Assembly Menu

Assembly Menu
	Chapter 4. Picture to Part

Marking in Picture to Part

In Picture to Part the marking methods differ in Assembly and Component modes. In the Component mode you can mark geometries in three ways: by dragging, right-clicking and using the Group Manager. A marked geometry is indicated by the color selected in System → Options.

Dragging

Drag over the geometry to create a rectangle. Release the mouse to mark the geometry.

	Note
	Partial marking of a geometry will mark the whole geometry.

Right-clicking Right-clicking in the Group Manager section will open a Menu. Select Include or Exclude to mark or unmark a geometry.

Group Manager Click in the Include column of the Group Manager to mark or unmark geometry. The Include column is a toggle function. Click in the Exclude column of the Group Manager to unmark or mark geometry. The Exclude column is a toggle function.

In Assembly mode only whole surfaces can be marked. A marked surface is indicated by control points and animated dotted lines surrounding the surface. To mark drag over the surfaces you require. Partial dragging over a surface will mark the whole surface. An example of a marked surface appears below.

Figure 4.66. Assembly Marked Surface Example

The control points are divided into four areas: the central control area and the top, middle and bottom levels. Dragging the various control points perform specific functions. Below is a table listing the functions of the various control points. These descriptions are for transformations performed manually. Transformations can be performed through the use of dialog boxes.

Note

The reference point is always the centre of the surface.
An alteration to the cursor will always occur when the cursor is placed over a control point.

Scaling

X and Y-axis	Drag the middle corner control points.
X,Y and Z axis	Drag the top or bottom corner control points.

Stretching

X-axis	Drag the top, middle or bottom central control points along the X-axis.
Y-axis	Drag the top, middle or bottom central control points along the Y-axis.
Z-axis	Drag either of the central round control points, not connected with a dotted line. This will stretch the surface up or down.

Rotate

Place the cursor on the central, circular control point connected with a dotted line; the cursor changes into an anti-clockwise arrow. Drag to rotate the surface.

	Note
	Rotation only occurs on the X and Y-axis.

Move

Z-axis	Place the cursor on the triangle control point in the centre of the surface; the cursor changes into a two-headed arrow. Drag to move the surface up and down only.
X and Y-axis	Place the cursor on the square control point in the centre of the surface; a square appears with the cursor. Drag to move the surface along the X and Y-axis.

Copy

Press Ctrl while placing the cursor on the square control point in the centre of the surface; a copy icon appears with the cursor. Click the square and drag the copied surface to the desired location.

Marking Multiple Surfaces

There are two methods to mark more than one surface:

Drag over the surfaces you require. Partial dragging over a surface will mark the whole surface.
To mark specific surfaces press Ctrl and click on the required surfaces; control points will appear. To unmark press Ctrl and click on the selected surfaces; the control points will disappear.

Figure 4.67. Assembly Marked Surfaces Example

The illustration shows four marked stars, as demonstrated by the Control Points surrounding them. In addition the four marked surfaces are surrounded by yellow control points and dotted lines. Dragging the yellow control points performs specific functions to all the marked surfaces, simultaneously.

Note

The reference point is always the centre of the whole marked area.
Dragging the white control point will affect each marked surface according to its reference point.
Dragging the yellow control points affects all marked surfaces. To alter parameters of an individual surface, only mark the individual surface you require.

Below is a table listing the functions of the various yellow control points.

Scaling

Drag the corner control points.

Stretching

X-axis	Drag the top, middle or bottom central control points along the X-axis.
Y-axis	Drag the top, middle or bottom central control points along the Y-axis.

Rotate

Place the cursor on the central, circular control point connected with a dotted line; the cursor changes into an anti-clockwise arrow. Drag to rotate the surface.

	Note
	Rotation only occurs on the X and Y-axis.

Move

X and Y-axis

Place the cursor on the square control point in the centre of the surface; a square appears with the cursor. Drag to move the surface along the X and Y-axis.

Copy

Press Ctrl while placing the cursor on the square control point in the centre of the surface; a copy icon appears with the cursor. Click the square and drag the copied surface to the desired location.

Assembly Order Panel

Figure 4.68. Assembly Order

Separate surfaces in Assembly mode are all on the same level. The surfaces can be moved into each other forming blended surfaces. To prevent the surfaces from blending into each other there is an option to change the levels order. A surface in a higher order will "climb" the surface in the lower order. This action can be repeated any number of times.

	Moves marked surface one level up.
	Moves marked surface one level down.
	Moves marked surface on top all other surfaces.
	Moves marked surface under all surfaces.
	Places marked surfaces onto the same level.
Trim	If more then one component is marked, and one component is in a higher priority then the other. The component with higher priority will be trimmed to the borders of the component with lower priority.

Figure 4.69. Order Example - Same Level, Atop, Trim

Assembly → Align

Figure 4.70. Align Panel

Positions any number of marked surfaces into a specified formation. Two or more entities need to be marked to operate the functions. To operate align functions select the relevant icon from the Group Panel display, or select Align from the Assembly menu.

