Creating Geometrical Elements as Parameters

You can create elements such as points, lines, curves, surfaces, planes or circles and use them in Knowledgeware relations. This example shows you how to determine the position of the inertia axis of a pad.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin: You must have created a pad.
See Also
About Parameters
Creating a Parameter

Create a Line

You must first create the line intended to be used as an inertia axis.

Create a Line type parameter. To do so, do the following:
  1. From the Tools section of the action bar, click Formula .
  2. Select Line in New Parameter of type list, then click New Parameter of type.

Determine the Inertia Axis of the Pad

You must now determine the inertia axis.

  1. Select the line parameter you have created.
  2. Click Add Formula and add the following formula below in the editor: PartBody.1\Line.1 = inertiaAxis(1,PartBody)
    Important: The inertiaAxis function is accessible through the Line constructors. The axis number 1 is the one which is in the extrusion direction (normal to yz).
  3. Click OK in the Formulas editor.
    The inertia axis appears in the 3D area.

Retrieve the Coordinates

You can retrieve the coordinates.

  1. Create three Length type parameters: X, Y and Z.
  2. Retrieve the coordinates of the point located at the intersection of the inertia axis and the 'yz plane'. To do so, create the formula below using the intersect Wireframe constructor: 
    X=intersect(Geometrical Set.1\Line.1, 'yz plane').coord(1)
Y=intersect(Geometrical Set.1\Line.1, 'yz plane').coord(2)
Z=intersect(Geometrical Set.\Line.1, 'yz plane').coord(3)

    You get the intersect function from the wireframe constructors and the point.coord method from the Measures item of the dictionary.

  3. Check the value displayed in the tree as well as in the Formulas editor.
    Important: To create elements such as points, lines, curves, surfaces, planes or circles and use them in Knowledgeware relations, you can:

    • Create these elements as 'Isolate' elements in the Generative Shape Design app. 'Isolate' elements, also called Datum , are elements that have no link to the other entities that were used to create them. For information on 'Datum' type elements, see the Generative Shape Design User's Guide.

    • Create these elements using the f(x) capabilities and select the right type of element from the New parameter of type list.