alignment with the midpoint of the target edge.

l

Drag this plane

2. RIGHT-MOUSE- drag the TriBall centerto the midpoint of this

line and . . .

1. Click this

handle.


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4. When you release the mouse button, choose Link Herefrom the pop-up menu and

then OK.

5. Deselect the TriBall tool.

6. Select the disk shown and turn on the TriBall. Drag the center of the TriBall to the

centerpoint on the base, as shown.

7. Click the outer TriBall handle, as shown, to constrain the axis. Now, drag the indicated

orientation handle to the base surface shown. This is an example of using the drag-and-drop capabilities of the orientation handles (as opposed to the right-click/select

methods).


3. Choose Link Here.

Drag to thiscenter snap point.

1. Click this handle.

2. Drag orientation handle

to base surface.


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9. Add a thread

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