Viewing a Cross Section.

[ryandias]

So one of my coworkers asked the other day if i could show him a cross section (quickly) of an assembly to check a clearance.

I didn't know how without the draft file and a section view.

I know Inventor allowed me to select a plane to view and then section the part to actually make the view.

I am guessing I am missing some commands or procedures to do the same? or is that feature not available?

 

[PatCouture]

It depends on what you want.

There is a command called "Cutaway view" in the assembly environment. You can create kind of a cutout throughout the assembly. Then you can use this view in the draft environment by first creating a "draft quality view" and in the properties of this view you must be able to select the cutaway view you created in the assembly.

Other than that there is the clipping plane that are useful to cut through your assembly quickly for viewing purpose but you can't use it in the draft.

Hope it helps!

Patrick

 

[ksudavid]

ryandias,

The function you describe is Clipping Planes found under the View menu. You can change the color and opacity of the clipping planes under Tools-Options-View tab.

Another option is to use Cutaway view.

 

[beachcomber]

Cutaway view will give a clearer result because the colours and edge lines of the parts are maintained. Another benefit is that the view cutaway view definition is saved in the file and can be recalled whenever you want it (usually when your co-worker comes back later because he wants more information)

Using clipping planes will show the section of all parts in the same colour, and without the edge lines, so it's not so clear.

bc