June 23, 2014

Tips for moving the part with the Compass



Tips for moving the part with the Compass
            Other moving with the Compass tips
            Snap Automatically to Selected Objects (orienting the Compass tip)

-Consider using this Compass move technique after you’ve placed your first Instances (of the parts you wish to have multiple copies of) with Constraints (Constraints Icon group (Assembly)).  This Compass technique is helpful to move copied components (as described in Moving/Copying a part to another sub-assembly).  At the very least, use the Compass to move copied components so that they are no longer atop of themselves (making selection of their surfaces easier).  After moving the copied Instances (so they are no longer atop of themselves), you may consider continuing to use the Compass or you may decide to add another Constraint (see Constraints Icon group (Assembly)).

Measure in Compass Manipulation Window (helps populate the U, V and W fields, etc.)
There is also a Measure (Measure, Distance) available when you are using the Compass to move the copied Instances/components.  This is very powerful when used with Moving an instance with the Compass since it will populate the correct fields of the Compass so that you will only have to select the  arrow (as long as your selected order was in the form of: source then destination, else: the  arrow) for each field that the Measure has populated.  Regardless, if you pick the wrong arrow just correct by picking the opposite arrow.  Don’t feel that you have to keep reorienting the Compass, this Measure-Distance method will populate the correct fields regardless of Compass orientation.
Note: Turn the Snap Automatically to Selected Objects setting off while Measuring within the Compass.

-When you have a pattern (per say) of Instances already in place and would like to copy the common pattern to another location within your assembly, use “multiple select” (Ctrl key) to pick them all.  Use the same procedure (Moving an instance with the Compass) to move all the Instance copies at once.  Maximize the benefit of this technique by thinking ahead (e.g. have all [e.g. stackup] of the Instances in place at the first location before coping to new location).

If a part/component was made symmetric to one or more of its default datum planes, it’s often helpful to right-click on the Compass and select “Snap Automatically to Selected Objects”.  This is often helpful to orient the Compass about a part’s centerline, etc. and orient it correctly if you desire to rotate the component with the Compass.
-This setting snaps pretty well to the component’s internal coordinate system (intersection of its default datum planes) if the Compass was moved from its Reset position (immediately before placing on the component).  But if you keep moving it around, without resetting, it gives more emphasis to the component’s surfaces.  Knowing this, it is recommended to Reset the Compass (see Resetting the Compass) before attempting to select a component (if snapping to a part’s internal coordinate system is desired).
Turn this Snap setting off while using the Measure in Compass Manipulation Window.


Drag the compass and release on top of the axis  found in the lower right of the graphics window.  Continue this until the Compass returns to its home position (top right of graphics window).

-See View Orientation for information regarding View Orientation controls and toggling between the Tree and your geometry.




When you’re in a single part model: refer to the compass’ orientation to help appreciate the orientation of each of the default datum planes (found at the top of the Modeling Tree).  The compass’ orientation (in a single part model) will be consistent with the x-y-z orientation of the xy, yz & zx planes (of the part).


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