Geometry Selection

Introduction

This topic will explain geometry selection for the Mill 2 Axis feature, and will provide links to related topics.

Geometry Selection

The first step of the Mill 2 Axis Wizard is to assign geometry for the feature. All operations in the feature are performed on the selected geometry. The Mill 2 Axis Feature uses wireframe geometry such as lines, arcs, splines, points, surfaces/solids, or the edges of solids/surfaces. When selecting surface geometry, all of the edges (holes, bosses, islands) are extracted from the solid and they are automatically projected to a flat plane (Top of Feature).

 

  • Select Geometry - Clicking the Select Geometry button launches the Feature Geometry Picking dialog, which is used to assign wireframe entities, surfaces/solids, or surface/solid edges to the feature.

Feature Geometry Picking

  • Feature Preview

    - shows a preview of the selected geometry extruded to the Top, and Depth of the current feature.

    - no feature preview.

Selected Geometry

 

(Delete) - removes the highlighted item from the list.

(Delete All) - removes all entities from the list.
The list box will list the entities currently selected for the function.

 

Profile Chains

This group allows you to control the full chains which were formed from the selected geometry. You can control the direction of the chains, and the location of the start point on the chains.

 

Start Point

This group allows you to set the start point using the following buttons: 

 

  • Start of Chain - When a closed chain is selected, this option sets the start point to the first selected entity in the chain.

  • Start of the Longest Entity - When a closed chain is selected, this option sets the start point to the start of the longest entity in the chain.

  • Middle of the Longest Entity - When a closed chain is selected, this option sets the start point to the middle of the longest entity in the chain.

 

Note: When open chains are selected, you can only start from one end, or the other. To change the start point on open chains, use the reverse options for the Profile Chains list box below.

 

Profile Chains

 

(Reverse) - Changes the direction of the chain.

(Reverse All) - Changes the direction of all chains.
This list box will show the chains currently selected for the function.

 

Feature Parameters

 

Top of Feature

This group will control the defined height of the feature. The Feed Plane, and Rapid Plane will be incremental from this height.

 

  • Top of Feature - sets the top of feature. This value is an absolute value based on the World Coordinate System.

 

Pick Top

 

(Delete) - removes the highlighted item from the list.
This list box will show the entity currently selected for the function.

 

Total Depth

This group will control the defined depth of the feature.

 

  • Total Depth - sets the depth of the feature. This value is an incremental value from the Top of Feature.

 

Pick Bottom

 

(Delete) - removes the highlighted item from the list.
This list box will show the entity currently selected for the function.

 

OK - confirms the geometry and closes the Feature Geometry Picking manager.

 

Cancel - cancels geometry selection and closes the Feature Geometry Picking manager.

Next Topic

After selecting geometry and making any necessary changes, click Next>> to go to The Mill 2 Axis Wizard Feature Settings.