Left		Aligns the left side of all marked surfaces to the left side of the mark box.
Right		Aligns the right side of all marked surfaces to the right side of the mark box.
Center		Vertically aligns all marked surfaces according to their individual center point.
Horizontal Spacing		Equally spaces on the horizontal, all marked surfaces.
Top		Aligns the top all marked surfaces to the top of the mark box.
Middle		Horizontally aligns all marked surfaces according to their individual center point.
Bottom		Aligns the bottom of all marked surfaces to the bottom of the mark box.
Vertical Spacing		Equally spaces on the vertical, all marked surfaces.

Assembly → Transform

Abstract

Transformation of marked surfaces can be performed manually by using control points, as mentioned in the section Marking in Picture to Part. Alternatively transformation parameters can set by inputting measurements into dialog boxes. Transformations can be performed on single or multiple surfaces. To operate select Transform from the Assembly menu.

Assembly → Transform → Move

Select this option to move or copy surfaces to a new location. An anchor may be selected from one of twenty seven points.

Figure 4.71. Assembly Transform Move Dialogue

Absolute	Enter the absolute location of the reference point by inserting the coordinate values in the To X, To Y and To Z text boxes. You will also need to select the location of the reference point relative to the frame by selecting one of the twenty seven anchor points.
Relative	Enter the By X,By Y, and By Z coordinate values. These allocate where the surface is to move.
Move	Select to move the surface to a different location.
Copy	Select to move the surface to a different location, and to keep the original surface in its original position.
Anchor	Select the location point relative to the frame. This is defined by one of twenty seven radio buttons; there are nine buttons on each of the three levels.

Assembly → Transform → Rotate

Select this option to rotate the active surface. The Rotate Surfaces dialog box appears, enabling you to define the rotation activity on the XY Plane. Rotation within the XY Plane is defined by entering the X, Y coordinates of the rotation center point or by using the anchor radio buttons. Select one of the twenty seven buttons to indicate the center of rotation.

Figure 4.72. Assembly Transform Move Dialogue

X	Enter the center of rotation X coordinate value.
Y	Enter the center of rotation Y coordinate value.
Angle	Select this option for rotating the selected entities absolute to the horizontal line.
Rotate Individuals	Rotates the marked entities without preserving their orientation against the horizon.
Absolute Angle	Rotates the marked entities absolute to the horizon line.
Move	Select to rotate the surface to a different location.
Copy	Select to rotate the surface to a different location, and to keep the original surface in its original position.
Anchor	Select the location point relative to the frame. This is defined by one of twenty seven radio buttons; there are nine buttons on each of the three levels.

Assembly → Transform → Scale

Eables you to change the scale of an object. The surface can be scaled or stretched by the X, Y, and Z Scale.

Figure 4.73. Assembly Transform Scale Dialogue

Scale X,Y,Z

Enter scaling values.

Method

By %	Select scaling by entering values as percentages.
By size	Select scaling by entering values as size.

Fixed Aspect

You can use the fixed aspect ratio between the axis when applying the scale option to keep the surface in a fixed proportion over the selected axis.

None	There is no effect of one axis on another. The result is a pure stretch function.
X-Y	There is a fixed aspect ratio between the X and Y axis only.
X-Y-Z	There is a fixed aspect ratio between all the axis.

Scale Individuals

Scales and keeps the distance ratio between other surfaces.

	Note
	This function can only be used with two or more marked surfaces.

Anchor Position

Enter coordinate values to select specific anchor location.

Move

Select to scale or stretch a surface to a different location.

Copy

Select to scale or stretch a surface to a different location, and to keep the original surface in the same location.

Anchor

Select the location point relative to the frame. This is defined by one of twenty seven radio buttons; there are nine buttons on each of the three levels.

Assembly → Transform → Mirror

Function enables you to reflect a surface on the X, Y or Z axis of symmetry. The axis of symmetry can be within or outside of the surface.

Figure 4.74. Assembly Transform Mirror Dialogue

Flip X,Y,Z	Select on which axis the flip is to occur.
Anchor Position	Enter coordinate values to select specific anchor location where the flip is to occur.
Move	Flip the surface to a different location.
Copy	Flip the surface to a different location, and to keep the original surface in its original position.
Anchor	Select the location point relative to the frame. This is defined by one of twenty seven radio buttons; there are nine buttons on each of the three levels.

Assembly → Replications

Rectangle. Select this option to place multiple surfaces around a designed, rectangular matrix.

Figure 4.75. Assembly Replications Rectangle Dialogue

By X	Enter the amount of space between surfaces on the horizontal plane.
By Y	Enter the amount of space between surfaces on the vertical plane.
Copies X	Enter the number or surfaces to place on the horizontal plane.
Copies Y	Enter the number or surfaces to place on the vertical plane.
Anchor	Select the location point relative to the frame. This is defined by one of twenty seven radio buttons; there are nine buttons on each of the three levels.

