unigraphics nx8 - associative copy

[NX8-HELP] ASSOCIACTIVE COPY 1

Associactive Copy drive24ward (meslab.org/mes)

Associative Copy View a topic

Pattern Feature

Extract Body

Composite Curve

Mirror Feature

Mirror Body

Instance Geometry

Promote Body

Instance Feature

1. Pattern Feature

Use the Pattern Feature command to create patterns of features (linear, circular, polygon, etc.) with

various options for defining pattern boundaries, orientation of instances, clocking and variance.

You can create pattern features using a variety of pattern layouts.

Linear

Circular

Polygon

Spiral

Along

General

Reference

You can fill a specified boundary with a pattern feature.

For a Linear layout, you can specify a Symmetric pattern in one or both directions. You can also

specify to Stagger columns or rows.
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For a Circular or Polygon layout, you can choose to radiate a pattern.

You can define a Pattern Increment by using expressions to specify pattern parameters.

You can export pattern parameter values to a spreadsheet and make positional edits that are

propagated back to your pattern definition.

You can explicitly select individual instance points for clocking, suppression and variance of

pattern features.

You can control the orientation of a pattern.

Orientation same as input

Orientation follows pattern (circular)

You can choose between Simple and Variational pattern methods.



Where do I find it?

Application Modeling and Shape Studio

Prerequisite History mode

Toolbar Feature Pattern Feature

Menu Insert Associative Copy Pattern Feature

1.1. Pattern Feature methods Simple

Simple design features such as holes and extruded features are

supported.

One input feature per output pattern.

Multi -body features are supported.

Variational

All features which support copy-paste are supported.

Detailed features such as blends and drafts are supported.

Each instance of the pattern is fully evaluated.

Works with multiple input features.

Multi -body features are supported.

You can reuse references to the input feature and control which

references from the input features are evaluated at each instance

location.

Advanced hole functions are supported.

Sketch features are supported.



1.2. Create a linear pattern of feature s in two

directions

This example shows you how to create a linear pattern of

features in two directions.

1.

Click Pattern Feature .

2.

Select features to pattern.

3.

In the Pattern Definition group, from the

Layout list, select Linear .

4.

Select an edge to define Direction 1.



5.

In the Direction 1 section:

From the Spacing list, choose Count

and Span.

In the Count box, type 5.

In the Span Distance box, type 145.

6.

In the Direction 2 section, select the Use

Direction 2 check box.

7.

Use Specify Vector to define Direction 2.

8.

In the Direction 2 section:

From the Spacing list, choose Count

and Pitch.

In the Count box, type 3.

In the Pitch Distance box, type 55.

9.

Choose another command or click OK to

create the pattern.



1.3. Create a circular pattern of concentric features

This example shows you how to create a partial circular

pattern of features that are concentric.

1.


2.

Select the features to pattern.

3.

In the Pattern Definition group, from the Layout list,

select Circular .



4.

Under Rotation Axis, click Specify Vector.

5.

Specify a vector of rotation.

6.

Specify a point of rotation.

7.

Under Angular Direction :

From the Spacing list, choose Pitch and Span.

From the Define Pitch As list, choose Angle.

In the Pitch Angle box, type 30.

In the Span Angle box, type 270.



8.

Under Radiate:

Select the Create Concentric Members check

box.

Make sure the Include First Circle check box

is selected.

From the Spacing list, choose Pitch and Span.

In the Pitch Distance box, type 20.

In the Span Distance box, type 50.

9.

Choose another command or click OK to create the

pattern.



1.4. Create a pattern of features on a truncated cone

This example shows you how to:

Create an angled linear pattern of features on the

truncated cone face.

Use the first linear pattern to create another pattern

along a circular edge.

1.


2.


You can use the Part Navigator to

select features.

Feature groups can also be selected.

3. Set the following Pattern Definition

parameters:

Layout = Linear

Specify Vector = Angled sketch line

Spacing = Count and Span

Count = 4

Span Distance = 70



4.

Click the middle mouse button to Apply .

5.


You can use the Part Navigator to

select features.

6. Set the following Pattern Definition

parameters:

Layout = Along

Select Path = Edge of base of cone


Count = 10

Location = %Arc Length



% Span By = 100

7.

Choose another command or click OK to

create the pattern.

1.5. Edit a pattern of features using variance and

clocking


Vary a pattern by editing

parameters of selected features of

the pattern.

Use clocking to move specific

features of a feature pattern.



1.

In the Part Navigator, position the cursor over a

Pattern node to edit and right- Edit with

Rollback.

2.

In the Pattern Feature dialog box, in the Instance

Points section, click Select Instance Point .



3.

Select the middle concentric arc of instance points as

the features to edit.

4.

With the cursor on a selected pattern point, right-

Specify Variance.

The Variance dialog box becomes available.

5.

Select an object expression to variant, then right-

Add to Edit .

The selected expression is added to the Values group

of the Variance dialog box where its value can be

modified for the selected instance points.

You can edit multiple expressions by adding them to

the Values group.

6.

Edit the expressions then OK . In this example the

following expressions were modified:

EXTRUDE: End Limit : Increased from 10

mm. to 30 mm.

SIMPLE HOLE: Diameter . Decreased from

10 mm. to 5 mm.



Visual check with Show Result

7.

Click OK .

8.

Click Deselect All on the Selection bar.

The selected instance points are deselected.

9.

Select the new reference points, use Specify Variance

to vary the diameter.

10.

Make modifications to expressions. In this example,

the following expression was modified:

SIMPLE HOLE: Diameter . Decreased from

10 mm. to 5 mm.

Click OK .



Visual check with Show Result

11.

