Relations with constrained dimensions

[Jay.Shah]

I have a sketch of a quadrilateral between 2 parts in my assembly and the dimensions of this quadrilateral are derived from the spacing between the parts (by putting constraint "Point on Entity"). Now, I want to establish relations for placement of another part with the dimensions of this quadrilateral. However, when I enter into the relations dialogue box and click on the sketch, the dimensions corresponding to the lengths of the quadrilateral do not show up. I understand that this is happening because it was not a defined length, but rather a derived length. But is there a way to access such dimensions in the relations dialogue box?

[tbraxton]

If I understand your verbal description correctly, you can use a reference dimension defined in your quadrilateral sketch in both part and assembly relations. 

Using Driven and Reference Dimensions in Relations (ptc.com)

If this is not a solution to your problem, then please post a screen shot of the sketch with constraints and dims shown and describe the modeling dependencies relevant to design intent.

[Jay.Shah]

Thank you for your reply. This is exactly what I was referring to, but somehow I am not able to access that driven dimension in the relations box. I have attached a screenshot here in which the distance of a plane (d82:1) is supposed to be driven by the long length of the quadrilateral shown in the figure. That particular length does not appear when I click on that sketch or the extrude when defining the relation.

[pausob]

hmm, from your screenshot, it does make me wonder if the dimension would become visible if you first spun the view into an orientation where you could see all 4 edges of the quadrilateral, then clicked on the sketch or the extrude feature.

Because it seems you are viewing the quadrilateral sketch from the side - so a single line is showing (instead of expected 4)

I think Creo for some reason hides those dimensions that are in the plane orthogonal to the viewing direction.

[tbraxton]

Can you confirm that there is a dimension in the sketch that represents the long edge of the quadrilateral? As @pausob has indicated it is not visible in the screen shot. I am asking you to confirm that you have defined a dimension for this in the sketch for the quadrilateral. If there is not this dimension in the sketch, then you should not expect to be able to reference it in a relation.

[KenFarley]

I don't know if I'm understanding the situation, but I've found if I want to use a reference dimension in a relation, it won't "show up" when I'm defining the relations unless it uses at least one sketch entity in its definition. I.e. if I'm putting in a reference dimension between two planes, that dimension won't be visible when I'm defining the relations.

Often I'll resort to putting some sort of construction geometry (line, circle, etc.) that is constrained in a fashion suitable for the desired dimension, then define the reference dimension using that construction geometry and voila it is "accessible" from the relations.

[anursingh]

Hi @Jay.Shah,

I wanted to follow up with you on your post to see if your question has been answered. 
If so, please mark the appropriate reply as the Accepted Solution. 
Of course, if you have more to share on your issue, please let the Community know so that we can continue to help you. 

Thanks,
Anurag