Lines in true 3D?

[coppr]

I'm running MDT6. If I have an part in model space, and I try to draw a line from an entity of that part, it places that line on my current UCS, not on the actual part. Likewise when I try things like distances requiring X,Y, and Z values, I only get X and Y, with a Z of zero. It isn't recognizing the Z direction.

 

[CADSTUDENT]

cppr
Where ever the UCS icon is, Autocad determines that point of being 0,0,0. Oblviously, your line is object snapping to that point. If you want to put a line on the 3d object then move the UCS to that point. The command UCS and the O (orgin) option is the way to go at the command prompt. Notice that you can only sketch a feature or create a dimension in the XY plane only. Hope this helps - John

 

[coppr]

That's just it. I can't just move my UCS to the new origin on the part that easily. Example: Let's say my UCS is @ 0,0,0 (P1), and my new point is @ 1,1,1 (P2). First off, when I do a dist from P1 to P2, it says 1,1,0, not recognizing Z of 1. If I do a UCS, origin from P1 to P2, it only moves from 0,0,0 to 1,1,0, thus making P2 list as 0,0,0, when it really is @ 0,0,1. Then I have to rotate my UCS 90 degrees on X so P2 lists as 0,1,0, and do another UCS origin to P2. I have to rotate the UCS so it will move along X and Y because it doesn't move on the Z.

 

[DSRT]

Have you tried entering the line command snaping to the object, and entering in relative coordinates. "Example" @0,0,1.

 

[coppr]

That would work, but if I've got an object in an undetermined location in "space", and I try to get a location of a point, I only get X and Y, so I don't know where to end the line using XYZ coords.

 

[DSRT]

You can switch the view to the plane you are trying to draw the line from using the view toolbar, and then switch to a isometric view. This should change the ucs icon.

 

[CADSTUDENT]

Cppr
One of the basic functions of the geometry calculator is vector expression. The CAL command can be used transparently (within another command) to determine the end of line of xyz coordinates by putting an apostrophe followed by CAL. For example, the CUR function is used to specify a point picked with a cursor.
Command: CAL
>>Expression: CUR + [1,1,1]
(point coordinates)
Point coordinates represents the point coordinate values returned by Autocad. Hope this helps - John

 

[coppr]

AHA! I've found it. Place a simple 3d box at 0,0,0. Size of 1 wide, 2 long, and 3 tall. Do a distance from the corner of the part at 0,0,0, to the corner above it. You probably get x=0, y=0, and z=3. If you go to this pulldown - Assist/Drafting Settings/Ignore Z Coordinates on/off, and select it (toggle). Now do a distance from the same points. You probably get x=0,y=0, and z=0. That was my problem and that command fixes it. Thanks to all who pitched in, and keep layin' the lines!