With the cursor over one of the selected instance

points, right- Clock.

12.

Use the Angle and Radial handles or input boxes to

adjust the clocking. In this example, the rotation angle

is set to 150 degrees.

13.

Click OK to accept the clocking parameters.



14.

Choose another command or click OK to create the

patter

1.6. Reuse pattern references to control the shape of

pattern features


Create a pattern of slot features along a curve.

Reuse sketch references to control the shape of the pattern

features.

The feature pattern will be created from an extruded sketch.

The sketch is constrained to the base of the cylinder (1) and the

intersection curve on the tube (2).



1.


2.


The default Reference Point is displayed. It is at the center of

3.

In the Reference Point group, use Specify Point options to

move the reference point to the tangency point on the

intersection curve.

4.

Set the following parameters for Direction 1:

Layout = Along

Path Method = Offset

Select Path = Angled elliptical intersection curve


Count = 20



Location = % Arc Length

% Span By = 100

5.

Set the following parameters for Orientation :

Orientation = Same as Input

Follow Face (selected)

Select Face = Outside face of the tube

6.

Set the following parameters for Pattern Method:

Method = Variational

In the Reusable References list, select the geometry

you want to reference during patterning.

In this example, two sketches which control the slot

geometry are selected.

Extrude

Coordinate system for Datum Coordinate

System for Extrude

Sketch External Reference for Extrude


7.

Use Preview Show Result to check the pattern. Choose

another command or click OK to create the pattern.



1.7. Pattern Feature dialog box Features to Pattern

Select

Feature

Lets you select one or more features to pattern.

Reference Point

Specify Point

Lets you specify a location reference point for the input feature.

Pattern Definition

Layout

Sets the pattern layout. There are seven available layouts.

Linear Defines a layout using one or two directions.

Circular Defines a layout using a rotation axis and optional radial spacing

parameters.

Polygon Defines a layout using an equilateral polygon and optional radial

spacing parameters.

Spiral Defines a layout using a spiral path.

Along Defines a layout that follows a continuous curve chain and optionally a

second curve chain or a vector.

General Defines a layout using locations defined by one or more target points

or coordinate systems.

Reference Defines a layout by using an existing pattern.

Boundary Definition

Not available when Layout is set to Along, General, or Reference.



Boundary

None

Does not define boundaries. Patterns are not restricted to boundaries.

Face

Lets you select face edges, sheet edges, or region boundary curves to define the

pattern boundary.

Curve

Lets you select a set of curves, or create a sketch to define the pattern boundary.

Exclude

Lets you select curves or create a sketch to define an area that is excluded from

patterning.

Apply Margin to Internal Boundaries

Simplified

Boundary

Fill

Available when Layout is set to Linear , Circular , Polygon or Spiral and Boundary is

set to Face or Curve.

Displays the Simplified Layout subgroup of options that you can use to fill the specified

boundary with instances. The available options depend on the Layout option that you

select. You do not need to input as much information to create the instances.

Linear layout

Lets you form a grid for the simplified linear layout pattern, using the

Square, Triangle, or Diamond options on the Layout list. The



designated layout is repeated until the boundary is filled.

Square Triangle Diamond

Circular /

Polygon layouts

The Radial Pitch option is unique to circular and polygonal

simplified boundary fills. It lets you control the concentric distance of

the pattern features as they radiate out.

Circular

Polygon

Margin

Distance Lets you specify an offset distance from the defined boundaries.

Apply

Margin to

Internal

Boundaries

Available when Layout is set to Linear , Circular , Polygon or Spiral and Boundary is

set to Face or Curve.

Adds the specified margin distance to any internal boundaries. Any pattern feature that

encroaches into the margin distance area will not be displayed.

Rotation

Angle

Lets you specify a rotation angle for the simplified layout based on the defined reference

vector.

Pattern

Definition layout

parameters

Pattern definition parameters vary based on layout.

There are also parameters common to all layouts.

Use the Look up more details links for specific layout options information.

Pattern Increment

Pattern

Increment

Opens the Pattern Increment dialog box where you can define increments to be applied

to instances as the pattern count increases.



Instance Points

Select

Instance

Point

Lets you select points that represent the layout, pattern definition and orientation of the

instances that are to be created. Use the Snap Point options on the Selection bar to filter

point selection

When you right-click an instance point, the following options are available.

Clock / Unclock

Displays the Clocking dialog box where you can specify instance points to edit,

and then define a delta position and orientation for the specified instance points.

Suppress / Unsuppress

Suppress temporarily removes the selected instance from the display.

Specify Variance / Edit Variance / Remove Variance

Displays the Variance dialog box where you can specify instance points to edit

and define new defining values for those instances of the pattern feature.



Use

Spreadsheet

Not available when Layout is set to Reference.

Lets you edit pattern definition parameters, including any pattern-variance settings, only

in a spreadsheet.

After you confirm your values, they are read back to the dialog box and the geometry is

updated.

The spreadsheet is not stored with the pattern.

If you want to edit the pattern definition parameters in the dialog box, clear the Use

Spreadsheet check box.

Orientation

Orientation

Not available when Layout is set to Reference.

Determines if the pattern features in the layout will maintain a constant orientation or

follow an orientation derived from some defining geometry.

Same as Input

Orients the pattern features in the same orientation as

the input feature.

Follow Pattern



Not available when Layout is set to Linear or

Reference.

Orients the pattern features following the orientation

of the layout.

Normal to Path

Available when Layout is set to Along.

Orients the pattern features based on the normals or

projected normals of the specified path.

CSYS to CSYS

Not available when Layout is set to Along, General,

or Reference.

Orients the pattern features based on a specified

CSYS.

