Setting 3D Constraints

3D constraints are defined by means of one of the two constraint commands available in this workbench.

Depending on the creation mode chosen for creating wireframe geometry and surfaces (see Wireframe and Surface User's Guide), constraints set on these elements may react in two ways. You create references if support elements were created with the Datum mode deactivated. Conversely, you create constraints if you constrain datum features.

You can set a distance constraint between a face and a plane, then a reference between the face and another plane.

Before you begin:

To perform this task, create a pad and two planes parallel to one of its face.

Related Topics
Setting Constraints Defined in Dialog Box
Modifying Constraints
Creating Datum Elements

  1. Select the face you wish to constrain and a plane for example. In our example, the plane is a datum feature (there are no links to the other entities that were used to create that plane).



  2. Click Constraint . The application detects the distance value between the face and the plane. Moving the cursor moves the graphic symbol representing the distance.

  3. Click where you wish to position the constraint value. The constraint is created.



  4. Now, set another constraint between the same face and Plane.2. Plane.2 is not a datum . Repeat the instructions described above using the face and Plane.2. The application creates a reference . Creating a reference means that each time the application integrates modifications to the geometry, this reference reflects the changes too. The reference is displayed in parentheses as shown below:



    Note: You cannot set a distance constraint between two faces belonging to Part Design features linked by their specifications. In the example below, the application creates a reference between the faces, not a driving constraint.