centerline question

It sounds to me like you need to add one more line on top of the centerline to close the profile. I may be missing something, but why don't you extrude a circle? It would be easier/quicker and you get the same results.

Mike

I don't extrude a circle because there are generally steps in the o.d. of my parts. It's easier for me to sketch a rough profile of what I want and then smart dimension.

Thanks.

OK makes sence. If you are getting an open profile error, then something is wrong with you rectangle, it is either open or it may cross the centerline. It can only lay on top of but cannot cross, because as it revolves it will intersect itself, which is not allowed.

I cannot draw both a centerline and a line. I understand "open profile".

The isssue is that I want to display a diameter smart dimension. The only way to get a diameter smart dimension is to use a centerline however the centerline will not let you revolve!

Am I missing something here?

Just out of curiosity, are you trying to use the centerline AS part of your rectangle. If so, you can't do that.

If you do have it sketched that way, you can change the centerline to not "For Construction" (uncheck it) and then highlight it before using your revolve feature.

I guess I don't follow what you are doing. If you want, e-mail me the file at snipped-for-privacy@sbcglobal.net. I will look at exactly what you are doing and try to help.

Mike

"Seth Renigar" wrote in message news:xG3Lf.41147$% snipped-for-privacy@tornado.southeast.rr.com...

Yes! I know I can't do it but how can I have both a smart diameter dimension..... and revolve?

Yes, but my diameter smart dimension becomes a radius smart dimension.

Ok, I think I understand! Simply draw your rectangle, then add a centerline that is collinear to the edge of the rectangle that you want to revolve around. I do this often to get a diameter dimension as you are wanting. I usually extend the centerline out beyond the height of the rectangle so that I can easily select it for my diameter dimension.

Hope this helps...

You sound really confused, and you're dragging folks who otherwise know what they're doing with you. What you're saying doesn't make any sense, at least as I read it.

You can revolve around a centerline, but you should have it selected before starting the revolve command. However, you don't *have to* have a c-line. If you don't have a c-line, you can revolve around a solid line by selecting it before hitting the revolve button.

I think you're confusing a "warning" for an "error". If you read the warning message, it might be helpful. It probably asks if you want to close the profile automatically, to which you should probably say yes and be done with it.

Are you actually drawing a rectangle and then setting one side of it to a centerline? This would cause an open profile, simply drawing a centerline and a rectangle wouldn't. You are using the rectangle tool to draw the rectangle, right? (rather than just drawing 4 lines)

Anyway, here's a tip for you:

- draw the rectangle with one side of it located at the center of the revolution.

- turn the line that will act as the center of revolution into a centerline

- dimension to it, getting the doubled dim (what you seem to be calling a diameter smart dim)

- turn the centerline back to a regular line (doubled dimension remains!), and leave the line selected

- create the revolve feature.

best of luck to you,

matt

Or, create the revolved, double click on the part, select the dim, right click, display options, display as diameter.

If you make a design table, it uses the diameter dimension. That sounds smart.

peace, Diego

Thanks. That's the answer.

"Seth Renigar" wrote in message news:ul4Lf.41151$% snipped-for-privacy@tornado.southeast.rr.com...

Matt, if my question aggravates you, feel free to ignore it. I do, however, appreciate your effort.

The answer I was looking for is to draw a centerline outside the profile centerline. That allows me to smart dimesion the diameter.

Your question didn't aggravate me. Everyone was struggling to answer your question because it wasn't very clear. I was just guessing at what you were really asking, and trying to offer an understandable answer.

The method you mention above works, but there are faster and more efficient ways to do it. Still, if you're satisfied, that's all that matters.

I'd love to know a better way. Thanks!

Here's 3:

woops, try this:

Thanks Matt! I owe you a beer.