Dynamic Clip Section Curves? 1

[CNSZU]

Hello,

When working on complex models, especially objects with wall thicknesses and with multiple bodies which are flush against each other, it is extremely helpful to clip the view in order to see whats happening "inside" the part. You can do this in NX with View > Section > Clip Section. However, the problem is that there seems to be no option to have section curves displayed permanently, that will update as the model changes. You can toggle on Section curves preview, but you can't work on the model while the dialog is open. Or, you can make a copy of the section curves, but they will not update as the model changes.

I don't need "real" curves, just curves that act as a visual aid in modeling.

Creo has dynamic section curves, even a crosshatch, displayed as you work with the model. Does NX have something similar?

NX9 Win8.1 64bit i7-3770K 16GB Quadro2000

 

[JohnRBaker]

Note that while in the dynamic Section View, you have the option to generate a Datum Plane at any time. Then once you leave the View you can use that Datum Plane as the 'cutting' plane for creating a 'Section Curve' feature, which will update when the model changes. And later on if you wish to change the location of this 'Section' feature, you can use the Dynamic Section View to get the new section location, create a new Datum Plane, reorder it to be before the first one and then edit the 'Section Curve' feature, replacing the original Datum Plane with the new one.

John R. Baker, P.E.
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[CNSZU]

Thank you, but the Section Curves feature is not really appropriate in this situation. It cannot be used in an assembly of parts, cannot be used if you step through features in the history, is very slow, and if you select more than a small number of solid bodies to section it fails with the message: Modeler error: too many derivatives requested.

NX9 Win8.1 64bit i7-3770K 16GB Quadro2000

 

[Xwheelguy]

Why can't you use it if you step through features?

Tim Flater
NX Designer
NX 8.0.3.4
Win7 Pro x64 SP1
Intel Xeon 2.53 GHz 6GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro 4000 2GB

 

[CNSZU]

Because Section Curves itself is a feature in the model history. So, after you create the Section Curve, stepping backwards in the model history, the Section Curve will disappear. Now, after the Section Curve has been created, if you create a new solid on top of an earlier solid, regardless if the new solid is united with the previous solid or not, the Section Curve will not update.

NX9 Win8.1 64bit i7-3770K 16GB Quadro2000

 

[Xwheelguy]

Nevermind my previous question - you'll want Section Curve to do everything it cannot.

Tim Flater
NX Designer
NX 8.0.3.4
Win7 Pro x64 SP1
Intel Xeon 2.53 GHz 6GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro 4000 2GB

 

[Xwheelguy]

You are correct if you follow John's suggestion to the letter, but it's not always as such if you look at the dialog a little closer, near that Associativity button. Regardless, that's probably isn't going to suffice.

Tim Flater
NX Designer
NX 8.0.3.4
Win7 Pro x64 SP1
Intel Xeon 2.53 GHz 6GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro 4000 2GB

 

[CNSZU]

Actually, NX has many tools for sectioning the model: Section Curve, Clip Section, Section Analysis and Section View (PMI). But none of them do the most basic function, which is to provide curves/outlines that allows you to clearly differentiate between bodies in a model which is sectioned, which then update as your work on the model. I'm surprised NX doesn't have it and I often need it.

NX9 Win8.1 64bit i7-3770K 16GB Quadro2000

 

[cowski]

allows you to clearly differentiate between bodies in a model which is sectioned

To help differentiate between the bodies, I change the color option to "body color" (found in the "cap settings" section of the dialog). Of course for this to be effective, the bodies in the file have to be of different colors...

I also like to turn on the "show interference" option (using the default red color).

www.nxjournaling.com

 

[CNSZU]

That's a good solution, but the disadvantages are that you need to spend time with color management (I prefer to keep the default grey color for all bodies at all times), and even then it's sometimes hard to differentiate between the bodies when there are cuts in the bodies so that the surfaces don't lie flush with the section plane.

NX9 Win8.1 64bit i7-3770K 16GB Quadro2000

 

[cowski]

...but the disadvantages are that you need to spend time with color management...

Perhaps this is a good time to use the 'random color display' option. When you turn this on, it will temporarily assign a different color for each body in the file. It can be found in Preferences -> Visualization -> color/font -> random color. Turn it off to return to your original, exciting color scheme.

www.nxjournaling.com

 

[CNSZU]

Thanks for the tip!

NX9 Win8.1 64bit i7-3770K 16GB Quadro2000

 

[cowski]

However, the problem is that there seems to be no option to have section curves displayed permanently, that will update as the model changes.

I 'rediscovered' an option today that may be just what you want. Expand the 'sections' folder in the assembly navigator and check the box next to your saved section. Temporary curves will be displayed through the section. I think they even update as you make changes. You can even display the curves when the section cut itself is not displayed.

www.nxjournaling.com

 

[CNSZU]

Where is the option for giving you 10 stars, cowski? This feature is perfect! Not only do the section curves update for changes to an individual part, but in an assembly as well when hiding, showing and moving components.

In my case the "Sections" item in the assembly navigator was not visible, so it needed to be turned on by right clicking "Descriptive part name" and turning on "Include Sections".

Thanks again!

NX9 Win8.1 64bit i7-3770K 16GB Quadro2000