MT13150 NX Design For The Experienced CAD User PDF

NX Design for the
Experienced CAD User

Student Guide
May 2007
MT13150 NX 5
Publication Number
mt13150_g NX 5
Proprietary & Restricted Rights Notice
This software and related documentation are proprietary to UGS Corp.

Copyright 2007 UGS Corp. All Rights Reserved.
All trademarks belong to their respective holders.
NX Design for the Experienced CAD User Student Guide
mt13150_g NX 5
Contents
Course overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Course objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to use this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lesson format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activity format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Learning tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Common symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Template parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Teamcenter Integration vs. native NX terminology
Layer standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Implementing a layer standard . . . . . . . . .
Student responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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17
18
18
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19
20
21
22
22
23
NX part files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Introduction to NX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gateway application . . . . . . . . . . . .
The NX window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cue and Status lines . . . . . . . . . . . .
Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using a template to create a new file
Saving an unnamed template . . . . .
Layers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Folder Creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Use of existing part files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Open multiple parts . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change the displayed part . . . . . . . .
Save As . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Close selected parts . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exit NX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. 1-2
. 1-3
. 1-4
. 1-5
. 1-6
. 1-7
. 1-8
. 1-9
1-10
1-11
1-12
1-13
1-14
1-15
1-16
1-17
1-18
1-19
1-20
The NX user interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Toolbars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Docking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Customize and display toolbars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved
Contents
Selection Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Saving toolbar configuration between sessions
Roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Example roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Choose a role . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using the mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
View shortcut menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radial menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Graphics window view manipulation . . . . . . .
Selecting objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deselecting objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Preview selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
QuickPick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. 2-8
. 2-9
2-10
2-11
2-12
2-13
2-14
2-16
2-17
2-18
2-20
2-22
2-23
2-24
2-26
2-27
Coordinate systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Overview of coordinate systems . .
Absolute coordinate system
Work coordinate system . . .
The WCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Access WCS Dynamics . . . . . . . .
Dynamic Handles . . . . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. 3-2
. 3-3
. 3-4
. 3-5
. 3-6
. 3-7
. 3-9
3-10
Sketch Task Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Sketcher overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Constraints overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sketch types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using sketches as base features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using sketches to modify existing features . . . . . . . . .
Other applications for sketches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The sketch process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Create a new sketch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Create a sketch on an existing plane or planar face . .
Create a sketch on a new plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reference direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Name sketches on the toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Name sketches using the Sketch Properties dialog box
Sketches and layers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Internal and external sketches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Making internal sketches external . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
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. 4-2
. 4-3
. 4-4
. 4-5
. 4-6
. 4-7
. 4-8
. 4-9
4-10
4-11
4-12
4-13
4-14
4-15
4-16
4-17
4-18
mt13150_g NX 5
Contents
Sketch curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inferred Constraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Help lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stopping string mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using a mouse gesture to create an arc in string mode
Object Type options in Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Input Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Create lines parallel or perpendicular to other lines .
Create lines tangent to curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Create lines at angles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Snap Point options on the Selection Bar . . . . . . . . . . .
Constraints recognized by snap point . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inferred Constraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Snap Angle option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sketch curve functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Quick Trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Quick Trim example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Quick Extend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Make Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fillet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Constraints basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Degrees of freedom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Degree-of-freedom arrows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Geometric constraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of Geometric Constraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Displaying constraint symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Show or remove constraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dimensional constraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dimension types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Create inferred dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Edit dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Edits using the Dimensions dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retain Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Attach Dimension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Convert To/From Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Evaluating and updating sketches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Creating inferred constraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deleting or suppressing sketches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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4-19
4-20
4-21
4-22
4-23
4-24
4-25
4-26
4-27
4-28
4-29
4-30
4-31
4-32
4-34
4-35
4-36
4-37
4-38
4-39
4-40
4-41
4-42
4-43
4-44
4-45
4-46
4-47
4-49
4-51
4-52
4-55
4-56
4-57
4-58
4-59
4-60
4-61
4-62
4-63
4-64
4-65
4-66
4-67
Contents
Datum features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Datum Planes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Datum plane types . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Datum plane options . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Applications for datum planes . . . . . .
Create datum planes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
At Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
At Angle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bisector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tangent to Face at Point, Line or Face
Curves and Points, Three Points . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Datum Axis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Datum axis types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Datum axis options . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Applications for datum axes . . . . . . .
Create datum axes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Two Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intersection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Curve/Face Axis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Datum CSYS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. 5-2
. 5-3
. 5-4
. 5-5
. 5-6
. 5-7
. 5-8
. 5-9
5-10
5-11
5-12
5-13
5-14
5-15
5-16
5-17
5-18
5-19
5-20
5-21
5-22
5-23
Swept features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

Types of swept features
Extrude . . . . . . . . . . . .
Extrude options . . . . . .
Boolean operations . . . .
Body types . . . . . . . . . .
Sheet bodies . . .
Revolve . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sweep Along Guide . . .
Activities . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary . . . . . . . . . . .
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. 6-2
. 6-3
. 6-4
. 6-6
. 6-7
. 6-8
. 6-9
6-10
6-11
6-12
Part structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1

Part Navigator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dependencies panel . . . . . . . . .
Details panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Preview panel . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Timestamp order . . . . . . . . . . .
Part Navigator shortcut menu
Feature playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reorder features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. 7-2
. 7-3
. 7-4
. 7-5
. 7-6
. 7-7
. 7-9
7-10
mt13150_g NX 5
Contents
Information . . . . . . . .
Referenced expressions
Distance . . . . . . . . . .
Mass properties . . . . .
Delayed updates . . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary . . . . . . . . . .
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7-11
7-12
7-13
7-14
7-15
7-16
7-17
Using sketches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1

Drag sketch objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drag multiple curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drag a point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drag to assist constraining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Create an alternate solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Create an alternate solution for tangent circles . . . . . .
Create an alternate solution for a line tangent to an arc
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reattach sketches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sketch timestamp and dependencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mirror sketch curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. 8-2
. 8-3
. 8-4
. 8-5
. 8-6
. 8-7
. 8-8
. 8-9
8-10
8-11
8-12
8-13
8-14
8-15
Trim Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1

Trim a body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Swept feature options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
Selection Intent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Curve rule options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Curve collection modifiers . . . . . . . . . . . .
Extrude with offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Two sided offset examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Start Offset Zero, End Offset Positive . . .
Start Offset Zero, End Offset Negative . . .
Start Offset Negative, End Offset Positive
Single-sided offset examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Offset value too large . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Smaller positive offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Negative offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Extrude with draft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Positive and negative draft angles . . . . . .
Draft and the extrude direction . . . . . . . .
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. 10-2
. 10-3
. 10-4
. 10-5
. 10-6
. 10-7
. 10-8
. 10-9
10-10
10-11
10-12
10-13
10-14
10-15
10-16
Contents
Draft examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Draft with offset . . . . . . . . . .
DesignLogic parameter entry options
Reference existing parameters
Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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10-17
10-18
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10-20
10-21
10-22
Hole features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1

Features with predefined shapes . . . . . . . .
Placement Face . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hole Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hole options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Create a hole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Positioning terminology . . . . . . . . .
Positioning Constraints . . . . . . . . .
Edit hole features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Edit a hole position . . . . . . . . . . . .
Feature Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reattach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reattach Selection Steps . . . . . . . .
Reattach Options . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Add positioning dimensions to holes
Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. 11-2
. 11-3
. 11-4
. 11-5
. 11-6
. 11-7
. 11-8
. 11-9
11-10
11-11
11-12
11-13
11-14
11-15
11-16
11-17
11-18
11-19
11-20
Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Expressions dialog box . . . . . . . . . . .
Expression list . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Listed expressions . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expression operators . . . . . . . . . .
Conditional expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suppression by Expression . . . . . . . . . . .
Suppress by Expression Procedure
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Distance options . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Angle Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Measures and measurements . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. 12-2
. 12-3
. 12-5
. 12-7
. 12-9
12-11
12-12
12-14
12-15
12-16
12-17
12-18
12-19
12-22
12-23
mt13150_g NX 5
Contents
Face operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1

Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Create a shell . . . . . . . . . . .
Assign different thicknesses
Shell options . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selection Intent face rules . . . . . . .
Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Offset Face . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Draft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Draft types . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Draft dialog box . . . . . . . . . .
Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. 13-2
. 13-3
. 13-4
. 13-5
. 13-7
. 13-8
. 13-9
13-10
13-11
13-12
13-14
13-16
13-17
Associative copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1

Instance Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Caveats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Array methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rectangular instance array . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parameters for Rectangular instance array
Create a rectangular array . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rectangular array example . . . . . . . . . . . .
Circular instance array . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parameters for Circular instance array . . .
Create a circular array . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Circular array example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mirror Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Create a mirror body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mirror Body options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. 14-2
. 14-3
. 14-4
. 14-5
. 14-6
. 14-7
. 14-8
. 14-9
14-10
14-11
14-12
14-13
14-14
14-15
14-16
14-17
14-18
Edge operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-1

Edge operations overview . . . . . . . . .
Edge Blend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Edge Blend dialog box . . .
The preview . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Add New Set . . . . . . . . . . . .
Resolve blended edge overflow
Explicit Overflow Resolutions
Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Variable radius blends . . . . . . . . . . .
Tips and techniques . . . . . . .
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. 15-2
. 15-3
. 15-4
. 15-5
. 15-6
. 15-7
. 15-8
. 15-9
15-10
15-13
Contents
Activity . . . . . . .
Chamfer . . . . . . . . . . .
Create Chamfers
Chamfer options
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary . . . . . . . . . . .
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15-15
15-16
15-17
15-18
15-19
15-20
Introduction to Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-1

Definitions and descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Subassembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Component objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Component parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction to assembly load options . . . . . .
Part Versions group . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Load states . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scope group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Load Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reference Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Saved Load Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Assembly Navigator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Node display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Icons and check boxes . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Assemblies application . . . . . . . .
Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Select components in the Assembly Navigator
Identify components . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Component selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Design in context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Displayed Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Use the Change Window dialog box . .
The work part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Associativity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Assembly Navigator shortcut menu . . . . . . .
Pack and Unpack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Make Work Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Make Displayed Part . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Display Parent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Save the work part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FileSave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FileSave Work Part Only . . . . . . . .
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. 16-2
. 16-3
. 16-4
. 16-5
. 16-6
. 16-7
. 16-8
. 16-9
16-10
16-11
16-12
16-13
16-14
16-15
16-16
16-17
16-18
16-19
16-20
16-21
16-22
16-23
16-24
16-26
16-27
16-28
16-29
16-30
16-31
16-32
16-33
16-34
16-35
16-36
16-37
mt13150_g NX 5
Contents
Adding and constraining components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-1

General assembly concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Assemblies toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . .
Use the bottom-up construction method
Add components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Move Component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Assembly Constraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Constraint types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Create a Touch Align constraint . . . . . .
Create a Concentric constraint . . . . . .
Create a Distance constraint . . . . . . . .
Create a Fix constraint . . . . . . . . . . . .
Create a Parallel constraint . . . . . . . . .
Create a Perpendicular constraint . . . .
Create an Angle constraint . . . . . . . . .
Create a Center constraint . . . . . . . . .
Create a Bond constraint . . . . . . . . . . .
Create a Fit constraint . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. 17-2
. 17-3
. 17-4
. 17-5
. 17-7
. 17-8
. 17-9
17-10
17-11
17-13
17-14
17-15
17-16
17-17
17-18
17-19
17-20
17-21
17-22
17-23
Reference Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-1

General concepts concerning Reference Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Default Reference Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Model Reference Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Lightweight Reference Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The simplified Reference Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
User defined Reference Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Create Reference Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reference Set information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing Reference Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replace Reference Sets using the Assembly Navigator
Replace Reference Sets in context of an assembly . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Edit Reference Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Delete and Rename Reference Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Load Options and Reference Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
From Search Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. 18-2
. 18-3
. 18-5
. 18-7
. 18-8
. 18-9
18-11
18-14
18-15
18-16
18-17
18-18
18-19
18-20
18-21
18-22
18-24
18-25
18-26
Top-down assembly modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-1

Top-down design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-2
11
Contents
Create a new component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Verify the creation of a new component . . . . . . . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Considerations of selecting data during component creation
Design in context of an assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sketch in context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction to interpart modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Geometry types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Localized interpart modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interpart modeling applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part in process modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mold/die applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Edit links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mirrored Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. 19-3
. 19-5
. 19-6
. 19-7
. 19-8
. 19-9
19-10
19-12
19-13
19-14
19-15
19-16
19-17
19-18
19-19
19-22
19-23
19-24
19-26
19-27
Interpart references . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-1

General concepts . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of interpart references . . .
Overriding expressions . . . . . . . .
Create interpart references . . . .
Edit Interpart References . . . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Partial loading issues . . . . . . . . .
Load Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tips and recommended practices
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. 20-2
. 20-3
. 20-4
. 20-6
. 20-7
. 20-8
. 20-9
20-10
20-11
20-12
Component Arrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21-1

Component Arrays . . . . . . . . . . .
Editing a component array . . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Feature-based component arrays
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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21-2
21-4
21-5
21-6
21-8
Revisions and substitutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-1

File Versioning/Revisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Revise a component and assembly using Save As
The Part Modifications dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additional Assembly Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12
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22-2
22-3
22-5
22-7
mt13150_g NX 5
Contents
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Partial Loading issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Close assembly component parts . . . . . . .
Reopen component parts . . . . . . . . . . . .
Substitute components . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Substitute components using Substitute .
Substitute components using Reopen . . .
Substitute using the Assembly Navigator
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. 22-9
22-10
22-11
22-12
22-14
22-16
22-18
22-19
22-20
22-21
Master model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23-1

Assembly models . . . . . . . . .
Master model concept
Master model example
Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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23-2
23-3
23-4
23-5
23-6
Introduction to Drafting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-1

Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Create new drawing sheets . . .
Open a Drawing Sheet . . . . . . .
Edit a drawing sheet . . . . . . . .
Delete a drawing sheet . . . . . .
Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Monochrome display . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
View Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hidden Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Edges Hidden By Edges . . . . . .
Smooth Edges . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Virtual Intersections . . . . . . . .
Add a base view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
View creation options . . . . . . .
Add projected views . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Projection lines . . . . . . . . . . . .
Preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Project view options . . . . . . . . .
Edit existing views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dragging Views . . . . . . . . . . . .
Removing views from a drawing sheet
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Utility Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Utility symbol options by group
Create utility symbols . . . . . . .
Delete utility symbols . . . . . . .
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. 24-2
. 24-3
. 24-4
. 24-5
. 24-6
. 24-7
. 24-8
. 24-9
24-10
24-11
24-12
24-13
24-14
24-15
24-16
24-17
24-18
24-19
24-20
24-21
24-22
24-23
24-24
24-25
24-27
24-28
13
Contents
Create automatic centerlines on existing views

Create a linear centerline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Create a cylindrical centerline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Annotation Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dimension preferences and placement . . . . . . .
Appended text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tolerances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Text orientation and text arrow placement . . . .
Editing an existing dimension . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Text creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Entering text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Create leaders on notes and labels . . . . . . . . . .
Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Text editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Text preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Editing tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Editing notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Helper lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Master Model Drawing Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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24-29
24-30
24-31
24-32
24-33
24-34
24-35
24-38
24-39
24-40
24-41
24-42
24-43
24-44
24-45
24-46
24-47
24-48
24-49
24-50
24-51
24-52
24-53
Additional projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

Project 1
Project 2
Project 3
Project 4
Project 5
Project 6
Project 7
Project 8
Project 9
Project 10
Project 11
Project 12
Project 13
Project 14
Project 15
Project 16
Project 17
Project 18
Project 19
Project 20
Project 21
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A-2
A-3
A-4
A-6
A-8
A-10
A-12
A-14
A-16
A-18
A-19
A-21
A-23
A-25
A-27
A-28
A-30
A-32
A-34
A-36
A-38
mt13150_g NX 5
Contents
Project 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-40
Expression operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1
Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Precedence and associativity
Legacy unit conversion . . . .
Built-in functions . . . . . . . .
Scientific notation . .
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B-2
B-3
B-4
B-5
B-6
System Topics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer Defaults levels . . . . . . . . .
Setting Customer Defaults . . . . . . .
USER, GROUP, and SITE directories
Managing your changes . . . . . . . . . .
Updating to a new release of NX . . .
Interpart Modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
File Versioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
File Versioning example . . . . . . . . .
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C-2
C-3
C-4
C-7
C-9
C-10
C-11
C-12
C-13
C-15
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Index-1
15
Course overview
Intended audience
This course is suited for designers and engineers who already have experience
with another CAD system and need to learn NX.
Prerequisites
Understanding of parametric modeling and the master model concept.
Course objectives
After successfully completing this course, you should be able to:
Open and examine NX models.
Create and edit parametric solid models.
Create and modify basic assembly structures.
Create and modify simple drawings.
17
How to use this manual
How to use this manual

The following guidelines describe how you can get the most benefit from your
use of the course guide and the accompanying HTML activities.
Lesson format
The general format for lesson content is:
Instructor presentation
One or more activities
Workbook project
Projects allow you to test your new skills without detailed instruction.
Consult your instructor for additional information.
Summary
Activity format
Activities have the following format:
Step 1:
This is an example of a step. Numbered steps specify the actions

you will perform.
Action bullets detail how to complete the step.
Always read the Cue and Status information while working through
activities and as you perform your regular duties.
As you gain skills you may need only to read the step text to complete
the step.
Learning tips
Ask questions.
Confirm important facts by restating them in your own words.

It is important to use your Student Guide in the sequence it is written.
18
mt13150_g NX 5
Course overview
Common symbols
The student manual and workbook use special symbols as shown below.
Design Intent Information about the task and what must be
accomplished.
Tip Useful information or advice.
Note Contains useful information that supplements or emphasizes
the main points.
Example Shows a possible way that the current topic of discussion
could be used.
Caution Contains important reminders or information about a task.
Warning Contains information essential to your success.
19
Template parts
Template parts
Template parts are an effective tool for establishing customer defaults or any
settings that are part-dependent (saved with the part). This may include
non-geometric data such as:
A frame of reference, such as a datum coordinate system
Commonly used expressions
An initial application such as Modeling, Drafting, or Sheet Metal
Part attributes, for example, attributes for a parts list
Drawing formats
User-defined views
Layer categories
The following graphic shows the dialog box where you can choose a template.
20
mt13150_g NX 5
Course overview
Teamcenter Integration vs. native NX terminology

Teamcenter Integration Term
Item
Native NX Term
Part
Item revision
Dataset
Part revision
Part file
Item ID
Part number
UGMASTER dataset
UGPART dataset
(specification or manifestation)
Master part file

Non-master part file
(.dwg, .mfg)
When you work in NX, you manipulate parts, part revisions and part files.
These correspond to items, item revisions, and datasets in Teamcenter
Integration and Teamcenter Engineering.
21
Layer standards
Layer standards
Parts used in this course were created using layer categories the same as or
very similar to those found in the Model template parts.
Layers provide an advanced alternative to display management (Show and
Hide) to organize data.
Layer categories in the Model template parts
Layers
110
1120
2140
4160
6180
91255
Category
SOLIDS
SHEETS
SKETCHES
CURVES
DATUMS
No category assigned
Description
Solid bodies
Sheet bodies
All external sketches
Non-sketch curves
Planes, axes, coordinate systems
Implementing a layer standard

You may implement or enforce layer standards using some of the methods
below:
Create NX Open programs to create a standard part organization and

verify it upon release.
Use a macro to create layer categories: ToolsMacroPlayback.
Your administrator can enforce company standards by providing suitable

templates.
In this course you may use a layer organization method you anticipate
using in your work.
22
mt13150_g NX 5
Course overview
Student responsibilities
Be on time.
Be considerate of the needs of other students.
Listen attentively and take notes.
Ask questions.
Practice what you learn.
Have fun!
23
Lesson
NX part files
Purpose
This lesson is a fundamental introduction to working with NX parts.
Objectives
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
Start an NX session.
Create a new part.
Open a part.
Copy a part.
Close a part and exit NX.
1-1
NX part files
Introduction to NX
The first step in working in NX is to log on to a workstation and start an
NX session.
Your instructor will provide the steps needed to log in and start NX in
the classroom.
After you start NX, you see the No Part interface. You can change defaults
and preferences, open an existing part, or create a new part.
1-2
mt13150_g NX 5
NX part files
Gateway application
The tools in NX are grouped into a series of applications that support
different major workflows, including creating geometry, building an assembly,
or producing a drawing.
Gateway is the first application you access when you:
Create a new part.
Open a part that was saved in Gateway after NX 4.
Open a part that was last saved in NX 3 or earlier.
Gateway allows you to review existing parts.

To create or edit objects within a part, you must start another application,
such as Modeling.
1-3
NX part files
The NX window
1.
Work and displayed part names
2. Main menu
3. Cue line
4. Status line
5. Resource Bar
6. View rotation triad
7. Rail
1-4
mt13150_g NX 5
NX part files
Cue and Status lines

The Cue and Status lines appear at the top of the main application window.
The Cue line provides specific information on what to select for the
highlighted item in the dialog box.
The Status gives you feedback and confirmation on what you selected.
You can move the Cue and Status lines below the graphics window.
1. Choose ToolsCustomize.
2. Click the Layout tab.
3. In Cue/Status Position, select Bottom.
1-5
NX part files
Menus
By default, menus display all available commands.
You can display folded menus, showing only frequently-used commands.
When you see folded menus, click the Expand button to display the full menu.
To display folded menus:

1. Choose ToolsCustomize.
2. Click the Options tab.
3. Clear the check box for Always Show Full Menus.
1-6
mt13150_g NX 5
NX part files
Templates
Use templates to create a new part. Choose FileNew to select a template.
Templates are grouped by types, such as model or drawing.
Your system administrator determines the templates that are available.
Use blank templates to create parts with no custom content.
When you create a new part from a template, the part has a copy of all the
objects in the template part and inherits all its settings.
After you create the part, NX starts the appropriate application for the
template the part was based on. For example, if you select a modeling
template, NX will start Modeling.
A default name and location for the new file is assigned, based on customer
default settings for each template type.
You can change the name and location:
Before you begin work on the part.
In native mode only, when you save the part for the first time.
You can specify a master part to reference when you create a new non-master
file.
Choose FileNew and define the attributes in the dialog box.
Choose FormatDatabase AttributesAssign and define the work parts

attributes in the Attributes dialog box.
Benefits of using template parts
Easy to use and help to enforce company standards.
Automatically start the appropriate application.
Simplify using master models by defining a master part reference as you

create a new file.
1-7
NX part files
Using a template to create a new file
On the Standard toolbar, click New
Click the tab for the file type you want (1).
Select the template you want (2).
(Optional) Enter the name and path information (3).
You can also enter this information when you save the part.
1-8
mt13150_g NX 5
NX part files
Saving an unnamed template

1. On the Standard toolbar, click Save
2. In the Name Parts dialog box, notice the name of the first file for which
you must provide a name (1).
3. Enter the name and press Tab to continue (2).
4. Optionally, use the browse buttons to help to define the name and/or
path (3).
5. When you press Tab after entering a name, the template is checked in the
list (4), the indicator moves to the next file that requires a name, and the
OK button becomes active.
If you click OK or press Enter before you have specified all names,
files that are named will be saved, and unnamed files will not be
saved.
You will receive a warning.
6. When all files are named and optional path information is entered, click
OK (5).
1-9
NX part files
Layers
Use layers to organize geometry.
Use layer categories to organize and name layers.
To access the Layer Settings dialog box, choose FormatLayer Settings.
There are 256 layers in NX, one of which is always the work layer.
You can assign any of the layers to one of four classifications of status:
Work
Selectable
Visible Only
Invisible
The work layer is the layer that objects are created on and is always visible
and selectable.
When you create a new part, layer 1 is the default work layer .
When you change the work layer, the previous work layer automatically
becomes selectable. You can then assign it a different status.
The number of objects on one layer is not limited. You may choose which
layers to create objects on and what the status will be.
Layer categories in the Model template parts
Layers
110
1120
2140
4160
6180
91255
Categories
SOLIDS
SHEETS
SKETCHES
CURVES
DATUMS
No category assigned
Description
Solid bodies
Sheet bodies
All external sketches 1
Non-sketch curves
Planes, axes, coordinate systems
1. You will learn the meaning of the term External sketches in a future lesson.
1-10
mt13150_g NX 5
NX part files
Activity
In the NX part files section, do the following activity:
Create a new part
1-11
NX part files
Folder Creation
You can create a new folder from within the New Part File and Open Part File
dialog boxes if you have write access to the selected parent folder.
1. Right-click over an existing parent folder in the folder tree list.
2. Select the New Folder option.
You may also Rename an existing folder.
You cannot delete a folder from the New Part File and Open Part File
dialog boxes.
Default container
The last folder used when creating a file will be the default folder when
creating data later in your session. To change the default folder, select the
Folder icon to change it.
1-12
mt13150_g NX 5
NX part files
Use of existing part files

NX parts have a .prt extension.
Useful features on Windows file dialog boxes
The Look in: list shows the name of the current selected drive or folder.
Up One Level works with the Look in: option menu to traverse back up
through the folder hierarchy.
Create New Folder option allows new sub-folders to be created in the
current folder.
View Menu allows the appearance of the listing in the window to be
modified.
1-13
NX part files
Open multiple parts

You can open or load more than one part at any time and work on several
parts concurrently.
There are two identifiers for loaded parts:
1-14
Displayed
The part is displayed in the graphics window.
Work
The part is accessible for creation and editing operations.
mt13150_g NX 5
NX part files
Change the displayed part

You can have multiple parts open, or loaded, at the same time.
Control which part is displayed in the graphics window by using Window
on the menu bar.
The Window option works in two ways:
The list contains up to ten recently displayed parts. Select from the list to
display a part.
Select More to display the Change Window dialog box.

The Change Window dialog box contains a list of all components in an
assembly structure as well as any loaded parts not contained in a loaded
assembly.
1-15
NX part files
Save As
FileSave As allows you to save the current part under a different name
and/or in a different directory.
When you select Save As, a file selection dialog box displays asking for the
new name and location.
The name/location must be unique within the current directory. If you
specify a name that already exists, an error message displays. The current
part is filed under the new name, and the new part file name displays on
the graphics window.
1-16
mt13150_g NX 5
NX part files
Close selected parts

Choose FileCloseSelected Parts to select parts to close from a list.
1-17
NX part files
Activities
In the NX part files section, do the following activities:
1-18
Open an existing part
Save part as
Close selected parts
mt13150_g NX 5
NX part files
Exit NX
End an NX session by choosing FileExit.
If you modified any parts and did not save them, you get a warning message.
1-19
NX part files
Summary
In this lesson you:
1-20
Started an NX session.
Created, opened, and saved parts.
Copied a part.
Closed a part.
Learned how to exit NX.
mt13150_g NX 5
Lesson
The NX user interface
Purpose
This lesson is a fundamental introduction to the NX user interface.
Objectives
Customize toolbars.
Save and restore toolbars by applying a role.
Select objects in the graphics window.
Manipulate the orientation of the work view.
2-1
Toolbars
Each application has its own set of toolbars.
2-2
mt13150_g NX 5
Docking
You can dock toolbars horizontally or vertically in the NX window.
You can move undocked toolbars on your screen.
2-3
Customize and display toolbars
You can hide or display available toolbars for each application.
You can either display or hide available buttons for each toolbar.
For each toolbar you can add buttons from other toolbars, or remove them.
You can save and share toolbar arrangements for all or selected
applications, using Roles.
Display toolbars
1. Choose ToolsCustomize from the main menu bar.

2. On the Toolbars (1) page, select check boxes (2) to display toolbars and
clear to hide them.
Select Text Below Icon (3) to display names on the buttons.
2-4
mt13150_g NX 5
Display toolbars using the shortcut menu
1. Right-click in the NX window but outside the graphics window (1) to

display a shortcut menu of all toolbars.
2. Select the listed toolbar names to display toolbars or clear the check boxes
to hide them (2).
Empty check boxes are not displayed beside menu items that are
not selected.
You can also select Customize (3) to open the Customize dialog box.
2-5
Add or remove toolbar buttons
Toolbar options are an efficient way to turn on and off the display of buttons
within a toolbar.
1. Click Toolbar Options on a toolbar and select Add or Remove Buttons.
2. Select a toolbar to modify, or select Customize to open the Customize

dialog box.
3. Click an item with no check box to display it. Clear the check box to hide
an item.
2-6
mt13150_g NX 5
Toolbar options on undocked toolbars
Access toolbar options on undocked toolbars as shown below.
Dialog Rail
Dialog boxes open at a predefined location on the Dialog Rail.

To ensure a consistent location and presentation of all dialog boxes, you can
attach or clip most dialog boxes to a rail located along the upper edge of
the graphics window. This prevents the graphics window from being obscured
by dialog boxes. You can move the dialog boxes right or left, temporarily hide
them, or unclip them if you prefer to have them float.
2-7
Selection Bar
The Selection Bar consolidates various selection options in one convenient
location.
1. Selection options to specify types of objects to select, for example, features

only, instead of faces, edges, bodies.
2. Selection Intent options.
3. Snap Point options.
4. Annotation placement options, available in Drafting.
2-8
mt13150_g NX 5
Saving toolbar configuration between sessions

When you exit an NX session, the current state of your toolbars is saved by
default. They will be the same when you start a new session.
You can control how this is saved:

1. Choose PreferencesUser Interface.
2. On the General page, select Save layout at exit.
2-9
Roles
As you define your own roles, you or your administrator can add them to a
palette for others to share.
Roles let you control the appearance of the user interface in a number of
ways. For example:
2-10
The items displayed on the menu bar
The buttons displayed on the toolbars
Whether button names are displayed below the buttons
mt13150_g NX 5
Example roles
NX comes with a number of example roles. These give you a choice of starting
points as you customize toolbars to meet your needs.
The roles palette includes these groups:
System Defaults generic roles for new and advanced users
Industry Specific examples of configurations for various industries
User exists after you save one or more personal configurations

For those starting to use NX or those who use NX infrequently, one of
the Essentials roles in System Defaults is recommended.
For more information about any role, hold your cursor over its button.
2-11
Choose a role
1. On the Resource Bar, click the Roles tab
to display the palette.
2. Click the role you want or drag it into the graphics window.
3. Click OK to accept the new role.
2-12
mt13150_g NX 5
Activities
In the NX User Interface section, do the following activities:
Toolbars
Roles
2-13
Using the mouse

There are three mouse configurations in common use. The buttons are
identified below.
2
1. Left
2. Middle
3. Right
On a two-button mouse, use the left and right buttons together when you
need the middle button.
On a three-button mouse, you can use combinations of mouse buttons.
Use middle plus right buttons to pan.
Use middle plus left buttons to zoom.
Here is a summary of the various actions that can be performed using the
mouse buttons.
Mouse Button
Left mouse button
Middle mouse button
Action
Select or drag objects.
Click OK while in an operator.
Press and hold down while in the graphics window
to rotate the view.
Hold down Shift and the middle mouse button to
pan.
Right mouse button
Hold down Ctrl and the middle mouse button to

zoom in or out.
Display shortcut menu with various functions. Also
display action information for currently selected
objects.
Rotating mouse wheel Zoom in and out in graphics window. Scroll in lists,
menus, and the Information window.
2-14
mt13150_g NX 5
Here is a summary of things you can do by moving the mouse cursor.

Over buttons on a
toolbar
Display Balloon Help for the button.
Over buttons in a
dialog box
Display the button name.
Over objects, features

or components in
graphics window
Pre-highlight objects based on the Selection Type

Filter.
2-15
View shortcut menu

When the mouse cursor is in the graphics window, but not over geometry,
right-click to display the view shortcut menu. This menu lists frequently
used NX functions.
Option
Refresh
Refreshes the entire graphics window. Erases temporary

display entities.
Fit
Fits the entire part to the view. Utilizes the fit percentage
found in the PreferencesVisualizationScreen dialog
box.
Zoom
Fits the view to a user specified rectangle.
Rotate
Pan
Activates the rotate mode to rotate the view with the cursor.
Activates pan mode to pan the view with the cursor.
Rendering
Style
Specifies the method of shading and hidden edges in which

the model is displayed.
Orient View
Set Rotate
Point
Clear Rotate
Point
Undo
2-16
Description
Displays the current view in a canned view orientation. The

original visualization settings and view modifications are
retained. Active only in modeling view.
Defines a point about which the model is rotated. The point
may be defined on a curve, edge, face, or point in space.
Removes a rotate point that was previously set.
Removes the effect of the last single operation performed.
mt13150_g NX 5
Radial menus
When you right-click and hold, a radial menu displays buttons around the
cursor location. These buttons differ depending what is beneath the cursor.
As you learn the position of the buttons, just moving the mouse in the
appropriate direction will choose the option.
1 Shaded
2 Shaded with Edges
3 Studio
4 Fit
5 Wireframe with Dim Edges
6 Face Analysis
You can also use the View toolbar to perform the view manipulation
functions found in the view shortcut menu, and more.
2-17
Graphics window view manipulation

You can rotate the view by dragging with the middle mouse button. Release
the mouse button to stop rotating.
If the cursor is near the boundary of the graphics window, you can use
inferred rotation about a horizontal, vertical, or normal axis.
If the cursor is in the middle of the graphics window, the axis of rotation is
determined by the direction in which you drag the cursor.
Other options to manipulate the view orientation are described below.

