Mathematical functions for curves in sketch

The one that comes to mind based on your post is to use Insert> curve>

Curve through XYZ points, then browse to a file created by Excel or whatever that delivers a dataset from the calculation that you are running. Keep in mind that equations in SWx can do a lot, or simple sketch relations (if you really know your trig) can pull off amazing things, and I would suggest that you look at those with a creative eye - especialy simple sketch relations, which I have seen underutilized so many times. But based on the vague request - the "for instance..." I suspect that importing a dataset to use with "curve through XYZ points" is what you want. Good luck, and let us know if this doesn't work so you can come back with a more specific problem -with more detail - for us to comment on. Ed

If all you need is a parabola (y = ax^2 + bX + c), SW has a parabola entity in the sketch entities menu. Draw and constrain accordingly.

This comes to mind. A simple macro. You do the math. If you want 3D use a 3D spline. Paste the text below into an empty macro.

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Option Explicit

' ****************************************************************************** ' macro recorded on 12/26/07 by kellnerp ' ****************************************************************************** Dim swApp As Object Dim Part As Object Dim boolstatus As Boolean Dim longstatus As Long, longwarnings As Long Dim FeatureData As Object Dim Feature As Object Dim Component As Object Sub main()

Set swApp = Application.SldWorks

Set Part = swApp.ActiveDoc boolstatus = Part.Extension.SelectByID("Front Plane", "PLANE", 0, 0,

0, False, 0, Nothing) boolstatus = Part.Extension.SelectByID("Front Plane", "PLANE", 0, 0, 0, False, 0, Nothing) Part.InsertSketch2 True Part.ClearSelection2 True

Dim x0, xn, a, b, c As Double Dim x(20), y(20) As Double Dim i As Long

x0 = 0# xn = 1# a = 2# b = 2# c = 2#

'y=ax^2+bx+c

For i = 0 To 20 x(i) = x0 + (xn - x0) / 20 * i y(i) = a * x(i) * x(i) + b * x(i) + c Part.SketchSpline 20 - i, x(i) * 0.0254, y(i) * 0.0254, 0 Next i

Part.ClearSelection2 True Part.InsertSketch2 True End Sub