This is NOT a new issue as it has always worked this way. If you're going to created a stepped-section view it's critical that you not only assign an explicit hinge line, but also WHEN you do it. With a normal (single) section view the software implies the hinge line based on where you move your cursor AFTER selecting a point for the section line to pass thru since it will be obvious what your intentions are. After all, you're only making ONE pick!
However, with a stepped-section view you know up front that you're going to be picking multiple points and we know that at least one of them is not going to line-up with the first point picked, otherwise why would you be creating a stepped-section? What you need to remember is that since you're going to be making multiple picks, that don't line up, that the system will NOT be able to infer a hinge line, or at least not necessarily that one that you want, therefor you will need to make an explicit selection of the hinge line and you need to do it either as the FIRST pick in the workflow or the LAST. The assumption that was made when the function was designed was that it was going to be the FIRST and you can see that if you look at the order of the steps (icons) in the so-called Section View 'dialog bar'. The first thing the system is asking you for after you select the 'Parent' view is to define the 'Hinge Line'. Now it does default to 'Infer Hinge Line' since at the moment the system assumes that you're going to create a single-section view. After all, the vast majority of section views are just that, a single or simple section, so that assumption is a valid one. However, if you KNOW that the system will not be able to infer a hinge line from you next few picks you should immediately select the next icon, 'Define Hinge Line', and make your selection. If you do that, then everything after that will behave exactly as you need it to. Now as a sort of 'safetly net' (I'm NOT sure this was designed this way on purpose) if you had already started to make your picks before you defined your hinge line, you should just continue making ALL of them and THEN go back and select the hinge line and THEN select the 'Place View' icon and now the result will be correct and you will not have to reselect any of your points.
Now I won't argue with you that this couldn't be improved and made more intuitive, but it is what NX has supported for some time so if you follow the procedure outlined above, you should get what you want on a consistent basis. And if you check the NX Help for creating section views, when they talk about stepped sections it states that unless you pick an explicit hinge line, that the system will use your points to determine the hinge line direction. Granted, if doesn't state that the hinge line needs to be defined BEFORE or AFTER you've made all you picks, but the implication is there.
Anyway, give it try and see if this helps.
BTW, we are making changes to NX in this area, Section Views, for the next version of NX, which just started beta testing this week.
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
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