DimXpert is a powerful tool. However, that doesn't mean its perfect. I'd like to hear from you about what you need DimXpert to do that it currently cannot. For example, some customers have asked for the ability to add BASIC dimensions that are not associated with a dimension scheme or that are ancillary to an existing scheme or feature control frame. What do you wish you could do with DimXpert?
getting the DimXpert annotations in the correct views on drawings is a royal PITA.
I'd like to be able to use DimXpert annotations , in detail drawings the same way I can use Imported and Driving dimensions-change text location, oblique witness lines, increase origin offset extend leader lengths.
I'd like to be able to reground dangling dimXpert annotations.
If I've gone to the trouble of adding tolerances to model dimensions, I'd like to be able to convert those to DimXpert annotations
I'd like to see support for the Y14.5-2009 directional constraints for Datums (UVW and XYZ)
Kenneth,
BASIC dimensions can be created either using Auto Dimension scheme or by adding applicable Feature Control Frames. More details on this forum post from ealier today:
the logic being this ...
when sketching i can add dimensions or relations in any order or sequence i desire.
the final result = a fully defined sketch (all black).
it would be very desirable to share that same logic with DimXpert.
Kenneth,
Do you mean that it is difficult or time consuming to assign DimXpert dimensions to particular/desired annotation views?
both
in general, the annotation planes don't always work as desired.
John,
That's a good list.
Could you describe Directional Constraints with real word examples of where you'd like to use and apply them?
Kenneth,
I guess what I was asking, what is difficult and time consuming about them?
Also, you mentioned that annotation planes (which I'm interpretting as annotation views) doesn't always work as desired. Can you go into some detail about that too?
Your feedback is very much appreciated.
Happy to. In Y14.5M-2009 section 4.22, ASME describes a "Customized Datum Reference Frame" wherein you can specify which degrees of freedom a particular datum feature controls.
Here's a shoe-horned example
With the following datum reference frame:
You make the following assumptions:
If that's what you want, Y14.5M-1994 is fine but...
Your default 3-2-1 datum reference frame is going restrain the part wrong.
Which is extra work, requires explanations in a language that isn't universal and is getting a little bit into the shady area of telling QC what tools to use to inspect your design.
But with custom datum reference frames, you can specify which degrees of freedom each datum controls without encroaching on the QC department's inspection plan
If you're doing semi kinematic mounts for laser Optics, you come across these types of problems frequently.
1.) it would be great to have an option to import the model dimensions to dimXpert
2.) sometimes I have problems to creat dimXpert dimension according the model dimension
example-->https://forum.solidworks.com/message/391801#391801
we use dimXpert only because TolAnalyst works with dimXpert dimensions only
I know this forum is about DimXpert, but I'm curious if you would be willing (OK with) using Geometric Tolerance tool from the Annotation toolbar rather than the DimXpert Geometric Tool for cases like this, or do you need DimXpert to understand this relationship in how it interprets a completely defined model?
how do you establish points (X<>Y) for surface profile?
why is there an instance count?
Well, the whole point is that DimXpert can report on he constrained state of the model using these considerations.
John, Understood. I ask because the subtle difference on how the part is restrained can be reported in several ways that may not be supported by DimXpert right now. For example, should DimXpert count a part as fully constrained without consideration to the recognition of the freedom of motion with this system of constraints.
Gotcha.
I haven't had a lot of luck using annotation views - I haven't experimented with using them much lately but I did not find the workflow as intuitive as many other functions in SolidWorks.
I will try to use annotation views again - however due to #1-3 above DimXpert isn't complete enough for my needs
I am going to dig into it a little deeper though because I like the concept
Matt, to aid in the understanding of Annotation Views, just look at them as 3D layers where all the assigned annotations are facing the same direction (they have the same normal). They started making sense to me when I took that point of view.
That is a good way of looking at it... thinking back to 1997 and trying to remember what layers are.
I am going to take some time and go through the help files, it's been a few years since my last attempt
I would thoroughly enjoy it if I could build a drawing template with predefined views that automatticaly imported the Dimxpert dimensions.
Tyler, if you don't mind, I'd like to ask that you file an Enhancement Request for this functionality (to allow Pre-Defined views to auto-insert DimXpert when creating new drawings). Thanks!
Matt,
Maybe I have not figured out the tool well enough to apply properly so my response might be jaded, with that said...
I'd like to be able to "update" the auto-dimension using the applied datum features when there is a change to the model... Without having to re-assign the datums AND without losing any manually modified tolerances.
I'd also like the DimXpert dimensions to maintain their place on the drawing and not have the FCF go "off the page" or separate from the size dimension.
This tool seems like good potential but is incomplete for going straight to a drawing at this time. Looks nice in MBD extension preview but no experience working with that either.
When I use DimXpert on a hole that goes in from the outside of a curved part, the annotation view is backwards relative to the hole. Instead of looking from the outside of the part down on the face the hole was drilled in, it is like I'm looking out the drilled hole. That is totally backwards and there is no way to FLIP the annotation view so its looking into the hole instead of out. Considering about 3/4 of my parts are round with radial holes, this is a MAJOR issue with using MBD.
I'd like to be able to "force" holes in DimXpert to group together. Example...
SW- Simple hole (or hole wizard hole) created from outside face of part 'x' deep. Then on perpendicular face of the part a slot is cut into the part clear through the hole. (across the axis)
Hole callout in in SW drawing annotation still sees this as one hole.
DimXpert sees this as one through, and hole one 'y'deep measuring from the inside face of the slot... NOT correct in my book. This is a continuous feature hole. What's better if you have the same feature 'mirrored' across the part then DimXpert will combine the two outside "though (to slot)" holes and the 2 inside hole depth holes. but the locating dimensions do not combine as 2X 'x' from datum & 2x 'y' from datum but as 1X and 3X 'x' from datum and 4X 'y' from datum.
I SHOULD be able to manually define (collect) them as a group or pattern BEFORE applying DimXpert and have it recognize this condition as a "continuous feature" constraint.
I second that DimXpert should read the tolerances applied (if any) at the sketch level and use those first.
I would also like to get an X<->Y callout with a surface profile. Does anyone know whether this has been implemented in 2018? My problem is that within SW all applicable surfaces are nicely highlighted when the tolerance is selected, but this doesn't work in a 3D pdf, so I'll need to indicate which surfaces are applicable somehow.
on Feb 21, 2014
what do you mean ancillary.
i like to create my own scheme and i can't manually add a BASIC dimension, period!
https://forum.solidworks.com/message/317768#317768