RTC Europe 2015 My Class – Work Points – Geometries – Coordinates – Schedules Part 3 – Placing Normals

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.