Bolt Circle Issues - Dimensions

[GO_10898978]

Another day and another CREO issue 🙂

So, I'm starting to get into detailing parts in CREO 10. Just to clarify - I have used NX and SolidWorks before and never ran into this issue.

I wanted to dimension the part attached and use Bolt Circles for the two different holes. I tried using "Show Model Dims" and bring in the axis and dims. Well one feature was created using a circular pattern - and the other was two separate features (I did not create this model). I figured out how to display a circular centerline by changing drafting settings - but when I brought the dimension in it was a Radius. There was no way for me to change this to a Diameter. So, I decided to create my own sketches in the view and decided to just dimension to this directly. I'm sure people will say, "That's not how CREO works - you create in model and then bring in the model features/dims" Sure - but when it doesn't show what you actually want - I want to have other options/features to present the dimension how I want it. Well, when I placed the two Dimensions it doesn't scale to the drawing view. The 2.800 dia should be 0.560. The 2.500 dim should be  0.500 (as you can surmise - the scale of the view is 5X).. Why doesn't CREO scale secondary dimensions on sketched features??? When I click on physical geometry the dimension scales appropriately (which should be expected). Why does this happen - and is there a way to fix this?????

Thanks

[GO_10898978 · Accepted solution]

Ignore.

So I sketched the Bolt Circles on top of the view - but did not associate or link to that view. Once you do this then the dims scale. Trial and error - I learned. Thanks.

[MartinHanak]

Hi,

just a note ... you can also create Sketch feature representinf bolt circle inside the model. and set its line style in drawing.

[KenFarley]

When you sketch things on a drawing view, they're just "there" unless you relate them to the view. If you don't relate them, you get the dimensional wrongness you experienced. Another thing that can happen is if you move that view, any drawn items in the view that are not related to the view will NOT be moved along with the view. They are "left behind". A very unpleasant experience, to be sure.

[anthonyws]

Ken, I tried this approach and it works as you states, relate BC to view and it follows and is dimensionable. However, it is not associative or parametric. If I edit the bolt circle in the model, it does not update in the drawing. 

I have seen where there are several methods to create a dimensionable bolt circle reference line (circular centerline) that is dimensinable but none of the examples appear to maintain parametric function. 

Any suggestion? Am I missing a step?

[kdirth]

Relating a drawing sketched bolt circle to a view on relates it in position to the view.

The best option is to define the bolt circle as patterned hole.  The next best is to create a sketch in the model that you show in the view.  Last is a drawing sketch.

[anthonyws]

Can you clarify what you mean by defining the bolt circle as a patterned hole. I am using the pattern method to create a circle of bolt holes.

*create hole using the hole tool

*pattern using the axis method.

No bolt circle reference is available without making a circular centerline via the various methods. None of these are selectable for dimensioning.

A circle on the model constrained to the primary hole is usable in the drawing and is parametric. And I just discovered you can modify it in the drawing to be a centerline and it changes in the drawing and the model and it follows the changes in the models hole position/pattern diameter and best of all it is selectable and can be dimensioned!

Thanks for prompting me to try that methodology.

[MartinHanak]

Hi,

I uploaded bc.drw (created in Creo 10.0.6.0) showing requested BC. Detailed option radial_pattern_axis_circle is set to yes.

[kdirth]

Attached is a Creo 7.0 drawing and model.

[StephenW]

@anthonyws  I think there is a lot of guessing at what you want your callout to look like along with a little confusion from the how the original question was asked by another person.

The drafting part of Creo is cumbersome and was never designed to be easy but you can get what you need with some effort.

[Garred]

"The drafting part of Creo is cumbersome and was never designed to be easy but you can get what you need with some effort."

This exposes so much about PTC/Creo!  At the moment the information needs to be communicated outside of the model,  PTC/Creo, goes out of the way to make things convoluted and difficult.  Your words were "never designed to be easy"  

There is zero PTC regulated learning to be found.  Zero standard glossary to help inform users of the words associated with the project. (Create explode line-----referred to as an Offset Line outside of the explode tool) 

It is hard to argue that confusion is the GOAL with PTC. 

If you aren't willing to spend hours developing a vocabulary, sifting through PTC community, sifting through PTC Help and asking 3rd party tech solutions (pushed by PTC) then it is the USERS fault for not knowing the HOW/WHY of the problem.  

This guy may not be employed by PTC, but the user is saying the quiet part out loud.  "Creo is cumbersome and was never designed to be easy"  

[anthonyws]

Ken, 

Now that I have a "workaround " to the lack of direct application of reference circle and dimensioning it, I discover that I can't make a note that includes the hole details and the bolt circle info. I would think a hole note that sees the quantity of holes and the detail of the diameter would report the bolt circle diameter as well. It's a partial note. I tried all sorts of parameter note tricks to no avail. 

In theory, If I make a hole using the hole tool, then array it in a circle using the pattern-axis tool, Creo should combine all that into a dimension or a note available in "show model annotations" dialog box. I tried switch dimensions to find the reference for the dim. I also tried the &feature ID method to call it up.  Seems like this is not an odd request. bolt circles are a common thing in engineering. 

[Kotom-Eng]

You are in the wrong forum.

PTC has two CAD systems:    Creo+ and Creo Parametric    and     Creo Elements Direct.

Which makes it confusing.

More, for Creo Elements Direct:

- The 3D software name is Modeling, and

- The 2D software name is Drafting.

For Creo+ and Creo Parametric, use only this tab:

You should move your post to this community to have a better chance to get an answer.

To move your post, click on the three vertical dots on your initial post and click on "Notify Moderator".

[kdirth]

In order to show the dimensions you want, you need to define the model in the same way.  I would suggest redefining the first hole from radial to diameter to show the diameter dimension.

Otherwise you need to add your own dimension.  Selecting the bolt circle twice will create a diameter dimension.  You can also change a created dimension by changing the "Orientation":