Create 3D: Dynamic Drawing

Introduction

This topic explains how to use Dynamic Drawing with solids in BobCAD-CAM.

Dynamic Drawing

Dynamic Drawing provides the ability to modify the location and dimensions of solid entities using sketch handles, data entry, or a combination of both.

Applies To

Primitives	Extrude	Surface Modify
Sphere	Extrude Boss	Extend Surface
Cube	Extrude Cut
Cone	Extrude Curve
Cylinder	Extrude Surface
Torus	Imprint

Sketch Handles

There are two main types of sketch handles: origin and dimension.

Snap Increment

Dynamic drawing supports the use of the snap increment when using sketch handles to set the origin location or dimension values. The snap increment allows you to get precise results when using mouse selection and helps to reduce data entry modifications.

 

To learn more, view Snap Increment.

Origin

A small sphere displays at the origin of the entity. This sketch handle controls the origin location of the entity.

 

Dimensions

Arrows display for each dimension that can be modified. These include length, width, height, and radius dimensions as well as the distances for extrusion functions.

 

 

How to Use Sketch Handles

1. Click to select the handle and activate sketching.

 

This allows you to modify the location or one of the dimensions of the entity. Note that the snap increment applies to the available snap locations for these values.

 

Important: When selecting dimension sketch handles, you must click the small cone at the end of the handle to select it.

 

2. Move the mouse pointer to a new location.
   
   The location or dimension of the entity updates graphically (with a wireframe display) as you move the sketch handle.
   
   

3. Click to anchor the sketch handle.

 

The location and dimension parameters update and can now be modified using data entry.

Modify the Origin Sketch Handle Example

The following image shows the CAD preview entity for a cylinder that is moved.

 

 

1. Point to the origin sphere so that it displays in the Highlight color.
   
   
   
   

2. While it displays in the Highlight color, click the origin sphere to enable sketching and move it to a new location.

 

 

Note: While moving the origin, the CAD preview remains in the previous location, and the shape displays using a wireframe preview and the sketch handles as shown.

 

3. Click to anchor the entity at the new location and update the CAD preview.
   
   
   
   You can click a point, snap point, or anywhere in the Workspace to place the origin. In the example, the snap point of a cube is used to place the origin.
   
   

4. After moving the origin, you can now type XYZ values in the Data Entry Manager to update the origin as needed.

Modify Dimension Sketch Handles

The same process as explained in the previous example can be applied to the dimension sketch handles as well.

 

1. Click the arrow (small cone) of the dimension handle to enable sketching.

 

 

Important: When selecting a dimension sketch handle, click the small cone at the end, not the cylindrical portion, of the handle.

 

2. You can then move the pointer in either direction to modify the selected dimension.
   
   
   
   

3. Click to anchor the sketch handle.
   
   
   
   

4. You can modify the sketch handles of the other dimensions as well.
   
   The previous images show modifying the cylinder height and the following images show modifying the cylinder radius.
   
   
   
   

5. Before finishing the cylinder, the Data Entry parameters can be modified to update the current dimensions.
   
   For the current example, the Radius is modified in the Data Entry Manager.
   
   
   
   

6. Now that the desired location and dimensions are defined, click OK to create the cylinder as shown in the CAD preview.
   
   
   
   Notice in the previous image that the sketch handles still display after creating the cylinder. This is the CAD preview for the next cylinder as the Cylinder function is still open in the Data Entry Manager.
   
   You can see this by turning on transparency as shown next.
   
   
   
   

7. To finish the dynamic drawing and close the Data Entry Manager, click Cancel.

 

 

The information provided in this example can be applied to the other Dynamic Drawing functions listed at the top of this document. Be sure to view the snap increment topic to learn about how it applies to using sketch handles.

 

This concludes the example.

Related Topics

The CAD Overview