About User Features

You can find in this topic additional information about user features and functional user features.

A user feature or a functional user feature is a template that lets you model a geometrical feature based on the composition of other features. A user feature is a template that works at the 3D shape representation level. This can be achieved by defining a user feature reference that defines how the user feature is built, what are its inputs, exposed parameters and geometrical outputs. From a collection of features (like geometry, literals, formulas, and constraints), you can create your own user feature. You can create a user feature template for non-functional features (for example part features, transform, and refine.) .

The result is a feature that can be reused in the design of another 3D shape representation. You can create instances of this user feature using various instantiation methods.

Notes:
  • The way you define user features is not shown on user feature instances (internal features are completely hidden), except when using some specific debug modes. Bear in mind that you must be very cautious when creating your user feature as you cannot modify the instances internals once instantiated.
  • When you modify a user feature reference, the existing instances are not impacted nor modified.

See Also
Creating a User Feature
Instantiating a User Feature
User Feature Protection Mode

The User Feature command can be accessed as below:

  • From the Tools section of the of the action bar, click User Feature.
  • By clicking User Feature in the 3D Templates Capture app.

You can also:

  • Find user features by attributes.
  • Generate user features with the scripting language to simplify the process of creating scripts.
  • Define expert rules working on user features with Quality Rules Reuse. For more information, see Quality Rules Reuse User's Guide.
  • Use user features in Engineering Rules Capture reactions.
  • Develop CAA functions based on user-defined variables.
Notes:
  • User Feature graphical properties (such as color and show/hide status) depend on the graphical properties of the User Feature components at creation. As soon as the User Feature is created, its graphical properties are frozen and thus independent from the graphical properties of its components. These properties can be modified using the Properties contextual command.
  • If the User Feature properties are dependent on the User Feature internal components, the User Feature graphical properties cannot be modified using the Properties contextual command.
Important: Do not use Knowledge parameters inside the User Feature to drive its graphical properties.