Point Selection in Model Space in the Point by "Offset Coordinate System" Feature

[BH_10255778]

• With a row selected within the point by "offset coordinate system” feature
• press “s” to activate a mapkey
• prompted “select a point in the model”
• select point in model
• The mapkey will then update the XYZ values for that row from the reference datum to the point that was selected in the model
•  
• Notes: It will not be linked, if the point in the model changes the user will have to run this tool again to correct the points location

[StephenW]

@BH_10255778 

Is this a question? Or was there supposed to be something attached?

[BH_10255778]

I was wondering if it would be possible to create the forementioned mapkey and what it's config.pro code would look like.

[kdirth]

I don't know of a function that can do that for you.

I would suggest measuring all of the points with reference to the coordinate system, save a file, modify the file into a points file and importing.

Select all points and select csys as the projection reference.

Press the info button  and save information window to disk.

Rename file to *.pts.1.

Edit file to the pts file format.

Select Import button in Datum Point window.

[tbraxton]

Using only an offset datum point feature and a parent csys, I am pretty sure this is not possible because the search tool is not able to find the dimensions associated with only a single point within and offset datum point feature. I could be wrong about building such a query, so if someone knows how to do this, please post it.

It is possible to create features and relations that capture this design intent. This would enable automation of the sequence you need and could even work with a mapkey. A UDF would also be possible.

If you build the feature set shown in yellow below you can shift the csys reference to create a new datum point offset relative to a chosen point in the offset datum point array. Refer to the video and the enclosed Creo 7 part model used in the demo to study how to capture the design intent that will support automating the logic you describe in the initial post.

[BH_10255778]

All - Thanks for the quick and helpful responses! Below is a video to help clarify the map key I am hoping to develop if possible.

[MartinHanak]

Hi,

video is not available. Please add it as attachment.

[tbraxton]

Your video clarifies what you need. Modifying an existing point within the array is more involved than creating a new point and adding it to the array. I still do not see a simple solution by just recording a mapkey for this. I think you will need to call an external script to create a text file to be read in as input for the point array of the offset csys.

In theory since a mapkey can call external scripts you can edit the text file for the datum point array for the offset csys feature. You would export the results of the measure feature as a text file to use as input to modify the array values of the chosen point within the array. You would need to write a script that manipulates the text files that is called by the mapkey. You can then read in the resultant text file to redefine the points in your offset csys feature.

If you use this often in workflows, I suggest using one of the Creo APIs to implement this.

[pausob]

What you are asking is not possible with plain mapkeys - since they do not have the concept of a "variable" and do not allow you to cut and paste from clipboard.  It may be possible to hack this using mapkeys + 3rd party windows automation tools such as AutoIT or AutoHotkey which are fully featured programming languages that could parse the output from the measure tool and paste it back into Creo GUI (maybe).

May I ask what's the point of having such functionality?  (pun intended) - I mean, why not just put datum points on the vertices you are interested in "tagging" ?

[BH_10255778]

Good question! The points that I frequently reference are in a separate part or assembly so using the standard "point" feature would create a reference to an external part. The point by "offset coordinate system" would prevent that unstable reference. 

[pausob]

Yes, I see.  I wonder if you could copy and paste the relevant surfaces into your target part (and then collapse the geometry).  Or use the shrinkwrap + manual collection method (+ break dependency) to get these locations into your target model and sever the reference.

See reference surface thread for more information.

[MartinHanak]

Hi,

please see video presenting Creo 9.0.2.0 + Excel.