Orient View button
Home key
Orients the current view to Trimetric.
End key
Orients the current view to Isometric.
F8 key
2-18
Modifies the orientation of a specified view to a

predefined view. Changes only the alignment of the
view, not the view name. This option can be invoked
from the View toolbar or from the shortcut menu.
Orients the current view to a selected planar face

or datum plane or the planar view (top, front, right,
back, bottom, left) that is closest to the current view
orientation.
mt13150_g NX 5
View triad
Click an axis of the view triad to restrict middle mouse button dragging to
rotation about that axis only.
Press Esc or click the rotation triad origin handle to return to normal rotation.
2-19
Selecting objects
Use the Selection Bar to identify the types of objects you want to select.
2
You may either select an object first and then choose a function to perform, or,
choose a function first and then select the required object.
Use the selection Type Filter to control which type of objects you can select.
The content of the list changes with the active NX function.
The General Selection Filters allow you to further restrict what type of
objects you can select.
You can use toolbar options to add many additional buttons to the Selection
Bar.
2-20
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You can right-click an object and choose commands for the shortcut menu for
the object type.
The cursor must be over the object, and the object must be highlighted.
2
The shortcut menu changes depending on the object. The following shortcut
menu is for a typical feature.
Options also vary with the application: Modeling, Drafting,

Manufacturing, etc.
If you right-click and hold over an object, a radial menu appears. The options
vary depending on the object. The following radial menu is for a typical
feature.
2-21
Deselecting objects
You can deselect and object by holding the Shift key as you click it.
To deselect all objects in the graphics window, press the Esc (Escape) key.
2-22
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Preview selection
Objects are highlighted in the preview selection color as the selection ball
passes over them.
By default, Preview Selection is enabled. Turn it off by choosing

PreferencesSelection from the menu bar.
The color of preview highlighting is determined by the Preselection setting
found under PreferencesVisualizationColor Settings.
When you hold the Shift key, the preselection color is applied to currently
selected objects that you can deselect.
2-23
QuickPick
When you select objects, more than one object will often be within the selection
ball. QuickPick provides easy browsing through selection candidates.
If there is more than one selectable object at the selection ball location
and the cursor lingers for a short period of time, the cursor changes to a
QuickPick indicator:
This cursor display indicates that there is more than one selectable object at
that position. Click after the cursor changes to display the QuickPick dialog
box.
You can change the amount of time the cursor must be stationary for
the QuickPick indicator to appear.
2-24
Choose PreferencesSelection.
In the QuickPick group, change the Delay value (in seconds).
mt13150_g NX 5
Use the middle mouse button to cycle through the items in the list and
then click when the desired object is highlighted.
Use the buttons in the dialog box to filter the list to include object types:
All
Construction
Features
Body objects
Components
Annotations
2-25
Activity
In the NX User Interface section, do the following activity:
2-26
Views
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Summary
In this lesson you:
Modified the location and contents of toolbars.
Applied a role to restore saved toolbar settings.
Manipulated the work view orientation.
2-27
Lesson
Coordinate systems
3
Purpose
This lesson is an introduction to the coordinate systems that are used in NX.
Objectives
Describe the absolute coordinate system (ABS).
Describe the work coordinate system (WCS).
Move the WCS.
Obtain geometry information relative to the WCS.
3-1
Coordinate systems
Overview of coordinate systems

You can define planes and coordinate systems for constructing other geometry.
These planes and coordinate systems are completely independent of the
viewing direction. You can create geometry on planes that are not parallel
to the screen.
A three-axis symbol is used to identify a coordinate system. The intersection
of the axes is called the origin of the coordinate system. The coordinate values
of the origin are X=0, Y=0, and Z=0. The figure below illustrates that, starting
at the origin, the positive direction of each axis is represented by a line.
This lesson describes the following coordinate systems:
3-2
Absolute coordinate system (ACS)
Work coordinate system (WCS)
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Coordinate systems
Absolute coordinate system

The absolute coordinate system, or model space, has the location and
orientation coordinate of a datum CSYS and the working coordinate system
in use when a new Model template is opened. The datum CSYS in the
template is actual model geometry; however, the absolute coordinate system
is a conceptual location and orientation.
Other coordinate systems may be defined, but one particular coordinate
system, called the work coordinate system or WCS, is used for construction.
You can always return the WCS to the absolute coordinate system in any
part, regardless of whether any geometric coordinate system exists with that
location and orientation.
3-3
Coordinate systems
Work coordinate system

You can locate and orient the WCS anywhere in model space.
The WCS is not itself a geometric entity; however, it can be positioned on
an existing coordinate system entity.
The WCS axes have identifying colors. X is red, Y is green, and Z is blue.
WCS axes also have the letter C appended to the axis name.
You must consider the location and orientation of the WCS when you:
3-4
Create a fixed datum plane or fixed datum axis.
Create a rectangular instance array.
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Coordinate systems
The WCS
You can access WCS options from the Utility toolbar or by choosing
FormatWCS on the menu bar.
Options available to manipulate the WCS include:
Origin
Specify the location without changing the

orientation.
Dynamics
Use handles to adjust the origin and

orientation.
Rotate
Specify rotations in a dialog box
Orient
Use a dialog box with Dynamic, Absolute,

Current View, and several other methods.
Change XC
Direction
Use a dialog box with several options to specify

the XC axis.
Change YC
Direction
Use a dialog box with several options to specify

the YC axis.
Display
Show or hide the WCS.
Save
Create a CSYS geometry entity at the current

WCS origin and orientation.
3-5
Coordinate systems
Access WCS Dynamics

You can access WCS Dynamics in one of these ways:
Double-click the WCS in the graphics window.
Click WCS Dynamics
From the main menu, choose FormatWCSDynamics.
on the Utility toolbar.
You can exit WCS Dynamics mode in one of these ways:
3-6
Press Esc.
Click the middle mouse button.
On the Utility toolbar, click WCS Dynamics
mt13150_g NX 5
Coordinate systems
Dynamic Handles
Translation
Rotation
Origin
Move the WCS (freeform)

1. Place the cursor over the origin handle (cube-shaped) on the WCS.
2. Drag the WCS to any location.
Move the WCS origin to a point
To move the WCS origin to a specific point:
1. (Optional) Use the Snap Point options on the Selection Bar to enable one
or more point selection methods.
2. Indicate the snap or screen position to which you want to move the WCS.
You can also use the point constructor
The WCS moves to the specified point.

3-7
Coordinate systems
Drag the WCS along an axis

1. Place the cursor over any of the three translation handles on the WCS.
2. Drag the WCS in either direction along the axis.
Move the location of the WCS along an axis using a dynamic input box
1. Place the cursor over any of the three translation handles and click.
2. Type a value in the dynamic input box.

3. Press Enter.
Rotate the WCS
1. Place the cursor over any of the three rotation handles.
2. Drag to rotate the WCS around its axis.
Dynamic input boxes indicate current angle and snap increment.
Orient the WCS to an object
1. Select one of the WCS axes.
2. Select an object, such as an edge, to which you want to align the WCS.
To specify a vector, in the WCS Dynamics dialog bar, click Vector
Constructor
The WCS orients to be parallel with the object, without changing the
origin coordinates.
Reverse the direction of the WCS
To flip the WCS 180 degrees:
3-8
Double-click one of the WCS axes.
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Coordinate systems
Activity
In the Coordinate Systems section, do the following activity:
The working coordinate system (WCS)
3-9
Coordinate systems
Summary
The absolute coordinate system is a stationary coordinate system that defines
a fixed point in model space while the work coordinate system (WCS) is a
mobile coordinate system that may be moved and reoriented as necessary
to support other functions.
In this lesson you:
Identified the difference between the absolute coordinate system and

the work coordinate system.
Relocated, rotated, and reoriented the WCS.
Reviewed the Point Constructor and CSYS Constructor.
Obtained geometry information relative to the WCS.
3-10
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Lesson
Sketch Task Environment

Purpose
This lesson introduces the methods of creating a sketch.
Objectives
Create a sketch.
Create sketch curves.
Apply dimensional constraints to sketches.
Apply geometric constraints to sketches.
Identify constraints.
Convert sketch curves and constraints to reference status.
4-1
Sketcher overview
The Sketch Task Environment, informally called the sketcher, is an NX
application that you use to create two-dimensional geometry within a part.
A sketch is a named collection of 2D curves and points residing on a plane
that you specify. You can use sketches to address a wide variety of design
needs. For example, you might create:
Detailed part features by sweeping, extruding, or revolving a sketch into a

solid or a sheet body.
Large-scale 2D concept layouts with hundreds, or even thousands, of
sketch curves.
Construction geometry, such as a path of motion, or a clearance arc, that
is not meant to define a part feature.
This lesson shows you examples of sketches that define features.
4-2
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Constraints overview
Sketcher tools let you fully capture your design intent through geometric and
dimensional relationships that we refer to collectively as constraints.
Use constraints to create parameter-driven designs that you can update
easily and predictably.
Sketcher evaluates constraints as you work to update geometry and to ensure
that they do not conflict.
A fully constrained sketch has as many constraints as there are degrees of
freedom in the sketch, so that there can be no ambiguity in the final shape.
While it is not required, UGS recommends that you fully constrain
sketches that define feature profiles.
Sketcher also offers you the flexibility to create as many, or as few, constraints
as your design requires. That means you can use Sketcher to create wireframe
drawings that can serve a wide variety of up-front design purposes, and are
not meant for downstream processing.
Optional toolbar buttons, Inferred Constraints, which opens the Inferred
Constraints dialog box, and Create Inferred Constraints, which is hidden and
active by default, allow you to mix constrained and unconstrained geometry
in a single sketch.
4-3
Sketch types
When you create a sketch, you can define its plane and orientation using
one of two methods:
Sketch in Place
Use this option to sketch on an existing planar face or datum plane, or on
a new datum plane.
Sketch on Path
This is a specialized type of constrained sketch that you use to create a
profile for a Variational Sweep feature, discussed in Intermediate NX
Design and Assemblies. You can also use the Sketch on Path option to
position a sketch for features like Extrude and Revolve. Select a target
path and define a sketch plane location on that path.
4-4
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Using sketches as base features

Does the sketch that you are creating define the base feature for the part?
If yes, create an appropriate datum plane or datum coordinate system on
which to sketch.
4-5
Using sketches to modify existing features

Is the sketch adding to an existing base feature?
If yes, select an existing datum plane or part face, or create a new datum plane
with an appropriate relationship to existing datum planes or part geometry.
4-6
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Other applications for sketches

You will also find sketches useful in free form designs. Consider them for
guide paths for swept features, or as section curves for free form features.
4-7
The sketch process

The steps typically involved are:
1. Select a sketch plane and horizontal reference.
2. (Optional) Rename the sketch.
3. Set your options for Inferred Constraints.
4. Create the sketch.
Depending on your settings, Sketcher creates many constraints
automatically.
5. (Optional) Add, modify, or delete constraints.

6. (Optional) Drag the shape or modify dimension parameters.
7. Exit Sketcher.
4-8
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Create a new sketch

1. (Optional) Set the work layer for the sketch.
2. Click Sketch
3. Define the sketch plane.
For a base feature, select an existing datum or create a datum CSYS

from the Create Sketch dialog box.
For a detail feature, select a planar face of a body, a relative datum, or

create a relative datum from the Create Sketch dialog box.
4. Define a horizontal or vertical reference.

5. (Optional) Name the sketch.
6. Click OK.
4-9
Create a sketch on an existing plane or planar face

When you first create a sketch, you must define a plane on which to place
the sketch curves.
You can define the sketch plane as an existing planar face, relative datum
plane, or a datum plane belonging to a datum CSYS. You can also create a
relative datum plane or a datum CSYS from the Create Sketch dialog box.
To create the sketch on an existing face, datum plane, or datum CSYS plane:
1. Select the planar face, datum plane, or datum CSYS plane.
2. Define a horizontal or a vertical reference.
3. Click OK.
4-10
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Create a sketch on a new plane

To create a datum plane from the Create Sketch dialog box:
1. In the Sketch Plane group, expand the Plane Option list and select
Create Plane.
2. Select the required method and objects to define the datum plane, or open
the Plane Constructor
3. Click the middle mouse button to complete the step.

4. Define a horizontal or vertical reference.
5. Click OK.
To create a datum CSYS instead of a datum plane in the above
procedure, in the Plane Option list, select Create Datum CSYS.
4-11
Reference direction
You must specify a reference object with which to determine the horizontal
and vertical sketch directions.
In some cases, such as with a datum CSYS, a direction reference object
is inferred, but there must always be a direction reference object with a
timestamp earlier than the sketch.
The default reference direction is horizontal.
If there is no linear object in the desired direction, you may specify a vertical
reference.
To change the direction of an axis:
To reverse the direction of a sketch axis, double-click the vector conehead.
To specify a new direction, first select the axis to change and then select
a straight object. The object is projected to the sketch plane to define
the new direction.
If you select a datum plane as the sketch plane, a Z axis is displayed.
Change the normal of the sketch plane by double-clicking the Z axis.
In the following example, the shaded face (1) is specified as the placement
face. An edge (2) is defined as the vertical reference. The resulting sketch
orientation is shown on the right.
4-12
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Name sketches on the toolbar

Give descriptive names to external sketches.
Sketches are assigned a default name with a numeric suffix such as
SKETCH_000, or SKETCH_001. You can rename any sketch to a more
descriptive name.
1. On the Sketcher toolbar, select the name of the sketch.
2. Type a new name and press Enter.
4-13
Name sketches using the Sketch Properties dialog box

1. When you edit a sketch, from the main menu , choose TaskSketch
Properties.
2. Click the General tab.
3. Type a new name in the Name box.
4. Click OK.
You can also access the Sketch Properties dialog box from:
4-14
Over a sketch node in the Part Navigator, right-click and select

Properties.
Over a sketch in the graphics window: right-click and select

Properties.
mt13150_g NX 5
Sketches and layers
The sketch environment keeps all objects created in or imported into an

external sketch in the same layer.
If you edit an external sketch the work layer is set as the layer in which
you created (or moved) the sketch.
4-15
Activity
In the Sketch Task Environment section, do the following activity:
Sketch creation
4-16
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Internal and external sketches

Sketches that you create from within commands like Extrude or Revolve are
internal sketches. The parent feature manages access to, and the display of,
internal sketches. Use internal sketches when you want to associate the
sketch with only one feature.
Sketches that you create independently using the Sketch command are
external sketches, and are visible and accessible from anywhere within a
part. Use an external sketch to keep the sketch visible or to use in more
than one feature.
Differences between internal and external sketches
Internal sketches are visible in the graphics window only when you edit
the parent feature.
External sketches are created in the current work layer.

You can hide external sketches using the Part Navigator. Use Layer
Settings for more advanced control over visibility of sketches.
You can access an internal sketch only through the parent feature.
That is, you cannot open an internal sketch directly from the Sketcher
environment.
You cannot use an internal sketch with any feature other than its parent
unless you externalize the sketch. Once you make a sketch external, the
former parent has no control over the sketch.
4-17
Making internal sketches external

To externalize an internal sketch, rightclick the owning feature in the Part
Navigator and choose Make Sketch External.
NX places the sketch before its former owner in Timestamp order.
To reverse this operation, identify the child feature by highlighting or the
Dependencies group, right-click the child feature, and choose Make Sketch
Internal.
Make Sketch Internal does not appear if the sketch has more than one
child feature.
4-18
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Sketch curves
Create sketch curves using the Sketch Curve toolbar.
Icon
Name
Function
Key
Creates a series of connected lines or arcs.

Profile
The end of the last curve becomes the beginning

of the next curve.
Line
Creates lines.
Arc
Creates a arc through three points or by center

and end points.
Circle
Creates a circle through three points or center

and diameter.
Derived
Lines
Creates new lines from existing lines: parallel

to a line, the midline of parallel lines, or the
bisector of lines at angle.
Quick
Trim
Trims a curve to closest intersection or to a

selected boundary.
Quick
Extend
Extends a curve to a nearby curve or to a selected

boundary.
Make
Corner
Extends or trims two curves to make a corner.
Fillet
Creates a fillet between two or three curves.
Rectangle Enables three methods to create rectangles.
Dynamically creates and edits splines.

Studio
Spline
Introduced in Intermediate NX Design and

Assemblies.
Fully discussed in Mechanical Free Form
Modeling and Industrial Design with NX.
4-19
Inferred Constraints
As you create curves, the Sketcher can assign some geometric constraints.
You can control which constraints are assigned by adding Inferred Constraints
to the Sketch Constraints toolbar.
When you preview a constraint, click the middle mouse button to lock the
constraint.
Constraints are discussed in more detail later.
If you need to create a curve without a constraint that would normally
be inferred, hold the Alt key while you place the curve.
4-20
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Help lines
Help lines indicate the alignment to control points of curves, including line
endpoints and midpoints, arc endpoints, and arc and circle center points. Two
types of help lines are displayed during the creation of curves:
A dotted help line shows the alignment with recently-created or recently

highlighted objects.
A dashed help line is part of the preview for an inferred constraint. As

you create curves, dashed help lines are displayed for certain types of
constraints, such as perpendicular and tangent.
4-21
Short list
Sketcher maintains a memory of five objects called the short list to check for:
Inferred constraints.
Help lines.
Curves are added to the list as you:
Create them.
Pass your cursor over a curve.
Additional notes about the short list:
Lines snap normally along their length to short listed curves, which
includes lines, arcs, ellipses, conics, and splines.
Lines, arcs, and circles snap tangentially along their length to the short
listed curves, including lines, arcs, ellipses, conics, and splines.
To lock an inferred constraint click the middle mouse button.

To unlock a locked constraint, click the middle mouse button again.
The short list is structured from top to bottom. When curves are created
or passed over with the cursor, they are placed on top of the short list.
When the list is full, the curve at the bottom is removed and a new curve
is added at the top.
Sketcher clears the short list when you leave a curve option.
When Sketcher infers a constraint between an object on the short list and
the curve currently being created, the short list object is highlighted and
you see a preview of the constraint.
As you preview when you create a curve, all enabled constraint types
(for example, Perpendicular and Collinear) are checked against the top
object on the list.
When a constraint condition is found, the constraint is previewed and
the short list object is highlighted.
If there are no valid constraints, the tests are repeated for the second
object on the list, and so on until the bottom of the list is reached.
4-22
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Profile
The Profile option lets you create a series of connected lines and/or arcs in
string mode; that is, the end of the last curve becomes the beginning of the
next curve.
Here is a pipe vise profile that you can easily create with a series of mouse
clicks using the Profile option.
4-23
Stopping string mode

Sometimes you need to create one or more curves that do not start at the
previous end point. To do this, you need to break the current string of curves
and begin a new string.
When the Sketcher is not currently showing you an inferred constraint
preview, you can stop string mode by clicking the middle mouse button.
When you click the middle mouse button when an inferred constraint
preview is displayed, the click locks the constraint.
Press the Esc key while you are previewing a line or arc to cancel the preview
and end the current string.
If you press Esc again before starting a new curve string, you will exit
from the Profile option.
4-24
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Using a mouse gesture to create an arc in string mode

While you are creating a profile string you can transition from the default
line creation to create a single arc by clicking and dragging.
To change the type of curve to create persistently, click the Line or Arc
button.
When you transition from a line to an arc or from one arc to another arc, the
quadrant zone symbol is displayed.
The quadrants that contain the curve and its opposite vertex, (1) and (2) in
the preceding illustration, are tangent quadrants.
If you move your cursor out from one of the tangent quadrants, the arc
extends in a tangent direction to the line or arc at its endpoint.
If active in Inferred Constraints, you create a Tangent and a Coincident
constraint.
Quadrants (3) and (4) are perpendicular quadrants.
Control the direction of the arc by placing the cursor inside of one of the
quadrants and then moving the cursor out of the quadrant in either a
clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
If you move your cursor out from one of the perpendicular quadrants, the arc
extends in a direction perpendicular to the line or arc at its endpoint.
If active in Inferred Constraints, you create a Coincident constraint and a
Point on Curve constraint between the arc center and the previous line.
If you change your mind about which quadrant to sketch from, move the
cursor back into the quadrant of your choice before you click to place the
second point of the arc.
4-25
Object Type options in Profile

Object Type
Draws lines. This is the default mode when you initially
choose the Profile option.
Line
XY-coordinates are used for the first line you draw.

Length and angle parameters are used for the second and
subsequent lines.
Creates a two point arc when you string from line to arc.
Arc
Creates a three point arc when the first object you create in
string mode is an arc.
4-26
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Input Mode
Input Mode
Coordinate
Mode
Lets you specify curve creation using X and Y

coordinate values.
Double-click the button to set and lock Coordinate
Mode.
Lets you specify a curve objects parameters.
Lines use Length and Angle parameters.
Arcs use Radius and Sweep Angle parameters.
Parameter Mode Circles use a Diameter parameter.

Fillets use a Radius parameter.
Double-click the button to set and lock Parameter
Mode.
4-27
Create lines parallel or perpendicular to other lines

1. Define the lines start point by entering parameters or click a location.
2. Ensure that parallel and perpendicular constraints are selected on the
Inferred Constraints dialog box.
3. Pass your cursor over the target line for the constraint, then move your
cursor until you see the appropriate constraint.
A line can snap tangent to all types of curves or edges, including lines,
arcs, ellipses, conics and splines, if the Tangent constraint is on in Inferred
Constraints.
4-28
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Create lines tangent to curves

1. Define the lines start point by entering parameters or click a location.
2. Ensure that tangent constraints are selected on the Inferred Constraints
dialog box.
3. Pass your cursor over the target curve for the constraint, then move your
cursor until you see the appropriate constraint.
A line can snap tangent to all types of curves or edges, including lines, arcs,
ellipses, conics and splines.
4-29
Create lines at angles

1. Lock a parallel, perpendicular, or collinear constraint to the original line.
After locking, the Length and Relative Angle input boxes appear.
2. In the dynamic input box, specify a relative angle and press Tab or Enter,
Length
Relative
Angle
23.855
45.0
The new direction displays with a second, dashed help line. The angle is
measured with respect to the previewed constraint line.
Positive angles are measured counterclockwise. Negative angles are

measured clockwise.
4-30
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Points
You can create and constrain points as members of a sketch. From the menu
bar, while a sketch is active, choose InsertPoint.
If you use points frequently, you can display the Point button
Sketch Curve toolbar.
You can also create an Associative Point
is not a member of the active sketch.
on the
that references an object that
4-31
Snap Point options on the Selection Bar
Icon
Name
Description
Enable Snap
Point
Enables the snap point options so that

snapping to points on objects occurs.
End Point
Select end points of lines, arcs, conics, splines,

and all edge types.
Mid Point
Select mid points of lines, open arcs, and all

edge types.
Control Point
Select a control point of a geometric object.
Intersection
Point
Select a point at the intersection of two curves

with one pick.
Arc Center
Select an arc center point.
Quadrant Point
Select one of four quadrant points of a circle.
Existing Point
Select an existing point.
Tangent Point
Select a tangent point on circles, conics, and

solid edges.
Two-curve
Intersection
Select the intersection point of two objects that

do not fit within the selection ball by making
two separate picks. 2
Point on Curve
Select a point on a curve.
1. Control points include existing points, end points of conics, center points of circles, end points and knot points of splines, and
end points and mid points of lines and open arcs.
2. Two Curve Intersection supports the following objects: line, circle, conic, spline, and solid edge.
4-32
mt13150_g NX 5
Icon
Name
Description
Point on
Surface
Select a point on a surface.
Point
Constructor
Open the Point dialog box.
If none of the enabled point types lies inside the selection ball, you can
click to create a point at the cursor location.
Some snap point options are unavailable for certain functions.
4-33
Constraints recognized by snap point

The following constraints work in conjunction with the snap point options.
That is, NX recognizes these constraints only if an applicable snap point
option is selected.
Coincident
Point on Curve
Midpoint
Point on String
4-34
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Inferred Constraints
You can control which constraint settings NX automatically infers during
curve construction by setting one or more of the following Inferred Constraints
dialog box options.
Geometric constraints
Horizontal
Collinear
Vertical
Concentric
Tangent
Equal Length
Derived Line only

Parallel
Equal Radius
Perpendicular
Dimensional
constraints
You can use this option to create an inferred dimensional

constraint when you enter values in the dynamic input
boxes for Profile, Line, Arc, Circle or Rectangle.
Inferred constraints behave like normally applied geometric constraints

and can be seen and deleted using the Show/Remove Constraints
dialog or the Delete option.
You can temporarily disable all of the inferred constraints during curve
construction by pressing and holding the Alt key on Windows or the
Ctrl+Alt keys on UNIX.
4-35
The Snap Angle option

The Snap Angle option in the Sketch Preferences dialog box lets you specify
the value of the default snap angle tolerance for vertical, horizontal, parallel,
and perpendicular lines.
The default snap angle is 3 degrees.
The maximum value you can specify is 20 degrees.
If you do not want lines to automatically snap to the horizontal or vertical
directions, set the snap angle to zero degrees.
4-36
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Activity
In the Sketch Task Environment section, do the following activity:
Profile
4-37
Sketch curve functions

The Sketch Curve toolbar has several options you can use to modify curves:
Quick Trim
Quick Extend
Make Corner
Fillet
4-38
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Quick Trim
To access the Quick Trim command, do one of the following:
On the Sketch Curve toolbar, click Quick Trim
Choose EditQuick Trim.
4
You can:
Trim multiple curves with a left mouse press-and-drag operation.
Preview which portion of a curve will trim by passing the cursor over
the curve.
Trimming a curve that has no intersection deletes the curve.
Quick Trim constraints

When the Create Inferred Constraints option is active, the Sketcher infers
appropriate constraints after a trim operation.
Constraint
Trim Operation
Concentric
An arc in the middle.
Coincident
Intersecting lines to an intersection point.
Point on Curve
A curve to a boundary curve.
Collinear
A line in the middle
Equal Radius
An arc in the middle.
Tangent
A curve at the tangent point of a boundary curve.
4-39
Quick Trim example

Use the Boundary Curve group in the Quick Trim dialog box to specify one or
more bounding curves.
In the example shown, both the arc on the left and the spline on the right
were selected as boundary curves. With the cursor on the top line, (between
the two boundary curves), the center section is previewed as the portion to
be removed.
4
When a curve is trimmed, appropriate constraints are automatically created.
In the previous example, two Point on Curve constraints and one Collinear
constraint are added. If one of the boundary curves is later trimmed to the
line, the Point on Curve constraint would change to Coincident.
If you trim an arc to a line that is tangent, the tangency constraint is retained.
4-40
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Quick Extend
To access the Quick Extend command, do one of the following:
On the Sketch Curve toolbar, click Quick Extend
Choose EditQuick Extend.
You can:
Extend multiple curves by dragging the mouse over the target curves.
Preview which portion of a curve will extend by passing the cursor over
the curve.
Use the Boundary Curve group in the Quick Trim dialog box to specify one or
more bounding curves.
Quick Extend constraints
Sketcher infers appropriate constraints after an extend operation.
Constraint
Extend Operation
Coincident
A curve to the endpoint of another curve.
Point on Curve
A curve to a boundary curve.
Tangent
A curve to a tangent point of a boundary curve.
4-41
Make Corner
To access the Make Corner command, do one of the following:
On the Sketch Curve toolbar, click Make Corner
Choose EditMake Corner.
If Create Inferred Constraints is active, NX creates a coincident constraint at

the intersection.
The Make Corner command works with:
4-42
Lines
Arcs
Open conics
Open splines trimming only
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Fillet
To access the Fillet command, do one of the following:
On the Sketch Curve toolbar, click Fillet
Choose InsertFillet.
You can:
Trim all input curves or leave them untrimmed.
Delete the third curve of a three-curve fillet.
Specify a value for the fillet radius, or preview the fillet and determine its
size and location by moving the cursor.
4-43
Constraints basics
Constraints lets you precisely control the objects in a sketch. There are two
types of constraints:
Dimensional constraints
4-44
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Degrees of freedom
In Sketcher, a curves location and shape are mathematically determined
by analyzing the constraints (rules) placed on the sketch curves. The
degree-of-freedom arrow provides visual feedback about the constraint status
of a sketch curve. Each sketch curve type has different degree-of-freedom
arrows when initially created.
Curve
Degrees of Freedom Description

Points have two degrees of freedoms.
Lines have four degrees of freedom: two at each endpoint.
4
Circles have three degrees of freedom: two at the center and
one for the radius.
Arcs have five degrees of freedom: two at the center, one for
the radius, and two for the start and end angle.
Other curve types, such as conics and splines, can have even more
degrees of freedom. Please see the online Help for details.
4-45
Degree-of-freedom arrows
Degree-of-freedom (DOF) arrows mark points on a sketch that are free to
move.
These arrows assist you in constraining a sketch by showing you the
directions you need to constrain for each point. When you constrain a point,
NX removes the DOF arrow.
When all of the arrows are gone, the sketch is fully constrained.
There are three types of degrees-of-freedom: positional, rotational, and radius.
Note that constraining a sketch is optional. You can still use an
underconstrained sketch to define a feature. Constrain a sketch when
you need greater control of the design. Also, applying one constraint
can remove several DOF arrows.
1
2
3
4-46
This point is free to move in the X direction.

