We always come across with modeling elements normal to a surface. Can we report the coordinates of the ends of a normal and make the coordinates schedulable?
Preparing Shared Parameters
- For the coordinates of the Work Points to be schedulable, the parameters for the coordinates have to be shared parameters.
- Create Shared Parameters Normal X, Normal Y, Normal Z, Point X, Point Y, Point Z.
Creating 2 Points Adaptive Component Family
- Create 2 points and make them adaptive.
- Select xy plane of point 2, place a point on point 2, offset the point with parameter “Normal Length”. Make the new point visible, name it N. Join the point and point 2 with a model line.
- Select yz plane of point 2, place a point on point 2, offset the point with parameter “Normal Length”. Join the point and point 2 with a model line (invisible line).
- Select zx plane of point 2, place a point on point 2, offset the point with parameter “Normal Length”. Join the point and point 2 with a model line (invisible line).
- Select point 1 and point 2, under Properties box > Adaptive Component > Orients to, choose “Host (xyz)”.
Creating Shared Reporting Parameters
- Set xy plane of point 1, dimension from yz plane to point 2. Turn dimension into Shared parameter “ Point X”, reporting.
- Set xy plane of point 1, dimension from zx plane to point 2. Turn dimension into Shared parameter “ Point Y”, reporting.
- Set zx plane of point 1, dimension from xy plane to point 2. Turn dimension into Shared parameter “ Point Z”, reporting.
- Join point 1 and point N with a model line, turn the line invisible.
- Temporary hide point N.
- Set xy plane of point 1, dimension from yz plane to the endpoint of the invisible line. Turn dimension into Shared parameter “Normal X”, reporting.
- Set xy plane of point 1, dimension from zx plane to the endpoint of the invisible line. Turn dimension into Shared parameter “Normal Y”, reporting.
- Set zx plane of point 1, dimension from xy plane to the endpoint of the invisible line. Turn dimension into Shared parameter “Normal Z”, reporting.
Placing Family Instance on Surface
- Load the 2 Points Adaptive Normal family to a Project.
- Turn on visibility of Project Base Point.
- Create an in-place mass. Place a point at the Project Base Point.
- Create a surface, divide it and turn on the nodes.
- Place an instance of the 2 Points Adaptive Normal family by clicking the point at the Project Base Point and a node on the surface.
- Select the Adaptive family and Repeat.
Spot Coordinates and Scheduling
- Use Spot Coordinates to check the coordinates of endpoint of the normal.
- Use the Properties Box to check if the reporting parameters for the normal endpoint are matching the true coordinates.