I realize it is a lot to ask, but experience seems to be the key with this tool. It’s not that you learn how to work with it, more so that some time will show you how it works. Although it is the same way for most advanced features, it’s just that this type of learning depends on your trying it on gradually more complicated geometry.
The thought I take when I use it is to think about how the software will recreate the neighboring geometry. This helps me to understand what surfaces I will include in the feature.
We have been impressed with the results. Complex shapes and robust stability when references change (It has been available as a hidden feature for a long time, so many have used it before WF4.)
We have used it in production for:
"Already molded parts” where it is often better not to dig into the model tree
Some sheet metal parts where we can work around theoverhead of the form tools (Recommended 😉
Basic reverse engineering tasksHere are some tips:
- Include all of the surfaces for the geometry you are trying to remove. (It seems obvious, but the preview will often populate before you are done selecting everything.)
- Consider viewing the model in hidden line removed or wireframe to help identify surfaces that should be included.
- The feature will try to create a preview with every input. This may slow your process if you have to wait for preview calculations. To work with this, you can select all the surfaces you want to work with before launching the feature or turn off the preview until you are done selecting surfaces.
- If you have to interrupt the process, the red stop light in the bottom-right hand corner of the window has worked great for us. This keeps your references and simply stops the preview calculations…
Best wishes,
Jered