This point is free to move in the Y direction.
This point is free to move in both the X and Y directions.
mt13150_g NX 5
A geometric constraint establishes a geometric characteristic of a sketch
object or the type of relationship between two or more objects.
You can:
Define a line as being horizontal.
Require that two lines be parallel or perpendicular.
Require that several arcs have the same radius.
Unlike dimensional constraints, geometric constraints have no editable

numeric values; a constant angle constraint, for instance, simply dictates that
the line stay at the angle it is at when the constraint is applied.
, select the objects,
To create geometric constraints: click Constraints
and choose the desired constraint from the dialog bar. Only icons for
constraints that apply to the selected geometry are displayed.
1. On the Sketch Constraints toolbar, click Constraints
2. Select the objects.
3. Click the desired constraint on the dialog bar.
Only icons for constraints that apply to the selected geometry are
displayed.
4-47
You may also choose a constraint from the shortcut menu after selecting
the geometry.
To assign multiple constraints at one time, press the Ctrl key while
selecting the objects. The dialog bar for the constraints remains active
after you choose the first constraint. Use the middle mouse button or
the Esc key to deselect the objects.
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Types of Geometric Constraints

Coincident
Constrains two or more points as having the

same location.
Collinear
Constrains two or more linear objects as lying on

or passing through the same theoretical straight
line.
Concentric
Constrains two or more arcs as having the same

center.
Constant Angle
Constrains a line so as to remain in its current

orientation without input of an angular value.
Constant Length
Constrains a line so as to remain at its current

length without input of a length value.
Equal Length
Constrains two or more lines as being the same

length.
Equal Radius
Constrains two or more arcs as having the same

radius value.
Fixed
Constrains unchangeable characteristics for

geometry, depending on the type of geometry
selected. You can apply a Fixed constraint to an
individual sketch point or to an entire object.
Horizontal
Constrains a line as being parallel to the FCS

X-axis.
Midpoint
Constrains the location of a point to be

equidistant from both ends of the curve.
Select the curve anywhere other than at
its end points.
4-49
4-50
Parallel
Constrains two or more linear objects as being

parallel to each other.
Perpendicular
Constrains two linear objects as being

perpendicular to each other.
Point on Curve
Constrains the location of a point as lying on the

path or projection of a curve.
Point on String
Constrains the location of a point as lying on an

extracted string.
Scale,
NonUniform
Scales a spline in the horizontal direction while

keeping the original dimensions in the vertical
direction during modification.
Scale, Uniform
Scales a spline proportionally in both the

horizontal and vertical when the horizontal
length changes.
Slope of Curve
Constrains a spline, selected at a defining point,

and another object as being tangent to each
other at the selected point.
Tangent
Constrains two objects as being tangent to each

other.
Vertical
Constrains a line as being parallel to the FCS

Y-axis.
mt13150_g NX 5
Displaying constraint symbols

Constraint symbols are displayed when a sketch is active.
Show All Constraints displays the symbols for all constraints in the
active sketch.
Fixed
Fully Fixed
Constant Angle
Collinear
Concentric 3
Horizontal
Tangent 3
Vertical
Equal Radius
Parallel
Coincident
Perpendicular
Point on Curve 3
Equal Length
Midpoint of Curve 3
Constant Length
Point on String
Mirror
Scale, Uniform
Slope of Curve 4
Scale, Non-Uniform 4
Associative Trim 4
Offset
4
3
If the sketch view is zoomed out, some symbols may not be displayed.
Zoom in to see them, or clear the Dynamic Constraint Display sketch
preference.
3. Indicates constraints that are always displayed, regardless of the state of the Show All Constraints option.
4. Applies only to splines.
4-51
Show or remove constraints

The Show/Remove Constraints dialog box displays the geometric constraints
that are associated with selected sketch geometry. You can also remove
specified constraints, or list information about all geometric constraints.
Controls which constraints are listed in the Show
Constraints list window.
List
Constraints
for
Selected Object Lets you select only one object at a

time. Selecting a different object automatically deselects
the previously selected object. The list window shows
the constraints related to the selected object. This is the
default setting.
Selected Objects Lets you select multiple objects by
selecting them one by one, or at once using the rectangle
selection method. Selecting additional objects does not
deselect the previously selected objects. The list window
lists the constraints related to all selected objects. This
is the default setting when objects are already selected
before you enter this dialog box.
All in Active Sketch Shows all the constraints in the
active sketch.
Constraint
Type
Filters the type(s) of constraints that are displayed in

the list box.
Include or
Exclude
Determines whether the specified Constraint Type is the

only type displayed in the list box (Include is the default)
or the only type not displayed (Exclude).
Lets you control the display of constraints in the list
window. Options are:
Show
Constraints
Explicit Displays all constraints created explicitly or

implicitly by the user, including all non-inferred coincident
constraints, but excluding all inferred coincident
constraints created by the system during curve creation.
Inferred Displays all inferred coincident constraints
that are automatically created by the system during curve
creation.
Both Displays both explicit and inferred types of
constraints.
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Show Constraints list window Lists the geometric

constraints of the selected sketch geometry. The list is
subject to the Explicit, Inferred or Both setting. Those
constraints that are inferred, coincident geometric
constraints, (created automatically by the system during
curve creation) are appended with an "I" symbol in
parenthesis, as in (I).
Remove
Highlighted
Lets you remove one or more constraints by selecting

them in the constraints list window and then choosing
this option.
Remove
Listed
Removes all of the listed constraints displayed in the

Show Constraints list window.
Information
Displays information about all geometric constraints

in the active sketch in the Information window. This
option is useful if you want to save or print the constraint
information.
4-53
4-54
mt13150_g NX 5
Dimensional constraints
To choose the dimension type, on the Sketch Constraints toolbar, use the
Dimension list, or choose InsertDimension.
After you choose a dimension type, the Dimensions dialog bar is displayed.
On the dialog bar, click Sketch Dimensions Dialog

access options in the dialog box.
if you need to
4-55
Dimension types
Inferred
Allows Sketcher to intelligently infer a dimension

type, based on the cursor position and the object(s)
selected.
Horizontal
Creates a distance constraint parallel to the XC axis

between two points.
Vertical
Creates a distance constraint parallel to the YC axis

between two points.
Creates a distance constraint between two points.
Parallel
Perpendicular
Creates a perpendicular distance constraint from a

line to a point.
Diameter
Creates a diameter constraint for an arc or circle.
Radius
Creates a radius constraint for an arc or circle.
Angular
Dimensions an angle.
Perimeter
4-56
The parallel dimension is the shortest distance

between the two points.
Constrains the collective lengths of selected curves

of a sketch profile to a desired value.
The curves allowed for selection with the Perimeter
constraint are lines and arcs.
mt13150_g NX 5
Create inferred dimensions

1. Select one or more sketch curves to dimension.
2. Drag the dimension until it is the correct type; for example, horizontal
or parallel.
3. Place the dimension by clicking.
4. Drag the dimension to the desired location.
An expression is created for each dimension.
The name (1) and value (2) of the expression appear in the dynamic input
window after the dimension is placed. Type a new name or value, and press
Enter.
4-57
Edit dimensions
To edit the value or the name:
1. Double-click the dimension.
2. Edit the value or the name in the dynamic input box.
3. Press Enter.
To edit the position, drag the dimension.
4-58
mt13150_g NX 5
Edits using the Dimensions dialog box

Name
Value
Position
Text placement
Leader side
Text height
Type a new name in the text entry

field.
Type a new value in the text entry
field or use the slider.
Drag the dimension to new position.
Select a different option from the
option menu.
Select a different option from the
option menu.
Type a new text size in the text entry
field.
The name and value of a dimension may also be edited by using the
Expressions dialog box. As dimensions are edited, the constraints are
evaluated and the geometry is modified.
4-59
Retain Dimensions
When you exit after editing a sketch, the dimensions are normally hidden.
You can retain the dimensions by selecting the Retain Dimensions check box
in the Sketch Preferences dialog box.
4
You can retain dimensions only for the active sketch after you finish editing it.
You may have a mixture of sketches with and without retained dimensions.
Use this setting when you need to display dimensions for a sketch that is not
active. For example, use it to see expression names as you edit or create
other sketches or features.
You can print of plot retained dimensions.
4-60
mt13150_g NX 5
Attach Dimension
The Attach Dimension command detaches a dimension from the geometry it
references and attaches it to other geometry that you specify. You can:
Retain the value of the expression and resize the target geometry to
match it.
Measure the target geometry and assign that value to the expression.
Attaching a dimension
1. Rightclick the dimension and choose Attach Dimension, or choose

ToolsConstraintsAttach Dimension and select the dimension.
2. Click the middle mouse button to alternate between the default, Object
2, and Object 1.
3. In the Settings group, set the Expression Mode to Remove Expression,
Measure Geometry or Keep Expression, Adjust Geometry.
4. Select the new geometry.
4-61
Convert To/From Reference

Curves and dimensional constraints within a sketch may be converted to
and from reference status.
NX ignores reference curves in downstream operations like Extrude or
Revolve.
Reference dimensions update associatively, but do not control the curves
they measure.
To convert objects, do one of the following:
Select them in the graphics window and choose Convert To/From

Reference from the shortcut menu.
On the Sketch Constraints toolbar, click Convert To/From Reference

and use the dialog box.
Over a curve (or several selected curves) right-click and hold, and choose
from the radial menu.
Create reference dimensions by choosing Create Reference Dimension
on the Dimensions dialog bar.
4-62
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Evaluating and updating sketches

The Delay Evaluation command prevents geometry changes as one or more
dimensions are modified.
This option does not delay evaluation when you drag curves, or when
you use Quick Trim or Quick Extend.
on the Sketcher toolbar or, from the menu bar, choose

Click
ToolsDelay Sketch Evaluation.
The Evaluate Sketch command causes NX to evaluate the current sketch
when Delay Evaluation is active.

Click
ToolsEvaluate Sketch.
The Update Model command forces the model to update without leaving
the sketch function.
The model is updated automatically when you exit from the sketch task
environment.
Click
ToolsUpdate Model.
4-63
Creating inferred constraints

The Create Inferred Constraints option lets you make all inferred constraints
active or inactive as you create and/or edit sketch geometry.
Create Inferred Constraints is active by default. The button is available, but
by default not displayed, on the Sketch Constraints toolbar.
When you drag a sketch object you can make use of inferred constraints,
such as horizontal or vertical.
If the Create Inferred Constraints option is inactive, Sketcher still shows
temporary help lines and uses constraints and snapping to place geometry,
but it does not store the constraints.
If the Create Inferred Constraintsoption is active, Sketcher creates and stores

constraints selected in the dialog box.
You control which constraints are inferred during the creation of curves using
the Inferred Constraints
4-64
dialog box.
mt13150_g NX 5
Deleting or suppressing sketches

Since sketches are features, you delete or suppress them by choosing
EditDelete or EditFeatureSuppress.
You can also delete or suppress sketches from the Part Navigator.
4-65
Activities
In the Sketch Task Environment section, do the following activities:
Constrain a profile
Sketch and constrain a gasket
Constraint conditions
4-66
mt13150_g NX 5
Summary
This lesson introduced the concept of creating a sketch.
Sketches may be used to define a base feature, guide paths, and additional
associative features to the base feature.
A sketch parametrically controls curves. It is defined on a sketch plane which
is fixed or associative to a datum plane or face of a model.
Constraints are applied to sketch objects in order to capture the design
intent. The number of constraints you choose to apply is determined by your
design intent.
In this lesson you:
Created sketches on datum planes, solid faces, and a Datum CSYS.
Created freehand curves in a sketch.
Created and edited dimensional constraints.
Created inferred and explicit geometric constraints.
Converted sketch curves and dimensions to reference status.
4-67
Lesson
Datum features
Purpose
This lesson introduces the Datum Plane and Datum Axis features.
Objectives
Create a datum plane.
Create a datum axis.
Use datum features to position other features.
Create a datum CSYS.
5-1
Datum features
Datum Planes
A datum plane is a planar reference feature.
Use datum planes as aids to create other features, such as swept bodies and
features at angles to the faces of target solids.
Datum planes can be relative or fixed.
Relative datum planes reference curves, faces, edges, points, and other
datums. You can create relative datum planes across multiple bodies.
Fixed datum planes do not reference other geometry. Use any of the
relative datum plane methods to create fixed datum planes by clearing the
Associative check box in the Datum Plane dialog box.
You can also create fixed datum planes based on the WCS and absolute
coordinate system, or by using coefficients in an equation.
5-2
mt13150_g NX 5
Datum features
Datum plane types

Select a plane type from the Type option list, or, click one of the frequently
used plane type method buttons located below the option list.
You can right-click the sizing handles, direction arrows, and points to
choose many of the following options.
When you edit a datum plane, you can change its type, defining objects,
and associative status.
Inferred
At Distance
At Angle
Bisector
Tangent to Face at
Point, Line or Face
Determine the best plane type to use based on

objects you select.
Create a datum plane parallel to a planar
face or another datum plane at a distance you
specify.
Create a datum plane using a specified angle.
Create a datum mid way between two selected
planar faces or datum planes using the
bisected angle.
Create a datum plane tangent to a non-planar
surface, and optionally a second selected
object.
5-3
Datum features
Datum plane options

Alternate Solution
Reverse Plane
Normal
Associative
Cycle through the possible different solutions

for the plane, when an alternate solution to
the previewed datum plane is available.
Reverse the direction of the plane normal.
Clear this check box to create a fixed datum

plane. If you later edit a non-associative datum
plane, it appears in the Type list as Fixed. 2
1. Other ways to reverse the direction: Right-click the normal direction arrowhead and choose Reverse Direction. Double-click the
normal direction arrowhead.
2. In the Part Navigator, an associative datum plane has the name Datum Plane, while a non-associative datum plane has the name
Fixed Datum Plane.
5-4
mt13150_g NX 5
Datum features
Applications for datum planes
To define a sketch plane.
To serve as the planar placement face for the creation of features with
predefined shapes, such as holes.
As a target edge for positioning features such as holes.
For the mirror plane when using the Mirror Body and Mirror Featue
commands.
To define the start or end limits when creating extruded and revolved
features.
To trim a body.
To define positioning constraints in assemblies.
To help define a relative datum axis.
5-5
Datum features
Create datum planes

The following examples describe methods of creating common datum plane
types.
5-6
mt13150_g NX 5
Datum features
At Distance
1. On the Feature Operation toolbar, click Datum Plane
InsertDatum/PointDatum Plane.
2. In the Type group, click the At Distance
, or choose
button.
3. Select a planar face, datum plane, or plane.

4. Do one of the following:
Click OK to accept a default value of 0 (zero).
Type an offset value, press Enter, and click OK.
Select the handle, drag the datum plane to the desired location and
click OK.
Inferred is the most commonly used datum plane type.

Other frequently used types are listed here.
5-7
Datum features
At Angle
1. Click Datum Plane
2. In the Type group, expand the list and select At Angle.

3. Select a planar face, datum plane, or plane, to use as a reference for
measuring the angle.
4. Select a linear curve, edge, or datum axis, that defines the angles axis
of rotation.
5. Specify an angle using the dynamic input box or the drag handle.
6. Click OK.
5-8
mt13150_g NX 5
Datum features
Bisector
2. In the Type group, expand the list and select Bisector.

3. Select a planar face.
4. Select a second planar face.
The faces do not need to be parallel.
5. Click OK.
5-9
Datum features
Tangent to Face at Point, Line or Face

2. In the Type group, expand the list and select Tangent to Face at Point,
Line or Face.
3. (Optional) Specify a subtype; for example, Angle to Plane.
4. Select the required geometry for the subtype you chose.
5. (Optional) If it is available, click Alternate Solution

tangent datum plane is previewed.
until the correct
6. Click OK.
5-10
mt13150_g NX 5
Datum features
Curves and Points, Three Points

2. In the Type group, expand the list and select Curves and Points.
3. In the Curves and Points Subtype group, expand the list and select
Three Points.
4. Set the snap point options as desired.
5. Select three points.
6. Click OK.
5-11
Datum features
Activity
In the Datum features section, do the following activity:
Relative datum planes
5-12
mt13150_g NX 5
Datum features
Datum Axis
Use datum axes as a reference when you create other objects, such as datum
planes, revolved features, and circular arrays.
Datum axes can be either relative or fixed.
A relative datum axis is associative to one or more other objects.
A fixed datum axis is fixed in the position in which it was created. Fixed
datum axes are non-associative.
You can create a fixed datum axis using the XC, YC, and ZC axes of the WCS,
or by clearing the Associative option when using one of the relative axis types.
5-13
Datum features
Datum axis types

Select an axis type from the Type option list or click one of the frequently
used axis type method buttons located below the option list.
When you edit a datum axis, you can change its type, defining objects, and
associative status.
You can right-click the handles and axis arrowheads to choose many of
the options shown below.
Inferred
Determine the best datum axis type to

use based on objects you select.
Point and Direction
Create a datum axis from a point in a

specified direction.
Two Points
Create a datum axis by defining two

points through which the axis passes.
Create a datum axis tangent, normal, or
binormal to a point on a curve or edge,
or perpendicular or parallel to another
object.
Create a datum axis at the intersection
of two planar faces, datum planes, or
planes.
Create a datum axis on a linear curve
or edge, or the axis of a cylindrical or
conical face or torus.
On Curve Vector
Intersection
Curve/Face Axis
5-14
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Datum features
Datum axis options

Reverse Direction
Associative
Cycle through the possible directions for the

axis normal.
Clear this check box to create a fixed datum
axis. 3
3. In the
Part Navigator,
Fixed Datum Axis.
an associative datum plane has the name
Datum Axis,
while a non-associative datum plane has the name
5-15
Datum features
Applications for datum axes
Define an axis of rotation for revolved features.
Define an axis of rotation for circular arrays.
Define a relative datum plane.
Provide a directional reference.
Use as a target for feature positioning dimensions.
5-16
mt13150_g NX 5
Datum features
Create datum axes

The following examples describe the creation of common datum axis types.
5-17
Datum features
Two Points
1. On the Feature Operation toolbar, click Datum Axis
InsertDatum/PointDatum Axis.
2. In the Type group, click Two Points
or choose
3. Set the snap point options as desired.

4. Select two different point locations.
5. Click OK.
5-18
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Datum features
Intersection
1. Click Datum Axis
2. In the Type group, expand the list and select Intersection.

3. Select the planar faces, datum planes, or planes.
4. Click OK.
5-19
Datum features
Curve/Face Axis
1. Click Datum Axis
2. In the Type group, from the option list, select Curve/Face Axis.
3. Select the linear curve or edge, or the axis of a cylindrical or conical face
or torus.
4. Click OK.
5-20
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Datum features
Datum CSYS
A datum CSYS contains a set of reference objects:
A coordinate system
Three datum planes
Three datum axes
An origin point
On the Feature Operation toolbar, click

InsertDatum/PointDatum CSYS.
, or from the Menu Bar, choose
The datum CSYS appears as a single feature in the Part Navigator but its
objects can be selected individually to support the creation of other features,
to constrain sketches, and to position components in an assembly.
5-21
Datum features
Activities
In the Datum features section, do the following activities:
Cylindrical faces and datum planes
5-22
mt13150_g NX 5
Datum features
Summary
Datums are reference features that are used as construction tools to assist in
the creation of solid features and sketches in locations and orientations where
planar placement faces do not exist.
In this lesson you:
Created associative datum planes and datum axes.
Used datum features to create and position form features.
Edited datum planes to see how associative features are affected.
Used datum axes and planes to define more datum axes and planes.
Created an associative datum CSYS.
5-23
Lesson
Swept features
Purpose
Identify and create three types of swept features that use a section string to
define a solid or sheet body.
Objectives
Create an Extrude feature.
Create a Revolve feature.
Create a Sweep Along Guide feature.
Understand and use Boolean options.
6-1
Swept features
Types of swept features

You create swept features by extruding, revolving, or sweeping a section
string. The section string may be composed of explicit curves, sketch curves,
edges, or faces.
Extrude Sweep a section string (1) in a linear direction for a specified
distance.
Revolve Rotate a section string (1) around a specified axis (2).
Sweep Along Guide Sweep a section string (1) along a guide string (2).
Swept bodies are associative with both the section string and the guide string.
6-2
mt13150_g NX 5
Swept features
Extrude
Use the Extrude command to create a body by sweeping a 2D or 3D section of
curves, edges, faces, sketches or curve features a linear distance in a specified
direction.
6
The example shows a section of curves (1) extruded (2) with threads added to
the final solid body (3).
6-3
Swept features
Extrude options
Boolean options:
Unite
Subtract
Intersect
Trim using:
Faces
Datum planes
Solid bodies
6-4
mt13150_g NX 5
Swept features
To size an extrude or revolve:
Use drag handles (1).

Specify values in dynamic input boxes (2).
Specify values in dialog boxes (3).
Create constant offsets from the base section.

For extrude only, specify draft.
Use Selection Intent to modify the section when multiple possibilities exist.
6-5
Swept features
Boolean operations
Boolean operations let you combine previously existing solid and/or sheet
bodies.
You can apply the following Boolean operations to existing bodies:
Combine the volume of two or more solid tool bodies into

Unite
a single target body.
The target body and tool body must overlap or share faces so that the
result is a valid solid body.
Subtract
target body.
Remove the volume of one or more tool bodies from a
The target body must be a solid body. The tool bodies are normally solid
bodies.
Create a body containing the shared volume or area

Intersect
between a target body and one or more tool bodies.
You can intersect solids with solids, sheets with sheets, and a sheet with a
solid. You cannot intersect a solid with a sheet.
You can edit the Boolean option after you complete the feature.
Target and tool
Each Boolean option prompts you to identify a target solid (the body you
begin with) and one or more tool solids.
The target body is modified by the tools, and the tool bodies become part of
the target body at the end of the operation.
You have the option to save unmodified copies of the target and tool bodies.
Boolean error reporting
If an error occurs during a Boolean operation, the operation is terminated
and an error message displays the cause of the Boolean error.
6-6
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Swept features
Body types
When you create an Extrude or Revolve feature, you get either a sheet body
or a solid body.
Solid bodies
You get a solid body when you are using:
A closed section, with the Body Type option set to Solid.

A revolved open section, with the total angle 360.
An open section with an offset.
6-7
Swept features
Sheet bodies
You get sheet bodies when you are using:
A closed section, with the Body Type option set to Sheet.

An open section, no offset. For revolve, the total angle must be less than
360.
You can edit the body type.

The result must be a valid body.
6-8
mt13150_g NX 5
Swept features
Revolve
Use the Revolve command to create a feature by revolving section curves
sketches, faces, or edges of a face about a given axis through a nonzero angle.
The Revolve feature requires:
A section (1)
A location and direction for the rotation axis (2)
Start (3) and end (4) angles

You can also revolve a sketch by right-clicking it in the graphics window
and choosing Revolve from the shortcut menu.
If the section crosses the axis of revolution you may get unexpected
results.
The Revolve command uses the offset and Boolean options described in
the Extrude section.
6-9
Swept features
Sweep Along Guide

Use the Sweep along Guide command to create a feature by extruding an
open or closed boundary sketch, curve, edge or face along a guide (a path)
formed by one or a series of curves, edges or faces.
The Sweep along Guide feature requires:
A section (1)
A path (2)
6
You are allowed to select only one section string and only one guide
string.
If you have a 3D smooth guide string, or if you want to control the
interpolation, scale, or orientation, use Insert Sweep Swept
instead.
A unique and useful property of the Sweep Along Guide command is
that you can sweep a section along a guide string that contains sharp
corners.
6-10
mt13150_g NX 5
Swept features
Activities
In the Swept features and Boolean operations section, do the following
activities:
Extrude a sketch
Sweep along an open guide string
Add a revolved feature
6-11
Swept features
Summary
Use swept features to define solid or sheet bodies using a section. A section
can be a sketch, or a collection of curves and face edges.
In this lesson you:
Extruded a sketch.
Created various revolved features.
Revolved a feature with a Boolean Unite.
Swept sections along open and closed guide strings.
6-12
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Lesson
Part structure
Purpose
This lesson presents part creation methods, design intent, and physical
properties.
Objectives
Access the Part Navigator.
Playback model construction.
Suppress and unsuppress features.
Measure the distance between objects.
Assign a material and calculate mass properties.
7-1
Part structure
Part Navigator
The Part Navigator displays your part in a detailed, graphical tree. Use the
Part Navigator to understand and update the parts basic structure. You can
select and edit the parameters of items in the tree. You can rearrange how the
part is organized. You can view features, views, drawings, user expressions,
measurements, reference sets, cameras, and unused items in the tree.
To access the Part Navigator, click the
tab on the Resource Bar.
If the Resource is Bar is not visible, choose ViewShow Resource

Bar to show it.
Main panel
Use the main panel to see an overall graphical representation of your parts
structure, to edit the parameters of items, or to rearrange the feature history.
You can:
Double-click nodes to edit the corresponding feature.
Select features by their nodes during dialog box interactions.
Right-click nodes for shortcut options.
Select or clear red check boxes to control the visibility of bodies.
Select or clear green check boxes to control the suppression status of

features.
7-2
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Part structure
Dependencies panel
Use the Dependencies panel to view the parent-child relationships of the
feature geometry selected in the main panel.
7-3
Part structure
Details panel
Use the Details panel to view, and in some cases edit, the parameters
belonging to the feature selected in the main panel.
7-4
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Part structure
Preview panel
Use the Preview panel to see preview images of selected items in the main
panel.
The selected item must be one that has an available preview object, such
as a saved design view, a drawing view, or a materials library texture.
7-5
Part structure
Timestamp order
Use Timestamp Order to display a linear listing of all features in the work
part as nodes in the order of their creation time stamp.
When Timestamp Order is inactive, the main panel is in the design view.
When Timestamp Order is active, the main panel does not include all of the
nodes available in the design view, for example, body nodes, the Reference
Sets node, and the Unused Features node.
7-6
mt13150_g NX 5
Part structure
Part Navigator shortcut menu

Right-click a feature node in the Part Navigator to display a feature specific
shortcut menu.
The options available depend on the type of feature you select.
Many options require the Modeling application to be active.
Display Dimensions Display the features parameter values until you

refresh the display.
Show Parents and Hide Parents Display or hide parent curves,

sketches, or datums.
Make Current Feature Insert new features immediately after the

current feature.
Select Whole Branch Select the feature and all nodes with earlier
timestamps.
Filter Simplify the display tree by hiding features by type or timestamp

order.
To turn off a filter, place the cursor in the Part Navigator away from
a feature node, right-click and select the Apply Filter option in the
shortcut menu to make it inactive.
Edit Parameters Edit the features parameters, the same as

EditFeatureParameters.
Edit with Rollback Roll the model back to its state just before the
feature was created, and then open the features creation dialog box.
Edit with Rollback is shown in bold type in the shortcut menu.

In any shortcut menu, the option in bold type is the default
double-click action.
Edit Positioning Edit the features positioning dimensions, the same as

EditFeatureEdit Positioning.
Suppress and Unsuppress Temporarily remove and restore a feature

display from the part history.
A suppressed feature still affects some editing operations.
Reorder Before and Reorder After Change the timestamp of features.
7-7
Part structure
Creation order is important to permit use of a feature as a parent, and

in the Replace Feature command.
You can also drag nodes to valid locations.
Group Group features into a special collection called a Feature Set.
Replace Replace a features definition by another feature.
Make Sketch Internal and Make Sketch External Internalize or

externalize a sketch that is a parent of the selected feature.
Edit Sketch Edit the parent sketch of the selected feature. This option
appears only when the feature has a parent sketch.
Copy Place a copy of a feature on a clipboard.

This advanced option is covered in Intermediate NX Design and
Assemblies.
Delete Delete the selected feature, the same as EditDelete.
Hide Body and Show Hide or show the body containing the selected
feature.
Rename Append a user-defined name to the feature.
Object Dependency Browser Explore the parent and child

relationships of features.
Information Display information about the selected feature in the

Information window.
Properties Open the properties dialog box for the selected feature.
General properties include the feature name.
Attributes you assign appear in a column of the Part Navigator. See the
online Help for details.
7-8
mt13150_g NX 5
Part structure
Feature playback
Use the Playback command to investigate a model. Choose
EditFeaturePlayback.
Playback temporarily hides body features. It allows you to step through the
construction of the model, one feature at a time.
Playback does not suppress reference features or sketches.
Playback provides an option to edit features during the update.
Notice that the Edit During Update dialog box has several editing
options.
This dialog box appears when you update a model, if an error or warning
event occurs and if one or both of the modeling preferences, Interrupt
Update on Error and Interrupt Update on Warning, are selected.
7-9
Part structure
Reorder features
As you create features, NX assigns a time stamp to each one. When you
modify a body, the update follows the order of the feature time stamps.
A body can differ depending on the order in which features are applied. You
can reorder the feature history in the following ways:
Choose EditFeatureReorder.
Over feature nodes in the Part Navigator, use the shortcut menu.
In the Part Navigator, drag and drop feature nodes.

The example part consists of two extrusions, a blend, and a shell.
You can edit the part topology by moving the shell feature in the history tree.
The shell feature is

initially after the
first extrude.
7-10
The shell feature

is after the second
extrude.
The shell feature is

after the blend.
mt13150_g NX 5
Part structure
Information
The Information menu offers a number of options to obtain information
about the model.
InformationFeature
Choose InformationFeature to open the Feature Browser dialog box. Use
this dialog box to identify parent/child relationships between a selected
feature and the other features in the model. You can display expressions that
control the feature in the graphics window by selecting Display Dimensions.
Click OK or Apply to display the Information window with the geometric data
and associated expressions.
Feature information may also be accessed by selecting the feature in the
Part Navigator and choosing Information from the shortcut menu, or by
selecting the feature in the graphics window and choosing Properties
from the shortcut menu.
InformationObject
This is used to display information about selected objects in an Information
window. Any type of geometric object may be selected including curves, edges,
faces, and bodies. The Information window displays information such as
name, layer, color, object type, and geometric properties (length, diameter,
start and end coordinates, etc.).
InformationExpressionList All
This lists all expressions in the part in the Information window. From the
Information window, you can print the listing or save it as a text file.
InformationExpressionList All by Reference

This is used to identify expressions that reference other expressions and
the features that they define. You can use the EditFind option on the
Information window menu bar to search for a specific expression.
7-11
Part structure
Referenced expressions
If an expression defines a feature directly, the feature name is listed with it in
the Expressions dialog box.
Any expression can be referenced by the formula of other expressions.
You can identify all referencing expressions by using List References in the
shortcut menu.
To use this option:
1. Choose ToolsExpression.
2. If necessary, change the Listed Expressions filter to list the expression.
3. Over the expression, right-click and choose List References in the
shortcut menu.
An Information window lists the features and other expressions that

reference the selected expression.
Expressions are discussed a later lesson.
7-12
mt13150_g NX 5
Part structure
Distance
Use the Distance command to obtain the minimum distance between any two
objects such as points, curves, planes, bodies, edges, faces, or components.
Choose AnalysisDistance or click Distance on the Analysis toolbar.
After you select two objects, a temporary ruler and measurement result are
displayed in the graphics window.
Specify units for distance measurements in AnalysisUnits.
In the Results Display group, select Show Information Window to

display result details in the Information window.
7-13
Part structure
Mass properties
Calculate mass properties data by choosing AnalysisMass Properties and
selecting a solid body.
The units for the results are determined by the setting in AnalysisUnits.
Assign a density to a solid body by choosing

EditFeatureSolid Density or by choosing
ToolsMaterial Properties.
Create a new material or select a material from the existing library.
7-14
mt13150_g NX 5
Part structure
Delayed updates
As you add features to your model, it may take noticeably longer to update.
You can delay updates until after edits are made.
From the main menu, choose ToolsUpdateDelayed after Edit, or, on the
Edit Feature toolbar, click
If Delayed Update after Edit is inactive, the part is updated after the
completion of each edit operation. This is the default setting.
If Delayed Update after Edit is active, feature updates are delayed while
edits are made.
When Delayed Update after Edit is active and edits are made, Update Model
is available.
Choose ToolsUpdateUpdate Model, or, on the Edit Feature toolbar, click
.
The model is updated automatically when the part is saved.
7-15
Part structure
Activity
In the Part structure section, do the following activity:
Part structure
7-16
mt13150_g NX 5
Part structure
Summary
In this lesson, you queried a model to determine the creation method and
design intent. These skills are important to review parts created by other
users.
In this lesson you:
Accessed the Part Navigator.
Identified expressions.
Reviewed the model construction using Playback, Suppress, and

Unsuppress.
Measured a distance.
Calculated mass properties.
7-17
Lesson
Using sketches
Purpose
This lesson explains additional sketch editing methods.
Objectives
Drag sketch objects
Work with inferred constraints
Reorder sketches
Create an alternate solution
Reattach sketches
8-1
Using sketches
Drag sketch objects

A sketch does not have to be fully constrained; you may omit constraints that
add no value to maintain your design intent.
Dragging allows you to move under constrained geometry in the
unconstrained directions.
To drag a single curve or point move the cursor over it, click, and drag.
For multiple objects first select curves or end points and then click and drag
all selected objects.
Objects that share sketch points with the object being dragged remain
connected to the object and stretch to accommodate the movement.
If an object has no freedom to move, you cannot drag it.
In the example shown, L6 (1) is being dragged while L4 and L5 (2) stretch. L6
is constrained so it maintains its angular and length relationship.
8-2
mt13150_g NX 5
Using sketches
Drag multiple curves

You can drag multiple sketch curves.
In the example below, the two lines L4 and L6 (1) are selected to drag causing
L5 and the upper horizontal line (2) to stretch.
8-3
Using sketches
Drag a point
You can drag a single sketch point.
In the example shown, the sketch point V1 is being dragged. The lines that
share the sketch point stretch. Their angle and length are modified.
8-4
mt13150_g NX 5
Using sketches
Drag to assist constraining

You can drag curves to approximate the correct location before you constrain
them.
This is useful when constraining curves at their original location distorts the
sketch, making it difficult to continue.
Undesired Results
Distortion caused by the act of constraining.
Desired Results
Desired results when entire profile dragged from quadrant to quadrant.
8-5
Using sketches
Create an alternate solution

The Alternate Solution command lets you display alternate constraint
solutions and select a result.
Select a dimension or a curve as Object 1.
The example below shows how the geometry changes when you click Alternate
Solution and select a dimension.
The change is immediate. Simply click the dimension again to restore the
previous solution.
8-6
mt13150_g NX 5
Using sketches
Create an alternate solution for tangent circles

If you select a curve, Object 2 becomes active. You may then select a curve
tangent to Object 1.
The example below shows how the geometry changes when you click Alternate
Solution and select a dimension.
Select the large circle (1) first and the small circle () second.
8-7
Using sketches
Create an alternate solution for a line tangent to an arc

Select the curves in any order.
8-8
mt13150_g NX 5
Using sketches
Activity
In the Using sketches section, do the following activity:
Alternate Solution
8-9
Using sketches
Reattach sketches
Place sketches on a planar face, a datum plane, or a path.
The Sketch on Path option is discussed in Intermediate NX Design
and Assemblies.
The target plane, face, or path must have an earlier time stamp than the
sketch.
Sketches appear in the list of features presented when you reorder a feature.
A sketch can be anywhere after its reference geometry.
Use the Reattach command to:
Move an existing sketch to a different plane, face, or path.
Switch a Sketch in Place to a Sketch on Path and vice versa.
Change the location of a Sketch on Path along the path to which it is

attached.
Specify a new horizontal or vertical reference.
Reattaching a sketch
1. Open the sketch and, on the Sketcher toolbar, click Reattach
2. Select the target datum plane or face.