Follow Face

Not available when Layout is set to Along or Reference.

Maintains an orientation for the pattern features that is normal to the specified face at the

location of the instance.

The specified faces have to be on the same body.

Project

Direction

Available when Follow Face is selected.

Along Pattern Plane Normal

The locations of the instances on the pattern plane will be projected normal from

the pattern plane to the specified face.

Along Face Normal

The locations of the instances on a pattern face will be projected normal from the

pattern face to the specified face.

Along Vector

The locations of the instances will be projected along a specified vector to the

specified face.



Pattern Settings

Available when Layout is set to Linear , Circular or Along.

Pattern Method

Method

Variational

Supports multiple features as input to create a Pattern Feature object, and evaluates the input at

each instance location.

To specify the input, you can:

Select multi-body features.

Select detailed features such as blends and drafts.

Reuse references to the input feature.

NX evaluates the inputs at each instance location. You can control which

references are evaluated, using the Reusable References list.

Simple

Supports single features as input to create a Pattern feature object, with limited evaluation of the

input features.

To specify the input, you can:

Select simple design features such as holes and extruded features.

Select multi-body features.

Select one input feature per output pattern.

Reusable

References

Available when Method is set to Variational .

A list of the defining parameters of the input feature is displayed.

instance location in the pattern.

Example The two sketches that belong to the extruded slot feature are reused

at each instance.

One end of the input feature is dimensionally constrained and the

other has a tangency constraint to the elliptical sketch curve.

Extrude

Coordinate system for Datum Coordinate System for

Extrude
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Settings

Output

Determines the kind of objects that are created during the patterning operation.

Pattern Feature

Creates a Pattern Feature object from the specified input.

If the Pattern Method is set to Variational , and your input consists of

multiple features, the output will be a single Pattern Feature object.

If the Pattern Method is set to Simple, and your input consists of

multiple features, the output will be multiple Pattern Feature objects.

Copy Features

Creates individual copies of the input features instead of a Feature Pattern object.

Copy Features into Feature Group

Creates individual copies of the input features and puts them into a Feature group.

Expressions

Not available when Output is set to Pattern Feature.

Create New

Creates new expressions for the copied features.

Link to Original

Links the original feature expressions to the copied features.

Reuse Original

Reuses the original feature expressions for the copied features.



1.8. Common pattern feature definition options Definition parameter Available in layouts

Count

Sets the number of features to be created in the pattern when Spacing is

set to one of the following:

Count and Pitch

Count and Span

Count per Side

Linear

Circular

Polygon

Along

Pitch Distance / Pitch Angle

This parameter appears when Spacing is set to one of the following:

Count and Pitch

Pitch and Span

Linear

Circular

Span Distance / Span Angle


Count and Span

Pitch and Span

Linear

Circular

Pitch By / % Pitch By Along



Pitch By

Available when spacing is based on arc length and requires a distance

input.

% Pitch By

Available when spacing is based on a percentage of arc length.


Count and Pitch

Pitch and Span

Span By / % Span By

Span By

Available when spacing is based on a fixed distance of arc length.

% Span By

Available when spacing is based on a fixed percentage of arc length.


Count and Span

Pitch and Span

Along

Location

Arc Length Bases pitch or span spacing of the features on the

distance of the specified arc length of the path.

Along



% Arc Length Bases pitch or span spacing of the features on the

percentage of the specified arc length of the path.


Count and Pitch

Count and Span

Pitch and Span

List

Defines spacing by a list of values and a count. The values in the list

are repeated if necessary until the total count is reached.

Example

Spacing 1 Value = 150.000



Linear

Circular

Along

1.9. Linear pattern feature layout options Pattern Definition Linear layout

1. Selected feature for pattern 2. Direction 1, Count = 3

Sets the number of objects in the

pattern in direction 1.

3. Pitch Distance

Sets the distance between each copy of

the selected features.

4. Span Distance

Sets the distance from the selected

feature to the last feature in the pattern.

5. Symmetric

Creates additional instances that are

symmetric based on definition

parameters.



6. Features created for pattern in the first direction

7. Direction 2, Count = 3

Sets the number of objects in the

pattern in direction 2.

Pattern Settings

Frame Only

Stagger Row

Show Last Row

Stagger Row

Show Last Row



Stagger Column

Show Last Row

Stagger Column

Show Last Row

1.10. Circular pattern feature layout options Pattern Definition Circular layout

1. Selected feature for pattern 2. Angular Direction : Pitch Angle = 30

Sets the initial pitch angle of objects in the pattern.

3. Span Angle = 150

Sets the total angle within which the instanced

features are created.

4. Pitch Distance

Sets the distance between pattern features.

Radiate



1. Pitch Distance = 25

Sets the distance between each set of radiated

features.

2. Span Distance = 50

Sets the total distance that the radiated features will

fill. This option works in conjunction with the

Pitch Distance option.

Pattern Settings

Stagger Angle

Show Last Row



Stagger Angle

Show Last Row

1.11. Polygon pattern feature layout options Polygon Definition Polygon layout

1. Number of Sides = 6, Count = 4

The Count value sets the number of pattern features

that are created when Spacing is set to Count per

Side.

2. Pitch

Sets the distance between pattern features when

Spacing is set to Pitch along Side.

3. Span = 360

Sets the radial angle to position the pattern features,

based on the other definition parameters such as

count and type of spacing.

Radiate

Create Concentric Members

1. Count = 2; Span Distance = 40; Count and Span spacing.

Sets the number of concentric polygons and distance

between each concentric member.

2. When Spacing is set to Count and Span, intermediate instances will increase in each loop of

the polygon as its outside perimeter increases.

