cente line in sweep

I'm not picturing what you want, but when all else fails I'll put a datum axis in the section plane to serve the purpose.

: "dakeb" wrote : If I generate a swept groove along a datum curve, and in the drawing show a : section cut through the groove, how do I show a vertical centre line to : dimension to? : Why can't you use the curve trajectory as a dimensioning reference. If you'd planned it so that the curve would be the center of the sweep cross section, you could dimension to the center using the curve. As to 'showing' center lines, Pro/e doesn't. It only shows the axis symbol. But, only cylindrical geometry creates axes.

You might also consider putting a point on the curve, creating your sectioning datum as thru point and normal to the curve. Then you'd at least have the point as a 'for certain' dimensioning reference.

Don't know how the axis point works and can't even confirm that it does, never been able to get it to work. Must be some very particular circumstance where it will create and show an axis. But, what the hell, worth a try.

David Janes

As far as I know an axis point will create an axis only for an extruded feature.

True that option is greyed out anyway.

I have done that, and can dimension to the datum curve (with c/l font) in sections and elevations. Trouble is in section, the dimension line goes to thin air (datum curves are pretty much invisible in section).

As to 'showing' center lines, Pro/e

Nah, axis point option is greyed out in sketched curve.

Okay, here is a fudged solution:-

At the point where the section plane cuts through the groove, create a cut feature, a round hole smaller than the width and depth of the groove, so it's invisible (cutting thru space). The axis for this hole shows up in the section.

: > You might also consider putting a point on the curve, creating your : sectioning : > datum as thru point and normal to the curve. Then you'd at least have the : point as : > a 'for certain' dimensioning reference. : >

: > Don't know how the axis point works and can't even confirm that it does, : never : > been able to get it to work. Must be some very particular circumstance : where it : > will create and show an axis. But, what the hell, worth a try. : : Nah, axis point option is greyed out in sketched curve. : : Okay, here is a fudged solution:- : : At the point where the section plane cuts through the groove, create a cut : feature, a round hole smaller than the width and depth of the groove, so : it's invisible (cutting thru space). The axis for this hole shows up in the : section. : What keeps it 'locked' to the groove? Will it follow the groove if the trajectory changes? The biggest problem I've seen with kludged fixes is that someone else comes along and has to figure out what a pointless hole is for. Hopefully,

David Janes :

You want to dimension to (the point) where the trajectory intersects the section plane? Point at intersection; Axis on point, normal to plane?

umm yeah, but thats two features, whereas a cut is just one.

Sure, but then chances are the section plane will have to change too so all bets are off. Proe can't do it so I have to fudge it.

Anyhow, it will follow the groove seeing as the curve that is the groove trajectory is the reference for the centre of the cut hole. And I could even use the hole axis as a location for the section plane.

... which can be created faster than the cut (don't even have to switch to the part window if you have the curve and plane visible in a drawing view) and will probably not cause any head scratching later on? If you like it, though, .... 8~)

Creating the point is a bit tricky. You first have to create a datum plane, and then place a point on the curve offset from the datum plane. So that is a third feature. However the same datum plane can be used by the cross section, instead of creating one on the fly. It's probably a better solution as it doesn't use extraneous 'solid' features like cuts.

: > > umm yeah, but thats two features, whereas a cut is just one. : > >

: >

: > ... which can be created faster than the cut (don't even have to switch to : > the part window if you have the curve and plane visible in a drawing view) : > and will probably not cause any head scratching later on? If you like it, : > though, .... 8~) : : Creating the point is a bit tricky. You first have to create a datum plane, : and then place a point on the curve offset from the datum plane.

No, as I said before, you first create the point 'on curve', 'length ratio' (this allows you to create the point absolutely *anywhere* on your curve trajectory, giving you perfect control over where to show your cross section). Then create a datum plane 'thru point' and normal to the curve (as Jeff suggested). Then create an axis 'thru point', 'normal plane' (which, in this case, will be your section plane, so the axis will definitely show in your cross section). Then, create your section geometry (in the model, of course), using the given axis as a reference. Dimension the section (probably reference, since all these references are, after all, just for reference and don't control anything since this is done by the trajectory curve) and you will get your axis cross from the datum axis.

David Janes So that is : a third feature. However the same datum plane can be used by the cross : section, instead of creating one on the fly. It's probably a better solution : as it doesn't use extraneous 'solid' features like cuts. : :

Thanks David. The reason I don't like the length ratio option much is because it's a bit of a trial and error to get your point exactly on the curve where you want your secton plane to be. If you make the point offset from a datum plane, you can set the offset offset dimension to zero and get it exactly where you want it.