3. (Optional) Select a horizontal or vertical reference.
4. Click OK to complete reattaching the sketch.
8-10
mt13150_g NX 5
Using sketches
Sketch timestamp and dependencies

The sketch plane and horizontal or vertical reference must have a timestamp
earlier than the sketch.
If you want to assign a new plane or direction reference using an object that
has a later timestamp than the sketch, you can reorder the sketch or the
reference object.
1. In the Part Navigator, right-click the column headings and, if necessary,
select Timestamp Order.
2. Drag the object to reorder it to the timestamp you require.
If you attempt to create a circular relationship or position an object at

an invalid timestamp, your edit will be rejected.
8-11
Using sketches
Activities
In the Using sketches section, do the following activities:
Reattach a sketch
Reorder a sketch
8-12
mt13150_g NX 5
Using sketches
Mirror sketch curves

The Mirror Curve command lets you make a mirrored copy of sketch geometry
through an existing sketch line.
Sketcher:
Applies mirror geometric constraints to all the geometry associated with

the Mirror operation.
Converts the mirror line to a reference line.
To mirror sketch curves:

1. On the Sketch Operations toolbar, click Mirror Curve
2. Select the mirror centerline.

3. Click the middle mouse button to advance to the next step and select
the target geometry.
4. Click OK.
8-13
Using sketches
Activity
In the Using sketches section, do the following activity:
Mirror sketch objects
8-14
mt13150_g NX 5
Using sketches
Summary
You can drag sketch curves to other locations.
Use alternate solution when more than one configuration can apply.
Reattaching a sketch offers you design flexibility.
In this lesson you:
Dragged sketch curves.
Applied alternate solutions to obtain appropriate profiles.
Reattached sketches.
Reordered sketches.
Mirrored sketch curves.
8-15
Lesson
Trim Body
Purpose
The purpose of this lesson is to learn to use the Trim Body command.
Objectives
Use the Trim Body command to define the shape of a solid body.
9-1
Trim Body
Trim a body
The Trim Body command lets you trim one or more target bodies using a
face, datum plane, or other geometry.
1. On the Feature Operation toolbar, click Trim Body
2. Select one or more target bodies to trim.

3. From the Tool Option list, select Face or Plane or New Plane.
4. Select an object with which to trim the target.
A vector points in the trimming direction.
If the sheet does not cut through a target body completely, the following
message is displayed:
If the sheet does not cut the target body at all, this message is displayed:
If a message appears, correct the problem before you continue.

5. (Optional) Click Reverse Direction
to reverse the trimming direction.
6. Click Apply or OK to create the trim body feature.

The Trim Body command retains all parametric information.
You must select at least one target body, even when there is only one possible
target.
You can select a single face, multiple faces from the same solid body, or a
datum plane to trim the target bodies.
9-2
mt13150_g NX 5
Trim Body
Activity
In the Trim body section, do the following activity:
Trim body
9-3
Trim Body
Summary
The Trim Body function removes part of a solid body.
In this lesson you:
Defined a solid bodys contour using the Trim Body function.
9-4
mt13150_g NX 5
Lesson
10 Swept feature options

Purpose
This lesson introduces draft, offsets, and applications of selection intent to
swept profiles.
Objectives
Apply Selection Intent to sections with intersecting curves and multiple

loops.
Create an extruded feature with offsets.
Create an extruded feature with draft.
10
10-1
Swept feature options
Selection Intent
The Selection Bar has rules you can use when you select curves.
Use these rules to help you to select curves or edges:
In fewer steps than selecting them individually.
When only part of some curves is needed.
When a rule can determine which branch to take at multi-curve

intersections.
When future model development or edits may change the number of

curves in the profile.
10
10-2
mt13150_g NX 5
Curve rule options

Single Curve
Individually select one or more curves or edges with

no rule.
Select a chain of curves or edges that share endpoints.
Connected
Curves
No rule is applied if the chained curves are

non-associative.
This rule does not grow or shrink the chain if curves
are added or no longer form a single chain after an edit
to the model.
Select a tangent chain of curves or edges.
No rule is applied if the chained curves are
non-associative.
Tangent Curves
This rule does not attempt to grow or shrink the chain

if curves are added or no longer form a single chain
after an edit to the model.
Non-associative curves that are no longer tangent after
an edit are not discarded.
Collect all edges of the face containing the edge you
select.
Face Edges
If you already selected an edge using another rule, you

can select an adjoining face to define a collection with
the Add All of Face rule.
When you select an edge, the cursor location
determines which face is selected.
Sheet Edges
Collect all edges of the sheet body you select.
Feature Curves
Collect all output curves from curve features, such as

sketches or any other curve features.
Use the default intent method for the type of object
you select.
Infer
For example, with Extrude the default is Feature

Curves if you select a curve, and Single if you select
an edge.
10
10-3
Curve collection modifiers

Stop at
Intersection
Specify that auto chaining stops on

intersection points of wireframe.
Follow Fillet
Automatically follow and leave fillets or

circular curves during section building.
Chain within
Feature
Limit the chaining to collect curves only

from the parent feature of the selected
curve.
10
10-4
mt13150_g NX 5
Extrude with offset

The Offset options lets you specify up to two offsets to the profile for extruded
and revolved sections. You can assign unique values for both offsets.
You can:
Type values for the offsets in the Start and End input boxes in the dialog
box.
Type values in dynamic input boxes in the graphics window.
Drag the offset handles.
Options
None
Create no offset.
Single-Sided
Add a single end offset to the extrude.
Two-Sided
Add an offset with duplicate start and end values,

measured from opposite sides of the section.
The value for both start and end is determined by the last
one you specify.
Symmetric
Add an offset with duplicate start and end values.
Start
Start the offset at the value you specify, measured from

the section.
End
End the offset at the value you specify, measured from the
section.
10
10-5
Two sided offset examples

The start and end offset values may be positive or negative.
The positive direction is shown by the End Offset drag handle.
10
10-6
mt13150_g NX 5
Start Offset Zero, End Offset Positive
10
10-7
Start Offset Zero, End Offset Negative
10
10-8
mt13150_g NX 5
Start Offset Negative, End Offset Positive
10
10-9
Single-sided offset examples

The single-sided examples are based on offsets to the section shown.
10
10-10
mt13150_g NX 5
Offset value too large

If the end value becomes so large that a self-intersecting body is created, the
preview disappears.
10
10-11
Smaller positive offset

In this example the offset is small enough to support a preview. The offset
body is valid.
10
10-12
mt13150_g NX 5
Negative offset
In this example the offset is negative, and small enough to support a preview.
The offset body is valid.
10
10-13
Extrude with draft

Use the Draft option to add a slope to one or more sides of the extrude feature,
in one or two directions from the section.
You can apply a draft only when the extruded section is planar.
Option
None
From Start Limit
From Section
From
Section-Asymmetric
Angle
From
Section-Symmetric
Angle
Description
No draft is created.
Maintain the original size of the extruded section at
the start limit.
Maintain the original size of the extruded section
at the section plane.
Split the side faces into two sides at the section
plane. You can control the draft angle separately on
each side of the section. 1
Front Angle and Back Angle options appear; one
pair with the Single option, and one pair for each set
of tangent curves for the Multipleoption.
Split side faces at the section plane, and use the
same draft angle on both sides. 1
Maintain the original size of the extruded section,

and split the side faces of the extrude feature at the
From Section-Matched section plane.
Ends
Match the size of the shape at the end limit to that of
the start limit, and vary the draft angle to maintain
the matched shape at the end limit. 1
Single Specify a single draft angle for all faces of
the extrude feature.
Angle Option
Multiple Specify unique draft angles to each
tangent chain of faces of the extrude feature.
Angle
Specify a value for a draft angle.
Examine the name and value for each draft angle.
List
10
The list appears when the Angle Option is set to

Multiple.
1. Available only when the extrude extends from both sides of the section.
10-14
mt13150_g NX 5
Positive and negative draft angles

If you look at the body with your eye positioned with respect to the draft
vector as shown, positive draft angles (1) enable you to see the draft feature
faces, and negative draft angles (2) hide the draft feature faces.
10
10-15
Draft and the extrude direction

This illustrates that draft is measured with respect to the extrude direction,
and that the extrude direction need not be perpendicular to a planar section.
10
10-16
mt13150_g NX 5
Draft examples
Draft examples are based on this extruded section.
10
10-17
Draft with offset

In this example, the draft option is From Section-Asymmetric Angle.
The front angle value is set to 5 and the back angle value is set to 0.
The offset option is Two Sided.
The start offset (1) is 0.2 and the end offset (2) is 0.2.
10
10-18
mt13150_g NX 5
DesignLogic parameter entry options

Parameter entry options let you define your model parametrically as you
specify feature values.
To access the options, click
next to input boxes.
You may specify a value based on a:
Measurement.
Formula.
Math or knowledge-based function.
Reference to an existing value.
Conversion of the above to a constant.
Recently used value that you want to use again
10
10-19
Reference existing parameters

1. From the parameter entry options list, select Reference.
The Parameter Selection dialog box appears.
Initially, the list is empty.
2. Select an existing feature.
The list is populated with the features parameters and their descriptions.
3. Select a parameter (1).
4. Click OK (2).
The parameter name now appears in the input box (3).
10
10-20
mt13150_g NX 5
Activities
In the Swept feature options section, do the following activities:
Extrude with offsets
Extrude using Selection Intent
10
10-21
Summary
Selection Intent allows you to quickly specify sections by applying rules to
complex set of curves.
Offset provides an easy way to thicken simple sections or alter sections for
revolved and extrude features.
Extrude with draft simplifies your feature tree by combining draft features
with extrude.
DesignLogic speeds parametric modeling.
In this lesson you:
Applied selection intent to sections.
Extruded with offsets.
Extruded with draft.
10
10-22
mt13150_g NX 5
11
Lesson
11 Hole features
Purpose
This lesson introduces the hole feature, one of several features that can be
constrained by positioning.
Objectives
Create hole features.
Position hole features.
Edit the parameters and position of hole features.
11-1
Hole features
11
Features with predefined shapes

There are several features with a predefined form, each having different
individual behavior and rules.
In previous releases, these features were grouped together as Form Features.
Features with predefined shapes include:
Holes
Slots
Bosses
Pads
Pockets
Grooves
You can create these features by choosing InsertDesign Feature, or by

adding them to the Feature toolbar.
11-2
mt13150_g NX 5
Hole features
11
Placement Face
All features with predefined shapes require a placement face. For all but the
groove feature, the placement face must be planar. For a groove feature, the
placement face must be cylindrical or conical.
The planar placement face defines the X-Y plane of a local or feature
coordinate system for the feature being created. Features are created normal
to the placement face, and they maintain an internal definition of horizontal
(along their local X-axis), and vertical (along their local Y-axis).
You can specify a datum plane as the planar placement face.
In the following example, the datum plane is used as the placement face
for a hole.
11-3
Hole features
11
Hole
Use the Hole command to create simple, counterbored, and countersunk
holes in a solid body.
Holes features support automated feature identification in the
Holemaking application.
The remaining features with predefined shapes can be replaced by
a swept sketch, or in some cases, by extruding edges. Use sketches
instead of these features to greatly reduce the amount of information
you need to learn in order to be productive.
11-4
mt13150_g NX 5
Hole features
11
Hole Types
1. Diameter
Simple
2. Depth
3. Tip Angle
1. C-Bore Diameter
Counterbore 2. C-Bore Depth
3. Hole Depth
1. C-Sink Diameter
Countersink 2. C-Sink Angle
3. Hole Depth
11-5
Hole features
11
Hole options
Option
Description
Placement Face
Specify a planar face or datum plane.
Target Solid
Thru Face
Filter
Reverse Side
Reattach
Available if you select a fixed datum plane for the

placement face and more than one solid is present
in the part.
Specify that the hole goes completely through the
target solid. 1 2
Depth and Tip Angle become unavailable.
Optional.
Any, Face, Datum Plane
Available if you select a datum plane for the
Placement Face.
Not available when there is a Thru Face.
Available only in edit mode.
Change hole location and orientation.
1. If the hole intersects the through face more than once, the hole continues to the last intersection. If this is undesirable, you can
split the face to limit the number of solutions.
2. If the through face does not completely intersect the hole, it is extended to include adjacent faces.
11-6
mt13150_g NX 5
Hole features
11
Create a hole
1. From the menu bar, choose InsertDesign FeatureHole, or on the
Feature Operation toolbar, click Hole.
2. Select the Type: Simple, Counterbore, or Countersink.
3. Select a planar placement face.
4. (Optional) If the placement face is a datum plane, if it is necessary to flip
the preview body to intersect the target body, click Reverse Side.
5. (Optional) Select a target for Thru Face.
6. Type the required parameter values.
7. Click OK or Apply.
8. (Optional) Use Positioning to constrain the location of the hole.
11-7
Hole features
11
Positioning
Positioning provides dimensional constraints to locate features with
predefined shapes relative to existing curves, solid geometry, datum planes,
and datum axes.
Positioning is optional, but it is recommended to achieve associativity.
Only the dimension types that apply to the feature being creating are
displayed.
The types of curves that are selectable may be limited, based on the
type of positioning dimension being defined.
The illustration below shows the Positioning dialog box configuration for a
Hole feature.
An advanced form feature, User Defined, can be based on a sketch. In
that situation, use positioning to locate the sketch, so that positioning
is available to locate the user defined feature.
11-8
mt13150_g NX 5
Hole features
11
Positioning terminology
Fully Specified The feature is uniquely located by the positioning

dimensions specified.
Underspecified The feature position is not completely constrained.
Overspecified The feature has had more positioning constraints applied

to it than are necessary.
Target Solid The solid body that a Boolean operation acts upon. It is
the solid body that the hole, slot, pocket or groove will subtract from, or a
boss or pad will unite with.
Target edge An edge on the target solid that is selected for positioning
purposes.
Tool solid The solid representation of the feature being defined by the
current operation. In the body that will be subtracted from or united with
the target solid to define a hole, slot, pocket, pad, boss, or groove .
Tool edge An edge on the tool solid that is selected for positioning
purposes.
11-9
Hole features
11
Positioning Constraints
All measurements are taken between two points or objects. The first point or
object is on the target solid. The second is on the tool solid.
Constraint
Horizontal
Vertical
Parallel
Specifies the shortest distance between two points.
Perpendicular
Specifies the shortest distance between a linear

edge, datum plane, or axis, and a point.
Parallel at a
Distance
Angular
Point onto Point
Point onto Line
Line onto Line
11-10
Description
Specifies the distance between two points,
measured along a selected Horizontal Reference.
Specifies the distance between two points,
measured perpendicular to the Horizontal
Reference.
Often used with holes

Specifies that linear edges must be parallel and at
a given distance. Typically used for slot, pocket
or pad.
Creates a positioning constraint between linear
edges at a given angle
Specifies the distance between two points is zero.
Used to align arc centers of cylindrical or conical
features.
Specifies that the distance between an edge,
datum plane, or axis and a point is zero.
Same as the Parallel at a Distance option, with
the distance set to zero.
mt13150_g NX 5
Hole features
11
Edit hole features

1. Right-click the hole in the Part Navigator or in the graphics window.
2. Select Edit Parameters.
3. From the Edit Parameters dialog box, chose one of the following options:
Feature Dialog
Reattach
Change Type
11-11
Hole features
11
Edit a hole position

1. Right-click the hole in the Part Navigator or in the graphics window.
2. Select Edit Positioning.
3. From the Edit Positioning dialog box, chose one of the following options:
11-12
Add Dimension
Edit Dimension Value
Delete Dimension
mt13150_g NX 5
Hole features
11
Feature Dialog
The Feature Dialog option displays the Edit Parameters dialog box, configured
for the hole type you are editing.
11-13
Hole features
11
Reattach
Use Reattach to change the location or orientation of the feature by redefining
feature references.
The Reattach dialog box presents only those options that apply to the feature
being edited.
The illustration shows the display or a typical hole positioned by Point onto
Point. 3
3. Recall that the Parallel dimension type is defined as the shortest distance between two points. The Point onto Point type is a special
case of the Parallel type where the distance is zero.
11-14
mt13150_g NX 5
Hole features
11
Reattach Selection Steps

Selection Steps
Specify Target
Placement Face
Description
Select a new attachment face for the feature
being edited.
Specify Reference
Direction
Redefine
Positioning
Dimensions
Specify First Thru
Face
Select a new reference direction for the feature

being edited.
Select a positioning dimension and redefine its
target and/or tool geometry.
Specify Second
Thru Face
Redefine the second through/trim face of the

feature being edited.
Specify Tool
Placement Face
Redefine the tool face of a user defined feature.
Redefine the first through/trim face of the

feature being edited.
11-15
Hole features
11
Reattach Options
Other Options
Filter
List window
Direction Reference
Reverse Direction
Limit the types of objects that are selectable.

Display the positioning dimensions and their types
for the feature being edited.
Change between Horizontal and Vertical.
Reverse the features reference direction.
Reverse Side
Reverse the features normal direction when it is

attached to a datum plane.
Specify Origin
Quickly relocate the reattached feature by moving it

to a specified origin.
Delete Positioning
Dimension
Delete a selected positioning dimension.
You can only reattach a hole to or dimension it to features with later

timestamps.
11-16
mt13150_g NX 5
Hole features
11
Change Type
For hole features you can:
Change the hole from one type to another: Simple, Counterbore, or

Countersink.
Use the Thru Hole option to change a blind hole to a through hole, or
vice versa.
Use the Sheet Metal Hole option to change a non-sheet metal hole to
a sheet metal hole, or vice versa.
Change type also applies to Slot features.
11-17
Hole features
11
Add positioning dimensions to holes

1. When you add a positioning dimension to a hole you are prompted to
select the tool edge. If the hole has no internal edges, you must click
Identify Solid Face.
2. Select the face of the hole (1).

3. If the hole has an internal edge, select it (2).
11-18
mt13150_g NX 5
Hole features
11
Activities
In the Hole features section, do the following activities:
Create holes
Edit holes
11-19
Hole features
11
Summary
In this lesson you were introduced to Hole features, one of several features
with predefined shapes.
This lesson you:
11-20
Identified placement and through faces.
Created hole features.
Applied positioning dimensions .
Edited parameters and positioning dimensions.
mt13150_g NX 5
Lesson
12 Expressions
12
Purpose
This lesson describes various aspects of the expression functionality.
Objectives
Cut, Copy, and Paste functions in Expressions
Create Conditional Expressions
Suppress a feature by an expression
Reference Measurements of geometric properties via expressions
12-1
Expressions
Overview
You can easily create many types of intelligent expressions based on
measurements and inter-part references.
12
Expression names are not case sensitive, with the following exceptions:
Expression names are case sensitive if their dimensionality is set

to Constant.
Expression names are case sensitive if they were created before
NX 3.
When expression names are case sensitive, they must be referenced

exactly when used in other expressions.
12-2
mt13150_g NX 5
Expressions
The Expressions dialog box
12
1 Expression Name
Alphanumeric characters and underscores. Must begin with

a letter.
2 Less/More Options
3 Formula
4 Dimensionality
Choose from Constant, Length, Area, Volume, Mass, and

many others
5 Units
Units appropriate to the dimensionality will be available

in a list
6 Additional functions
Functions, Measurements, Create Interpart Reference, Edit

Interpart Reference, Open Referenced Parts, Delete
7,8 Accept/Reject Edit

9 Spreadsheet Edit
10 Import Expressions from File
11 Export Expressions to File
12 Expression list
List contains columns for Name (followed by usage in the
part), Formula, Value, Units, and Comment
13 Listed Expressions
Choose from User Defined, Named, Filter by Name, Filter
by Value, Filter by Formula, Unused Expressions, Object
Parameters, Measurements, and All
14 Expression Filter
Not active unless Listed Expressions is in a filtered setting
12-3
Expressions
The system will handle unit conversions automatically if, for example,
you specify inches in a metric part
Press F1 for help on expressions any time you are using the Expressions
dialog box.
12
12-4
mt13150_g NX 5
Expressions
Expression list
The Listed Expressions list displays when More Options has been selected.
The listing contains several columns:
Name
This lists the expression names currently available with

the Listed Expressions settings. The name is followed
by the name of the associated object or feature and the
parameter option with which the expression is associated.
For example, you might see:
p2 (EXTRUDED(1) End Distance)
p8_u (POINT(6) Point on surface along u)
Formula
The formula is a constant value or mathematical

expression which appears to the right of the equal sign
in the simple equation format name=formula. NX provides
tools to help you specify function names, names or
formulas of existing expressions, or measurements of
geometry.
Value
This is the numeric value of the formula.
Units
This column displays the Units selected after the
dimensionality of the expression was specified, if they
exist. The system remembers units and converts values
when it is appropriate to do so.
Comment
Optional additional information a designer may need to

include can be stored in comments.
12-5
12
Expressions
You may control the order of the listed expressions by clicking the name at
the top of the column. For example, you may sort by name (the default), by
name in reverse order, by formula, and so on.
12
12-6
mt13150_g NX 5
Expressions
Listed expressions
The Listed Expressions list defines which expressions are listed in the
Expressions dialog box when More Options has been selected.
12
User Defined
Lists only expressions you created via the dialog box
Named
Lists only user defined expressions and expressions you

have renamed
Filter by Name
Lists expressions with names that match the filter
Filter by Value
Lists expressions with values that match the filter
Filter by Formula
Lists expressions with formulas that match the filter
Unused
Expressions
Lists expressions that are not referenced by any feature

or other expression
This is useful for part cleanup.
Object
Parameters
Lists expressions associated with a selected feature
Measurements
Shows all measurement expressions in the part file
All
Lists all expressions in the part
You must select a feature in the graphic window

or Part Navigator.
Filters you enter are saved during your session. They can be reused as
needed via the list, even in other parts.
12-7
Expressions
User-defined expressions
User-defined expressions are any expression that you create yourself with
the Expressions Editor.
12
For example, you could create an expression named width with a formula
string of 5.0. You could then use this expression to define the dimensions of a
feature by entering width in the appropriate parameter entry field.
Cut, Copy, and Paste
The expressions dialog box supports cut, copy and paste using right-click
commands. The window supports the standard windows editing keys such
as arrows, home, and end.
Additionally, when you are entering a formula, you may right-click over a row
in the list window and choose Enter Name or Enter Formula. The name or
formula is inserted at the cursor position in the Formula field.
12-8
mt13150_g NX 5
Expressions
Expression operators
Operators may be classified into arithmetic, conditional, and
relational/Boolean.
12
Additional operators are provided in Appendix C.

Insert Function
Use Insert Function
insert into a formula.
to locate any standard or user defined function to
Built-in functions include the following examples, and many more listed in
Appendix C:
Name
abs
arcsin
sin
pi
Description
Absolute Value, abs(x)=|x|
Returns the inverse sine of a given
number in degrees
Sine, sin(x) is the sine of x, x must
be in degrees.
The function pi() takes no
arguments and returns the value
of pi.
12-9
Expressions
in parameter
The Function button
replaces the arrow symbol
entry options when a formula was used for a particular value. The
value shown cannot be edited directly.
12
You can click the button to choose to edit the formula in the Expression
dialog box, convert it to a Measure, or make the value constant.
You have two choices for changing a formula to a constant value. You
may select a recently used value or Make Constant to keep the present
value of the formula.
12-10
mt13150_g NX 5
Expressions
Conditional expressions
One way to develop design intent relationships between certain elements of
your model is to use conditional expressions.
Conditional expressions are created by using the if (then) else structure that
uses the following syntax:
single_variable = if (this condition is true) (then this) else (this)
width = if (length>=8) (3) else (2)
Alternative syntax is shown below without some of the parentheses.
width = if (length>=8) 3 else 2
This means:
If the length is greater than or equal to 8, the width shall be 3.
If the length is less than 8, the width shall be 2.
Syntax and the command portions of the statement must be lower case.
12-11
12
Expressions
Suppression by Expression
Using this option, you can create an expression to suppress a feature or group
of features.
12
This function is not available if Delayed Update on Edit is active.
If a child feature has its own suppress expression, its suppression status
will be controlled by that instead of by its parents suppress status. Child
features that do not have their own suppress expressions are automatically
suppressed when their parents suppress.
12-12
mt13150_g NX 5
Expressions
Function
Create for Each
Create Shared
Description
Creates a suppression expression for each
feature selected.
Creates a single expression that controls the
suppression of all features selected.
Delete for Each
Allows you to delete the selected features

suppression expression. The list box displays
all features which contain a suppression
expression.
Delete Shared
Allows you to delete the selected features

shared suppression expression. The list
box displays all features which contain a
shared suppression expression. If you select
a feature, the list box highlights the other
features which share that same expression.
Candidate
Features
Show
Expressions
Lists the features that can be selected for a

suppress by expression operation.
Allows you to generate a report that lists
features which contain a suppression
expression.
12
12-13
Expressions
Suppress by Expression Procedure
12
Select an option.
Select one or more features in the list window in the Suppress by

Expression dialog box.
Click Apply to create the expression.
Click Show Expressions to show the Suppression Status Controlled by

an Expression listing.
The system generates the new expressions and updates the feature selection
list.
If the expression value is 0 the feature is suppressed.
With an expression value of 1 the feature is unsuppressed.
12-14
mt13150_g NX 5
Expressions
Activity
In the Expressions section, do the activity:
Create conditional expressions
12
12-15
Expressions
Measurements
Use the measurement options to capture values for use in expression
formulas.
12
When you obtain a measurement an expression is created and inserted at the

cursor position of the expression formula you are editing.
Measure Distance
- Uses the Analysis Distance function to

measure the minimum distance between any
two objects such as points, curves, planes,
bodies, edges, and/or faces
Measure Length
- Uses the Analysis Arc Length function to

measure the arc length of a curve or line. You
can use selection intent and section building to
measure the length of a set of curves between
intersection points
Measure Angle
- Uses the Analysis Angle function to display

angle measurements between two curves,
between two planar objects, or between a line
and a planar object.
Measure Bodies
- Uses the Analysis Measure Bodies function

create multiple expressions for volume, mass,
radius of gyration, centroid x, centroid y,
centroid z, and surface area of solid bodies.
- Uses the Analysis Measure Faces function to
create two expressions for area and perimeter
values of body faces.
Measure Area
12-16
mt13150_g NX 5
Expressions
Distance options
Distance(the default) returns the three dimensional distance
between two selected objects.
Projected Distance returns the distance as seen in a plane normal
to a vector. The vector constructor appears.
Screen Distance is not available for the purpose of creating an
associative measurement.
Length provides the same interaction as Measure Length.
Radius returns the distance from the center of the arc to the pick
point on the arc.
Between Sets returns the distance between selected components.
12-17
12
Expressions
Angle Options
By 3 Points allows you to select three associative points.
By Objects (the default) allows you to select two curves, two planar
objects, or a line and a planar object.
12
By Screen Points is not available for the purpose of creating an

associative measurement.
Object (the default) allows you to select objects as listed above.
Use Feature when you want to determine the direction of a feature
such as a cylinder. When you select the feature, the system
indicates the direction with an arrow(s). is the default for measure
distance.
Vector constructor allows you to specify a direction.
3D Angle (the default) gives the true angle in three dimensional
space.
Angle in WCS XY Plane projects the selected angle to the WCS
XY plane.
Inner Angle (the default) measures the angle inside the lines of
the angle
Outer (Major) Angle measures the angle outside the lines of the
angle
Measurements use the Analysis functions. They are documented under
GatewayGateway Menu & dialog box ReferenceAnalysis.
If you want to save several stand alone measurements at one time,
consider using the Analysis function because it offers Apply (Ctrl+MB2)
to measure and continue. The analysis dialog box offers additional
options to save the measure feature or create the line.
12-18
mt13150_g NX 5
Expressions
Measures and measurements

When you use the Expressions dialog box to create a measurement you may
think of it as a stand alone measurement. Stand alone measurements can be
filtered in the Expression dialog box.
For every stand alone measurement expression the system creates a Measure
feature so that the objects selected for the measurement may be edited
without having to recreate the measurement.
The Expressions dialog box lists the value and units of each measurement,
but note that the formula column will always read (Measure). The name
column will show the type and timestamp of the measure feature, i.e.;
distance; angle; and so on.
12-19
12
Expressions
Measure features can be seen in the Part Navigator under the Measures node.
12
When you highlight a measure feature in the Part Navigator the associated
measurement expressions and their values are listed in the Details window,
and the Measure is highlighted in the graphics window.
12-20
mt13150_g NX 5
Expressions
Measurements during parameter entry

You may create embedded measurements by clicking Parameter Entry
Options to the right of any parameter entry window.
12
Measurements constructed in this manner do not need a Measure feature to

manage them; they are attached to the feature you were creating when you
specified the measurement. The appearance of embedded measurements in
the Expressions dialog box reflects this difference.
12-21
Expressions
Activity
In the Expressions section, do the activity:
12
12-22
Apply measurements
mt13150_g NX 5
Expressions
Summary
You can create comments when entering a formula by using double forward
slashes "//" after the formula and before the comment.
12
When an expression is renamed, it is changed in every occurrence where

used. Also, all expression names must be unique.
Conditional Expressions allow you to develop design rule relationships
between certain elements of your model.
Suppression by Expression is a tool that may be used to suppress individual
or groups of features based on the value of a single expression.
You may use Measurements to create a feature parameter based on some
geometric property.
In this lesson you:
Created and edited expressions.
Suppressed a feature using an expression.
Created conditional expressions.
Created measurement expressions.
12-23
12
Lesson
13 Face operations
13
Purpose
This lesson describes various face options you may use to modify existing
solid bodies and features.
Objectives
Create a Shell feature
Create an Offset Face feature
Create Draft features
13-1
Face operations
Shell
Use the Shell command to hollow a solid body, or to create a shell around it.
You can assign individual thicknesses to faces and remove individual faces.
13
13-2
mt13150_g NX 5
Face operations
Create a shell
1. On the Feature Operation toolbar, click Shell
2. Choose the type of shell you want to create:
in the Face to
Remove Faces, Then Shell Click Select Face
Pierce group to specify one or more faces to remove from the target
solid.
Shell All Faces Click Select Body

to select the body to shell.
in the Body to Shell group
3. In the Thickness group, type a distance value in the Thickness input box.
4. (Optional) In the Thickness group, click Reverse Direction
5. (Optional) Assign different thicknesses to different faces in the solid.

6. (Optional) Set or change the Approximate Offset Faces, Tangent Edges,
and Tolerance options in the Settings group.
7. Click OK or Apply to create the shell.
13-3
13
Face operations
Assign different thicknesses

1. Click Select Face
in the Alternate Thicknesses group and select
the faces for the first face set.
2. Type a thickness value in the Thickness n box.
You can also drag the thickness handle or type a value in its dynamic
input box.
13
Thickness n refers to Thickness 1, Thickness 2, Thickness 3, and

so on.
If the direction is wrong, click Reverse Direction
set.
3. Click Add New Set
set.
for the face
to complete the current face set and begin a new
You can also complete the set by clicking the middle mouse button.
4. Repeat this sequence for each set of faces that require a unique wall
thickness.
13-4
mt13150_g NX 5
Face operations
Shell options
You can right-click the section, preview, axis vector, or handles to
quickly access many of the following options.
Option
Remove Faces, Then
Shell
Shell All Faces
Select Face
Description
Remove some faces of the body before shelling
is done.
Shell all faces of the body.
Select one or more faces from a body you are
going to shell. 1
The first face selected sets the body to shell.
Select Body
Thickness
(Thickness group)
Reverse Direction
Select Face
Select the body you want to shell.
Specify a thickness for the shell walls.

Drag the thickness handle, or type a value in
the dynamic input box or in the dialog box.
Change the direction of the thickness.
You can also right-click the thickness direction
cone head and choose Reverse Direction, or
double-click the direction cone head.
Select faces for a thickness set with a unique
thickness value for all faces in the set. 2
Complete the set by clicking Add New Set or by
clicking the middle mouse button.
Thickness n
(Alternate Thickness
group)
You can add as many face sets as the model

allows.
Specify an independent thickness value for the
currently selected thickness set in the List.
You can drag the face set handle, or type a value
in the dynamic input box or dialog box.
The Thickness n label changes to match
the currently selected Thickness set;
Thickness 1, Thickness 2, etc.
1. Appears only when the Type is Remove Faces, Then Shell.

2. Selection Intent for faces is available.
3. Appears only when the Type is Shell All Faces.
13-5
13
Face operations
Option
Add New Set
List
Description
Complete the current face set.
You can also complete the current face set by
clicking the middle mouse button.
Thickness sets appear in the list box with their
name, value, and expression information.
To select a thickness set, click its dynamic input
box in the graphics window or click its entry in
the List.
13
Delete a thickness set in the list box.

You can also delete a thickness set by
right-clicking it in the list box and choosing
Delete or by right-clicking its handle and
choosing Delete.
Approximate Offset Faces Require NX to repair self-intersections caused by
offsetting surfaces in the body, by approximating
the face within the specified Tolerance.
Tangent Edges
Tolerance
13-6
Use this option for complicated surfaces that

would fail due to self-intersections during shell
creation.
Extend Shelf Face at Tangent Edge Allow the
creation of edge faces along smooth boundary
edges.
Extend Tangent Face Prevent the creation of
edge faces along smooth boundary edges.
Enter a new tolerance value here to override
the modeling distance tolerance for the shell
operation.
mt13150_g NX 5
Face operations
Selection Intent face rules

When a feature requires a collection of faces, Face Rule options are available.
The list displays the face selection rules that are applicable to the feature
you are creating.
Rule
Description
Single Face
Single-select one or more faces as a simple list of

objects without intent.
Specify a region of faces.
Region Faces
Select a single seed face, and then specify the

boundary faces.
Tangent Faces
Select a single face that acts as the seed of a

collection of smoothly connected faces.
Tangent Region
Faces
Select a seed face and then, optionally, one or

more boundary faces.
Body Faces
Collect all faces of the body containing the single

face you select
Adjacent Faces
Collect all faces that are immediately adjacent to

the single face you select.
Feature Faces
Collect all faces produced by the feature

responsible for the face you select.
13-7
13
Face operations
Activities
In the Shell section, do the following activities:
Shell with alternate thickness
Reorder features
13
13-8
mt13150_g NX 5
Face operations
Offset Face
You can use this option to offset one or more faces of a body along
the face normals. The Offset Face feature can be reached through
InsertOffset/ScaleOffset Face.
To offset faces, you must:
Select the objects.