Size

Controls the perimeter of the polygon.

o Inscribed



(Default) Locates polygon reference points

inside the defined polygon.

o Circumscribed

Locates polygon reference points outside the

defined polygon.

1.12. Spiral pattern feature layout options Pattern Definition Spiral layout

Spiral

1. Direction = Left Hand

The left-hand direction is clockwise,

while the right-hand direction is

counter-clockwise.

2. Spiral Size By = Total Angle, Angle = 540

Total Angle is measured by degrees

from the reference vector.

A Number of Turns options is also

available.

3. Radial Pitch = 75 mm

The distance between the Reference

Point and the curve of the spiral along

the reference vector.

4. Pitch along Spiral = 50 mm

The distance between instances of the

pattern.

5. Reference Vector = XC

The reference vector is an orienting

vector from which the Radial Pitch

value and Total Angle value are

measured.

6. Rotation Angle = 25

Sets the angle by which the instance

points are rotated around the specified

reference point.



1.13. Along pattern feature layout options Pattern Definition Along layout

1. Selected feature for pattern 2. Path Method = Offset, Select Path =

spline

Path Method determines the

relationship between the reference

points of the pattern and the specified

path.

For more information, click the Path

methods for the Along layout link in

Look up more details.

3. Count and Span spacing, Count = 5, %Span By = 100

Sets the type of pattern spacing. In this

example, five features will span a

specified percentage of the first path.

4. Use Direction 2 , Direction by = Curve, Count and Pitch spacing,

Count = 4

Sets the second direction. You can set

the direction using either a curve or a

vector.

If you select Vector, the Specify

Vector options become available.

5. Location = %Arc Length , %Pitch By



= 33

Sets the location of the features based

on percentage of arc length.

The location of each feature on the

specified arc length is determined by

the specified pitch percentage.

Pattern Settings

Input Feature Only for Direction 2

1.14. Path methods for the Along layout Along layout path methods

Rigid

Projects the location of the input feature to

the start of the path, and then along the path.

The distance and angle are held rigid as the

instances are created.

Offset

(Default) Projects the location of the input

feature normal to the path, using the closest

distance to the path, and then along the path.

Translate

Moves the path in a linear direction to the

input feature reference point. Spacing is then

calculated along the translated path.



1.15. General pattern feature layout options Pattern Definition General layout

General

1. From Location = Coordinate System

Locates and orients the selected

features in relation to the CSYS.

You can select an existing CSYS or

create one.

You can define the location using point

definition options.

2. To Select CSYS

Select any CSYS to locate and orient

pattern features to that CSYS.

You can also specify points to locate

the pattern feature. Sketch Section is

available to create sketch points to

locate the pattern feature.

3. Orientation = Follow Pattern

The pattern features that are created

will follow the orientation of the base

pattern feature (in this case, the CSYS).

The Same As Input option keeps the

orientation of the pattern feature.

Follow Face

Orients the pattern features normal to

the defining face at the location of the

feature.

By default, the face that is followed is

the face on which the pattern feature is

located, but you can specify an

alternative face and a projection

direction.

1.16. Reference pattern feature layout options Pattern Definition Reference layout



1. Selected features for pattern. 2. Select Pattern

Select a pattern feature to be used as

reference for the new pattern.

The reference pattern being created is

associative to the selected pattern.

3. Select Base Instance Handle

Specifies which instance point of the pattern

feature being referenced will match the

reference point of the feature being

patterned.

Note The reference pattern inherits instance

specific properties such as clocking

and variance from parent surface.

You can edit the reference pattern so

that instances deviate from the parent

pattern, such as suppressing an

instance that is not suppressed in the

parent pattern.

You can edit reference patterns to use

a different parent pattern.



1.17. Spacing options by layout

Layout Spacing Parameters

Linear

Count and Pitch

Count and Span

Pitch and Span

Count

Pitch Distance

Span Distance

List

Count

Spacing Value

Circular

Count and Pitch

Count and Span

Pitch and Span

Count

Pitch Angle

Span Angle

List

Count

Spacing Value

Polygon

Count per Side

Pitch along Side

Number of Sides Count (Count per Side only)

Pitch (Pitch along Side only)

Span

Spiral

Number of Turns

Total Angle

Turns (Number of Turns only)

Angle (Total Angle only)

Radial Pitch

Pitch along Spiral

Reference Vector

Rotation Angle

Along

Count and Pitch

Count and Span

Pitch and Span

Count

Location

Pitch By

% Pitch By

Span By

% Span By

List

Count

Spacing Value

2. Extract Body Use the Extract Body command to create an associative body by extracting faces from another body.
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You can extract the following:

Faces

Region of faces

The entire body

Use extracted faces or bodies to:

Maintain internal volumes of parts for analysis.

Create multiple bodies in one file showing a part in process.

Test change scenarios without modifying the original model.

Original Body

Extracted Faces

Where do I find it?

Application Modeling, Shape Studio

Toolbar Feature Extract Body

Menu Insert Associative Copy Extract Body

2.1. Extract a region of face bodies

This example shows how to extract faces from a body using the Region of Faces option.

1.

Extract Body



2.

In the Extract Body dialog box, under Type click Region of

Faces.

3.

In the graphics window, select the seed face that is inside the

boundary faces.

Selected face is highlighted.

In the dialog box Boundary Faces is now selected.

4.

Select the boundary faces.

Selected faces are highlighted.

5.

In the dialog box, in the Settings group, select the Hide Original

check box.

In the Preview group, click Preview Region to highlight faces

that will be extracted.
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6.

Click OK or Apply to create the extracted body.