Circle. Select this option to place multiple surfaces around a designed, circular matrix.

Figure 4.76. Assembly Replications Circle Dialogue

Center X	Enter the coordinate, which will serve as the central X-axis point.
Center Y	Enter the coordinate that will serve as the central Y-axis point.
Radius	Enter the distance between the center of the circle and its circumference.
Copies	Enter the number of surfaces required to fit around the chosen circumference.
Rotate Individuals	Rotates the marked entities without preserving their orientation against the horizon.
Anchor	Select the location point relative to the frame. This is defined by one of twenty seven radio buttons; there are nine buttons on each of the three levels.

Spiral. Select this option to place multiple surfaces around a designed, spiral matrix.

Figure 4.77. Assembly Replications Spiral Dialogue

Center X	Enter the coordinate that will serve as the central X-axis point.
Center Y	Enter the coordinate that will serve as the central Y-axis point.
Start Angle	Enter the angle of the first surface against the horizon.
Included Angle	Enter the number of loops within the spiral. Every 360° is an additional loop.
Start Radius	Enter the distance from the center axis point to the start of the spiral.
End Radius	Enter the distance from the center axis point to the end of the spiral.
Space	Enter the distance between each surface.
Scale Individuals	Scales and keeps the distance ratio between other surfaces.
Rotate Individuals	Rotates the marked entities without preserving their orientation against the horizon.
Anchor	Select the location point relative to the frame. This is defined by one of twenty seven radio buttons; there are nine buttons on each of the three levels.

Ellipse. Select this option to place multiple surfaces around a designed, ellipsed matrix.

Figure 4.78. Assembly Replications Ellipse Dialogue

Center X	Enter the coordinate that will serve as the central X-axis point.
Center Y	Enter the coordinate that will serve as the central Y-axis point.
Width	Enter the width of the ellipse.
Height	Enter the height of the ellipse.
Copies	Enter the number of surfaces to place around the ellipse.
Rotate Individuals	Rotates the marked entities without preserving their orientation against the horizon.
Scale Individuals	Scales and keeps the distance ratio between other surfaces.
Anchor	Select the location point relative to the frame. This is defined by one of twenty seven radio buttons; there are nine buttons on each of the three levels.

Assembly → Milling Surface

Assembly → Milling Surface → Export

send the surface to Mill. Or press Ctrl-F7.

	Note
	Mark surfaces to be exported. If none are marked, all surfaces will be exported. If in Ring Mode, the surfaces will be exported to Mill wrapped.

Assembly → Milling Surface → Import

To receive surface from Mill. Or press Ctrl-F8.

Assembly → Weld

Creates a uniform surface from the marked surfaces as a new component.

Assembly → Material

Opens the Material Library form in order to change the color of the marked surface.

	Note
	If a surface is a replication, later changes to the component material will override the changes made in the assembly mode!

Assembly → Reset

Deletes all replications, brings surfaces to priority 0 and resets their location to the original location.

Assembly → Approx Surface

Abstract

In order to store Picture to Part surface as IGES, we cover the surfaces with a "blanket". We can tighten or soften the blanket over the surfaces below in order to get more details.

To start working use the Show option. To store use the Store option.

Assembly → Approx Surface → Show/Hide approx surface

Wraps the assembly surfaces with a partitioned surface. Using the right click pop up menu, you can tighten by 10%, 20%, 50%, 100% or Custom. You can soften by 10%, 20%, 50% or Custom.

Show approx surface is a toggle menu item. To exit Approx Surface mode, pick Hide approx surface.

Assembly → Approx Surface → Store

Opens the File Save As dialogue. Pick the folder and file name to store the surface as IGES.

Assembly → Approx Surface → Reset

Recalculates the approximation surface to its default.

Assembly → Bend

Abstract

Unlike changing a surface priority to get it to climb on top of another surface, we can bend a surface to get smoother transition:

Figure 4.79. Bend vs Priority Example

Assembly → Bend →

Activating the Bend function, the bend dialogue appears above the group manager:

Figure 4.80. Bend Dialogue

Drag Type

Free	Only red control point/points are affected when pulled.
Linear	Dragged control point/points, affect the sorounding control points in a linear fashion.
Smooth	Dragged control point/points, affect the sorounding control points in a curved fashion.

Size

Grid size. A grid with size of 1 is defined by 4x4 points. 4+3*(Size-1)

Apply

Apply the change in grid size.

	Note
	Apply resets the bend surface.

Reset

Reset the bend surface - moves all control points back to plane formation.

Once the grid is shown, mark control points left clicking around them. In order to mark several control points you can either drag a recangle around them using the mouse, or click a point and then another while the Ctrl key is pressed. In order to move the red selected points, drag them slowly up or down using the left mouse button. When done, click the X icon button.