Type the Offset value.
Click OK.
13
The offset distance can be positive or negative, providing the topology of the
body does not change. A positive offset distance is measured along a face
normal pointing away from the solid.
After you select the desired faces or body and click OK, the faces are
moved and the body is updated.
You cannot instance an offset feature.
13-9
Face operations
Activity
In the Face operations section, do the activity:
Offset a face
13
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Face operations
Draft
Draft lets you change faces to have an angle relative to a vector called
the draw direction.
Draft is used for:
Applying slope to vertical faces on a pattern, a part, a mold, or a die, so

the part will release when the mold or die opens.
Applying a draft angle to faces or edges, relative to a specified vector.
Applying a draft angle to individual features of a body.
Applying a variable bevel or taper to faces.
You need to specify at least the following inputs for the draft operation:
Faces to draft
Draw direction
Stationary objects
Draft angle
When you provide sufficient input, draft optionally shows a preview of the
result on the screen.
Within one draft feature, you can have multiple draft angles. Select
faces for any one draft angle, and then begin a new set of faces with
another angle by choosing Add New Set.
You can also use Selection Bar options to select faces or edges required for
draft. For example, you can select all tangent faces.
The angle between the tangent to the edge and the draft draw direction
must be greater than the draft angle.
13-11
13
Face operations
Draft types
You can create the following four types of draft using the Draft operator.
From Plane
If the draft operation requires that a planar cross section

through the part be maintained throughout the face
rotation, then use the From Plane type. This is the
default draft type selected when you the open the Draft
dialog box for the first time.
From Edges
If the draft operation requires that edges be maintained

throughout the face rotation, then use the From Edges
type.
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Face operations
Tangent to Faces
If the draft operation requires that the face selected to be

drafted maintain tangency with an adjacent drafted face,
then use the Tangent to Faces type.
13
To Parting Edges
If the draft operation requires that a planar cross section

through the part be maintained throughout the face
rotation, and that a ledge be created as necessary at
parting edges, then use the To Parting Edges type.
13-13
Face operations
Draft dialog box

The Draft dialog box is shown in the figure below.
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Face operations
Draw Direction
Regardless of the draft type selected, you must always specify a draw
direction.
If you are modeling a mold or die, it is the direction in which the molded part
must move to be separated from your model of the mold or die.
The draft angle is positive if the normal of the face to be drafted has a
component vector along the draw direction.
13
Positive Draft
Negative Draft
Draft selection inputs

Depending on the draft type you selected, some input is inferred, and you may
need to explicitly specify additional input as required.
Stationary Plane
Faces to Draft
Stationary Edges
Variable Angle Point
Tangent Faces to
Draft
Parting Edges
Add New Set
Appears in From Plane and To Parting Edges

Appears in From Plane
Appears in From Edges
Appears in From Edges
Appears in Tangent to Faces
Appears in To Parting Edges
Is enabled after one complete selection has been
made
13-15
Face operations
Activities
In the Face Operations section, do the activities:
Draft
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Face operations
Summary
The Shell feature allows you to create a cavity inside the solid or a shell
around the solid based upon a specified thickness.
Offset Face allows the user to move a face, multiple faces, or all faces in a body.
The Draft functionality allows the user to change the orientation of one or
more faces of a solid body.
In this lesson you:
Created a Shell feature.
Created an Offset feature.
Created Draft features.
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13-17
13
Lesson
14 Associative copies
Purpose
This lesson is an introduction to the Instance Feature and Mirror Body
commands.
14
Objectives
Create a rectangular array.
Create a circular array.
Mirror a body.
14-1
Associative copies
Instance Feature
Use the Instance Feature command to duplicate the shape of existing features.
Use instance arrays to:
Create patterns of features, such as bolt hole circles.
Edit all members of an instanced feature array in one step.
The following instance array types are available:
14
Rectangular
Array
Create a linear array of instances from one or more

selected features.
Circular Array
Create a circular array of instances from one or more

selected features.
Pattern Face
Not covered in this class You can also choose

InsertDirect ModelingPattern Face. See the
online Help for more information.
, or, from the

On the Feature Operation toolbar, click Instance Feature
menu bar, choose InsertAssociative CopyInstance Feature.
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Associative copies
Caveats
Instanced features with a Boolean must intersect the parent solid body.
You cannot create instances of the following objects:
Shells
Blends
Chamfers
Offset sheets
Datums
Trimmed sheet bodies
Instance sets
Draft features
Free form features
Trimmed features
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14-3
Associative copies
Array methods
You can create three types of rectangular and circular instance arrays:
Create an instance array with full
validation of all geometry.
General
Instanced geometry can cross an

edge of the face.
Instances can cross over from one
face to another.
Simple
14
Create an instance array faster,

by eliminating excessive data
validation and optimizing
operations.
Create an instance array by the
fastest method.
This method does the least amount
of validation.
Identical
Each instance is an exact copy of

the original.
Use this method when you have a
great many instances, and you are
sure they are all exactly the same.
When you use Simple and Identical, you should make sure that all new
geometry lies on the same face as the original feature.
If the new geometry touches or crosses the edges on the target body
or any other instance, use AnalysisExamine Geometry to validate
the geometry.
1. In the Examine Geometry dialog box, click Set All.
2. Select the geometry.
3. Click Examine Geometry.
If the array geometry fails a geometry check, click Undo and try a
General array.
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Associative copies
Rectangular instance array

Use the Rectangular instance option to create a linear array of instances
from one or more selected features.
Rectangular instance arrays can be either two-dimensional in XC and
YC (several rows of features) or one-dimensional in XC or YC (one row of
features).
Rectangular instance arrays are generated parallel to the XC and/or YC axes
based on the number and offset distance you enter.
Change the orientation of the WCS (the XC and YC directions) by using
Format WCS options or WCS Dynamics
14
14-5
Associative copies
Parameters for Rectangular instance array

After you select the desired features to instance, the following options appear:
General / Simple / Identical
14
Number Along
XC
Total number of instances parallel to the XC axis,

including the original feature.
XC Offset
Spacing for the instances along the XC axis.
Number Along
YC
Total number of instances parallel to the YC axis,

including the original feature.
YC Offset
Spacing for the instances along the YC axis.
The number of instances for both the XC and YC directions must be a

whole number greater than zero.
The offset values can be either positive or negative.
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Associative copies
Create a rectangular array

1. In the Instance dialog box, click Rectangular Array.
2. Select the features you want to instance.
3. In the Enter Parameters dialog box, specify the method: General, Simple,
or Identical.
4. Type the Number Along XC, XC Offset, Number Along YC, and the YC
Offset.
5. Click OK to display a preview
6. Click Yes to create the instance array, or No to return to the Enter
Parameters dialog box.
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Associative copies
Rectangular array example

(1) Hole selected
for instance.
Number Along XC = 3
XC Offset = .75
Number Along YC = 4
YC Offset = 1
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Associative copies
Circular instance array

Use the circular instance array option to create circular array of instances
from one or more selected features.
You specify:
The array method.
The rotation axis about which the instances are generated.
The total number of instances in the array, including the original feature.
The angle between the instances.
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14-9
Associative copies
Parameters for Circular instance array

After you select the desired features to instance, the following options appear:
General / Simple / Identical
Number
Total number of instances created in the circular array,

including the existing feature you are instancing.
Angle
The angle between the instances.
The number of instances must be a whole number greater than zero.

The angle can be either positive or negative.
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Associative copies
Create a circular array

1. In the Instance dialog box, click Circular Array.
2. Select the features you want to instance.
3. In the Enter Parameters dialog box, specify the array method: General,
Simple, or Identical.
4. In the Number input box, type the total number of instances in the array.
5. In the Angle input box, type the angle between instances.
6. Click OK.
14
7. Choose Point & Direction or Datum Axis to establish the rotation axis.
Point & Direction Use the Vector dialog box to specify a direction
and the Point dialog box to specify a reference point. The selected
features are rotated about the reference point in a plane normal to
the vector direction.
Datum Axis Select an existing datum axis.

The circular array is associated to the datum axis.
The radius of the array is the distance from the rotation axis to the
feature origin of the first feature you select. This radius value appears in
the Edit dialog box.
A highlighted representation of the array is displayed.
8. Click Yes to create the instance array, or No to return to Enter Parameters.
14-11
Associative copies
Circular array example

(1) Hole selected for instance.
(2) Reference Point (Arc
Center)
(3) Vector Direction (+ZC)
Number = 8
Angle = 45
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Associative copies
Activities
In the Associative copies section, do the following activities:
Rectangular instance array
Circular instance array
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14-13
Associative copies
Mirror Body
Use the Mirror Body command to mirror an entire body through a datum
plane.
You can use this, for example, to form the other hand of a left hand or right
hand part.
You can timestamp the mirrored body. After you do so, any modification you
make to the original body is not reflected in the mirrored body. This is the
default mode.
When you mirror a body, the mirror feature creates a new body that is
associative to the original body. The mirrored body has no features of its own.
(1) Original body.
14
(2) Mirror datum

(3) Mirrored copy.
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Associative copies
Create a mirror body

1. From the menu bar, choose InsertAssociative CopyMirror Body.
2. In the Mirror Body dialog box, click Select Body

to mirror.
3. Click Select Plane
and select a body
and select a datum plane.
4. (Optional) Clear the Fix at Current Timestamp check box if you want the
mirrored body to reflect subsequent features added to the parent body.
14
5. Click OK or Apply to create the mirrored body.

Edit a Mirror Body feature
1. Right-click on the mirrored body in the graphics window or in the Part
Navigator.
2. Select Edit with Rollback from the shortcut menu
3. From the Mirror Body dialog box, edit the parent body, timestamp setting,
or the mirror plane.
14-15
Associative copies
Mirror Body options

Available only during edit.
Work Part Select a parent body from the work part.
Parent Part
Other Part Select a parent body from another part. The

mirrored body then becomes a WAVE linked body. WAVE
linking is an Intermediate NX Design and Assemblies
topic.
Select Body
Lets you select a body in a part to mirror.
14
Reverse
Direction
Available only during edit.

Available only if you are mirroring a sheet body.
Reverses the surface normal of the mirrored body.
Select Plane
Select a datum plane through which to mirror a body.
Replacement
Assistant
WAVE
Information
Available only during edit and only if you select geometry

to replace the existing geometry.
Lets you select geometry to replace existing geometry.
This group is available only during edit and only when the
mirrored body is a WAVE linked body. WAVE linking is an
Intermediate NX Design and Assemblies topic.
Parent Part displays the name of the parent part.
Object displays the name of the parent object.
Status displays the status of the WAVE link.
Select this option to fix the feature timestamp of the
mirrored body.
Fix at
Current
Timestamp
When this option is active, only changes made to the

original body prior to the timestamp are reflected in the
mirrored body. Changes made to the original body after
the timestamp are not reflected in the mirrored body.
When this option is not selected, the mirrored body
dynamically changes its location in history. Changes made
to the original body are always reflected in the mirror body.
14-16
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Associative copies
Activity
In the Associative copies section, do the following activity:
Mirror Body
14
14-17
Associative copies
Summary
Instance Feature and Mirror Body duplicate existing features, eliminating
repetitive efforts in the creation of models.
In this lesson you:
Created a rectangular instance array.
Created a circular instance array.
Mirrored a body.
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Lesson
15 Edge operations
Purpose
This lesson introduces the Edge Blend and Chamfer commands.
Objectives
Create edge blends.
Create chamfers.
15
15-1
Edge operations
Edge operations overview

Edge operations are available to provide additional definition to the edges of
a model. These operations include Edge Blend and Chamfer.
They are available in the Feature Operation toolbar or by choosing
InsertDetail Feature.
You can create edge blends and chamfers by first selecting the edge(s)
and choosing Blend or Chamfer from the shortcut menu.
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Edge operations
Edge Blend
Use the Edge Blend command to smooth selected edges that are shared by at
least two faces.
The Edge Blend command operates like a ball that rolls along an edge,
maintaining contact with the faces that meet the edge.
The blending ball rolls on the inside of faces to round the edges, removing
material (1), and the outside of faces to fillet the edges, adding material (2).
15
15-3
Edge operations
The Edge Blend dialog box

After you click Edge Blend a dialog box is displayed and you are prompted to
select a set of edges. You can type the radius in the Radius n box.
Radius n refers to Radius 1, Radius 2, Radius 3, and so on.
Use a Curve Rule to collect related edges or to speed up selection.
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Edge operations
The preview
As you select edges, the preview is updated. If the preview fails, it means the
blend will probably also fail. You should see a warning window explaining
the problem.
Adjust the radius by dragging one of the radius drag handles (1) or by typing
the value in the dynamic input field (2).
15
15-5
Edge operations
Add New Set

A single blend feature may consist of one or more sets of edges. Each set
may have a different radius value.
Click Add New Set in the dialog box (or click the middle mouse button once)
to select another set of edges.
15
You may continue to define another edge set or complete the blend operation
by clicking OK.
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Edge operations
Resolve blended edge overflow

Blend overflow occurs when tangent edges of a blend encounter other edges
on the solid.
Resolution
Description
Roll Over Smooth

Edges
Allow the blend to extend onto a smoothly connected

(tangent) face that it encounters.
Roll on Edges
(Smooth or
Sharp)
Allow the blend to forego tangency with one of the

defining faces, and roll onto any edge, whether
smooth or sharp.
Maintain Blend
and Move Sharp
Edges
Allow the blend to maintain tangency with the

defining faces, and moves any encountered edges to
the blend face.
Select Edge to
Force Roll on
Select an edge on which you want to force the

software to apply the Roll On Edges (Smooth or
Sharp) option.
Select Edge to
Prohibit Roll on
Select an edge on which you want to prevent the

software from applying the Roll On Edges (Smooth
or Sharp) option.
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15-7
Edge operations
Explicit Overflow Resolutions

For this edge blend, an encountered edge (1) is selected with Select Edge to
Prohibit Roll on, to not have the Roll On Edges (Smooth or Sharp) option
applied to it. The edge of the other cylinder is not prohibited and is processed
by the Roll On Edges (Smooth or Sharp) option.
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Edge operations
Activities
In the Edge operations section, do the following activities:
Edge blends
Blend Options
15
15-9
Edge operations
Variable radius blends

You can create a variable radius blend by specifying a radius at multiple
points along selected edges.
Procedure
To create a variable radius blend:
Click Edge Blend.
Select the desired edges to blend.
From the Various Blend Points area, choose a point definition option.
Indicate point locations and radii where you want the radius to vary.
Modify the point location as necessary by dragging, % Arc Length, or

Arc Length.
15
The Edge Blend dialog box maintains a list of points, associated

values, and expressions.
Click OK when you have the shape you want.
Creating variable radius points

While you are creating or editing an edge blend and after you have specified
its edge sets, you can add some variable radius points to the sets. This has
the effect of varying the blends radius along its edge.
The Selection Bar Snap Points can help you specify points.
15-10
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Edge operations
You can change the position of a point to any other position along the edge it
is on by:
dragging the point handle.
entering the desired value in the % Arc Length or Arc Length dynamic input
window.
entering the desired value on the full dialog box.
You can toggle between % Arc Length (the default) and Arc Length by
right-clicking over a variable point handle.
You can delete a point by right-clicking over it in the graphics window then
choosing Remove.
15-11
15
Edge operations
Once you have selected all desired edges (1) and selected all desired point
locations for varying radii (2) , click OK and the blend is created.
15
Editing variable radius blends

You can edit features in general from EditFeatureEdit Parameters or the
Part Navigator.
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Edge operations
Tips and techniques
If you do not give enough information to create the blend, the system
infers information for you depending on other selected geometry:
If you do not give a point and radius to a selected edge, the system uses
the default radius to create the blend for that edge.
If you are editing an existing edge blend and you are not using Edit with
Rollback, the Enable Preview option is not available.
The following are some rules you should follow to produce the desired blends:
To produce a linearly varying blend (3), you must define a different radius
at each end of an edge (1,2).
15
If you must perform an operation that will blend away entire faces (1), blend
only one edge at a time.
15-13
Edge operations
If you select an open loop set of edges and supply radii only to the two open
endpoints, the blend will vary continuously from endpoint to endpoint.
In the example below, three edges on the top face of the block are blended.
A radius of 0.1 is assigned at end point (1) and a radius of 0.4 is assigned
at end point (2).
The result is shown below in both a TOP and ISO view.
15
You can create a variable radius blend with the radii value of zero at one
of the selected vertices (1,2).
15-14
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Edge operations
Activity
In the Variable Radius Edge Blends section, do the activity:
Creating a variable radius blend
15
15-15
Edge operations
Chamfer
The Chamfer command bevels the edges of a solid body using chamfer
dimensions that you define.
Material is added or subtracted depending on the topology of the solid body.
In example (1) material is removed, and in example (2) material is added.
15
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Edge operations
Create Chamfers
1. On the Feature Operation toolbar, click Chamfer
InsertDetail FeatureChamfer.
, or choose
2. Select one or more edges.

3. In the Offsets group, specify an option from the Cross Section list;
Symmetric, Asymmetric, or Offset and Angle.
4. In the dialog box, type offset values that correspond to the cross section
option.
5. (Optional) In the Settings group, specify an option from the Offset Method
list, Offset Edges along Faces, or Offset Faces and Trim.
6. (Optional) In the Settings group, select Chamfer All Instances, if the
chamfered edge is, or may be, instanced.
15
7. (Optional) In the Preview group, select Preview to preview results, or

clear it to show only the drag handles.
8. (Optional) Use drag handles or dynamic input boxes to modify offsets.
9. (Optional) In the Offset group, click Reverse Direction to flip the chamfer.
10. Click OK or click the middle mouse button to create the chamfer.
15-17
Edge operations
Chamfer options
You can change the Cross Section option or click Reverse Direction in
the dialog box, or, you can use the shortcut menu over a drag handle.
Edge
Select Edge
Select one or more edges from the same body, using

a Curve Rule.
Offsets
Symmetric Create a simple chamfer, using an
single, positive offset from a selected edge along
both of its faces.
Cross Section
15
Distance
Distance 1
Distance 2
Angle
Reverse Direction
Asymmetric Create a chamfer using two positive

values for the edge offsets.
Offset and Angle Create a chamfer whose offsets
are determined by one positive offset value and a
positive angle.
Type a distance value for the offset when the Cross
Section is Offset and Angle or Symmetric.
You can also drag the distance handle to specify the
value.
Type distance values when the Cross Section is
Asymmetric, or drag the handles.
Type an angle value for the angle when the Cross
Section is Offset and Angle.
You can also drag the angle handle to specify the
angle.
Move the offsets or the offset and angle from one
side of the chamfer edge to the other.
Not available when the cross section is symmetric.
15-18
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Edge operations
Activity
In the Edge operations section, do the following activity:
Chamfers
15
15-19
Edge operations
Summary
The Edge Blend and Chamfer operations are available to provide additional
definition to the edges of a model. All of the blended edges or chamfered edges
created in a single operation are considered to be one feature.
In this lesson you:
Blended a single edge.
Blended edges using a Selection Intent rule.
Chamfered edges using different input options.
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Lesson
16 Introduction to Assemblies
Purpose
This lesson introduces the Assemblies application.
Objectives
Set load options for an assembly.
Work with the Assembly Navigator.
16
16-1
Introduction to Assemblies
Definitions and descriptions

This section introduces terms that are used to describe assemblies.
16
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Assembly
An assembly is a part which contains component objects.
Component objects are pointers to standalone parts or subassemblies.
In this illustration, the toy laser gun is an assembly consisting of many
components.
16
16-3
Subassembly
A subassembly is an assembly used as a component within a higher level
assembly.
This illustration shows the subassembly of the integrated circuit board for
the toy laser gun.
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Component objects
A component object links the assembly that contains it to another part file.
A component object can point to a part that is also an assembly; that is, a
subassembly with its own component objects.
1
2
3
4
Top level assembly.

Subassembly. This is a component part that is referenced by a higher
level assembly.
Standalone Parts. These are component parts that are referenced by
an assembly and are not themselves assemblies.
A Component Object.
16
16-5
Component parts
A component part is a part which is referenced by a component object within
an assembly.
Geometry stored in a component part is seen, but not copied, in the assembly.
The term standalone part refers to a part that it not itself an assembly.
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Introduction to assembly load options

When an assembly part is opened, or loaded, using FileOpen, its component
parts must be found and loaded. Load Options establish how the component
parts are loaded.
Access the Assembly Load Options dialog box by choosing
FileOptionsAssembly Load Options or by clicking Options in the Open
Part File dialog box.
16
16-7
Part Versions group

The Part Versions group contains the Load list, with options to control how to
find component parts.
As Saved Look for each component part in the same directory it was in
when the assembly was last saved.
From Folder Look for each component in the same directory as the
assembly part.
From Search Folders Look for each component in directories specified

in a user-defined list.
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Load states
NX parts can be fully loaded, partially loaded, or unloaded when an assembly
is opened.
Fully loaded All part data is loaded into memory.
Partially loaded Only the data required to display the part is loaded into
memory. The part will not update after certain changes that would affect
it if it was fully loaded, for example, with changes to interpart expression.
Any operations that need to load the feature data from components
will do so automatically, but can only do so if the component part
has not been modified since the first portion of it was loaded.
Unloaded The component part is not loaded into memory with the
assembly.
16
16-9
Scope group
The Scope group in the Assembly Load Options dialog box allows you to
control the assembly configuration and the load state of parts:
Load Control which components are opened:
All Components Load all components.
Structure Only Load your assembly part, but no components.
As Saved Load the same components that were open when the
assembly was last saved.
Reevaluate Last Component Group Load your assembly with the

component group used when the assembly was last saved.
Component groups are advanced functionality to let you
conditionally apply actions to all or part of the assembly
structure.
Use Partial Loading When selected, partially load components to open,

unless the Load Interpart Data requires them to be fully loaded.
Load Interpart Data Find and load parents of interpart data, even if
the parts would be left unloaded by other rules.
16
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Specify Component Group Select from a list of available component

groups.
mt13150_g NX 5
Load Behavior
The Load Behavior group controls optional actions that NX can take if there
are problems with the requested load configuration:
Allow Substutiton Enable the assembly to be loaded with a component

that has the wrong internal identifier (but the correct name), even though
it is a completely different part. You receive a warning if this happens.
Generate Missing Part Family Members When NX determines that a

part family member is missing during the load:
If Generate Missing Part Family Members is selected, NX checks for

newer versions of the current part family template. If it finds a newer
version of the template, the newest version is used to generate the
missing members.
If Generate Missing Part Family Members is clear, NX uses the

current part family template to generate the missing members.
Cancel Load on Failure NX cancels the entire load operation if it

cannot find one or more component part files.
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Reference Sets
Use this area to specify a list of reference sets to be looked for, in order, when
an assembly is loaded. The first reference set found from the top of the list
reading downwards is the one that is loaded.
Think of a reference set as a subset of part geometry that you can load
in place of the entire part.
In this class, the only reference set you will need to use is the Model
reference set. The model reference set is meant to contain only a body
that you wish to place on a drawing.
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Saved Load Options

You may save the current load options settings as your default settings.
Otherwise, any changes you make in the Assembly Load Options dialog box
apply only to your current NX session.
The Saved Load Options group contains options to control saved settings:
Save as Default Save the current load options as your defaults in the
load_options.def file in your current directory.
Restore Default Reset the load options to the values defined in the
load_options.def file in your current directory, if it exists, or to the system
defaults.
Save to File Save the current load options settings to a load option
definition file whose name and location you define in the Save Load
Options File dialog box.
Open from File Open the Restore Load Options File dialog box, from
which you can select a custom load option definitions file.
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The Assembly Navigator

The Assembly Navigator provides:
A graphical display of the assembly structure of the displayed part.
Methods to manage components.
View the Assembly Navigator by clicking the Assembly Navigator

on the Resource Bar.
tab
If necessary, you may drag the Resource Bar wider to see more information.
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Node display
Each component of an assembly is displayed as a node in the assembly tree
structure.
Selecting a node is the same as selecting the corresponding component in
the graphics window.
Each node consists of a check box, an icon, the part name, and additional
columns.
If the part is an assembly or subassembly, an expand/collapse box will also be
present.
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Icons and check boxes

This assembly or subassembly is the work part, or a component of
the work part.
This assembly or subassembly is not the work part, and not a
component of the work part.
This assembly or subassembly is not loaded.
This standalone part is either the work part, or a component of
the work part.
This standalone part is not the work part, and not a component of
the work part.
This standalone part is not loaded.
This indicates a collapsed subassembly.
Click to expand the display.
This indicates an expanded subassembly.
Click to collapse the display.
The part is closed.
16
Click to load it.

Components will load according to assembly load options.
The part is hidden, and at least partially loaded.
Click to show it.
The part is visible, and at least partially loaded.
Click to hide it.
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The Assemblies application

Start the Assemblies application like any other application, from the Start
list on the Standard toolbar. The Assemblies application can be active at the
same time as other applications such as Modeling or Drafting.
The Assemblies application name in the Start list has a check box beside
it when it is active. When the Assemblies application is active, you see
additional toolbars, and there are additional options in some menus.
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Activities
In the Introduction to Assemblies section, do the following activities:
Assembly Load Options
Assembly Navigator
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Select components in the Assembly Navigator

In any Assemblies function that requires you to select components, you may
also select the appropriate node in the Assembly Navigator.
To select multiple components in the Assembly Navigator, select the first
component and then:
Hold the Shift key and click to select a range of nodes.
Hold the Ctrl key and click to toggle selection of individual nodes.
You can also hold the Shift-key and click components in the graphics window
to deselect them.
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Identify components
If you select a visible non-work part in the Assembly Navigator, the part is
highlighted.
If you hold the cursor over the node of component that is not visible (e.g.,
hidden, on another layer, or unloaded), the bounding box of that component is
temporarily shown in the graphics window.
Temporary bounding box display is controlled by the Preselect Invisible
Nodes property of the Assembly Navigator.
To access Assembly Navigator properties, hold the cursor away from all
nodes, right-click, and select Properties.
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Component selection
Once a component has been selected, you can use the shortcut menu over it in
the graphics window to select an available action.
The options in the component shortcut menu vary depending on the
active applications.
Selectable components appear in the QuickPick window.
Use the Components filter in the QuickPick dialog box to show only
components.
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Design in context
You design in context when you edit component geometry while a higher
level assembly is displayed.
The advantage is that you can see and, when necessary, select objects from
other components.
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The Displayed Part

NX allows multiple parts to be open at the same time. These parts may have
been loaded:
Explicitly Loaded using the Open options on the Assembly Navigator,

or the FileOpen command.
Implicitly Loaded as a result of being used by some other loaded

assembly.
The part currently displayed in the graphics window is called the displayed
part. You can make edits in parallel to several parts by switching the
displayed part back and forth among those parts.
Loaded parts do not have to belong to the same assembly.
There are several ways to change the displayed part:
Select a component from the graphics window and use the shortcut menu.
On the Assemblies toolbar, click Make Displayed Part
From the main menu, choose WindowMore to open the Change Window
dialog box.
Choose Window and select a part from the list.
In the Assembly Navigator, open the shortcut menu over the node for a
part, and select Make Displayed Part.
From the main menu, choose AssembliesContext ControlSet

Displayed Part.
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Use the Change Window dialog box

The Change Window dialog box lists all partially and fully loaded parts
except the displayed part.
Select a part by:
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Selecting from the list of loaded parts.
Selecting geometry in the graphics window.
Selecting the node in the Assembly Navigator.
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Enter a portion of the part name in the Search Text input box to help
find the part in the list.
Click the Options button to specify search methods.
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The work part

The part in which you create and edit geometry, and to which components
are added, is called the work part. The work part and the displayed part
need not be the same.
When the displayed part is an assembly, you can change the work part to any
of the components within that assembly, except for unloaded parts and parts
of different units. You can add or edit geometry, features, and components
within the work part.
You can reference geometry outside of the work part in many modeling
operations. For example, you can use control points on geometry outside of
the work part to position a feature within the work part.
When you open a part with FileOpen it is both the displayed and the work
part.
If the displayed part is not the work part, the work part is, by default,
emphasized by retaining its normal colors while other components change to
a single color. Work part emphasis and the non-work part color are controlled
in the Assembly Preferences dialog box.
Methods to change the work part are:
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Double-click the component in the graphics window.
Select the component in the graphics window and use the shortcut menu.
In the Assemblies toolbar, click Make Work Part
Use the Assembly Navigator shortcut menu.
From the main menu, choose AssembliesContext ControlSet Work

Part.
Double-click the node in the Assembly Navigator.
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Associativity
Geometric changes made at any level within an assembly result in the update
of associated data at all other levels of affected assemblies.
An edit to an individual component part causes all assembly drawings that
use that part to be updated appropriately.
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Assembly Navigator shortcut menu

If you position the cursor over a node in the Assembly Navigator that
represents a component and right-click, the shortcut menu shows component
related options.
The options in the Assembly Navigator shortcut menu vary depending
on the status of the component and whether the Assemblies and
Modeling applications are active.
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Pack and Unpack

The Pack option replaces multiple occurrences in the Assembly Navigator
display with a single node.
Multiple occurrences are components representing the same part, and
having the same parent.
Use the Unpack option to reverse the Pack option and show all occurrences.
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Make Work Part

The Make Work Part command sets the part in which to create new geometry
or edit existing geometry.
When a component is the work part, the reference set is by default
changed to Entire Part.
This can result in the display of additional geometry.
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Make Displayed Part

The Make Displayed Part command switches the display between currently
loaded parts.
The displayed part is always the top node in the Assembly Navigator.
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Display Parent
The Display Parent command switches the displayed part from a component
or an assembly to a loaded parent assembly.
The Maintain option in the Assembly Preferences dialog box
determines the behavior when you make a parent the displayed part.
If Maintain is selected, the component remains the work part.
If Maintain is clear, the parent becomes both the displayed part and
work part.
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Activity
In the Introduction to Assemblies section, do the following activity:
Additional work with the Assembly Navigator
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Save the work part

After you edit it, save the work part to keep the modifications.
Use FileSave or FileSave Work Part Only.
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FileSave
If the work part is a standalone part, only that part is saved.
If the work part is an assembly or subassembly, all modified component

parts below it are also saved.
FileSave does not save higher level parts and assemblies if they are
modified.
FileSave All saves all modified parts in the session regardless
of which part is the work part, even parts that do not belong to
the displayed assembly.
Open parts for which you do not have write privileges will not be
saved.
You will get a warning about parts that cannot be saved due to
permissions.
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FileSave Work Part Only

Save Work Part Only saves only the work part, even if it is an assembly or
subassembly with modified components.
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Summary
An assembly is a part which contains component objects. It is a collection of
pointers to piece parts and/or subassemblies.
Assemblies provides the ability to design in context.
In this lesson you:
Set Assembly Load Options.
Worked with the Assembly Navigator.
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16
Lesson
17 Adding and constraining

components
Purpose
This lesson demonstrates adding components to an assembly and the
associativity that may be designed between components with constraints.
Objectives
Add components to an assembly.
Move components.
Define constraints.
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Adding and constraining components
General assembly concepts

There are two approaches to creating an assembly structure.
Top-down modeling Create component parts at the assembly level.
Bottom-up modeling Create individual models in isolation, then later

add them to assemblies.
You are not limited to one approach to building the assembly. For example,
you can initially work in a top-down fashion, then switch back and forth
between bottom-up and top-down modeling.
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The Assemblies toolbar

Button
Description
Find Component Search for a component.

Show Only
Show just the selected component; hide all others.
Add Component
Insert an existing component into your assembly.
Create New
Component
Create a new component and insert it into your

assembly.
Create New
Parent
Create a new parent for your current displayed

part.
Substitute
Component
Substitute a component in the assembly.
Mate one component to another.

