Create Associative 3D Geometry

[rc0213]

I am working on exhaust pipelines, brake lines, fuel lines, etc. We are currently using smart curves to create these lines in 3D space. Has anyone found a way in NX to keep the curves associative so that when you modify a curve, that the curves connected to that modified curve updates?

I tried putting it all in one sketch, but I was unsuccessful. The only other way I could think of, is to create a sketch for the different planes these curves may lie on.

 

[JohnRBaker]

If you know what the 2D layout (projections) of this path would look like for each of at least two of the three major planes, XY, XZ or YZ, you could create each of them as sketches on their relevant 'planes' and then 'marry' the two sketches into a single 3D curve representing the actual path of the 'lines' in space.

Once your two 2D layout sketches have been created on 'planes' normal to each other, then use the...

Insert -> Curve from Curves -> Combined Porjection...

...function to create the final path. If you create this curve using the Associative option, then editing either or both of the sketches will update the 3D path.

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.

 

[rc0213]

Thanks, John, for your suggestion. That was the only real method I could think of. The problem I am having is when I change one sketch, the other sketch affected by the change will not update. Maybe, I am not relating one sketch to the other sketch properly. The only relationship I use is the constraint to have the end point of where one sketch ends to the end point of where the other sketch begins. Is there a better way, because my method does not work?

 

[JohnRBaker]

You have to remember that the sketches update in timestamp order meaning that it's often better to establish what will be the common references in the sketches as separate Point/Curve features created prior to creating your sketches and then projecting them into each of the sketches. Now when you edit the location of these points/curves, both sketch will update together.

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.

 

[rc0213]

Thanks, John, for those tips. The main problem I found is that the datums I created for those sketches were fixed, and when I corrected them and made them relational, it all worked fine. Those tips you just mentioned will be kept in mind, also. Thanks! It all works great now!