pclary Posted December 30, 2016 Share Posted December 30, 2016 Hi, I could really use a step by step tutorial for how to place a fastener in a certain location and with the proper orientation. I have been doing it in a hap hazard way with rotations, moving of fasteners etc. It's really slow and frustrating. I assume I do it the wrong way. I have an object, in this case a bracket, have located the position where I want the fastener inserted using guide lines. Sometimes it is placed at the desired insertion point, sometimes down on the layer plane. Almost always rotated. I have read the Help post about how to do it but I can't seem to make it work. A screen grab is attached with guide lines showing the desired insertion point. Thanks Quote Link to comment
Benson Shaw Posted December 30, 2016 Share Posted December 30, 2016 Have you discovered the Automatic mode in the menu bar planes pulldown? The reference plane highlights. Working planes are easy to set up and save/name (or not save), too. Access saved ones in the Working Planes palette. Usually it's easiest to model this as a symbol containing the bracket, fasteners, etc. Create it all by itself, in a new blank file. Put the parts in convenient orientation and use the top/front/etc ordinal views to draw/place objects. Then save this symbol drawing in your user library. Or at least save the symbol in a single library file with a bunch of your other symbols. Paste or reference the symbol into your project drawing. Classes, textures, nested symbols (the fasteners?), etc all move into the project drawing. -B Quote Link to comment
pclary Posted December 30, 2016 Author Share Posted December 30, 2016 Benson, Yes, I have been using the automatic mode. But I'm still having trouble getting the results I want so sometimes I set a working plane. I haven't tried symbols yet. In this case, I'll probably never draw this bracket again as it's a one off solution to a problem. But the gist of my post was how to easily insert a fastener at a certain location and with the proper orientation. On the bracket in the screen grab, I want a fastener at the intersection of the white guide lines on the three tabs of the bracket. Sometimes the fastener inserts at the proper location, but often it's down on the Layer Plane, even if I've set a working plane on the face of the bracket. then i have to move it up into place. Then I have to rotate it. is there a way to have the insertion point be where I click on the part? And to have it insert normal to the face? Thanks Quote Link to comment
AlanW Posted December 30, 2016 Share Posted December 30, 2016 (edited) @pclaryHi, Have a look at the video and it may assist, Hope I am on the right track with what you want to do. Inserting_Symbols.mp4 Edited December 30, 2016 by Alan Woodwell Quote Link to comment
pclary Posted December 31, 2016 Author Share Posted December 31, 2016 Benson, Yes, I have been using the automatic mode. But I'm still having trouble getting the results I want so sometimes I set a working plane. I haven't tried symbols yet. In this case, I'll probably never draw this bracket again as it's a one off solution to a problem. But the gist of my post was how to easily insert a fastener at a certain location and with the proper orientation. On the bracket in the screen grab, I want a fastener at the intersection of the white guide lines on the three tabs of the bracket. Sometimes the fastener inserts at the proper location, but often it's down on the Layer Plane, even if I've set a working plane on the face of the bracket. then i have to move it up into place. Then I have to rotate it. is there a way to have the insertion point be where I click on the part? And to have it insert normal to the face? Thanks Quote Link to comment
pclary Posted December 31, 2016 Author Share Posted December 31, 2016 Alan, Thanks for the video. I'll try it and see what I can do and if I have trouble will reply again. I think that one snap setting may have been making it hard. Peter Quote Link to comment
pclary Posted December 31, 2016 Author Share Posted December 31, 2016 Alan, I end placing fasteners in a lot of the models I do in order to show the architect and the shop how I want things connected. Here's some screen shots of a simplified process that I end up doing: 1. create object 2. locate location where fastener is wanted 3. get fastener, select 3D, click on cross hair to insert 4. fastener shows up on another face than where I clicked and dragged 5. I tried setting a working plane on the top face of the block but get same result 6. I can go get the bolt and drag it up to the desired insertion point, 7. then rotate it by using the correct face and the rotate tool. it seems like a lot of steps to get a fastener inserted. Is there another way? Or is this the correct process? In your video, you bring the symbol (the bracket) into the model, then you place it. Thanks for any help, Peter Quote Link to comment
