ASCENT Blog

AutoCAD Tip: Controlling the Appearance of Solids

Isolines are lines drawn on a curved surface to indicate that the surface exists. The Isolines variable controls how many isolines display on curved solids. The default value is 4. A larger number creates a more tightly curved object, as shown here.

 

 

Silhouette edges (Dispsilh) are lines that indicate where a curved surface disappears from sight, as shown here.

• The Isolines and Dispsilh variables affect the plotting of shapes when the lines are hidden. Facet resolution (Facetres) sets the smoothness of shaded and rendered objects, and objects with hidden lines removed, as shown here.
  
• Type Regen to display the change, as required.

 

 

This information is taken from the training guide:  AutoCAD® 2017 (R1): 3D Drawing and Modeling

Autodesk Moldflow: how does the workflow differ when analyzing an existing vs. a proposed part?

When you are starting a simulation project the first question you need to ask yourself: is this an existing part? The answer to such question defines the procedure you are going to follow to complete the simulation project.

 

--------------------------

This information is taken from the ASCENT training guide: Autodesk Moldflow Insight 2017: Fundamentals

Inventor Tip: Using Construction Lines, Arcs, and Circles to Sketch Geometry

Construction entities are used as a reference and do not create solid geometry. It is common to use construction lines in sketching to indicate that arcs or circles lie along the same line or to indicate the midpoint of a line. An example of a use for construction circles is shown here:

To sketch a construction entity, in the Format panel, click (Construction) and sketch an entity (e.g., line, arc, etc.). To toggle an already sketched entity from solid to construction (or vice versa), select the entity and click the icon again.

 

----------------------
This tip is from the ASCENT training guide: Autodesk Inventor 2017 Advanced Part Modeling

AutoCAD Tip: Generic Lights and Photometric Lights

The AutoCAD software has two methods of controlling light intensity: photometric and generic. These can be set in the Units dialog box (usually in a template file) or in the Visualize tab > expanded Lights panel > Lighting Units flyout, as shown here:

 

The Generic option uses default lighting without any lighting units. The International (lux) and American (foot candles) options enable photometric lighting.

Additional photometric lights that have a precise intensity, color, and falloff rate are included in the Photometric Lights tool palette, as shown here:

 

---------------
This tip is taken from the ASCENT training guide: AutoCAD 2017: 3D Drawing and Modeling - Mixed Units

AutoCAD Tip: What is the Base Surface?

In the Chamfer command, if you select an edge of a solid at the Select first line prompt, the AutoCAD software immediately prompts you to select a base surface and highlights one for you to accept or reject. The base surface is a plane that touches the edge you have selected. Every 3D edge has two possible base surfaces. The AutoCAD software suggests one by highlighting it. You can toggle between the two surfaces by using the Next option at the Enter surface selection option prompt.

 

The Base surface chamfer distance is removed from the base surface. The other surface at the edge has the Other surface chamfer distance removed, as shown here:

 

 

-------------

 

This tip is taken from the ASCENT training guide:  AutoCAD 2017: 3D Drawing and Modeling

 

Autodesk Revit Parameters Demystified – Follow-up to the webcast

by Martha Hollowell

Thank you to everyone who was able to sit-in on our webinar Autodesk Revit Parameters Demystified. I hope you enjoyed it. You can now watch it on the ASCENT YouTube channel here.

Instead of covering everything again in this blog post I want to answer a few of the questions and comments that came up.

Global Parameters

Several people wanted more information about how to apply global parameters, so here are the slides from that part of the webcast.  Global parameters are similar to family parameters but they are only used in the project environment, not in the Family Editor.  Global parameters are not available in Revit LT.

Shared Parameters

Q: ­What is the main use of using shared parameters?

• Shared parameters can be used in schedules and in tags. They can also be used in other projects and exported to a database. Many companies also use them to keep parameter names consistent across all of the projects.
• Project parameters can be used in schedules, but not in tags.

Q: ­So then if one were to misspell a shared parameter name in one file, it would be misspelled in all files that use it?

• Yes, you need to be careful when first creating a parameter of any kind because the spelling and case of the letters is critical. If you have misspelled a shared parameter, I would recommend fixing it as soon as possible. Even if you are far along in a project before discovering it you would still be better off fixing it as shared parameters are used in multiple projects.

Formulas

• Don’t forget that you need to have the fields setup in the schedule before you can create formulas from them. This includes both project and shared parameters.

Q: ­Can formulas use data from other schedules? i.e. Brick area - (window area + door area)­

• Formulas can use any parameters that work with the category selected in the schedule. These parameters may or may not be used by other schedules.
• You don’t need to create the formula shown above because Revit automatically calculates the material area of a brick wall with the windows, doors, and other openings already extracted.

Q:  Why do you have to divide some parameters by the unit to get the right number?

• When you create a formula, all of the results must have the same numerical unit type. Because there are a number of options for this I recommend that you look at the help file Troubleshooting: Formulas for Dimensions.

Reporting Parameters

Q: ­I've made some parameters in the past that calculate values from a family.  Is there a way to make them so they report the values (or calculate) from the family, and also have the user be able to override if necessary? ­

• Reporting parameters are instance parameters created in families. When you create a dimension and label it you can specify that it be able to report the information in the dimension to a formula or place it in a schedule. This is another situation where I recommend you look at the help file as there are multiple variables for how it is used. See About Reporting Parameters.

Parameters and Groups

Q: ­What is the difference between Values are aligned by Group Instance on the last dialog box below Type or Instance?

­

• Values are aligned per group type: (Instance Parameters only.) If an element that includes this parameter is part of multiple groups, the value remains the same for all of the groups. Changing the value in one group changes the value in all of the groups.
• Values can vary by group instance: (Instance Parameters only.) If an element that includes this parameter is part of multiple groups, the value can vary according to the group. Changing the value in one group changes the value for all other instances of that group, but does not change the value for instances of other groups that also include the element.

I hope you enjoy creating new parameters that will make your work go smoother and faster. Remember to check the full presentation out on the ASCENT YouTube channel here.