2.2. Extract Body dialog box Type

Type

Lets you specify the type of extract feature to create.

Face Creates a sheet body of the selected faces to be extracted.

Region of Faces Creates a sheet body which is a collection of faces that are

connected to the seed face and limited by boundary faces.

Body Creates a copy of an entire body.

Settings

Fix at Current

Timestamp

Specifies that the extracted feature maintains its timestamp order in the Part

Navigator when subsequent features are created.

If this check box is not selected, the extracted feature always appears as the last

feature in the Part Navigator.

Hide Original Hides the original geometry when the extracted feature is created.

Delete Holes

Creates an extracted face without any holes that are present in the original face.

Delete Holes selected

Delete Holes not selected

Not available with the Body type.

Use Display

Properties of

Parent Object

Reflects the changes made to the display properties in the original object to the

extracted body.

Copy Threads

Lets you copy symbolic threads so that you do not need to re-create additional

symbolic threads that look the same as the source body. This is useful for copied

bodies in CAM and Drafting.

Preview
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Appears only when Type is set to Region of Faces.

Preview Region

Finished

Preview

Preview Region shows a preview of the resulting extracted region feature after you

have selected the faces.

Finished Preview closes the preview of the extracted region of faces.

Note The options below appear only when Type is set to Region of Faces

Seed Face

Select Face

Lets you select a face contained or inside the boundary faces.

Boundary Faces

Select Face

Lets you select the faces that contain or encircle the seed face.

Region Options

Traverse

Interior Edges

Selects all faces within the specified boundary faces.

Selected faces to extract

Seed Face

Boundary Face

Preview:

Traverse Interior Edges selected

Preview:

Traverse Interior Edges not selected

Angle Tolerance Available when the Use Tangent Edge Angle check box is selected.

Sets the angle tolerance that the region selection will traverse.



Selected faces to extract

Seed Face

Boundary Face

Angle Tolerance < 45

Angle Tolerance > 45

2.3. Extract Body edit options

Additional options are available in the Extract dialog box when you edit a feature.

Part

Specifies the type of geometry used to create the extracted feature. Appears only while editing an

extracted face feature.

Parent Part

Lets you specify the part where the extracted feature and its parent reside.

Work Part Selects the work part as the part where the extracted feature and

its parent exist.

Other Part Lets you select another part where the extracted feature and its

parent exist.

WAVE Information

Appears only when the Type is set to Face.

Parent Part Shows the type of geometry used to create the extracted feature.

Object Shows the type information for the extracted feature.

Status Shows the current status of the extracted feature.

Mapping



Appears only when the Type is set to Face.

Replacement

Assistant

Opens the Replacement Assistant dialog box to replace the original extracted faces.

Settings

Fix at Current

Timestamp

Lets you change the timestamp at which the extracted feature was created.

If you clear the Fix at Current Timestamp check box, the part is updated, and the

feature is reordered with a later (current) timestamp. If you select this check box, you

can select a timestamp from the list box indicating where the feature should be placed.

This enables you to control how changes made to the original geometry are reflected in

the extracted feature.

Note If you select the tool body of a Boolean feature for extraction or linking when

Fix at Current Timestamp is not selected, the linked body does not reflect any

features that are added to the body resulting from the Boolean. However, if you

extract or link the target body (instead of the tool body), the features resulting

from the Boolean are reflected.

Copy Threads




3. Composite Curve

Use the Composite Curve command to extract curves and edges from the work part.

To extract curves and edges from other parts in the same assembly, use the Composite Curve option in

the WAVE Geometry Linker command.

Where do I find it?

Application Modeling

Toolbar Feature Associative Copy Drop-down Composite Curve

Menu Insert Associative Copy Composite Curve

3.1. Create a composite curve

1. Choose Insert Associative Copy Composite Curve

In the Composite Curve dialog box the Select Curve option is active.

2. Select the curves to create the composite curve feature.



For this example, the highlighted edges are selected.

Note When you select a closed loop of curves, the Specify Origin Curve option is active

enabling you to change the origin curve.

3. Click OK or Apply to create the composite curve feature.

3.2. Composite Curve dialog box Curve

Select Curve

Lets you select curves to copy.

The Body Edges Selection Intent rule is available to let you select all edges of a

body at the same time. If the selected body consists of multiple faces, in the

Settings group, select the Allow Self-intersection check box to select all edges.

You can also select only the boundary edges of a sheet body when you use the



Boundary Edges Only selection option on the Selection bar.

Specify Origin

Curve

Available if you select a loop of curves to create the composite curve feature.

Lets you specify the origin curve from the loop of curves.

Settings

Associative Creates an associative composite curve feature. This option is not available when

you edit a composite curve feature.

Hide Original

Hides the original curve when the composite feature is created.

Note You cannot hide solid edges if the original geometry is an entire object.

Allow Self-

intersection Allows selection of self-intersecting curves as input curves.

Join Curves

Lets you specify if you want to join the segments of the composite curve into a

single curve.

No Does not join the segments of the composite curve.

Cubic Joins the output curves to form a degree 3 polynomial spline

curve. Use this option to minimize the number of knots.

General Joins the output curves to form general spline curves. Creates a

spline that is an exact representation of the input curves. This

option can create a curve of higher degree than the Cubic or

Quintic type.

Quintic Joins the output curves to form a degree 5 polynomial spline

curve.

Tolerance Sets the tolerance value for the Join Curve operation. The default value is the

Distance Tolerance value that is set in the Modeling Preferences dialog box.

Use Display

Properties of

Parent Object

Reflects the changes made to the display properties of the composite objects to any

child objects linked to it through the WAVE Geometry Linker .

Note The following options are available in the edit mode.

