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API: Model vs. World coordinates

Here is my problem:

I've been using face normals to figure out which way components are facing, then tweaking the tranformation matrix to get the result I want. It works, except when a part comes in with a coordinate system different from the one that I am working with. (ie: Both normals should be (0,1,0) according to the geometry on the screen, but the component still has the same normals,coords and geometry it had in the part file (0,0,-1).

I would like to work with everyting in world coordinates, so is there a way to go about doing this? I found GetCurrentCoordinateSystem name, but it returns an empty string.

I am not against solving the problem a different way, so if anyone has any tips on inserting and mating components - please let me know.

Thanks,

Brian

Reply to
Brian Vogel
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Component2::Transform, MathUtility::CreateVector and MathVector::MultiplyTransform are the APIs you need. check this group archive for some messages on this topic

If I understood correctly, you might prefer to create a mate, then delete it once the parts are in place...

Reply to
Philippe Guglielmetti

So from what I've read the transform of the component contains the transform in world coordinates. I am still unsure of the actual steps to get the Normal from the face into world coordinates. Is it as simple as just multiplying the world transform against a transform with the face normal as the location?

Well, I was just wondering if there were any better ways than what I am doing now. In cases of pre-made parts - I will used named faces (but a lot of times I'll have to search using particular conditions in the geometry)

Thanks,

Brian

Reply to
Brian Vogel

"Brian Vogel" wrote : a écrit dans le message de news:Xns950C92F7E840DBrianVogelnoplacecom@66.192.254.230...

right: Dim normal as SldWorks.MathVector Set normal=swApp.GetMathUtility.CreateVector(face.Normal) Set normal=normal.MultiplyTransform(component.Transform2) ' normal.ArrayData returns the normal in world coordinates

Maybe with mate references ? Currently API has only PartDoc::GetMateReferenceEntity, but I won't be surprised if a next version offers access to multiple mate references... ;-)

Philippe Guglielmetti -

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Reply to
Philippe Guglielmetti

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