AlanW Posted December 31, 2016 Share Posted December 31, 2016 (edited) @pclaryHi, I tend to place a 3D locus so the object can attach to. HTH Edited December 31, 2016 by Alan Woodwell Quote Link to comment
pclary Posted December 31, 2016 Author Share Posted December 31, 2016 okay, I just tried that but the bolt still goes to another plane am i doing the whole process wrong or is it a multistep thing of inserting, then moving, then rotating? Quote Link to comment
AlanW Posted December 31, 2016 Share Posted December 31, 2016 (edited) @pclaryCheck video above. Edited December 31, 2016 by Alan Woodwell Quote Link to comment
pclary Posted December 31, 2016 Author Share Posted December 31, 2016 Thanks for all the help Alan. I guess I am doing it correctly. So in your last video, to get the eye bolt normal to the surface, would you then use the rotate tool and select the correct face to use as a plane to rotate in? Quote Link to comment
AlanW Posted December 31, 2016 Share Posted December 31, 2016 (edited) Its really about putting 2 points together in 3D and the Locus works well unless you are attaching to a corner. Edited December 31, 2016 by Alan Woodwell Quote Link to comment
pclary Posted December 31, 2016 Author Share Posted December 31, 2016 Thanks. i guess I don't know how to explain my question adequately. I now see how to snap the fastener to a point but I'm still wondering if my rotate process is correct. If so, I guess the answer to a previous question about is there a way to insert a fastener normal to a face upon insertion, is no. I appreciate your help Quote Link to comment
AlanW Posted December 31, 2016 Share Posted December 31, 2016 A lot of cases it depend on the object and its orientation when created, I have attached a few items directly without any rotation etc directly to each face using the automatic working plane. '\' key to activate. Quote Link to comment
pclary Posted December 31, 2016 Author Share Posted December 31, 2016 Alan, I don't want to overstay my welcome. But I can't make the automatic working plane work if I'm inserting a fastener. i don't know you do it. I use the back slash key and if I'm drawing a rectangle or a circle, it works like a charm. but if I have my block, hit back slash, hover over a face, the face selects but as soon as i click on the fastener tool, the Layer Plane is selected. Quote Link to comment
Benson Shaw Posted December 31, 2016 Share Posted December 31, 2016 Pclary - Finally tested. Agree with you. I can't get the Fastener Tool to induce the Automatic Plane. If Fastener Tool engaged, then pressing the backslash produces no automatic plane mode. Instead, a red warning notice appears at bottom of vwx window. Notice states: Automatic Working Plane mode is not available in current context. Same in v2016 Other fastener tools (eye bolt, acorn nut, etc) at least invoke the automatic plane. They often do not respond to the auto plane as expected, but do result in objects with insertion points in expected spacial location. Tested in v2016, too, in which placement makes more sense. But there are still some "off limits" orientations. Sorry, too tired to follow up on any of this. Maybe tomorrow. -B Quote Link to comment
pclary Posted December 31, 2016 Author Share Posted December 31, 2016 Thank you Benson! I was getting 'agitated' at my inability to make it work. I gave up for the night. Try again tomorrow. Peter Quote Link to comment
AlanW Posted December 31, 2016 Share Posted December 31, 2016 @pclaryHi, Sorry but now I see the tool you are trying to use 'fastener' at top of the Tool Set. Yes i now see what you mean they all drop onto the working plane and you cant place on an upper surface at first option. All the other items below this note work with automatic working plane. You can rest easy and yo are not going insane. Its my senility kicking in. 2 Quote Link to comment
Phil hunt Posted December 31, 2016 Share Posted December 31, 2016 as always alan really nice video with a good tip for positioning of objects Quote Link to comment
pclary Posted December 31, 2016 Author Share Posted December 31, 2016 Thanks Alan, I was starting to doubt myself! Quote Link to comment
Benson Shaw Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 Nice video, Alan!! I tested more. 3d placement has some problems for many, but not al 3d tools and objects. 1. The Fastener tool always ends up on Layer Plane. 2. Working plane can be subverted (some tools) to parallel to Layer play. Here's a little demo. Not sure why any of this happens. My Graphics Card? -B Quote Link to comment
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