Part

Parent Part

Lets you specify the location of the composite curve feature and its parent part.

Other Part Indicates that the parent part is located in another part.

Work Part Indicates that the parent part is located in the current work

part.

Settings

Make Position

Independent

Available when the Parent Part option is Other Part.
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Creates a linked object that is independent of the position for linked geometry.

Fix at Current

Timestamp

Available when the Parent Part option is Other Part.

Lets you change the timestamp when the feature is placed during edit operations.

This allows you to control if the changes made to the original geometry during

updates are to be reflected in the composite curve feature.

4. Mirror Feature

Use the Mirror Feature command to mirror one or more features within a body. Use this to build

symmetrical parts.

To mirror an entire body, use the Mirror Body command.

Extrude and hole array selected and mirrored across a datum plane
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All features mirrored across a datum plane

Where do I find it?


Toolbar Feature Associative Copy Drop-down Mirror Feature

Menu Insert Associative Copy Mirror Feature

4.1. Create a mirror feature

1. On the Feature toolbar, from the Associative Copy Drop-down list, select or choose Insert Associative Copy Mirror Feature .

2. Select the features to mirror.

For this example, a extrude feature and hole array are selected.
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3. In the Mirror Feature dialog box, in the Mirror Plane group, from the Plane option list, select an option.

For this example, Existing Plane is selected.

4. In the graphics window select the existing plane. 5. Click OK or Apply to create the mirror feature.

4.2. Mirror Feature dialog box Feature

Select Feature

Lets you select the features in a part that you want to mirror.

Related Features

Add Dependent Features Includes the dependent features of the selected feature.

Add All Features in Body Includes all features in the original body of the selected feature.

Mirror Plane

Plane

Lets you select the following plane options:

Existing Plane

Lets you select an existing plane, datum plane or a planar face.

New Plane

Lets you specify a new plane.

5. Mirror Body

Use the Mirror Body command to mirror an entire body across a datum plane. For example, you can use

this command to form the other hand of a left hand or right hand part.



When you mirror a body, the mirror feature is associative to the original body. You cannot edit

any parameters in the mirrored body.

You can specify a timestamp for the mirror feature so that any features you later add to the

original body will not be reflected in the mirrored body.

Where do I find it?


Toolbar Feature Associative Copy Drop-down Mirror Body

Menu Insert Associative Copy Mirror Body

5.1. Create a mirror body feature

1. On the Feature toolbar, from the Associative Copy Drop-down list, select Mirror Body . 2. Select a body to mirror.

3. Click the middle mouse button.

Select Plane is active.

4. In the graphics window, select a datum plane.
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5. Click OK or Apply .

5.2. Mirror Body options Settings

Fix at Current

Timestamp

Specifies that the extracted feature maintains its timestamp order in the Part Navigator

during subsequent feature creation. If this check box is not selected, the extracted

feature always appears as the last feature in the Part Navigator.

Copy Threads




Note The options below are only available when you edit the Mirror Body feature.

Part

Parent Part

Work Part Lets you select another body to mirror.

Other Part Lets you select a body from another part in an assembly. This changes the

mirror body feature to a WAVE linked mirror body feature.

Replacement

Assistant Lets you select geometry to replace existing geometry.

WAVE Information

Available when the mirrored body is a WAVE linked body. This section provides information about the

part from which you created the linked mirrored body.

Parent Part Displays the name of the parent part.

Object Displays the name of the parent object.

Status Displays the status of the WAVE link.



Settings

Associative

Available when Parent Part is set to Other Part .

When the check box is cleared, breaks the link between the Mirror Body feature and

its parent part. The linked feature is not updated when its parent part is changed. You

can define a new parent part at any time.

6. Instance Geometry

Use the Instance Geometry command to create copies for design reuse to duplicate geometry and datums,

while maintaining the associativity with parent geometry.

You can create copies of:

Bodies

Faces

Edges

Curves

Points

Datums

You can create the copies in mirror, linear, circular, and irregular patterns, as well as along a tangent

continuous section.

Adding two instance geometry features to a cylinder and a plate

First instance (Along Path)

Second instance (From/To)

Where do I find it?
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Toolbar Feature Instance Geometry

Menu Insert Associative Copy Instance Geometry

6.1. Create instances to form a chain link

1. On the Feature toolbar, click or choose Insert Associative Copy Instance Geometry.

2. In the Instance Geometry dialog box, in the Type group, click Rotate .

Select Object in the Geometry to Instance group is active.

3. Select the geometry to create instances.

For this example, the solid is selected

4. In the Rotation Axis group, click Specify Vector, and select an object to define the rotation axis.

For this example, the line is selected to define the rotation axis.

5. In the Rotation Axis group, click Specify point, and select an object to define the rotation point.

For this example, the mid point of the line is selected to define the rotation point.
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6. In the Angle, Distance, and Copies group, in the Angle box, specify a value.

For this example, an angle of 90 is used

7. In the Distance box, specify a value to offset each instance.

For this example, an offset of 20 is used.

8. In the Number of Copies box, specify a value for the total number of instances.

For this example, the number of copies is 10.



9. Click OK or Apply to create the instance geometry feature.

6.2. Create insta nces between datum CSYS locations

1. On the Feature toolbar, click or choose Insert Associative Copy Instance Geometry.

2. In the Type group, click From/To .

Select Object in the Geometry to Instance group is active.

3. Select the geometry objects to create instances.

For this example, a sheet body on a larger solid body is selected to instance.
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4. In the From Location group, from the Object Type list, select Coordinate System .

Select CSYS becomes active.

5. Select a datum CSYS for the From Location.

For this example, the highlighted datum CSYS centered on the sheet body is selected.