Mate Component This command is obsolete. It is replaced by
Assembly Constraints.
Assembly
Define component positions using positioning
Constraints
constraints.
Reposition one or more selected components.
Reposition
This command is obsolete. It is replaced by Move
Component
Component.
Move selected components within their
Move Component
degrees-of-freedom in an assembly.
Replace
Reference Set
Define or change a reference set for the assembly.
Exploded Views
Open the Exploded Views toolbar to create or edit

exploded views.
Assembly
Sequences
View or modify the sequence in which an assembly

was created.
Make Work Part Change the work part to the selected part.
Make Displayed
Change the displayed part to the selected part.
Part
Declare expressions and geometric objects as a
Product Interface parts preferred interfaces when other assembly
parts need a reference.
Check selected components against each other and
Check Clearances
other visible components for possible interferences.
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Use the bottom-up construction method

1. Create new parts using File New.
2. Create the desired geometry.
3. Change the work part to the assembly part file.
4. Position the new part in the assembly:
From the main menu choose Assemblies Components Add Existing.
or
On the Assemblies toolbar, click Add Component
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Add components
1. On the Assemblies toolbar, click Add Component
2. If you want to see a preview of the component, do both of the following:
Choose PreferencesAssemblies and select the Preview Component

on Add check box.
In the Add Component dialog box, select the Preview check box.
3. In the Add Component dialog box, while Select Part

is active,
select one or more parts that you want to add. You can select a part from
several places, including:
The graphics window.
The Loaded Parts or Recent Parts list boxes in the Add Component
dialog box.
The Assembly Navigator.
, and browse to the

The Part Name dialog box Click Open
directory that has the part that you want to add.
4. (Optional) Under Duplicates, in the Quantity box, type a number of

instances to create. The default is 1.
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5. Specify the Positioning method that is to be applied after you choose OK

or Apply in step 11:
Absolute Origin Place the added components at absolute 0,0,0.
Select Origin Place the added components at a selected point.
By Constraints Place the added components after you define their

assembly constraints with other components.
Move Place the added components after you define how they should
be positioned.
6. (Optional) Select the Scatter check box if you want to ensure that multiple
added components are initially positioned apart from each other.
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7. (Optional) Under Replication, specify Multiple Add to define what NX

should do after you add the selected components. The Multiple Add options
provide shortcuts for common operations with newly-added components:
None
Repeat after Add Immediately add another instance of each

newly-added component.
Array after Add Create an array of your newly-added components.
8. (Optional) Under Settings, specify a Name if you want your added part
to have a different component name than the original part name. (Not
available if you select multiple parts.)
9. (Optional) Specify the Reference Set for your added components.
10. (Optional) Choose a Layer Option to define the layer where the
components should be located.
If your Layer Option is As Specified, type the layer number in the Layer
box.
11. Choose OK or Apply to add the selected components.
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Activity
In the Adding and constraining components section, do the following activity:
Create an assembly
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Move Component
to move selected
From the Assemblies toolbar, click Move Component
components within their degrees-of-freedom in an assembly.
You can also move components on different assembly levels at the same time.
The available options for Type are:
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Dynamic
By Constraints
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Assembly Constraints
Overview
Use assembly constraints to position components in an assembly.
You specify constraint relationships between two components in the assembly.
For example, you can specify that a cylindrical face on one component is to be
coaxial with a conical face on another component.
Use combinations of constraints to completely specify a components position
in the assembly.
NX calculates a position for the components which satisfies the constraints
you specify.
To make the Assembly Constraints dialog box available, choose
PreferencesAssemblies, and from the Interaction list, choose
Positioning Constraints.
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Constraint types
Type
Touch Align
Concentric
Distance
Description
Constrain two components so they touch or align
with each other.
Touch Align is the most common constraint.
Constrain circular or elliptical edges of two
components so the centers are coincident and the
planes of the edges are coplanar.
Specify the minimum 3D distance between two
objects.
Fix
Fix a component at its current position.
Parallel
Define the direction vectors of two objects as parallel

to each other.
Perpendicular
Angle
Center
Bond
Fit
Define the direction vectors of two objects as

perpendicular to each other.
Define an angle dimension between two objects.
Center one or two objects between a pair of objects,
or center a pair of objects along another object.
Weld components together so they move as a rigid
body.
Bring together two cylindrical faces with equal radii.
This constraint is useful for locating pins or bolts
in holes.
If the radii later become non-equal, the constraint is
invalid.
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Create a Touch Align constraint

1. On the Assemblies toolbar, click Assembly Constraints
2. In the Assembly Constraints dialog box, set Type to Touch Align.

3. Check the Settings and modify them as you require:
Arrangements Specify whether you want the constraint to be

applied to other assembly arrangements:
Use Component Properties Obey the Arrangements setting on

the Parameters page of the Component Properties dialog box.
Apply to Used Apply the constraint in the currently used

arrangement.
Dynamic Positioning Specify that you want NX to solve the

constraints and move the components as you create each constraint.
Associative Specify that constraints are retained after you close

the Assembly Constraints dialog box. If the check box is cleared,
constraints are temporary; they remain in effect only while the dialog
box is open. You can use temporary constraints to move components
without leaving the Assembly Constraints interaction.
4. Set Orientation to one of the following:
Prefer Touch Use a touch constraint when touch and align solutions
are both possible. (Touch constraints are more common than align
constraints in most models.)
The Prefer Touch option uses an align constraint if a touch constraint
would over-constrain the assembly.
Touch Constrain objects so their surface normals are in opposite

directions.
Align Constrain objects so their surface normals are in the same

direction.
Infer Center/Axis Specify that, when you select a cylindrical or

conical face, NX uses the faces center or axis instead of the face itself
for the constraint.
5. Click Select Two Objects (if necessary), and select two objects for the
constraint.
You can use the Point Constructor
to help you select objects.
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6. If two solutions are possible, you can click Reverse Last Constraint
to flip between the possible solutions.
7. Click OK or Apply when you finish adding constraints.
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Create a Concentric constraint

2. In the Assembly Constraints dialog box, set Type to Concentric.

3. Check the Settings and modify them as you require:



Associative Specify that constraints are persistent after you close

the Assembly Constraints dialog box.
4. Click Select Two Objects

curves for the constraint.
(if necessary), and select two circular
If the Accept Tolerant Curves assembly preference check box is selected,

you can also select elliptical or near-circular curves that are within the
modeling distance tolerance.
5. If two solutions are possible, click Reverse Last Constraint
between the possible solutions.
to flip
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17
Create a Distance constraint

2. In the Assembly Constraints dialog box, set Type to Distance.

3. Check the Settings and modify them if you do not want to use their
defaults:





the distance constraint.
(if necessary), and select two objects for
If more than two solutions are possible, you can click Cycle Last
17
Constraint
to cycle through the possible solutions.
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Create a Fix constraint

2. In the Assembly Constraints dialog box, set Type to Fix.

defaults:




4. Click Select Object

to fix.
(if necessary), and select the object you want
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Create a Parallel constraint

2. In the Assembly Constraints dialog box, set Type to Parallel.

defaults:





you want to be parallel.
(if necessary), and select two objects that
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Create a Perpendicular constraint

2. In the Assembly Constraints dialog box, set Type to Perpendicular.

defaults:





you want to be perpendicular.
(if necessary), and select two objects that
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Create an Angle constraint

2. In the Assembly Constraints dialog box, set Type to Angle.

defaults:




4. Specify the angles Subtype:
3D Angle measures the angle constraint between two objects without

a defined axis of rotation.
Orient Angle measures the angle constraint between two objects,

using a selected axis of rotation.
5. Select the objects for the angle constraint as follows:
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If Subtype is 3D Angle, the Select Two Objects

Select two objects for the angle constraint.
option
If Subtype is Orient Angle, the Select Three Objects
appears. Select an axis as the first object, and then select two objects
for the angle constraint.
option appears.

to flip
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Create a Center constraint

2. In the Assembly Constraints dialog box, set Type to Center.

defaults:




4. Specify the Subtype:
1 to 2 Center the first selected object between the next two selected
objects.
2 to 1 Center two selected objects along the third selected object.
2 to 2 Center two selected objects between two other selected

objects.
5. If Subtype is 1 to 2 or 2 to 1, set Axial Geometry to define what happens

if you select a cylindrical face or circular edge:
Use Geometry Use selected cylindrical faces for the constraint.
Infer Center/Axis Use the center or axis of the object.
(if necessary), and select the appropriate

6. Click Select Objects
number of objects as defined by the Subtype.
You can use the Point Constructor
to help you select objects.

to flip

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17
Create a Bond constraint

2. In the Assembly Constraints dialog box, set Type to Bond.

defaults:




4. Click Select Objects

to bond.
(if necessary), and select two or more objects
5. Click Create Constraint when you are ready to create the constraint.
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Create a Fit constraint

2. In the Assembly Constraints dialog box, set Type to Fit.

defaults:




(if necessary), and select two pieces of

geometry that are the same size.
The objects are fitted together.
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Activity
In the Adding and constraining components section, do the following activity:
Constrain and move components
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Summary
You can add existing parts to another part to create an assembly.
When an assembly is displayed, the work part is the part in which you edit
and create geometry and components.
Assembly constraints provide a method to establish rules to govern the
relative placement of component parts.
In this lesson you:
Added components to an assembly.
Moved components.
Defined constraints.
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17
Lesson
18 Reference Sets
Purpose
Reference sets allow you to limit the amount of component part information
displayed in an assembly. Reference sets will also allow you to show alternate
representations or simplified versions of the model.
Objectives
Create reference sets in components.
Replace reference sets for individual components in an assembly.
Define default reference sets in Load Options.
Edit reference sets.
Observe the creation of automatic reference sets by the system.
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Reference Sets
General concepts concerning Reference Sets

A reference set is a named "subset" or "group" of data that is defined in a
component part (a piece part or subassembly). Reference sets can be used at
the next level assembly to control what is displayed from the component part.
Below, illustration 1 depicts a component part. Illustration 2 shows a
reference set that may be defined within the component part.
A reference set may contain the following data:
Name, Origin, and Orientation
Geometric Objects, Datums, Coordinate Systems, Component Objects
Attributes (non-geometric information used for a parts list)
Reference Set usage

After a reference set is defined in a component part it can be used in an
assembly. There are two primary reasons for using reference sets.
18
Exclude, or "filter" unwanted objects in a component part so that they do

not appear in the assembly.
Represent a component part in the assembly with alternative or simpler

geometry than the complete solid body.
Reference sets let you control the amount of data that is loaded from each
component and viewed in the context of an assembly. A well-managed
reference set strategy can lead to:
18-2
Faster load times
Reduced memory usage
Less cluttered graphics displays
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Reference Sets
Default Reference Sets

Every part may contain five system managed reference sets:
"Entire Part"
"Empty"
Model
Lightweight
Simplified
Entire Part
Entire Part is the default Reference Set and refers to all model geometry
and/or Component Objects in a part. Displaying the Entire Part is a quick way
to access all model geometry and Component Objects in a component part.
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Reference Sets
Empty
The "Empty" (1) reference set is used as a place holder in an assembly when
the part geometry need not be seen. The Model (2) reference set contains only
the solid geometry of the component part.
When a component is replaced with its Empty reference set, any

associative drafting objects in the assembly will be retained according
to the Retain Annotations setting in PreferencesDrafting. When the
geometry reappears by replacing reference sets, the drafting objects
will return to their active state.
When an assembly is opened using As Saved, a component represented
by an empty reference set will remain unloaded.
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Reference Sets
The Model Reference Set

By default NX provides the Model Reference Set.
The basic concept behind the model reference set is to collect the objects that
you want to use for visualizing or doing mass analysis.
The Model Reference Set contains actual model geometry, including:
Solids
Sheets
Whenever a solid or sheet is created, it is automatically added to the parts

model reference set under the following conditions:
Solid bodies always get added.

Sheet bodies are added two different ways, according to a default
setting, FileUtilitiesCustomer DefaultsAssembliesSite
StandardsReference SetsContents.
If the setting is Sheets and Solids, the current default, sheet bodies are
always added to the model reference set.
If the setting is Solids Priority, then sheets are added only if there are
no solid bodies in the reference set. Under this setting the assumption is
that sheets created after the first solid are there only to help modify the
solid or to construct additional solids.
Construction and reference geometry, such as curves or datums, are

ignored.
The system uses the model reference set in several ways, including:
Weight or mass calculation

Bounding box size (for spatial filtering)
True shape data (for spatial filtering more accurate than bounding boxes)
Lightweight reference set
Teamcenter Visualization translation files (.jt files)
The above applications are advanced topics and may require additional
licensing. Please consult the Help files for more information.
Your company can specify a reference set name for the model reference set.
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18
Reference Sets
To simulate a company standard for this class we customized the model

reference set name to be BODY.
The default name for the model reference set is MODEL.
The Model Reference Set Name is set under the Assemblies Site Standards
section of Customer Defaults.
18
The same page allows you to specify whether component objects are added to
the model reference set of an assembly automatically. The default is to add
them automatically. This will only take place if there is geometry created in
the assembly file that would cause the automatic "Model" and "Lightweight"
reference sets to be created.
You may also specify additional reference set names that will be recognized
as model reference sets during Teamcenter Visualization translation.
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Reference Sets
The Lightweight Reference Set

A lightweight reference set is one that contains a facetted representation of
each body in the model reference set.
The system creates the lightweight reference set automatically when included
objects are created if a name for it is defined in customer defaults:
To simulate a company standard for this class we customized the lightweight

reference set name to be LITE.
The lightweight reference set has several advantages:
Retrieval is faster.
Less system memory is used.
Attribute information is still available.
Dimensions to the assembly are associative.
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Reference Sets
The simplified Reference Set

The simplified reference set is maintained automatically if you define a name
for the Simplified Reference Set Name customer default, such as ENVELOPE.
To simulate a company standard for this class we customized the simplified
reference set name to be ENVELOPE.
18
Once you have defined the simplified reference set, any wrap assembly or
linked exteriors that you create are automatically added to this reference set.
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Reference Sets
User defined Reference Sets

Mate Reference Sets
If you want to access the datums used by your assembly for mating, a
reference set that contains the solid body and those datums necessary for
defining Mating Constraints may be useful.
Drafting Reference Sets
Some parts use reference geometry that needs to be dimensioned in drawings,
but is not needed otherwise. You can put such geometry into a reference set,
such as DRAFTING, to be used in drafting non-master files.
For example, the part below was designed as a cable around a given
centerline. You would not normally want to see the centerline in assemblies,
but you might need it for a dimension in a drawing.
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Reference Sets
Representation of components with simplified geometry

You may want to create one or more reference sets that contain basic
representations of components. Large or complex parts can affect assembly
performance. For example, if your assembly contains a sheet metal door with
hundreds of louvers, using a reference set that represents the door without
the louvers may improve performance.
The illustration shows reference sets consisting of only a simplified solid
and the guide string of a tube.
Using these SIMPLE reference sets in the assembly will let the component
load faster, use less system memory, and allow for quicker graphic updates,
yet still display selectable geometry for the component.
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Reference Sets
Create Reference Sets

There are two situations in which you can create a reference set:
In any work part.
From an assembly during creation of a new component. (Top-Down). The

reference set will exist in the new component.
Automatic Reference Sets

Once you have defined customer default names for the model, lightweight,
and simplified automatic reference sets, the system automatically adds
objects that you create to the appropriate reference set.
You can, however, modify a model, lightweight, or simplified reference set by
adding or removing objects, as described below in "Editing a Reference Set".
You cannot modify the Entire Part or Empty reference sets.
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Reference Sets
Reference Sets may be created and edited by choosing FormatReference

Sets from the menu bar.
After choosing Create (1) you will be prompted to enter a name for the
reference set and select the objects to include in the reference set.
The following rules apply to reference set names:
Must be 30 characters or less.
They are not case sensitive. The system automatically converts all names
to uppercase characters.
We recommend that you use common names for reference sets to make
it easier to assist those using the component as a master model. Using
automated reference set creation makes standardization easy.
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Reference Sets
Origin and orientation

You can define a reference set coordinate system and origin in the Create
Reference Set dialog box.
If Create Reference Set CSYS is toggled to No, the reference set will use the
Absolute orientation and origin by default.
If Create Reference Set CSYS is toggled to Yes, you will be prompted to
specify an orientation and an origin point.
The orientation and origin of the reference set will not affect the location of
the components in existing assemblies.
Creating reference set origin and orientation is primarily done by companies
who need to specify a rigged position, otherwise this feature is not
recommended as Best Practice. Variable positioning or arrangements
(discussed later) are easier, more powerful, and more visible to the user.
Add Components Automatically
If Add Components Automatically is selected, any new components added to
the assembly are also added to the reference set.
All existing components are selected automatically and will be added to the
reference set unless you explicitly deselect the components that you do not
want.
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Reference Sets
Reference Set information

You can obtain information about reference sets that reside in the work part
by choosing InformationAssembliesReference Set from the main menu
bar or by selecting Information from the FormatReference Sets dialog box.
When you request information on a reference set using the

InformationAssembliesReference Set method, the system will:
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Highlight the members of the set in the graphics window.
Display the origin and orientation in the graphics window.
Provide a listing of relevant data in the Information window.
When you request information on a reference set by selecting Information

from the FormatReference Sets dialog box, the system will:
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Provide a listing of relevant data in the Information window.
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Reference Sets
Activity
In the Reference Sets section, do the activity:
Verify the contents of a Reference Set
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Reference Sets
Replacing Reference Sets

While working in context of an assembly, you may often need to change the
display of various components to show different reference sets.
The action of changing the currently displayed reference set of components
in an assembly is termed replacing reference sets.
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Reference Sets
Replace Reference Sets using the Assembly Navigator

The right-click shortcut menu in the Assembly Navigator is a convenient
way to replace reference sets.
When you select the Replace Reference Set option on a component node in
the Assembly Navigator, a menu of existing reference sets in that component
appears with the one currently displayed in the assembly insensitive.
Choosing a reference set from the list changes the display of that component
as it appears in the assembly.
Although you perform this action on a component node in the Assembly
Navigator, you are actually changing the reference set name that is
stored with the component object in its parent assembly.
Procedure
Optionally, set the top selection priority to Components.
From the Assembly Navigator (or) graphics window, select the

Component(s).
With the cursor over a selected component, right-click and choose Replace
Reference Set.
With multiple components selected, it may be necessary to use the
"Selection" option to select the desired Reference Set for all selected
components.
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Reference Sets
Replace Reference Sets in context of an assembly

If you are creating the reference set in context of the assembly and then
immediately want to use the new reference set click the Set as Current
button in the same dialog box.
An Assembly Preferences default (Display as Entire Part) causes the

Entire Part reference set to be used when you make a component the
work part.
This behavior is initially controlled by the Customer Defaults setting
Assemblies, General, Work Part, Display using Entire Part Reference
Set. This can be modified in the current NX session by changing Display
as Entire Part check box from the Assemblies Preferences dialog box.
Once you have set the assemblies preference, this information is stored
in your profile and overrides the customer default.
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Reference Sets
Activity
Replace Reference Sets in an assembly
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Reference Sets
Edit Reference Sets

There are options to delete, rename and change the contents of existing
reference sets available in the Reference Sets dialog box. (FormatReference
Sets)
Function
Delete (1)
Description
Allows you to delete the highlighted
reference set.
Rename (2)
Allows you to rename the highlighted

reference set.
Add Objects (3)
Allows you to add objects to the

highlighted reference set.
Remove Objects (4)
Allows you to remove objects from

the highlighted reference set.
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Use InformationAssembliesReference Set to visually verify the

contents of a reference set as well as receive an information window
displaying contents.
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Reference Sets
Delete and Rename Reference Sets

The process of deleting a reference set does not delete any geometry. It merely
eliminates the "group" associated with the geometry.
If the reference set you are deleting is being used in a loaded assembly, the
confirmation message will tell you that it is in use.
If you delete a reference set that is used in an assembly, when you open
or return to the assembly, it will show the entire part (default condition).
Rename Reference Sets
Renaming a reference set allows you to change its name without having to
delete and recreate the set.
If you rename a reference set that is used in a loaded assembly,
the system will automatically change the name referenced by the
component object in the assembly. If the assembly is not loaded when
the reference set is renamed, when you open the assembly, it will show
the entire part (default condition).
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Reference Sets
Load Options and Reference Sets

It is possible to replace reference sets as you open an assembly. This is useful
if you are working with a large assembly and do not know what reference sets
were displayed when it was last saved.
When an assembly is opened, the system will try to load the first reference
set in the list from each component. If a component does not contain this
reference set, the system will try to load the next reference set in the list.
The system will continue to look down the list until it finds a reference set
that can be loaded.
As Saved, Entire Part, and Empty are default entries in the list. They
can be moved up or down but cannot be removed from the list.
Procedure
Choose FileOptionsAssembly Load Options.
From the Assembly Load Options dialog box, expand the Reference
Sets group.
In the Add Reference Set box, type the user defined reference set name
and click Add.
From the Reference Sets lists, select the desired reference set and use
or Move down
the Move up
of the reference sets.
buttons to change the hierarchy
Click OK.
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Reference Sets
Apply to All Levels

If Apply to All Levels is inactive reference set defaults will not be applied
to subassembly components. The subassembly components will use the
reference set that the subassembly reference set was displaying when it was
last saved.
For instance, with Apply to All Levels inactive and lightweight reference sets
preferred, parts that were displaying entire parts or model reference sets will
be opened still displaying entire parts or model reference sets.
If you prefer to have the reference set defaults applied to the entire assembly
then select Apply to All Levels to make it active.
If Apply to All Levels is active all components of subassemblies will be loaded
using the specified reference set(s) regardless of how subassembly reference
sets were saved.
Load Options files

You can specify a load options file name and location: load_options.def is
the default name. This allows you to recall specific settings without having
to remember how you set them up.
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Reference Sets
From Search Folders

The Add Folder to Search Browse button allows you to add or remove search
folders. Options are also available to change the order of the directory list.
1
2
3
4
5
6
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List of current search directories (three dots includes subdirectories).

Type new directory to add to list.
Adds entered directory to list.
Removes selected directory from list.
Moves highlighted directory up in list.
Moves highlighted directory down in list.
In the example listing above, the system first looks for each component in the
users home directory and subdirectories (D:/users/smith...), then a common
project directory and subdirectories (D:/project_x/common...), and finally, the
release directory (D:/project_x/release).
The order of the directories can dramatically affect the time it takes to
open an assembly. If possible, you should include smaller directories
with the most components first and larger directories with fewer
components last.
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Reference Sets
Activity
Load Options and Reference Sets
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Reference Sets
Summary
Reference sets are used to limit the amount of information referenced by
the component object in an assembly or subassembly. They allow you to
create different displays of the same assembly or component to simplify the
assembly or provide alternate configurations.
In this lesson you:
Created reference sets.
Replaced reference sets.
Defined a hierarchy of reference sets to be loaded using Load Options.
Edited Reference Sets by deleting one that was not needed.
Observed the automatic creation of model and lightweight reference sets

during file save.
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Lesson
19 Top-down assembly modeling

Purpose
One method of assembly modeling is to build the component part files in
context of the assembly.
Objectives
Create a new component using the Top-Down method
Design a component in context
Build associativity across parts in the assembly using the WAVE

Geometry Linker
Edit Linked Geometry
Edit the Timestamp for a link
Mirror an assembly
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Top-down assembly modeling
Top-down design
Top-down
is the process of assembly modeling in which you create

a new component part while working in context of the
assembly.
Since the definition of a component part is dictated by
its function within the assembly, you first create the
geometry in the assembly. Then, when you want to
work with this geometry as a component, you push the
geometry into its own part file leaving only a pointer (the
component object) in the assembly.
Design in context is the process in which you define geometry in one part
while referencing geometry in some other part.
Design in context is accomplished while the uncompleted
component is the work part and is displayed in the
context of the assembly.
Procedure
There are two basic methods to create a component top-down.
Move Geometry method
Create geometry in the assembly (sketch, sheet, solid, etc.)
Create a new component and add the geometry to it.
Empty Part method
Create an "empty" component object in the assembly.
Make the "empty" component the Work Part.
Create the geometry in this component part.
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Create a new component

The process to add a new component to the work part is started by:
Choosing AssembliesComponentsCreate New in the main menu bar.

(or)
Clicking Create New Component from the Assemblies toolbar.
You may select geometry to add to the new component part (Move Geometry
Method). If no geometry is to be moved you can immediately click OK (Empty
Part Method).
The units of the new part will be the same as the parent.
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After a part file name is designated for the new component, you can specify
information in the Create New Component dialog box .
Component
name
The name of the component object. The default name for

the component is the name of the part file.
Reference Set
Name
The name of a reference set to be created with the

new component. If none is specified, no reference set
is created. However, Automatic reference sets will be
created as discussed in an earlier lesson.
All geometry selected will be added to the reference
set.
Layer options
This defines what layer any added geometry will be

placed. The choices are Work, Original or As Specified.
Component
Origin
Determines the absolute origin and orientation of the new

component part. If not defined, then the absolute origin
and orientation of the assembly part is used.
Copy Defining
Objects
If cleared, selected geometry that depends on defining

objects that were not selected will be left out of the new
component. If this option is toggled on, all selected
geometry and defining objects are copied to the new
component.
Delete Originals
If selected, the selected geometry is copied to the

component part. If it is cleared, the geometry is moved to
the component part.
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Verify the creation of a new component

Since the graphics display does not necessarily change, it may not be obvious
that a new component was created.
There are a few ways to verify the creation of a new component:
Assembly
Navigator
Find and select the new component node with Mouse

Button 1 to highlight the geometry that belongs to it.
Assemblies
Reports List
Components
Find the new component from a list of components.
Assemblies
Context
Control Set
Work Part
Change the work part to the new component.
Status line
Read the statement: Component XYZ was created.
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Activity
In the Top-down assembly modeling section, do the activity:
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Considerations of selecting data during component creation

Adding data to a new component can be thought of in terms of moving or
copying the data into the new part. If Delete Original is selected, data is
moved; otherwise it is copied.
All geometry, whether moved or copied, will have the same color and
show/hide-status as the original. The occurrences of that geometry
created in the assembly will "look" identical to the originals.
If you attempt to "move" an object, and some other object which you are
not moving depends on that object, then the selected object will in fact
be "copied".
If you select a sketch (which has been extruded) to be moved to a
component, but you do not select the associated extruded body, the
sketch will be copied.
If you select a line which is part of a sketch to be moved to the
component, but you do not select the sketch, the line will be copied.
If you copy only a sketch and the sketch has a swept solid associated with
it, the copied sketch will not be associated to the solid. If the sketch is
attached to a face, the body it is attached to will be copied.
If you move a solid that was created from a sketch, the sketch is copied.
Any expressions that the sketch uses are copied into the new part. Any
expressions that are not required by the sketch are not copied.
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Design in context of an assembly

Designing in Context is the process by which you define geometry in one part
by referencing geometry in another part.
When designing in the context of an assembly, the component part in which
you are adding the geometry must be the work part and the assembly must
be the displayed part. Creation or editing of geometry will take place in the
work part, yet geometry in other components will be selectable.
It is important to remember that when a component is added to an assembly,
the geometry is not being copied into the assembly but rather it is being
referenced by the assembly. Changes made to the component part will
immediately be reflected in the assembly. If multiple occurrences of the
same component exist in an assembly, they will all update because they are
referencing the same component part.
Select geometry outside the work part
When working in the context of an assembly many functions allow you to
select geometry from components other than the work part. This is useful
when specifying a location with the Point Constructor dialog box or checking
a clearance using InformationObject or AnalysisDistance.
In the example below, a block is created in the current work part by defining
diagonal points (1) relative to geometry in non-work parts, eliminating the
need to calculate and enter numerical values for the edge lengths.
The size and position of the block in the example above are not
associative. Associativity between components can be attained through
the use of the WAVE Geometry Linker, Interpart Expressions, and
Mating Conditions, which are covered later in the course.
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Sketch in context
Sketching in context is the ability to create and edit sketches in a component
part while the assembly is displayed.
When working with sketches in context of an assembly existing objects

belonging to the sketch can be selected in any occurrence of the work part.
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Introduction to interpart modeling

The WAVE Geometry Linker provides a means to associatively link geometry
from another component part in an assembly into the Work Part. By
"associative" we mean that modifying the parent geometry will cause the
linked geometry in other parts to update.
This function is accessed by choosing InsertAssociative CopyWAVE
Geometry Linker or by displaying the WAVE Geometry Linker button on
the assemblies toolbar.
Associative
Allows you to create non-associative geometry in the

Work Part. The geometry is automatically created as
a Broken Link.
The WAVE Geometry Linker is on by default. Some
sites have chosen to disable it via the customer
default Assemblies, General, Interpart Modeling,
Allow Interpart Modeling. This default controls
Interpart Expressions as well.
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Hide Original
Lets you hide the original geometry so that the linked

geometry in the Work Part will be easier to select while
the assembly is displayed.
Fix at Current
Timestamp
Lets you specify where the linked feature is placed in the

feature list. When cleared, any new features later added
to the original geometry will be reflected in the linked
geometry. When selected, any new features will not affect
the linked geometry.
Considerations when interpart modeling

Before using the WAVE Geometry Linker, the user should evaluate the
downstream impacts.
Do not use the WAVE Geometry Linker just because you can. This is a very
powerful tool that adds another level of complication to the assembly.
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Geometry types
Several different types of geometry can be selected.
Composite Curve
Points
Datum
Face
Region of Faces
Body
Mirror Body
Routing Object
When selecting the geometry to copy, you also need to consider how
permanent the geometry will be. If you copy as little geometry as
possible to do the job, performance will be improved but updates will be
less robust when the parent geometry is altered.
For example, if you copy individual sketch curves to another part, the
link may not update correctly if one of the curves is deleted. However,
if you link an entire sketch, curves may be removed or added to it and
the link will still update.
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Activity
Design in context of an assembly
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Localized interpart modeling

Localized interpart modeling is the ability to relate the geometry of
interacting parts in an assembly. This has two distinct advantages in
assembly modeling:
Reduces the cost of design changes.
Maintains design integrity.
This reduces cost since changes made to a single part can be automatically
propagated to other related component parts in the assembly. Design
integrity is maintained because the parts will always have correct geometric
and positional relationships.
A gasket (1) is derived from a parent face (2) in a housing. If the size or
shape of the parent face changes in the housing, the gasket will change
accordingly (3) in the assembly (4).
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Interpart modeling applications

Interpart modeling can be applied to different areas including tooling and
manufacturing engineering.
Part in process modeling
Mold/Die Core/Cavity design
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Part in process modeling allows you to validate and illustrate a manufacturing
process plan.
A cast part (1) is used to derive a machined part (2). A linked solid is
created in the machining part from the casting. Then, features unique
to the machining are added to it.
The above method is primarily used by companies who design their own
cast parts and tooling. It is usually much easier to add features that
remove material from a properly constructed casting model than to add
draft and machining material to a purely functional design.
The finished machined part (1) is designed first and subsequently
the cast part is defined by adding material using offset and simplify
features (2).
The above method is primarily used by companies who design pattern

tooling based on a finished part design. Much extra work and
communication is needed to design a casting that provides just enough
stock material, an acceptable parting, and sufficient draft for the
casting process without interfering with the fit and function of the part.
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Mold/die applications
Interpart modeling can be applied to create an associative mold or die from
a finished piece part.
A solid body (1) can be linked from one part into another (2) where
features can be applied to define the cavity in the mold or die (3).
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Activities
In the Top-down assembly modeling section, do the activities:
WAVE Geometry Linker - Mirror Body
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Edit links
Links may be edited by choosing EditFeatureEdit Parameters and
selecting a linked feature.
While this dialog box is displayed you can select new parent geometry for the
link being edited. The new parent geometry must be the same type as the old
geometry (curve, datum, solid body, etc.).
Part
Parent Part controls if the parent geometry selection is

from the Work Part or an Other Part.
Mapping
Opens the Replacement Assistant dialog box to help you

edit the source of the linked or extracted feature.
WAVE
Information
Shows the name of the part where the parent geometry is

located, the geometry type, and the link Status.
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Associative
Lets you break the association between the linked feature

and its parent. This means that the linked feature will no
longer update if its parent changes. You can later define a
new parent by selecting geometry with the cursor.
Fix at Current
Timestamp
Lets you specify the timestamp at which the linked

feature is placed. If this option is selected one of the
parent part features may be selected from the list to
specify a new timestamp location for the linked feature
being edited. If this option is cleared, all features in the
parent part will be reflected in the linked feature.
Make Position
Independent
Lets you change the link to a PILO (Position Independent

Linked Object), which does not require a context assembly
for its existence. If this option is selected you cannot
deselect this option to convert a position-independent link
to a position-dependent link.
Broken Links
A link may become broken for several reasons:
The parent geometry is deleted.
The path from the linked geometry to its parent part is broken. This
can occur if the component containing the parent geometry is removed
or substituted.
If you deliberately break the link.
Broken links can be repaired with the WAVE Geometry Linker dialog box.
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Deleting parent geometry

To prevent unintentional deletion of the parents of linked geometry, a
message will warn you if a delete operation would cause interpart links to
break. When parts containing linked geometry are loaded this warning
applies to operations using EditDelete, the Delete button, and right-click
shortcut menus on the graphics screen or in the Model Navigation Tool.
The Information option provides details about the links that will be broken
in an Information window.
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Activities
In the Top-down assembly modeling section, do the activities:
Edit a link
Edit the timestamp of a link
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Mirrored Assemblies
The Mirrored Assemblies function utilizes a wizard interface to facilitate the
development of:
Symmetric parts that need to be repositioned to serve the same purpose

on both sides of an assembly.
Asymmetric parts whose mirrored application generate new parts.
1) Same part, mirrored position.

