T-FLEX Parametric CAD. Fundamentals. 2D Design

Sketch. Creating a Non-parametric Drawing. Automatic parameterization mode
As a result, a fully functional parametric drawings is built. At the same time, you need to note that the system
automatically defines the types of parametric dependences created between elements, which may not always
meet the user's preferences.
Details on working in the automatic parameterization mode are provided at the end of this chapter, in the
section “Working in the Automatic Parameterization Mode”.
Using Property Window
When sketching lines, the point coordinates can be simply defined by clicking in the drawing area. To
enter exact node coordinates, the property window is used in this command. It allows defining absolute,
relative, or polar coordinates of the elements being created and their parameters.
When the pointer is in the drawing area, the property window tracks the current
coordinates of the pointer. If necessary, those can be changed in transparent
mode by typing the desired value directly from the keyboard. The active input
box can be set by pointing and clicking , or from the keyboard. The key
combinations for switching to one or another input box are displayed in the
ToolTips as the pointer is rested over the desired field. When entering a value
in the property window, a flag before the input box is automatically set that
blocks modifications of the value via the pointer in the drawing area.
To complete the point creation, simply press [Enter] or in the drawing area after entering the
coordinates.
Either Cartesian or polar coordinates can be used for creating elements, separately or in combination. That
helps creating various configurations of points in the most convenient way for the moment.
For example, when specifying the second point of
the segment, one can enter the value of the distance
and the length of the vector. Auxiliary elements
will be displayed in the drawing: a circle with the
center at the segment start, of the radius equal to
the specified distance, and a horizontal line offset
from the segment start at the distance equal to the
Y shift (“dy”). The intersection points of the
circle and the line define the possible
configurations for the second point of the segment
under the specified parameters.
As the pointer moves around the drawing, this point will appear as a free node jumping from one intersection
point to the other and back. Selecting the desired point and clicking completes the segment creation.
Continuous Line Input
Continuous input of sketch elements is supported by the automenu option:
Continuous creation
In this case, the end point of the last created element (segment, arc) becomes the start point of the next one.
This mode does not affect closed elements (circle, rectangle, polygon, ellipse, closed spline).
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