About Geometry Creation in 2D Layout For 3D Design

This topic provides background information about geometry creation in 2D Layout for 3D Design.

The following are discussed:

General Information Regarding 2D Geometry Creation in 2D Layout for 3D Design

This sub-topic provides general information regarding geometry creation in 2D Layout for 3D Design.

When creating geometry in 2D Layout for 3D Design, you need to remember the following points:


  • Construction elements contained in 2D geometry are displayed only in the current view (in the 2D window).
  • To ensure that 2D geometry is not altered once it has been created, geometry edition is only allowed in the active view. Therefore, if you want to edit or move 2D geometry, you need to activate the view which contains the geometry. You can prevent 2D geometry from being involuntarily moved (and distorted) in active views by unselecting Allow direct manipulation from Tools > Options > Mechanical > Drafting > Geometry tab.
  • While creating 2D geometry, you can create detected constraints automatically by activating the Create Detected Constraints icon in the Tools toolbar. You can view the created constraints by activating the Show Constraints icon in the Visualization toolbar.
  • You can create as many 2D geometry elements of a given type as needed by double-clicking the appropriate icon (instead of single-clicking it).

About Smartpick on 2D/3D Background

This sub-topic provides information about using Smartpick on the 2D or 3D background.

When creating geometry, Smartpick allows you to pick the position or direction on elements of the active view, as well as on background elements.

Indeed, in addition with the elements of the active view, Smartpick takes into account the following elements:


  • 2D geometries sketched in other views and visible through edited view background.
  • 3D points, vertex, curves, edges visible through edited view background.

For more information about SmartPick, refer to About Geometry Using SmartPick in the Sketcher User's Guide.

SmartPicking on 2D/3D Background According to Existing Geometry

This sub-topic provides information about using Smartpick on the 2D or 3D background according to existing geometry.

When creating geometry using the following commands, you can define inputs by picking background elements.


  • Intersection Point (on line, circle, ellipse but not on spline)
  • Projection Point
  • Centered Parallelogram
  • Bisecting Line
  • Line Normal to curve
  • Offset (only with the No Propagation option)
  • Project 3D Element
  • Intersect 3D Element
  • Project 3D Silhouette Edges

Note: Translate Rotate and Scale do not transform background elements, but their transformations can be defined using Smartpick on background elements.

Information Applicable to SmartPicking on 2D/3D Background

This sub-topic provides various information about using Smartpick on the 2D or 3D background.

Selection of Background Elements


  • The trap selection does not detect elements of the background. This limitation prevents the selection of an undetermined set of projected objects. It also prevents the generation of numerous projections on view plane that would reduce commands performances.
  • For the same reasons, Smartpick only takes into account the last background elements flown over by the mouse cursor. Each time you launch a new command, move the mouse over the concerned elements.
  • Background elements must be selected after the command. First you click the command, then you select elements.

Constraints


  • Geometries created on background elements are not constrained. For example, an intersection point created on background edges has no coincidence constraint.
  • Constraints available on a background element can differ from the constraints available on the original element (especially for a 2D background element). For example, an arc of spline in the background can be projected as an arc of circle projection on view plane, which will make concentric constraint available by Smartpick.

Contextual Menu

General commands available via the contextual menu on selectable elements cannot be performed on background elements.

Points

Background points are not taken into account in the compute of isobary center.

Miscellaneous


  • Smartpick does not detect surface, silhouette edges, bodies nor FTA construction geometries.
  • The following commands do not manage nor take into account background elements:
    • Points by using coordinates
    • Circle using coordinates
    • Close
    • Complement
    • Quick Trim
    • Autosearch
    • Equidistant points
    • Bi-tangent line
    • Tri-tangent circle
    • Conic
    • Connect
    • Corner
    • Chamfer
    • Trim
    • Break
    • Symmetry
    • Mirror

Before You Begin

Before you begin creating 2D geometry in 2D Layout for 3D Design, make sure you are familiar with the concepts listed below.


  • The Tools toolbar and the Tools Palette. For more information, refer to Using Layout Tools.
  • SmartPick, an easy-to-use tool designed to assist you when creating dimensions. For more information, refer to Using SmartPick.
  • Construction elements. For more information, refer to Converting Standard into Construction Elements in the Sketcher User's Guide.
  • Multi-selection. For more information, refer to the Infrastructure User's Guide : Selecting Objects.