GWS

Unfortunately VW doesn't do what you're asking for. May I suggest you take a look at Solidworks or Inventor. I've used both and prefer Solidworks although they are quite similar in many ways. Both programs are expensive compared to VW but they do what they do very well.

Holding the option key down is key......(It then should only cut the selected objects) - Select the nurbs surface and with the Option key held down (Control key on a PC) use the Split tool to slice it in two (use the guide line to keep it accurate).

Great idea.

I couldn't agree more. Not being able to even get a radial dimension from a 3D object makes annotating viewports a much longer process than it should be. My workflow at the moment requires the 'over-drawing' of circles and arcs to get centre marks and dimensions. If the design is then altered the arcs have to be moved and/or resized to accommodate the changes. Other sorts of dimensions also have to be changed as they don't associate on a 3D object. Please could 3D dimensioning be addresses in the next issue. Guy

Thanks Brian, I'll give it go. I've been trying to find a program for exactly that, so many thanks Guy

Yes but not all the time. I thought it might be something to do with the file itself rather than VW, but maybe that's not the case.

When you go to the reply window there is some blue text at the bottom of the box that says 'File Manager'. Click on that and then click choose file. When you have found the fiule click 'Add file' and that should do the trick. (See Pic)

Hi Colly can you post the file here?

Hi VW_user Have a look at NURBS surfaces in the VW help, particularly 'Reshaping NURBS surfaces'. If I was doing it, I'd make a flat surface and then manipulate it into your shape. I have tried this sort of thing before and it is not easy. Good Luck. Guy

I agree it would be a great help.

me too!

I have noticed that if the object is not filled with solid in the attributes palette the fillet tool often fails. After making it solid it invariably works!! This doesn't happen all the time. Is it me?!!!

I feel your pain. 3D filleting and chamfering have also thrown up another issue for me and that is translating a file into 2008, anything with a fillet comes out with half the faces missing. I've also noticed, and this maybe 'just the way it is' ,that after a fillet has been ungrouped to edit the object the original extrude has been turned into a series of 3D polygons. I must admit I use the filleting tool rarely at the moment. It would be great if some attention could be given to it in 2009 SP3

See pic.

It can if you ungroup it and convert the text to poyline

Hi Tom I am also a Machine Design user and run into similar problems with 3D holes and the like so the tip you give could be a help, many thanks. If you have any more please could you pass them on. On the feature enhancements, do you have any insider knowledge as to when these might be implemented. They would make my life so much easier and quicker. Many thanks for your help Guy

Thanks for the tip AndiACD, I'll give it a go. Every little thing helps when using a tool on a frequent basis.

Graham Add a signature to your posts so we can see what your system and software version you're using, it can be a great help Cheers Guy

Graham I've not really found the shell solid tool all that helpful but try this method for the wine glass (see attachment). Apologies for the bad shape. The locus is at the base and it is 360 degree sweep of the profile on the left. The render is the standard Blue Glass from render works. Guy

there is also a difference between Top/Plan view and Top view. If you switch to Top view from another rendered view you should stay in a rendered mode. If you switch to Top/Plan view then you will get a wireframe mode.

HI BruceT It's nice to know that someone else is having similar problems, I was beginning to think that I was the only one who used the 3D hole (and nut and bolt) stuff. Yes you're right, it is a really pain. It makes no difference even if you're using a different working plane, everything gets aligned to the ground plane and not even position to the insertion point. It seems to apply to bolts, holes and most 3D plug-in objects in the Machine design module. Can I ask, do you have any problems with the 3D holes (or bolts) realigning themselves after saving and then re-opening a file? That is also a pain and never happened with VW 2008. I have been on to NNA but they don't seem to be able to replicate this anomaly. All the best Guy

The dimensioning tool is 2D so wont change with relation to your view.

I upgraded quite soon after the release of 2009 and now think I might have been a bit hasty. I use machine design and in my opinion there is not much to upgrade for. (e.g. 3d filleting which is a really pain) There were some real problems with the bolt tool, some of which were fixed but not until SP2 and I still have issues with 3D hole, tapped hole and bolts realigning themselves to the ground plane on an intermitant basis even inside a solid subtraction.

It might be worth considering an upgrade. The solid modelling in 2009 seems to be much more robust, not perfect by any means but better.

How about creating a texture from a jpeg?