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1-Visitor
October 1, 2015
Solved

Feature Parameters into Drawing Note

  • October 1, 2015
  • 2 replies
  • 6058 views

Hello,

I want to make use of the FLAT_PATTERN_WIDTH and FLAT_PATTERN_LENGTH parameters generated by created a flat pattern in my models.

Is there a way to create a drawing note that references these feature parameters with each new model? The method I've tried is feature ID specific, so a standard note needs to be updated to each unique feature ID.

(see this discussion: New feature parameters in sheetmetal

Thanks in advance!

Brandon


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Best answer by mender

I take it you have one such feature in your model, because otherwise having it in the title block wouldn't make sense.  So here's an idea (which I've confirmed works with an ordinary feature with parameters, but haven't tried to make a SMT flat pattern).  The main goal here is to never have to enter the feature ID or name.

1) In the feature, you have parameters SMT_FLAT_PATTERN_WIDTH / SMT_FLAT_PATTERN_LENGTH.

2) Make parameters MY_FLATPAT_WIDTH and MY_FLATPAT_LENGTH in the solid.

3) Tools>Relations>Feature>[the flat pattern], enter:

my_flatpat_width=smt_flat_pattern_width

my_flatpat_length=smt_flat_pattern_length

4) Have the title block note use &my_flatpat_width and &my_flatpat_length to get the params from the part.

Try it out?

2 replies

1-Visitor
October 1, 2015

You can also use the feature name instead of the feature ID. If your feature naming is consistent, then it seems like this would work. The drawing will resolve the name to the ID after it finds it, but it's worth a shot.

Something like &FLAT_PATTERN_WIDTH:FID_FLAT_PATTERN where FLAT_PATTERN is the feature name.

Full disclaimer: I didn't actually test this method, just shooting from the hip...

1-Visitor
October 6, 2015

I tried the feature name method; see Mathew Ender's reply. No luck. Relations editor only accepts the lines with the feature ID included.

Thanks for the reply.

mender12-AmethystAnswer
12-Amethyst
October 1, 2015

I take it you have one such feature in your model, because otherwise having it in the title block wouldn't make sense.  So here's an idea (which I've confirmed works with an ordinary feature with parameters, but haven't tried to make a SMT flat pattern).  The main goal here is to never have to enter the feature ID or name.

1) In the feature, you have parameters SMT_FLAT_PATTERN_WIDTH / SMT_FLAT_PATTERN_LENGTH.

2) Make parameters MY_FLATPAT_WIDTH and MY_FLATPAT_LENGTH in the solid.

3) Tools>Relations>Feature>[the flat pattern], enter:

my_flatpat_width=smt_flat_pattern_width

my_flatpat_length=smt_flat_pattern_length

4) Have the title block note use &my_flatpat_width and &my_flatpat_length to get the params from the part.

Try it out?

1-Visitor
October 6, 2015

I gave this method a shot. Seems like it should work, but without the feature ID, the relations editor gives me an error. Maybe sheetmetal flat pattern parameters are different than other features.

See attached pics.

relations_pic_1.JPGrelations_pic_2.JPG

12-Amethyst
October 6, 2015

The problem is that you are making the relations in the part, not in the feature.  "By Tools>Relations>Feature>[the flat pattern]", I mean where it says 'Look In: Part' in the upper left, to select Feature, and pick the flat pattern.  The part level relations can get at info from any feature, but would indeed need to name the feature to do so.