Activity: Using OrientXpres

Activity: Using OrientXpres

Overview

Open an assembly

1. Open orientxpres.asm.

Start the Frames application

1. Click Tools→Environs → Frame.

Create a 3D line segment

1. Click Home→Segments→Line Segment .

2. Select the “Don't show this dialog at start of the command” check box on the Line Segments Tips dialog box. Close the dialog box.

3. To define the first point of the line segment, set the Keypoints option to end point, then select the sketch line shown and make sure the endpoint symbol appears.

   

   Note:

   The second point of the line segment is attached to the cursor. At this point you could select other endpoints to connect to. However, in this step there is no endpoint to connect to. Lock to the YZ plane and then connect to line (2).

4. Drag the cursor over the OrientXpres triad and click when the YZ plane highlights.

   The second point is now locked to the YZ plane.

   

5. Select line (2) and then right-click.

   The line segment (1) definition is complete.

   

6. Notice from the top view that the line segment (1) is in the plane of line (3).

   

7. Place the three remaining line segments (1) using the same instructions.

   

Place more line segments

1. Place line segments (4) and (5) which use the OrientXpres axis lock.

   

2. Select sketch line (6) and make sure the endpoint appears.

   

3. Lock the second point to the Z direction. On the OrientXpres triad, click the Z arrow.

   

4. Drag the cursor and notice the line segment only travels in the Z direction. To define the second point, select line (2). This sets the length of the segment to be the same depth as line (2). Do not right-click.

   

5. On the OrientXpres triad, click the Y arrow.

   

6. Drag the cursor and notice the line segment only travels in the Y direction. To define the second point, select line (2) and then right-click. This connects the segment to line (2).

   

7. Place the two line segments (4) and (5) on the opposite end using the same instructions.

   

Place a line segment without OrientXpres

Place one last line segment without using the OrientXpres tool. The tool is not needed because there are two endpoints to connect to. Use endpoints of 3D line segments.

1. Place a line segment by selecting point (1) and then point (2). Right-click.

   

2. Notice the line segment (3) has no symbol attached to it. When the OrientXpres tool is used, an axis or plane symbol is attached to the line segment.

   

3. This activity is complete. Close the file and do not save.

Summary

In this activity you learned how to use OrientXpres to draw 3D line segments. Use the OrientXpres triad to control the direction of a line segment.

Test your knowledge: Using OrientXpres

1. The framework paths can be a combination of what?

2. What tool do you use to create 3D paths?

Answers

1. The framework paths can be a combination of what?

   Sketches and 3D line segments

2. What tool do you use to create 3D paths?

   OrientXpres

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