Gday Everyone,

I'm just getting started with this thing called CAD and I'm not finding it easy. I keep running into terms that those with the correct training would understand and the sheer mass of features in the software. I expect that I will be asking a LOT of very basic questions about ViaCad 2D/3D that will seem absolutely elementary to all of you. The only boundless feature seems to be my ignorance.

My ultimate goal will be to 'build' a steam locomotive in the computer. I have set of plans but these are known to have a number of errors which would prevent a working model being built. They also have been done using a weird mixture of metric and non-standard imperial measurements. I propose to 'build' my loco using ViaCAD, at the same time metricate the measurements and correct the errors.

Right now I am trying to draw one of the simplest elements. This a circular plate 135mm in diameter with a 15mm flange bent over a 3mm radius, similar to a shallow pipe cap. This plate is penetrated by a holes in range of diameters placed according to a strict set of rules which define the spacing between centres of the holes. I can draw the basic circle, extrude it 15mm and 'shell' it with the 3mm thick walls required. I can even set it up with the 3mm radius internal curves. What I am having problems with is understanding how to precisely place the circles that will define the holes. The figures I enter in the Data Entry window do not seem to relate what actually appears on the screen.
eg I have drawn a 12.8mm circle that I want to centre about the point defined by x=19.5 y=-6.5 z=0. These are the numbers that are shown in the Object Attributes window but the Data Entry window shows the coordinates as being x=-18.5 y=-49.0 x=-12.0 Diameter=12.8. Why??!

If I enter 19.5,-6.5,0, 12.8 into the Data Entry window I get a circle the correct size at 57.5, 36.0, 12 (ABOVE the plane!). If this behaviour is documented I couldn't find it.

The work around I have developed is okay but it takes a great deal of extra time and seems inefficient. What's going on?

Hi

I would try turning on the view plane on to help see what plane is active. workplane --> show plane, also you can use the workplane --> show dimming so only curves on the current workplane are visible.

You can also create custom workplanes and save them

Regards

Jason

Hi, Have you looked at the videos that come with ViaCAD?


Regards

Jason

>> What's the difference between a work plane and a layer?

A work plane defines a construction coordinate system. For example if you create a one point circle, the plane of the circle is taken from the default work plane. The normal of the work plane is the normal of the circle.

A layer is a tag associated with an object. You can turn on/off layers which turn on/off portions of your geometry.

Image a 2D drawing of an airplane. The designer may want the outer control lines, avionics, and hydraulics all in separate layers to quickly turn on and off the display of these features.

>>Is there a series of tutorials which will show total newbie

For ViaCAD 2D/3D, you will find under the help menu a collection of 17 tutorials covering the basics.

>>What should I be reading to get up to speed here?

Augment the tutorials with below.

http://www.csi-concepts.com/Demo/tutorials/TipsTricks.pdf


Tim