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the best way to create complex sketches?

the best way to create complex sketches?

the best way to create complex sketches?

(OP)
Hi

In general what's the best way to work with sketches?
Is it better to draw all curves in the same sketch or in different ones.

For example if I want to pattern a curve is it better to do it on a different sketch or on the same one than the original one?
Everything I do inside a sketch doesn't appear in the history tree as a separate item.

I know that if later I want to extrude the sketch it's better to have each curve in a different sketch in order to be able to select each one separately.

RE: the best way to create complex sketches?

There is no right or wrong way since you can either copy sketches or the feature they create or you can make copies inside the sketch. And there is nothing preventing you from using only a part of a sketch or use the same sketch twice, etc. NX is very flexible when it comes to how you can use a sketch. As for how complex can you make them, while they can be as complex as you would like them to be, it's probably best to try and not go overboard. If one sketch can be related as a whole with respect to some other sketch or feature then perhaps it's best to only create a sketch which provides the curves needed and then create a second or third sketch for another specific feature or detail. Just that you don't absolutely HAVE to do it that way, even though, particularly if you're a new user simple sketches is the better way to learn how to create and use them. Even now, I generally use multiple simple sketches rather than one big one that I then need to use piecemeal.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

RE: the best way to create complex sketches?

(OP)
Thanks, JohnRBaker.

And what do you prefer in the following case?

1) Pattern a curve and then extrude the whole pattern.
or
2) Extrude a single curve and then pattern that extruded body.


regards

RE: the best way to create complex sketches?

It depends, but things are changing.

If you're working in NX 7.5, then perhaps doing the 'Pattern' inside the Sketch might be preferred since once the feature was created, and certainly if it were something like a 'pocket' or a 'pad' added to a base solid, your 'pattern' option outside the Sketch task are limited (but not impossible). However, starting with NX 8.0 we've enhanced the Pattern Feature capabilities of NX so that you now have more flexibility once a feature has been created.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

RE: the best way to create complex sketches?

(OP)
Or even pattern at assembly level

RE: the best way to create complex sketches?

Hi,
I suggest you always a simple sketch and then make the pattern with correct feature.
Do simple sketch you can have benefit to understand in the future, from you colleagues, performances and strange result on editing.

Extrude a simple sketch, you produce n face.
Extrude a complex sketch, you produce n+m face.
Each time you edit your simple sketch, NX regenerate all faces generated by all 2D entities interested in the extrude construction.
Edit your complex sketch, NX regenerate all faces generated by all 2D entities interested in the extrude construction.

Lot of regeneration = lot of minutes to finish to regenerate your 3D.

Thank you...

Using NX 8 and TC8.3

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