2) New part, mirrored geometry.
With the Mirror Assembly functions, you only need to create one side of your
assembly. You can then create a mirrored version to form the other side of
your assembly.
The assembly is mirrored with respect to a plane. You can use an existing
plane, or create one as you are defining the mirrored assembly.
Components may be the same on both sides of the plane only the location
mirrored, or , the components can have their geometry mirrored.
You can specify components to be excluded from the mirrored assembly. You
can also reposition components so they appear in a different location in the
mirrored assembly.
Components must be children of the work assembly to be selectable
for the mirrored assembly.
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Procedure
The steps to mirroring an assembly, as outlined in the wizard are:
1. Click Mirror Assembly.
If you selected components before clicking Mirror Assembly, the
wizard will open on the Select Plane page (step 4).
2. Click the Next button.
3. Select the components that you want to mirror and click Next.
4. For the mirror plane, select an existing plane (or) click the Create Datum
Plane button to create a plane.
5. Click Next when you have selected the mirror plane.
6. Specify the Mirror Type for the desired component(s).
Assign Reposition Operation, which is the default type, adds

an instance placed on the other side of the mirror plane for each
component.
Assign Mirror Geometry Operation creates an opposite-side version

of a component.
Reuse Assembly reuses a subassembly during a mirror assembly

operation, rather than creating a new subassembly.
Assign Exclude Component Operation excludes a component from

the mirror operation.
This option is useful when you selected a parent in step 3,
thereby automatically selecting all its children, but you do not
want to mirror all the children.
7. When you are finished, click Next.

The system performs a preview of the mirror operation.
19
8. On the Mirror Review page, you can make corrections before finishing
the operation.
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9. When you have finished making corrections, determine if you have

mirrored geometry.
If none of your components are using the Mirror Geometry type, the
Finish button is available. Click this button to create the parts and
dismiss the wizard.
If any of your components use the Mirror Geometry type, you must
specify the naming policy that you want to use for these opposite-side
parts. Click the Next button to go to the Naming Policy page.
10. On the Naming Policy page, you can name the new opposite-side parts by
applying a prefix or suffix to the name used by their source parts. Or, if
you are in NX Manager, you can let the system automatically assign part
numbers to the new parts.
11. When you have finished specifying the naming policy and the directory for
the parts click Next to go to the Name New Part Files page.
12. On the Name New Part Files page, you can review the names that have
been applied to your new opposite-side parts.
If you wish to change a name, double-click it in the panel. The
Rename Part File dialog box appears, where you can specify the new
name. If you specify a name that is being used by another part in
your assembly, you will receive an error message.
13. When you have finished naming the new parts, click Finish to complete
the mirror operation.
14. Save your parts if you wish to keep them.
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Activity
Mirror Assembly
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Summary
Top-Down Assembly Modeling allows you to build new components in relation
to other components within the same assembly. Interpart modeling methods
allow you to relate geometry in an assembly.
In this lesson you:
Created new components using the Top-Down method.
Designed in Context of the assembly.
Created components using interpart modeling.
Built associativity across component parts in an assembly using Geometry

Linker.
Edited the timestamp for a link.
Edited linked geometry.
Mirrored an assembly.
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19
Lesson
20 Interpart references
Purpose
Interpart Reference enable components to share parameters.
Objectives
Create and apply referencing interpart references
Understand and recognize overriding interpart references.
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Interpart references
General concepts
Interpart References (IPRs) allow the user to establish relationships between
expressions of separate part files. A change to an expression in one part file
may change an expression in a different part file, thus altering the geometry
of that part.
IPRs may be created between any two part files, not necessarily
between components of an assembly.
Before using IPRs, the user should evaluate the downstream impacts.
Do not use IPRs just because you can. They are a very powerful tool
that adds another level of complication to the assembly.
Please pay particular attention to the Tips and Recommended Practices
near the end of this chapter.
Your system administrator may choose to disable IPRs at the site, group,
or user level.
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Types of interpart references

Interpart References can be created in two basic forms, referencing or
overriding.
Referencing expressions
Referencing expressions are used to reference an expression from one part to
an expression in another part. This means that the value of one expression
will depend on the value of an expression in another part.
Referencing expressions create the link on the right side of the equal
sign in the expression.
There are two ways that referencing expressions can be used. The driving
expression can be created in the assembly and be referenced by the component
parts below it.
The alternative is to have one component reference an expression in another

component directly.
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Overriding expressions
Overriding expressions are those that are created in an assembly and the
interpart link is created in the Name box. The interpart link is on the left side
of the equal sign in the expression when viewed outside of the Expressions
dialog box.
Although they reside in the assembly, they assign a value to an expression in
a component part. The expression in the component part will take on this
value when the component is opened with the assembly.
Create overriding expressions in the Name box or by selecting the Use
for expression name check box.
In the example below, the hole_dia expression in the block part is being
overridden by the expression in the assembly which sets it equal to the pin
diameter.
The expression being overridden will appear as locked.
This means that it can only be edited from the expression in the assembly
which is overriding it. The link can be found by listing the references for
the locked expression.
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To list references, use the right-click shortcut menu over a locked expression.
A report structured like this example is generated in the listing window:
Overriding expressions can only be created in an assembly and used to

override the value of an expression in one of its components.
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Create interpart references

Interpart references are best created and edited in the Expression dialog
box. The lower portion of the dialog box while using more options contains
interpart references, edit, and open buttons.
Create Interpart Reference

Edit Interpart References
Open Referenced Parts
When creating links, it is also possible to create a link by simply

entering the expression in the Formula entry field using the correct
syntax, i.e. x=part_name::expression_name. If your filename includes
hyphens (-) then the part name alone should have quotes placed around
it, i.e. x="123-4567-890"::length
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Edit Interpart References

The Edit Interpart References dialog box is activated upon selection of Edit
InterPart References and selecting the part containing the referenced
expression.
Function
Change Referenced
Part
Delete Reference
Description
Delete All References
Similar to Delete Reference except it will delete

ALL interpart references in the current work part.
Allows you to change all expressions that refer to

the part selected so that they refer to a new part.
Allows you to break the relationship with a
selected part and replaces the formula of the
expression with the current value.
When changing references, the expressions must exist in both parts. If

this is not the case, the system will display a message that it will assign
the missing expressions their current numeric values.
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Activity
In the Interpart References section, do the activity:
Create Interpart References
20
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Partial loading issues

Partially loading components in an assembly conserves system memory by
not loading all data associated with the file.
When using interpart references, it is possible to edit the expressions
referenced by a partially loaded component. The geometry in that part will
not update to reflect the changes until the part has been fully loaded.
The Load Interpart Data option from Load Options dialog box can be
used to ensure all referenced components are fully loaded when partial
loading is used.
Resolving interpart expression references
When a part containing an IPR is loaded, the system looks for the name of
the expression in the referenced part. If the correct name is found, the system
has resolved the link.
If it is impossible for the link to be resolved, the system will notify the user,
delete the link, and assign the last known constant value.
Here is an example of an expression in a component part file referencing
an expression in an assembly file.
dia=ipr_block_assm::ipr_dia
Attempting to delete the expression "ipr_dia" within the assembly part
file would result in an error message stating that the expression is in
use, and the references would be listed.
If you perform a "Save As" on a part, any loaded part which references it will
rename the expression so the link is preserved, now referencing the new part
created by the Save As operation. If the other parts are not loaded at the time
the Save As was performed, their expressions can be changed later by using
Edit Interpart References in the Expressions dialog box.
20
20-9
Load Parts
The Load Parts dialog box is activated upon selection of Open Referenced
Parts. It provides the following options:
Function
PartsAll Modified
PartsAll Referenced
Load All Parts in List
Description
Lists only those unloaded or partially loaded
parts whose expressions have been modified.
Lists all unloaded or partially loaded parts with
expressions referenced by the work part.
Allows you to fully load all parts listed.
The OpenComponent Fully option in the Assembly Navigator can

also be used to fully load and update interpart references.
20
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Tips and recommended practices
Before using interpart references, you should evaluate their downstream

impacts.
IPRs are powerful tools but do complicate your assemblies and add
complexity to your assemblies that others may not understand so only
use then when necessary.
In general, IPRs should be used when the parts have a physical constraint
and are used in the same assembly.
Although you can use IPRs with parts not assembled together, it is
not recommended.
Consider setting up company-wide standards on how and when IPRs

are to be used.
It may be a good idea to have a naming convention such as a prefix
on the expression name such as "ipr_dia" so it is readily identifiable
as being referenced.
You should not use overriding expression references on the same

component from different assemblies. This would cause the component to
be updated each time it was loaded by the different assemblies.
For this reason, overriding expression should not be used for
standard parts such as a bolt or screw.
In general, it is a good practice to edit IPRs only when all of the referenced
parts are fully loaded, therefore changes can be immediately understood.
If a part fails to load because of an IPR edit, you should close all other
parts then open only the part causing the problem. The part should
load and allow you to investigate which expressions are responsible.
You can then delete the offending links.
20
20-11
Summary
Interpart references allow you to link the expressions between parts.
Whenever a change occurs to an expression in one part file, the related
expression in the other part file(s) will change accordingly.
In this lesson you:
Created and applied interpart references.
Reviewed tips and recommended practices for using interpart references.
20
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21
Lesson
21 Component Arrays
Purpose
Time and effort can be saved by applying component arrays and feature based
component arrays. The feature based arrays capitalize on the parametric and
associative characteristics already present in assembly models.
Objectives
Create a Circular Component array
Apply the From Instance Feature function
Edit a circular array
21-1
Component Arrays
21
Component Arrays
You can use the Component Arrays options to create and edit linear and
circular arrays of components in an assembly based on a template component.
Creating a component array
A component array can be defined in one of two ways
Multiple
AddArray
Is used as the component is added to the assembly.
Assemblies
Components
Create Array
Is used after the component has been added to the

assembly.
The Create Component Array dialog box allows you to define the type and
name of the array to create.
21-2
Linear
A linear or rectangular array of components where you

specify the number of components, the spacing between
them, and a direction reference.
Circular
A circular array of components where you specify the

number of components, the angle between them, and an
axis.
From Instance
Feature
An option that provides a means to quickly generate

a pattern of components with corresponding mating
conditions based on an instance array in a component
part.
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Component Arrays
21
Linear & Circular Arrays

Linear and Circular Arrays are very similar to feature instancing, except that
a linear master component array is not defined by the WCS.
Each new component is offset from the original component. The number of
components in the array and the offsets are controlled by expressions.
You can fine tune an array components position by editing its expressions
using Tools Expression.
You can either mate the master component to other geometry, or leave it free
standing. The masters position updates according to any changes you make.
You cannot delete a Master Component without first deleting the array.
If you attempt to delete the last component in a From Instance Feature

array you will get an update failure. You can delete the array from
the resulting dialog box.
21-3
Component Arrays
21
Editing a component array

Component Arrays can be edited by choosing AssembliesEdit Component
Arrays.
The Edit Array Parameters option can be used to change the number of
components, spacing, or direction reference for a linear or circular array.
Other options are available to rename and delete arrays.
The number of components and spacing values are stored as
expressions. They can also be edited from the expression editor by
choosing ToolsExpression.
21-4
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Component Arrays
21
Activity
In the Component Arrays section, do the activity:
Create a circular component array
21-5
Component Arrays
21
Feature-based component arrays

In many cases it is necessary to associate an array of components to a
corresponding array of features in another component of the assembly (i.e.
bolts associated to a hole pattern), which can be accomplished by using the
From Instance Feature option in the Create Component Array dialog box.
The template component

Component arrays produce occurrences of a "template" component object.
These occurrences are all associated to the template component. Any changes
made to the original component are reflected in the occurrences of the
component.
The template component defines certain properties for any newly generated
occurrences within the array which include:
21-6
component part
color
layer
name
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Component Arrays
21
Component Arrays and Mating Conditions

When using the From Instance Feature option, mating constraints will be
generated for the new occurrences based on those of the template component.
At least one constraint must be applied to an object belonging to an instanced
feature. That constraint is how NX knows to use the Instance Array to define
the Component Array.
Because the component array uses the mating constraints of the template
component, you must assign mating constraints to the template before
creating the From Instance Feature component array. It is a good practice to
define mating constraints for the template component to the original feature
that was instanced in the component part.
Feature-based array associativity
If the number of features in an instance set is changed, the components in the
array associated to those features will also change (added or deleted).
Furthermore, if a feature in an instance set is removed entirely as a result
of a modeling change, the corresponding component in the array will also
be removed.
In the example below a modeling change causes a hole to be removed (3).
If the deleted component was the "template" (1), the system assigns a new
template (2) from the remaining components in the array.
21-7
Component Arrays
21
Summary
Component arrays take advantage of existing parametric data and can save
time in adding component part files to an assembly.
In this lesson you:
21-8
Created a circular component array.
Applied the From Instance Feature function.
Edited a circular array.
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Lesson
22 Revisions and substitutions
22
Purpose
After creating an assembly, you may have to revise or substitute an existing
component or change the name of the component part. In this lesson you will
investigate the different methods to revise components and the assemblies
that use them.
Objectives
Revise a component and an assembly using Save Part As
Interrogate the modifications made to features of a part
Substitute components in an existing assembly
22-1
Revisions and substitutions
File Versioning/Revisions
There are many different ways to track revisions to a component after it
has been released.
22
One of the most common methods is to reflect the revision in the part name.
Track revisions by part number
The most common way of keeping track of the legacy data for a part is to
include a revision identifier in the part name. When revising, the user would
save the part the same base name, but modify the revision identifier. This
method is very efficient because you can easily identify the version of a loaded
part from the name.
There are several advantages to this method.
Advantages
Easy to create the change. Use "Save As" on the affected components.
No file protection problem because owner performs the "Save As".
The old and new parts can and should reside in the same directory.
The legacy information is accessed (if on line) by retrieving the older

revision assembly or component part.
Easy to track revisions on the shop floor when looking at numbered parts.
File versioning rules can be implemented to enable the system to always

get the latest version of the file.
Disadvantages
22-2
If file versioning rules are enabled, two versions of the component part
cannot be open at the same time.
Associated information could be lost if components are substituted and

file versioning is not used.
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Revise a component and assembly using Save As

When revisions are incorporated into part names, an easy way to revise a
component is to save the component with the new name while it is the work
part. This can be accomplished by choosing FileSave As.
Many companies, however, require that an assembly also be revised whenever
a change is made to the form, fit, or function of one of its components so
you would also be required to save each of the assemblies in the tree that
reference the component.
When you perform a FileSave As on a component part in a native operating
system:
A Session Where Used report is immediately displayed, listing any loaded

assemblies that reference the component.
A new name for the component is defined.
A new name for each of the listed assemblies is defined, as desired.
An information window is displayed with the new part names.
Watch the Cue line for a prompt specifying the name of the file currently
being renamed.
22-3
22
If you click Cancel at any level of the assembly structure, you will get a
message after input for the last file has been specified:
22
22-4
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The Part Modifications dialog box

The Part Modifications dialog box allows you to access information pertaining
to modifications to components of an assembly. You can access it by choosing
InformationPartModifications.
The top portion of the dialog box lists the displayed assembly and its loaded
components. The lower list displays the version and time/date information for
the part highlighted in the upper list.
1 Lists the displayed assembly

and loaded components.
2 Version numbers
and date/time stamps
for the highlighted part.
3 Lists information for
versions that meet criteria relative
to the highlighted version number.
4 Specify types of objects
to provide information on.
5 Specify object to
highlight in graphics display.
Once the part, version selection criteria, and object types are specified, you
can click OK or Apply to display the information.
22-5
22
In the example below, feature object information is displayed for all

versions of a part.
22
The listing includes an object number for each feature, the version in which
the feature was last modified, the version in which the feature was created,
and the feature name.
An object number can be entered or the Previous and Next buttons can be
chosen from the dialog box to highlight the features in the graphics display.
You can also review the differences between two components using the
Model Compare function. To learn more about Model Compare, choose
HelpDocumentationGetting StartedWorking with PartsNX
AnalysisModel Compare.
22-6
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Additional Assembly Reports

There are other reporting tools available to help you understand how a
particular assembly has changed over time.
List Components
Update Report
Where Used
Session Where Used
22
Update Report
This report indicates which components were updated (changed) as the
assembly is opened.
An update report can automatically be generated every time an
assembly is opened by choosing PreferencesAssemblies and toggling
the Display Update Report option to on.
Where Used
This option will search directories and list the assemblies that reference a
specified part. This is useful to determine what impact a pending design
change may have on other assemblies.
22-7
In the Where Used Report dialog box, a Search Option can be chosen to
specify what directories to search for parts and whether to list only next
level assemblies or all assemblies.
22
A Where Used report may take considerable time to execute. It is

recommended that you search through as few directories and parts
as possible.
Session Where Used
This option will list only the loaded assemblies that reference a specified part.
This report is automatically generated when you perform a FileSave As on
a component part while the assembly is loaded.
22-8
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Activity
In the Revisions and substitutions section, do the activity:
Revise components using Save As

ROLLER_ASSM
MOUNTING_BRACKET
ROLLER
22
ROLLER_PIN
ROLLER_ASSM-A
MOUNTING_BRACKET-A
ROLLER-A
ROLLER_PIN
22-9
Partial Loading issues

There are some issues relating to revisions which should be considered when
using partial loading.
22
Sharing components
Assume you are working in a concurrent engineering environment and have
a loaded assembly that contains a partially loaded component owned by
another user. If that user modifies and saves that component part to disk,
your loaded assembly will become out of date.
Now, if you perform an operation in your assembly that requires that the
shared part be fully loaded (i.e. making it the work part to interrogate a
feature), the part will automatically be re-opened with the new version.
If the component had been fully loaded, an error message would be received
when an attempt is made to save the part stating that the part has changed
on disk since it was first opened.
Legacy parts
When loading an assembly that was last saved in a prior release, the system
will automatically convert fully loaded components to the current version and
recognize them as being modified.
Normally, when you save an assembly, the system will also save the fully
loaded components that have been modified. Because the partially loaded
components were not updated to the new version, they will not be saved.
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Close assembly component parts

The FileCloseSelected Parts option lets you selectively close (unload)
components in an assembly.
The upper section of the dialog box lets you specify what component parts to
close and the lower section lets you specify how they will be closed.
1 List all loaded

component parts
or top level only.
2 Close only parts
selected or whole
assembly tree.
3 If on, you will not be
warned if a selected part
has been modified.
4 Close all parts
in the session.
If the component part you are closing (unloading) has been modified while it
was the work part, you will be asked if you really want to close the part.
If you agree to close (unload) the component part, you will lose the
modifications you made to the part and the changes wont be reflected in the
piece part file stored on disk.
22-11
22
Reopen component parts

In a concurrent engineering environment, one designer may be working on a
loaded assembly which references a component part that another designer is
simultaneously modifying.
22
The FileCloseReopen Selected Parts option lets you selectively update

loaded components with their counterparts on disk. It can be utilized in the
following situation.
Early in the morning, designer A starts working on an assembly that
references comp3.
Later in the morning, while designer A is still working on the assembly,

designer B revises comp3 and saves it using FileSave.
At lunchtime, designer A reopens comp3 while the assembly is still open

using FileCloseReopen Selected Parts.
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The top portion of the Reopen Part dialog box lets you specify what component
will be reopened. The bottom portion of the dialog box lets you specify how
the component will be reopened.
22
1 List of loaded
components that
can be reopened.
2 Specifies whether
reopen should affect
part or whole assembly.
3 If on, you will
not be warned if
selected part has been
modified before it is
loaded from disk.
4 Reopens all parts
in session that have
been changed on disk.
After you reopen the parts, an Information window will list the names of
the parts, their status before they were reopened, and their status after
they were reopened.
22-13
Substitute components
As you are going through design iterations and revising your assembly, it
may be necessary to replace an existing component with a different part. In
other words, you will want to change the pointer in the assembly so that it
references another component part which is located at the same origin and
orientation.
22
A component substitution can destroy the relationship between the

component and any associated data such as dimensions, mating
conditions, and WAVE interpart references. There are some situations
in which this can be avoided that will be discussed later.
There are three different ways to substitute a component which will be
discussed in this lesson.
AssembliesComponentsSubstitute Component.
Use the Open As toggle in the Reopen Part dialog box.
Use OpenComponent As option in the Assembly Navigator pop-up

menu.
The Unique Identifier (UID)

When the system finds a component with the correct name, it performs a
second check before loading it.
There is an internal file identifier, referred to as a UID (Unique IDentifier),
that ensures that the component that has been found is the genuine article,
or at least a copy of it.
A new UID is not assigned (and thus, associativity is maintained) in the
following cases:
When you copy or move the file in the operating system.
When you save the file into another directory using the same name.
When you perform a FileSave As, as with a seed part.
Allow Substitution
When you open an assembly and the system finds a component that happens
to have the same name but a different UID, the opening will fail unless Allow
Substitution has been toggled on in the Load Options dialog box.
The Allow Substitution option enables a component to be loaded into an
assembly even though it has a different UID, or history. It could be a
completely different part created by another user.
22-14
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22
If the new component has no common history (different UID) with the
substituted component, data in the assembly will lose its associativity
to the original component (mating constraints, WAVE interpart
references, etc.).
22-15
Substitute components using Substitute

Components may be substituted using the Substitute Component option
under AssembliesComponents.
22
Remove and Add
Regardless of the of the history (UID) of the parts

involved, this is a non-associative operation.
Mating conditions and WAVE interpart references
will be lost. All drafting objects will revert to their
retain annotation state and all Manufacturing data
associativity will be lost.
Maintain Mating
If the current part and the replacement part have the

same UID, associativity can be preserved if this option
is used. All mating conditions and WAVE interpart
references will be maintained assuming the relevant
geometry exists in both parts.
All drafting objects will revert to their retain
annotation state and all Manufacturing data
associativity will be lost.
As the new component is substituted, you can assign a:
22-16
Component Name
Reference Set
Layer Option
mt13150_g NX 5
22
22-17
Substitute components using Reopen

A loaded component can also be replaced with another part by choosing
FileCloseReopen Selected Parts and using Open As.
22
The component part to be replaced must be selected from the list. After
choosing OK, the system will ask you to select the unloaded replacement part.
If the replacement part has a common history with the original part (same
UID), associativity is maintained.
If the replacement part does not have a common history (different
UID), associativity is lost.
To Reopen a component with a part that has a different UID, Allow
Substitution must be selected in the Load Options.
22-18
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Substitute using the Assembly Navigator

An unloaded component can be replaced using OpenComponent As in the
pop-up menu of the Assembly Navigator.
22
22-19
Activity
In the Revisions and substitutions section, do the activity:
22
22-20
Substitute components
mt13150_g NX 5
Summary
After creating an assembly, you may have to revise or substitute a component
and change the name of the component part. In this lesson, you used different
methods to revise components and the assemblies that use them.
In this lesson you:
Revised a component and an assembly using Save Part As.
Interrogated the modifications made to features of a part.
Substituted components in an existing assembly.
22-21
22
22
Lesson
23 Master model
23
Purpose
This lesson introduces the master model concept.
Objectives
Review an existing master model.
Edit a master model and update an associated non-master part.
Create a new master model.
23-1
Master model
Assembly models
An assembly is any NX part to which you add one or more component objects,
which are special links to other parts.
There is no duplication of geometry in an assembly part; component objects
allow the assembly to display geometry that resides in parts they reference.
A component object stores information about the piece part such as its
location, attributes, origin, and orientation.
23
You can assign attributes to component objects to change the display

properties of the referenced geometry the assembly level, such as color or
layer, without affecting the original part.
23-2
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Master model
Master model concept

You apply the master model concept by creating an assembly, or non-master
part, with exactly one component part. The component part is the master
model. Edits to the master model are updated in the non-master part.
The master model concept allows multiple design processes to access the
same geometry during development. Benefits of this include:
It promotes concurrent engineering. You can begin downstream

applications such as drafting, manufacturing, and analysis during
geometry construction.
The downstream users need not have write access to the geometry. This
prevents accidental modifications.
Drafting
23
Assembly
Master Model
Analysis
N/C
Each application uses a separate assembly part. When the master model is
revised, the other applications automatically update with minimal or no
associativity loss.
You can maintain the design intent of the various design applications by
restricting write permission on the master model.
23-3
Master model
Master model example

Manufacturing engineers have the need to design fixture devices, define
machining operations, and designate cutter tools and save this data in their
models.
By creating a manufacturing "assembly" and adding a component to it,
engineers can create application specific geometry or data separate parts
that reference the same master model.
23
Benefits of the master model include:
Avoiding the duplication of model geometry.
Supporting concurrent engineering, because data for various disciplines

is separated.
abcd1234_mfg.prt
A non-master part owned by
manufacturing engineer contains
manufacturing data and a component
object which references the master model
part.
abcd1234.prt
A part owned by the designer
contains master model geometry.
The manufacturing engineer owns the assembly part but does not require
write access to the master model.
23-4
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Master model
Activities
In the Master model section, do the following activities:
Explore a master model assembly
Create a non-master part
23
23-5
Master model
Summary
The master model approach offers many benefits. Master model parts may be
write-protected and owned by one user or group yet the data can be shared
with other users or groups. Downstream users can access the latest data and
incorporate updates as the part is being developed.
23
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Lesson
24 Introduction to Drafting
Purpose
This lesson provides an introduction to the Drafting application.
Objectives
24
Open, create, and delete drawing sheets.
Add, edit, and remove views on drawing sheets.
Create utility symbols.
Create dimensions.
Create annotations.
24-1
Introduction to Drafting
Drawings
Use the Drafting application to create drawings of 3D parts.
Some of the benefits of the Drafting application are:
24
24-2
You can add views to a drawing sheet by indicating their location with
the cursor.
When you add projected views, they are automatically aligned with the
parent view.
When you update the model, you can update the views either
automatically or manually.
Drafting annotation is placed directly on the drawing sheet.
Drafting annotation (dimensions, labels, and symbols with leaders) is

associative to the geometry you select.
Associative view boundaries are calculated when the drawing sheet is

updated.
Section views are fully associative to the model.
mt13150_g NX 5
Create new drawing sheets

When you start the Drafting application, you will see either:
An existing drawing sheet.
The Sheet dialog box if there are no drawing sheets in the part.
To control the automatic appearance of the Sheet dialog box:
1. From the Menu Bar, choose PreferencesDrafting.
24
3. In the Drawing Work Flow group, select Automatically Start

Insert Sheet Command.
To create a new drawing sheet:
1. From the Drawing Layout toolbar, choose New Sheet
2. In the Sheet dialog box, define the drawing sheet size, scale, name, units
of measure and projection angle.
3. Choose OK.
To create a new drawing sheet in a part that already contains drawing sheets,
you can:
On the Drawing Layout toolbar, click New Sheet.
From the menu bar, choose InsertSheet .
In the Drawing Navigator, right-click the Drawing node, and select Insert
Sheet.
The Drawing Navigator is a subset of the Part Navigator.
The drawing node and every object under it are referred to as the
Drawing Navigator in this lesson.
24-3
Open a Drawing Sheet

Do one of the following:
In the Drawing Navigator, double click the sheet name.
In the Drawing Navigator, right-click the drawing sheet node and select
Open.
24
24-4
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Edit a drawing sheet

In NX, the term "drawing sheet" is used to define a collection of views. Think
of each drawing as a separate page in the part. One part can contain many
drawing sheets.
To edit a drawing sheet, do one of the following:
In the Drawing Navigator, right-click the drawing sheet and choose Edit
Sheet.
Over the view border of a drawing sheet, right-click and choose Edit Sheet.
On the Drafting Edit toolbar, click Sheet
From the menu, choose EditSheet.
24
You can change the projection angle only if no projected views exist on
the drawing sheet.
You can edit the drawing sheet to a larger or smaller size. If you
edit the drawing sheet to a size so small that a member view falls
entirely outside the boundary of the drawing sheet, you will get an
error message.
If you need to edit the drawing sheet to a smaller size, but cannot due to
the current position of the views, move the views closer to the drawing
sheets origin at the lower left corner of the sheet.
24-5
Delete a drawing sheet

Choose EditDelete Sheet.
Right-click the border of a drawing sheet, and select Delete.
In the Drawing Navigator, right-click the drawing node, and select Delete.
24
24-6
mt13150_g NX 5
Activities
In the Introduction to Drafting section, do the following activities:
Create new drawing sheets
24
24-7
Monochrome display
The Monochrome Display option displays a drawing sheet in a single color.
You may specify the line and background colors.
1. Choose PreferencesVisualization.
2. Click the Color Settings tab.
3. In the Drawing Part Settings section, select the Monochrome Display
check box.
The default colors are black and gray. You can specify any color.
In the Drawing Navigator, you can right-click the drawing node and
choose Monochrome.
24
Monochrome will be applied to all drawing sheets in the part.

In the Visualization Preferences dialog box, on the Line page, you can
use the Show Widths option to display of line widths and make the
display closely resemble a plotter output.
24-8
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View Preferences
Control the display of views by choosing PreferencesView.
You can use the View Preferences dialog box to define the display of hidden
lines, silhouettes, smooth edges, section view background lines, and more.
On the General page, select the Centerlines check box to automatically create
linear, cylindrical, and bolt circle centerlines when you add a view.
24
24-9
Hidden Lines
If you clear the Hidden Line check box, hidden line processing is not
performed and all hidden lines in the view appear as solid lines.
If you select the Hidden Line check box, the color, font, and width of the hidden
lines are determined by the settings in the three lists below the check box.
The color, font, and width lists are not named or labeled. This
configuration is common in the dialog boxes in Drafting.
The color option is not applicable in monochrome mode.
24
Widths are displayed only if Show Widths is selected in the

Visualization Preferences dialog box.
24-10
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Edges Hidden By Edges

The Edges Hidden By Edges option controls the display of edges which are
hidden by other overlapping edges. If the check box is clear, edges hidden by
other edges are erased from the view.
This option is useful in two ways:
When plotting, if the Edges Hidden by Edges check box is cleared, the
plotter does not draw two curves on top of each other.
For parts which are not likely to have edges hidden by other edges, (for
example, springs), you can increase hidden line performance by selecting
Edges Hidden by Edges.
24
24-11
Smooth Edges
Smooth edges are those whose adjacent faces have the same surface tangent
at the edge where they meet.
On the Smooth Edges page, you can select the Smooth Edges option to use
the color, font, and width settings to specify the appearance of smooth edges.
You can use the End Gaps option to vary the edge intersection appearance.
24
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mt13150_g NX 5
Virtual Intersections
The Virtual Intersections option allows you to display imaginary intersection
curves as required by the JIS standard (section 6.13) and the ISO 128-1982
standard (section 5.2.2).
Use the Virtual Intersections option when you want to display curves in a
member view to show where blended faces theoretically intersect. You can
control the color, font, and width of virtual intersections when the Virtual
Intersections option is selected.
24
The virtual intersection curves only display if the original surfaces
joined or intersected before they were blended.
24-13
Add a base view

The first view you add to a drawing sheet is a base view. You can project other
views from a base view. A drawing sheet can have more than one base view.
There are several ways to add a base view.
On the Drawing Layout toolbar, click Base View
Right-click the sheet border and select Add Base View.
In the Drawing Navigator, right-click a drawing sheet node and select

Add Base View.
Choose InsertViewBase View.
24
To control the automatic appearance of the Base View dialog bar:

3. In the Drawing Work Flow group, select Automatically Start Base
View Command.
This will automatically open the Base View dialog bar when you
enter drafting and there are no existing views on any of the drawing
sheets.
24-14
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View creation options

After you click Add Base View, the Base View dialog bar appears.
1 Part
2 View
3 Scale
4 Style
Add a view from a part that you specify.

Select the base view type from a list. You can
select NX defined or custom views.
24
Select from a list of several preset scales,

enter a custom scale, or define the scale by an
expression.
Open the View Style dialog box.
5 Orient View Tool
Orient a view. Choose from a list or set a custom

orientation, such as perpendicular to a model
face.
6 Move View
Move an existing view without stopping the

interaction to place a base view.
24-15
Add projected views

Immediately after you place a base view on a drawing sheet, you can create
a projected view by moving the cursor in the direction of the projection you
want, and click to place the view.
You can also create a projected view from an existing view. Right-click the
view border, and select Add Projected View.
To create a projected view, do one of the following:
24
On the Drawing Layout toolbar, click Projected View.
Right-click the drawing sheet border and choose Add Projected View.
In the Drawing Navigator, right-click a view node and choose Add

Projected View.
From the menu bar, choose InsertViewProjected View.