The Select CSYS in the To Locations group becomes active.

6. Select a datum CSYS for the To Location.

For this example, the highlighted datum CSYS centered on the preview sheet body is selected.

7. In the To Locations group, click Add New Set . 8. Select another datum CSYS for additional To Locations.

For this example, three datum CSYS are selected.
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9. Click OK or Apply to create the instance geometry feature.

6.3. Instance Geometry dialog box Type

Creates instances of geometry:

From/To Creates geometry from one point or CSYS location to another point or CSYS location.

Mirror Mirrors geometry across a plane.

Translate Translates geometry in a specified direction.

Rotate Rotates geometry around a specified axis. You can add an offset distance to achieve a

helical placement.

Along Path Creates geometry along a curve or edge path. You can add an offset rotation angle to

each instance to achieve a helical effect.

Geometry to Instance (available with all types)

Select

Object

Lets you select geometry to create instances.

You can select:

Solid bodies



Sheet bodies

Faces

Edges

Curves

Points

Datums

Settings (available with all types)

Associative

Creates a fully associative instance geometry feature.

If you clear this check box, you get separate unparameterized copies of the original

geometry.

Note This option has no effect when creating an instance with either a CSYS or a datum

CSYS. The result is always a datum CSYS.

Hide

Original

Hides the geometry that was selected to create instances.

Note Use the Show and Hide commands on the Edit menu to display objects that are

hidden.

Copy

Threads

Lets you copy symbolic threads so that you do not need to re-create additional symbolic

threads that look the same as the source body. This is useful for copied bodies in CAM and

Drafting.

From/To options

From Location / To Location

Object Type

Lets you choose one of the following methods to specify a location:

Point

Coordinate System

Specify Point

Appears when the Object Type is Point.

Lets you define an origin and destination points for the instance geometry.

You can drag the point handle to a new point position, as long as it satisfies the current

snap point settings.

Select CSYS

Appears when the Object Type is Coordinate System.

Lets you select a coordinate system to define an origin point for the instance geometry.

Add New Set

Adds sets of destination points or coordinate systems to the To Locations list, where

copies of the selected objects to create instances will be located.

List Displays point and coordinate system locations.

To Location 1
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To Location 2

To Location 3

Copies

Number of

Copies Sets the number of copies of the selected geometry to add to the instance.

Mirror options

Settings

Mirror

Method

Available when the selected geometry to mirror is a CSYS or datum CSYS.

Provides methods to mirror a CSYS or datum CSYS across a plane. The resulting mirrored

coordinate system is always a right-handed datum CSYS. A true mirror results in a left-

handed coordinate system.

The following graphics show the results of each method when the datum CSYS on the left is

mirrored across a datum plane.

Mirror X and Y, Derive Z

Mirror Y and Z, Derive X



Mirror Z and X, Derive Y

Translate options

Direction

Specify

Vector

Updates the instance geometry if the geometry selected for direction is changed. The

instance geometry and the direction are associative.

Distance and Copies

Distance

Lets you specify a value for the distance separating the instance geometry and the

selected objects.

If you type a value greater than one in the Number of Copies box, the distance value

also specifies the spacing between each successive copy.

Number of

Copies Sets the number of copies of the selected geometry to add to the instance geometry.

Rotate options

Rotation Axis

Specify

Vector

Updates the instance geometry if the geometry selected for direction is changed. The

instance geometry and the direction are associative.

Specify Point

Lets you define an origin point for the rotation of the instance geometry.

You can drag the point handle to a new point position.

Angle, Distance, and Copies

Angle Sets the angle of rotation between each instance geometry.

Distance Adds an offset distance to each rotated copy of the instance geometry to achieve a

helical effect.

Number of


Along Path options

Geometry to Instance

Select

Object

Copies each object you select to a location that is referenced from the path start point.

If an object is located at the path start point, its instances are copied on the path and along it.

If an object is located away from the path start point, its instances are copied along and in

reference to the path, but not on it.




Path

5 Copies on Path



5 Copies off Path

Note In most cases, at least one of the objects to instance should be located at or near the

path start point. The farther from the path start point, the more irregular the results.

Distance, Angle, and Copies

Distance

Options

Fill Path Length Distributes copies of the instance geometry equally along the total

length of the path.

Arc Length Distributes copies of the instance geometry along the path according to a

parameter of the arc length or percent of the arc length.

Location

Appears when Distance Option is set to Arc Length .

Lists options to specify between arc length or percent of arc length.

Arc Length

% Arc Length

Arc

Length

/ %Arc

Length

Appears when Distance Option is set to Arc Length .

You can type a value for the arc length and percent of arc length in this box, or drag the arc

length handle located on the path to dynamically size the arc length parameter.

Angle

Adds an incremental rotation to each copy of the instance geometry using the angle value

you specify to achieve a helical effect.

Values can range from 0 through 360 in this box.

Number of




7. Promote Body Use the Promote Body command to promote a body from a loaded assembly component to the level of

the assembly.

You do not need write access to the part containing the original, or the base body, in order to promote it.

This can be especially important when working in a concurrent engineering environment.

After you promote a body:

You can perform operations on it, such as adding features, performing Boolean operations

between it and other bodies, and so on. The effects of these operations are only visible at the level

of the assembly work part in which the promotion is created, and in any other assembly that

references that part.

You cannot access the features that make up the base body at the assembly level. For example,

you cannot suppress a feature of the base body, or change its parameters and have those changes

occur only at assembly level. You must make such changes to the base body. They will be visible

in the promoted body, since it is associative to the base body.

Any subsequent changes to the base body are reflected in the promoted body as the promoted

body is associative to the base body. However, changes made to a promoted body do not affect the

base body.

Caution You must be careful when working "in context" (that is, with the work part different than the

displayed part) with promoted bodies. If the assembly is the displayed part and the component is

the work part, the promoted body is still displayed and this blocks the display of the base body.

You should change the displayed part to the component to work on the base body.

Warning You should not promote a body that depends on another body in the same part. A dependent

body is created by features that generate a new body, such as a mirror body feature, an extract

face feature or a midsurface feature. If you promote a dependent body and then suppress or

delete the parent body or feature, you may get internal errors.

Where do I find it?


Prerequisite The work part must be an assembly.

Toolbar Feature Associative Copy Drop-down Promote Body

Menu Insert Associative Copy Promote Body

Customer defaults for Promote Body are at:

Menu File Utilities Customer Defaults

Location in dialog box Customer Defaults Assemblies Interpart Modeling Allow Promote Body

7.1. Promote a body

1. Open an assembly. The assembly must be the work part, and the component containing the body you want to promote must be loaded.

2. Choose Insert Associative Copy Promote Body.
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3. In the Promote Body dialog box click Select Body and select the required body from the graphics window.

4. Click OK or Apply . The selected body is promoted to the assembly level.

7.2. Substitute a promoted part

You can use the Assembly Navigator to substitute the base component of a promoted part.

1. In an assembly part, open the Assembly Navigator. 2. In the Assembly Navigator, highlight the component you want to substitute, right-click and

choose Close Part.

3. Highlight the same part, which is now closed, right-click and choose Open Component As. 4. In the File dialog box, select the new part to substitute in.

If the new part is a version of the original part, and the base body of the promotion exists in the

new part, the promotion is updated to the new base body.

If the new part and the original parts are not versions of each other, and if you select Allow

Substitution in the Load Options dialog box, the promotion feature is presented in the Update

Failure dialog box, and you can then make the required changes.

7.3. Edit a Promote Body feature Note Editing the Promote Body feature could result in a loss of data. Unloaded parts may be affected.

Exploded views will be affected. The base body will become visible. There is no operation to

reparent promotions after saving.

1. Choose Edit Feature Edit Parameters.

The Edit Parameters dialog box opens.

2. Choose the Promote Body feature from the list and click OK .

The edit version of the Promote Body dialog box opens.

3. (Optional) To break the link between the Promote Body feature and its parent assembly, clear the Associative option.

Warning This action breaks the link between the promoted body and the assembly parent.

4. (Optional) To change the Promote Body feature to a WAVE Linked Body, select the Convert to Linked Body option.

Note This action turns the Promote Body feature into a WAVE Linked Body. If you later edit it,

the edit version of the WAVE Geometry Linker opens. See the Assemblies help for details.

5. Click OK or Apply to make the changes effective.
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7.4. Promote Body options Body

Select Body

Lets you select the body to promote

Promote Body terms

The following terms are used for Promote Body:

Term Description

Promoted Body A body that has been promoted.

Base Body The original body.

Base Component A component from which at least one body has been promoted.

7.5. Promote Body restrictions

Promoted bodies have the following restrictions:

All Modeling operations that cause the model to lose its parameterization or feature history, are

not available for promoted bodies.

You cannot reorder a promoted body into the component's feature list, or vice versa. You can

manipulate a promoted body only when the part that it was defined in is the work part.

You cannot split a promoted body into multiple bodies.

If you move a body to another part of the assembly tree after it is promoted, the promotion is

deleted.

When you translate parts, promoted bodies are not translated.

When performing operations that require a target body and a tool body, only certain combinations

of target and tool bodies are supported, as shown in the following table:

Target Body Tool Body Allowed?

Promoted Promoted Yes

Not promoted Promoted No

Promoted Not promoted Yes

Not promoted Not promoted Yes

8. Instance Feature

Use the Instance Feature command to:

Create patterns such as bolt hole circles.

Create a number of similar features such as ribs.

Edit all instanced features in one step.
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You can define three Instance Feature types:

Rectangular Array

Circular Array

Pattern Face

You can add edge blends, chamfers, and threads to an Instance feature.

If you create:

An edge blend you can select Blend All Instances.

A chamfer you can select Chamfer All Instances.

A thread you can select Include Instances

When you select these options, always add the edge blend, chamfer or thread to the master feature,

and not to one of the instanced features. This way, if the array parameters are changed, the edge

blend, chamfer or thread will always remain visible in the instance set.

You cannot instance the following objects:

Shells

Chamfers

Blends

Offset sheets

Datums

Trimmed sheet bodies

Instance sets

Draft features

Surfaces

Trimmed features

Associative points

Where do I find it?


Toolbar Feature Instance Feature

Menu Insert Associative Copy Instance Feature

8.1. Rectangular Array

Use the Rectangular Array command to create a linear pattern of one or more selected features.

Rectangular arrays can be:

One-dimensional in XC or YC, with one row of features.

Two-dimensional in XC and YC, with several rows of features.
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Rectangular arrays are parallel to the XC and YC axes based on the number and offset distance you enter.

Where do I find it?


Toolbar Feature Instance Feature

Menu Insert Associative Copy Instance Feature

Location in dialog box Rectangular Array

8.2. Create a rectangular array of features

This example shows how to create a rectangular array of holes used for a bolt hole mounting pattern.

Note Orient the WCS to be planar to the surface with the features used for the rectangular array. The

Rectangular Array command uses the XC and YC axis for input parameters.

1. On the Feature toolbar, click Instance Feature or choose Insert Associative Copy Instance Feature.

unigraphics nx8 - associative copy

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