To control the automatic appearance of the Projected View dialog bar:
3. In the Drawing Work Flow group, select Automatically Start
Projected View Command.
24-16
mt13150_g NX 5
Projection lines
When you move the cursor while adding a projected view you see projection
lines. You can place the view at any angle from the base view. You can:
Place the view manually. The angle snaps to 45 increments.
Define a hinge line.
Select a planar face and project perpendicular to it.
24
24-17
Preview
As you move the cursor the preview style can be:
Border
Wireframe
Hidden Wireframe
Shaded Image
To select a preview option, right-click before you place the view, and
select Preview Style.
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Project view options

When you create a projected view the Projected View dialog bar is displayed.
1 Parent
2 Infer Hinge Line
Select a different base view to use as the

parent view.
Available when there is more than one base
view present.
Allow NX to infer an associative hinge line.
Define a fixed, associative hinge line.
3 Hinge Line
The Inferred Vector button appears when you

select Hinge Line.
4 Reverse Direction
Reverse the direction of the projected view.

Open the View Style dialog box.
5 Style
6 Move View
Move an existing view without stopping the

interaction to place a base view.
24-19
24
Edit existing views

You can change the style of an existing view. You can:
Double-click the view border.
Over the view border, right-click and select Style.
In the Drawing Navigator, double-click a drawing view node.
In the Drawing Navigator, right-click a drawing view node and select

Style.
Choose EditStyle.
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Dragging Views
1. (Optional) Select one or more views to move.
2. Hold the cursor over the border of a view (a selected view, if there are more
than one) until it changes to drag mode
3. Drag the view as required.

As you move a view relative to others, alignment lines appear. When
you place a view with alignment lines visible it automatically snaps to
an aligned position.
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24-21
Removing views from a drawing sheet

Right-click the view border, and select Delete from the shortcut menu.
Right-click the view to be removed in the Drawing Navigator, and select

Delete from the shortcut menu.
Choose Delete
Choose EditDelete and select the view.
and select the view.
Once a view is removed from a drawing sheet, all drafting objects or view
modifications associated to that view are deleted.
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Activity
In the Introduction to drafting section, do the following activity:
Add views to a drawing sheet
24
24-23
Utility Symbols
Use the Utility Symbols command to create various symbols such as
centerlines, offset center points, target points, and intersection symbols using
the Utility Symbols dialog box.
24
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Utility symbol options by group

The options in the Utility Symbols dialog box change depending on the
symbol type you select.
The following lists all of the possible options, for your reference.
Placement
Select Location
Determine the placement of a utility symbol based on

the available Point Position Options.
Specify Location Specify the location for a Target Point symbol.
Select Object
Select objects for the Intersection symbol.
Method
Offset Distance
Multiple
Centerlines
Choose a method placement option. This option is

available for the following symbol types:
Full Bolt Circle
Partial Bolt Circle
Offset Center Point
Cylindrical Centerline
Partial Circular Centerline
24
Full Circular Centerline

Set the offset distance for an Offset Center Point symbol.
Create several centerlines by consecutive selections
This option is available for Linear and Cylindrical
Centerlines (Cylidrical Face option).
Views
The options in this group are available for the Automatic Centerline symbol.
Select Views
Select views from the graphics window in which to
automatically create centerline symbols.
Views in Sheet
Select views from a list box in which to automatically
create centerline symbols.
Inherit Angle
Use the angle of the hinge line for an auxiliary views
from View
centerlines. This option is only available for the Linear
Centerline and Automatic Centerline symbol types.
24-25
Symbol
Symbol
Parameters
Inherit Angle
from View
Angle
Display Mode
24
Control the appearance of a utility symbol by changing

its parameters. Symbol parameter diagrams vary
depending on the choice of utility symbol you choose to
create.
Use the angle of the hinge line for an auxiliary views
centerlines. This option is available for the Linear
Centerline and Automatic Centerline symbol types.
Set the angle of the symbol. This option is available for
Linear Centerline and Target Point symbols. To make
this option available for a Linear Centerline, you must
clear the Inherit Angle from View check box.
Choose a display mode option. This option is available
for the Offset Center Point symbol.
Defining objects
This group is available for the Block Centerline symbol.

Select Objects
Select two linear and parallel objects in the same view.
Limiting objects
This group is available for the Block Centerline symbol.

Select Objects
Optional step. Select two objects to determine the extent
of the Block Centerline.
Settings
Inherit
Inherit drafting preferences from an existing drafting

object. This option is unavailable for Automatic
Centerline.
Reset to Defaults Restore settings to their customer defaults or their
initial software defaults during creation, and to their
pre-edited values during editing.
Cylindrical
Set the centerline extension for cylindrical centerlines.
Extension
This option is available for Automatic Centerline.
24-26
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Create utility symbols

1. Select the type of utility symbol you want to create.
2. Set the parameters that control the display and placement of the utility
symbol.
3. Select the object(s) from which the utility symbol is to be created.
24
24-27
Delete utility symbols

You can delete a utility symbol by selecting the symbol from the graphics
window and, from the Standard toolbar, choosing Delete
The symbols can be selected at any position. When you delete a utility
symbol, any associated objects such as dimensions are also deleted unless the
Retain Annotation check box in PreferencesDrafting is selected.
24
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Create automatic centerlines on existing views

1. Choose InsertSymbolUtility Symbol.
2. Click the Automatic Centerline option
3. Enter the desired value in Cylindrical Extension.

4. Select the view(s) in which to create centerlines.
5. Click Apply.
24
24-29
Create a linear centerline

You can create linear centerlines through points or arcs. A linear centerline
that passes through a single point or arc is called a simple centerline.
To create multiple centerlines, select the Multiple Centerlines option. This
option is a time saver since you do not have to click Apply after you select
each centerline position.
To create a linear centerline, define positions through collinear points. These
points may be centers of arcs. A linear centerline is a straight line through
these positions with a perpendicular line through each position.
You can select up to 100 points to define a linear centerline, circular
centerline or bolt circle.
24
For more information, refer to the online Help.
24-30
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Activity
Create a linear centerline
24
24-31
Create a cylindrical centerline

The Cylindrical Centerline option allows you to create cylindrical centerlines
which conform with ANSI Y14.2 standards. Cylindrical centerlines are
associative to the two points used to define them except for the screen position
option. Use the Select Location list to define the desired points.
You can define points for a cylindrical centerline with the Cylindrical Face
option. This option allows you to choose the desired cylindrical or conical face,
even if it is hidden inside the solid.
To make cylindrical faces selectable when you apply cylindrical
centerlines to section views, you must select the Background check box
on the Section page in the View Preferences dialog box.
24
You cannot select cylindrical faces on revolved and unfolded section

views.
With the Cylindrical Centerline option, the Multiple Centerlines check box is
available only when you select Cylindrical Face in the Select Location list.
The intended use is to create multiple cylindrical centerlines of the same
length for holes . This feature is a time saver in that you only indicate end
points for the first cylindrical face of your choice. Thereafter, you choose
only the next cylindrical face.
For more information, refer to the online Help.
24-32
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Dimensions
To use the various dimensions types:
Choose InsertDimension and then choose the desired dimension type.
Use the Dimensions toolbar. This toolbar offers a menu of the available
dimension types.
24
24-33
Annotation Preferences
You can use the Annotation Preferences dialog box
(PreferencesAnnotation) to configure global settings that affect
dimensions.
The following pages in the Annotation Preferences dialog box apply to
dimensions:
24
24-34
Dimensions Control the display of extension lines and arrows,

orientation of text, precision and tolerance, chamfer dimensions, and
narrow dimensions.
Line/Arrow Control the style and size of leaders, arrows, and extension
lines for both dimensions and other annotations. A preview area provides
a rendition of the symbol with leaders and dimensions.
Lettering Control the alignment, justification, size, and font of text.
Units Control the desired unit of measure for dimensions and whether
dimensions are created in single or dual dimension format.
Radial Control the settings that are unique to diameter and radius
dimensions.
mt13150_g NX 5
Dimension preferences and placement

When you select a dimension type, the corresponding dimension dialog bar
appears.
The settings that you set on the dialog bar affect only dimensions you are
currently creating.
24
1
Tolerance Types
Primary Nominal
Precision
Tolerance Values
Tolerance Precision
Annotation Editor
Dimension Style
Reset
Select the tolerance type from a list.

Select the primary nominal precision from 0-6
decimal places from a list. If the preferences
format is fractional, then the list displays
fractional precision values.
Enter a tolerance value, or values, using
dynamic input boxes.
Set the primary tolerance precision from 0-6
decimal places.
Display the full Text Editor dialog box where
you can enter symbols and appended text.
Open the Dimension Style dialog box. This
dialog box is a subset of the Annotation
Preferences dialog box, containing only the
property pages that apply to dimensions.
Use this option to affect settings as you
create one or more dimensions.
The global settings are restored when
you exit from creating dimensions.
Reset local preferences to previous current
settings in the part and clear appended text.
24-35
Annotation placement options
When you select a dimension type to create, the annotation placement options
appears on the Selection Bar.
1 Leader Type
24
2 Leader Placement
Choose a leader type.

This option is available for labels.
Set the leader side with one of the following
options:
Inferred Leader Orientation

Automatically infer the leader side.
Leader from Left Place the leader to

the left side of the annotation.
Leader from Right Place the leader to

the right side of the annotation.
Open the Create Leader dialog box.
3 Leader Tool
Associate the entity origin so that it is always
4 Associative Origins
aligned with another dimension.
Change the alignment position method to one
of the following options:
5 Alignment Position
6 Origin tool
24-36
Alignment Top-Left
Alignment Top-Center
Alignment Top-Right
Alignment Mid-Left
Alignment Mid-Center
Alignment Mid-Right
Alignment Bottom-Left
Alignment Bottom-Center
Alignment Bottom-Right
Open the Origin Tool dialog. box.
mt13150_g NX 5
Snap Point options
Snap point options appear on the Selection Bar while you are working with
dimensions.
These options act as a filter for selecting geometric points. You can either
select or deselect any of these in order to limit your selection to specific types
of points.
Use the Two Pick Intersection button (at the right end of the toolbar) to select
any two edges whose intersection you cannot fit inside the select ball. When
you select it, all the other buttons are unavailable.
You can press the Esc key at any time to release all selected objects.
24
Placement cues for dimensions
As you create dimensions, you can align them with an existing dimension.
Graphical cues appear when the origins of two dimensions are vertically or
horizontally aligned.
If you want the new dimension associated with the existing dimension, make
sure the Associate Origin with Helper Lines button
is active.
24-37
Appended text
You can append text to a dimension while you are creating it.
If you want only one line of appended text, select the object(s) to dimension
and, before you place the dimension, choose one of the appended text options
in the shortcut menu.
If the text is complex, use the Text Editor
To add appended text to a previously created dimension that does not already
have appended text, do one of the following:
24
Double-click the dimension, and open the Text Editor from the dialog bar.
Double-click the dimension, and use the Right (after), Left (before), Up
(above), or Down (below) arrow key on the keyboard to get the appended
text location you desire. Type the text and press Enter.
Double-click the dimension, and use the shortcut menu to choose either
Appended Text (for a single line of text), or Text Editor (for complex text).
To edit existing appended text, do one of the following:
24-38
Double-click the appended text.
Double-click the dimension and use the Right (after), Left (before), Up
(above), or Down (below) arrow key on the keyboard to get the appended
text location you desire.
Select the dimension, and open the shortcut menu over the appended text.
mt13150_g NX 5
Tolerances
After you select an object to dimension, you can:
In the Value group, set a tolerance type.
24
In the Tolerance group, set the desired tolerance value(s).
To add a tolerance later, select the dimension and use the methods
shown above.
Edit a tolerance
To edit a tolerance, use one of the following three methods:
Over the tolerance, choose Edit from the shortcut menu.
Double-click the tolerance.
Double-click the dimension to access the dimension dialog bar.
24-39
Text orientation and text arrow placement

To set the text arrow placement or the text orientation as you create a
dimension, open the shortcut menu before you place the text.
To change the text orientation or text arrow placement option of an existing
dimension, edit the dimension style.
Moving a dimension
To change the origin of an existing dimension, simply drag it when no

command is active.
The cursor will change to
24
24-40
when you are in the move mode.
mt13150_g NX 5
Editing an existing dimension

There are two possible shortcut menus that can be displayed over an existing
dimension.
One shortcut menu appears over a dimension, when dimension creation

is inactive.
The other menu appears when you double-click an existing dimension (to
edit it) and then open the shortcut menu.
When you edit a dimension the dimension dialog bar appears.
24
The cursor changes to indicate that you are in the editing mode.
Changing the precision of a dimension
To change the precision of an existing dimension, double-click the dimension

and do one of the following:
Choose Nominal Precision from the shortcut menu.
From the Edit Dimension dialog bar, in the Value group, click the
precision list.
On the keyboard, press the number key that corresponds to the desired
precision.
Inheriting preferences from an existing dimension
After you create a dimension, you can edit its preference settings to match
another dimension:
1. Double-click the dimension you want to change.
2. Over the dimension, right-click and select Inherit.
3. Select the dimension that has the desired preference settings.
Deleting dimensions
You can use the shortcut menu to delete a dimension or you can select the
dimension(s) to delete, and use the Delete command.
24-41
Activity
Create dimensions
24
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mt13150_g NX 5
Text creation
The text editor is used to create notes, labels, and GD&T symbols.
To access the text editor:
Choose Text
Choose InsertAnnotation.
from the Drafting Annotation toolbar.
24
24-43
Entering text
In the Text Input group, enter the desired text in the input box.
As you compose text, you can use key combinations to insert common :
24
Keys
Control
Characters
CTRL+i
<I20.000000><I0>
CTRL+b
<D1><D>
CTRL+u
<U><U>
Purpose
Italic text Begin/End
20 slant
Bold text Begin/End
Underlined text
(between)
After you position text, it remains in the edit window for you to use again or
edit for the next annotation.
You can also create a note on a drawing sheet by dragging a text file
(.txt) from an operating system window to the drawing sheet.
24-44
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Create leaders on notes and labels
1. Type the desired text.

2. Locate the cursor on the curve/edge/face where you want to place the
arrowhead (with the cursor displayed as shown below).
24
3. Drag the cursor away from the selection point.
4. Click the location for the text.
24-45
Activity
Create notes and labels
24
24-46
mt13150_g NX 5
Text editor
Use the Text Editor dialog box to create notes or labels containing text and
symbols. You can include the following in a note or label:
Drafting symbols including fractions and two line formats.
GD&T symbols that can be verified to comply with a standard: ISO

11011983, ANSI Y14.5M-1982, or ANSI Y14.5M-1994.
User-defined symbols
Relationships including expressions, object attributes, and part attributes.
24
24-47
Text preview
If the Preview option is enabled, formatted results appear in the editor
preview window.
You can use the formatting options in the dialog box to customize the
appearance of the text.
For example, you may want your name to appear as italic, underlined letters.
24
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Editing tools
The Text Editor dialog box has options for text formatting. Some of the more
common options are described below.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Set the font.

Clear the display in the text entry and preview area.
Set the text scale factor.
Delete text attributes.
Open (or close) the preview area.
Add text attributes: Bold, Italic, Underline, Overline, Super Script,
Subscript
24-49
24
Editing notes
You can edit text in a previously created note or label by selecting it from the
drawing sheet and using the shortcut menu.
You can also edit annotation objects by double-clicking the note or label. You
can select multiple objects, but this reduces the number of options available
on the shortcut menu.
24
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mt13150_g NX 5
Helper lines
Helper lines act as a guide to allow you to align notes, labels, dimensions,
symbols, and views with other objects on the drawing sheet. Helper lines
appear as a dashed line.
To use helper lines, move the cursor over the object to
which you want to align as you are placing the new
annotation. The note highlights and helper lines appear.
Click to place the annotation at the desired location.
24
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Master Model Drawing Guidelines

1. Open the master model part. (FileOpen)
2. Start the Assemblies application. (StartAssemblies)
3. Create a new parent part.
(AssembliesComponentsCreate New Parent,
xxxxx_dwg)
You can also create a drawing file using a seed part
and then add the master model as a component.
(AssembliesComponentsAdd Existing)
4. Start the Drafting application. (StartDrafting)
24
5. Adjust the sheet; name, units, size, and projection angle. (EditSheet)
6. Add the drawing formats; title block, border, revision block, standard
notes.
7. Set view display preferences; hidden line removal, section backgrounds,
and threads. (PreferencesView)
8. Add the base view, typically the top or front view. (InsertViewBase
View and choose the view to add)
9. Add more views; projected, detail, section, isometric, and exploded.
(InsertView)
10. Adjust the view display; size, orientation, etc. (EditStyle or EditView)
11. Clean up individual views with view dependent edits; erase object, edit
entire object, and edit object segment. (EditViewView Dependent
Edit)
12. Add utility symbols; centerlines, target symbols, and intersection symbols.
(InsertSymbolUtility Symbol)
13. Add the dimensions. (InsertDimension)
14. Add the notes, labels, and GD&T symbols. (InsertAnnotation)
24-52
mt13150_g NX 5
Summary
Use the Drafting application to create or edit drawing sheets. Views and
dimensions on a drawing sheet are associative to the solid model and update
when changes are made to the model.
The Text Editor dialog box makes it easy to create, edit and delete notes and
labels. The annotation bar and edit window provide access to work with notes
and labels without opening the Text Editor dialog box.
In this lesson you:
Modified a drawing sheet.
Added views to a drawing sheet.
Created utility symbols.
Created dimensions.
Added annotation to a drawing sheet.
24
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24
Appendix
A Additional projects
This appendix contains Additional Projects for you to work on.
A-1
Additional projects
Project 1
A-2
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Additional projects
Project 2
A-3
Additional projects
Project 3
A-4
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Additional projects
A-5
Additional projects
Project 4
A-6
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Additional projects
A-7
Additional projects
Project 5
A-8
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Additional projects
A-9
Additional projects
Project 6
A-10
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Additional projects
A-11
Additional projects
Project 7
A-12
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Additional projects
A-13
Additional projects
Project 8
A-14
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Additional projects
A-15
Additional projects
Project 9
A-16
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Additional projects
A-17
Additional projects
Project 10
A-18
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Additional projects
Project 11
A-19
Additional projects
A-20
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Additional projects
Project 12
A-21
Additional projects
A-22
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Additional projects
Project 13
A-23
Additional projects
A-24
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Additional projects
Project 14
A-25
Additional projects
A-26
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Additional projects
Project 15
A-27
Additional projects
Project 16
A-28
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Additional projects
A-29
Additional projects
Project 17
A-30
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Additional projects
A-31
Additional projects
Project 18
A-32
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Additional projects
A-33
Additional projects
Project 19
A-34
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Additional projects
A-35
Additional projects
Project 20
A-36
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Additional projects
A-37
Additional projects
Project 21
A-38
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Additional projects
A-39
Additional projects
Project 22
A-40
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Additional projects
A-41
Appendix
B Expression operators
The following information lists the various operators that may be used in
expressions.
B-1
Operators
There are several types of operators that you may use in the expression
language.
Arithmetic operators
+
*
/
%
Addition
Subtraction and Negative Sign
Multiplication
Division
Modulus
Exponential
Assignment
Example
p2=p5+p3
p2=p5p3
p2=p5*p3
p2=p5/p3
p2=p5%p3
p2=p5^2
p2=p5
Relational and Boolean operators

>
<
>=
<=
==
!=
B-2
Greater Than
Less Than
Greater Than or Equal
Less Than or Equal
Equal
Not Equal
Negate
!
& or &&
Logical AND
| or ||
Logical OR
mt13150_g NX 5

In the table below, operators in the same row have equal precedence while
operators in the following rows have less precedence.
Operators

Associativity
Right to left
(change sign)
* / %
+
> <
>=
<=
==
&&
Left to right
!=
||
=
Right to left
When using operators with the same precedence in an equation without

parameters, use left-to-right or the right-to-left rule from the table. For
example:
X = 90 10 + 30 = 110 (not 50)
X = 90 (10 + 30) = 50
B-3
Legacy unit conversion

Although when dimensionality is specified and units are assigned the
system handles conversions, legacy parts may have used functions for unit
conversion. For legacy compatibility these functions are supported.
Functions for unit conversion
cm
cm(x) converts x from centimeters to the default units of the part
ft
ft(x) converts x from feet to the default units of the part
grd
grd(x) converts x from gradients to degrees
in
in(x) converts x from inches to the default units of the part
km
km(x) converts x from kilometers to the default units of the part
mc
mc(x) converts x from microns to the default units of the part
min
min(x) converts x from minutes to degrees.
ml
ml(x) converts x from mils to the default units of the part
mm
mm(x) converts x from millimeters to the default units of the part
mtr
mtr(x) converts x from meters to the default units of the part
sec
sec(x) converts x from seconds to degrees
yd
yd(x) converts x from yards to the default units of the part
B-4
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Built-in functions
Built-in functions include math, string, and engineering functions.
B-5
Scientific notation
You may optionally enter numbers in scientific notation. The value you enter
must contain a positive or negative sign. For example, you can enter:
2e+5 which is the same as the value 200000
2e-5 which is the same as the value .00002
abs
arccos
arcsin
Built-in functions
Returns the absolute value of a given number
Returns the inverse cosine of a given number in degrees
Returns the inverse sine of a given number in degrees

arctan
Returns the inverse tangent of a given number in degrees
from 90 to +90
arctan2
Returns the inverse tangent of a given delta x divided by a
given delta y in degrees from 180 to +180
ASCII
Returns the ASCII code of the first character in a given
string or zero if the string is empty
ceiling
Returns the smallest integer that is bigger than a given
number
Char
Returns the ASCII character for a given integer in the
range 1 to 255
charReplace
Returns a new string from a given source string, character
to replace and the corresponding replacement characters.
compareString Case sensitive compare of two strings
cos
Returns the cosine of a given number in degrees
dateTimeString Returns the system date and time in the format Fri Nov
21 09:56:12 2005/n
B-6
floor
Returns the largest integer less than or equal to a given

number
format
Returns a formatted string, using C-style formatting

specification
getenv
Returns the string value of a given environment variable

string
hypcos
hypsin
Returns the hyperbolic cosine of a given number

Returns the hyperbolic sine of a given number
hyptan
Returns the hyperbolic tangent of a given number
log
log10
Returns the natural logarithm of a given number

Returns the logarithm base 10 of a given number
MakeNumber
Returns the number or integer of a given numerical string
mt13150_g NX 5
max
min
mod
Built-in functions
Returns the largest number from a given number and
additional numbers
Returns the smallest number from a given number and
additional numbers
Returns the remainder (modulus) when a given numerator
is divided by a given denominator (by integer division)
NormalizeAngle Normalizes a given angle (degrees) to be between 0 and

360 degrees
Returns pi
pi()
Radians
replaceString
round
sin
sqrt
StringLower
StringUpper
Converts an angle in degrees into radians

Replaces all occurrences of str1 with str2
Returns the integer nearest to a given number, returns the
even integer if the given number ends in .5
Returns the sine of a given number in degrees
Returns the inverse square root of a given positive number
Returns a lowercase string from a given string
Returns an uppercase string from a given string
StringValue
Returns a string containing a textual representation of a

given value
subString
Returns a new string containing a subset of the elements

from the original list
tan
Returns the sine of a given number

see the documentation for descriptions of dozens more
specialized math and engineering functions
ug_ functions
B-7
Appendix
C System Topics
C-1
System Topics
Overview
There are utilities and files which affect the interface and behavior of the
system.
This appendix covers these topics which would normally be the responsibility
of a system administrator.
C-2
mt13150_g NX 5
System Topics
Customer Defaults
Customer defaults are accessed by choosing FileUtilitiesCustomer
Defaults.
When NX is first started (out-of-the-box) the defaults are set to User and a
variable points to a user file which may or may not exist. This is an extract
from the log file for a user named nxuser after logging in and starting NX
for the first time:
Processing customer default values file
C:/Documents and Settings/nxuser
/Local Settings/Application Data/Unigraphics Solutions
/NX5/nx5_user.dpv
User customizations file
C:/Documents and Settings/nxuser
/Local Settings/Application Data/Unigraphics Solutions
/NX5/nx5_user.dpv does not exist
The fact that the file does not exist is of no concern because the path is
writable for the person logged in.
NX will create the file nx5_user.dpv when and if the user makes a change to
the defaults.
If the administrator wishes to prevent the user from changing the defaults,
i.e., set them as User (Read Only), there are various ways to accomplish it:
Create the file and customize it as you wish, and then make it read only.
Define the file in a path to which the user cannot write. The file and the
path need not exist.
Lock one or more defaults at a higher level, i.e. group or site level.
C-3
System Topics
Customer Defaults levels

There are three levels of defaults that your system administrator can set.
These are site, group, and user. Any of all of these levels may be read-write,
although it is customary to set the site and group levels to read only.
At the Site and Group levels the dialog displays padlocks beside each default,
enabling the administrator to lock out a particular default for lower levels.
When a lock is active not only is the text de-emphasized but value change
is prohibited. Even if the site (or a lower) DPV file is writable the value of
a locked default can not be changed until the lock icon has been toggled off
for the given default).
C-4
mt13150_g NX 5
System Topics
For example, to lock out the ability to create promotions, the administrator
clicks the lock beside promotions at the site or group level. The icon changes
color and the text is de-emphasized.
At the user level, that default is de-emphasized an a padlock is displayed

beside it.
C-5
System Topics
The system administrator can use the Default Lock Status to set the global
locked status for all of the customer defaults on all defaults pages. This
allows strategies like All are locked except..." or All are unlocked except...
instead of requiring the assertion of 5000+ individual locks.
Locks at the group level change color and the text is de-emphasized.
The user then sees all options for Site Standards de-emphasized and
padlocked. No Site Standards may now may be changed at the user level.
C-6
mt13150_g NX 5
System Topics
Setting Customer Defaults

Customer defaults have as-shipped default settings that are hard-coded.
When you change defaults at any level (assuming you have write permission
and the levels are defined) a file is created to save the settings. By default the
file is called nx5_user.dpv, nx5_group.dpv, or nx5_site.dpv.
Only the defaults that are changed from the hardcoded settings are saved,
thus the DPV files can be very small in size.
Customer defaults files are defined by environment settings. These are
typically set in ugii_env.dat on Windows systems or .ugii_env on UNIX;
however, the administrator may prevent a user from spoofing these settings
by creating a file named ugii_env.master in the UGII directory where NX
is installed to define these particular environment settings. When this file
exists any attempt to redefine the environment variables will be ignored.
When you change defaults the changes are NOT effective immediately.
They will be in effect the next time NX is started.
C-7
System Topics
There are two possible settings for the user level and one each for the group
and site levels:
Variable
Defaults File Heading
Description
UGII_LOCAL_USER_DEFAULTS
MISCELLANEOUS
This variable is a fully qualified file

specification: it can be any file name
in any location.
The recommended file extension is
.dpv
The file need not exist. The file
will be created when the initial
customizations are saved.
UGII_USER_DIR
UGALLIANCE Variables
The directory path must exist and be

writeable to create the file.
This directory pointed to must have
the startup directory defined in
structure outlined below. The file
nx5_user.dpv will be created when the
initial customizations are saved (if it
does not already exist) in the startup
folder.
Define this ONLY
if UGII_LOCAL
_USER_DEFAULTS is NOT
defined.
UGII_GROUP_DIR
Not defined
UGII_SITE_DIR
UGALLIANCE Variables
C-8
The file nx5_group.dpv will be created

when the initial customizations are
saved (if it does not already exist) in
the startup folder under the directory
pointed to.
The file nx5_site.dpv will be created
when the initial customizations are
saved (if it does not already exist) in
the startup folder under the directory
pointed to.
mt13150_g NX 5
System Topics
USER, GROUP, and SITE directories

There is a standard structure for customer site installation of menu files and
shared libraries. This directory structure defines three subdirectories. For
the purpose of this discussion only the startup folder need exist; however, you
might encounter the others if you have site customization.
startup
application
udo
Contains site-specific menu files, defaults files, and shared

libraries of menu actions to be loaded automatically at NX
startup to customize Gateway.
Contains site-specific files defining menus and shared
libraries of menu actions for customizing NX or third-party
applications, such as NX Open programs. Loading of each
shared library is deferred until you enter the application that
names the library on the LIBRARIES statement in the menu
file definition for the Application Button for the application.
User Tool Definition files, GRIP programs, User Function
programs that are referenced by menu file actions.
Contains the shared libraries defining methods for
site-specific User Defined Objects (another NX Open topic.)
C-9
System Topics
Managing your changes

The DPV files contain only the defaults that are changed from the hardcoded
settings.
You may review your changes at any time:
Set the Defaults Level to the level you want to examine, Site, Group,
or User.
On the Customer Defaults dialog box, click Manage Current Settings

.
Here is an example of standard classroom defaults at the group level:
Here is an example of defaults additionally set for Intermediate NX Design

and Assemblies.
C-10
mt13150_g NX 5
System Topics
Updating to a new release of NX

To update to a new release, you need only define the DPV files you want to
use at whatever levels your organization uses.
When you receive the new software use Import Defaults to validate your
previous settings against the new release.
Importing Customer Defaults values file:
file.>
Total settings and locks imported:
<full path specification of DPV
10
Total settings rejected due to values not valid in this release:
Total settings rejected due to values being locked at the higher level:
Total settings already set to the same value and lock status:
Total settings not recognized in this release:
C-11
System Topics
Interpart Modeling
Interpart Expressions and the Wave Geometry Linker can be disabled by
the changing setting Allow Interpart Modeling on the Assemblies, General,
Interpart Modeling page.
Promotion of Bodies feature can be enabled by changing the setting Allow
Feature Promotion on the Assemblies, General, Interpart Modeling page.
Settings for Delay Interpart Update are also on this page.
C-12
mt13150_g NX 5
System Topics
File Versioning
We recommend using Teamcenter Integration (TcEng) for data management.
If TcEng is not available, the Assemblies Site Standards defaults offer an
alternative approach.
Versioning rules will enable the system to load the latest version of
components in any assembly based on a file naming scheme established at
your company. When the rules are defined in the customer defaults file, the
"Load Latest" option must also be turned on in the load options.
File versioning is controlled from the Assemblies, Site Standards, Part Name
Versions page of the customer defaults dialog.
To define the versioning rules, you must define the portion of the filename
that is the core (never changes) and which portion is the revision.
C-13
System Topics
Regular Expressions
Version rules are defined using a modified form of "Regular Expressions". It
is beyond the scope of this class to teach regular expression formatting.
There are several "Special Characters" that may be used in the format of your
version rules. They are listed below.
*
+
.
=
=
0 or 1
0 or more
=
=
1 or more
Or (as in this OR that)
()
Define a section
[]
-
Define a set
Range
Any character
The use of Sets is crucial to your ability to establish correct version rules. A
few examples are shown below.
[a-z0-9]
[a-z0-9]+
[a-z]+[0-9]+
[a-hj-np-z]
One lower case letter or number

One or more lower case letters or numbers in any
order
One or more lower case letters followed by one or
more numbers
Any lower case letter except i and o
[mejx]
Any one of these letters
C-14
mt13150_g NX 5
System Topics
File Versioning example

In the following example, the part names consist of a core section of lower
case letters followed by an underscore and a revision section defined by a
revision number. Below are three versions of the same part.
abc_1.prt
abc_2.prt
abc_3.prt
To define the rules that describe the above naming convention, the customer
defaults must be modified from the Assemblies, Site Standards, Part Name
Versions page of the dialog. Here is an example of how it would need to be set
up for a specific versioning scheme.
Full Part File Name Format:
You must specify the format of the part name in terms of regular expression
pattern matching. Each set of Parentheses represents a section.
Full Part File Name Format: ([a-z]+_)([0-9])
The first section is ([a-z]+_). The [a-z] is any lower case letter and the "+"
means that one or more letters are allowed. The "_" means that the letters
will always be followed by an underscore character.
The next section ([0-9]) is any number and that there can be only one digit. (If
you wanted to allow more digits, you would follow it with a "+".)
Version Independent Section of the Part File Name:
This determines what portion of the file is the core portion of the file name
(does not change). Based on the pairs of parentheses, you enter a backslash
and the section number.
Version Independent Section of the Part File Name: /1
The first section is the core portion of the filename, it will never change.
Part File Name Match:
Specify which section of the file name must match and which section may
vary. This is a bit repetitive, but necessary.
Part File Name Match: /1([0-9])
The portion of the filename that must match is in the first section. The
portion that is allowed to vary may be any number.
C-15
System Topics
Version Section of Part File Name Match:

Which portion of the version section is actually the version. This is also
determined by sets of parenthesis in the revision section.
Version Section of Part File Name Match: /1
In the version section, the first set of parenthesis indicates version.
Version Type:
The versioning scheme being used. Available choices are; Military, Numeric,
Reverse Numeric, Alphabetic, Reverse Alphabetic, Alphanumeric.
Version Type: Numeric
A number sequence starting with 1 and progressing to larger numbers.
In an Alphanumeric sort, versioning will sort letters before numbers.
This is a different than most normal sort algorithms.
Quantifiers
Quantifiers can be specified to allow only a certain number of characters.
Instead of using [0-9][0-9][0-9] to represent three digits, it can be written with
a quantifier as [0-9]{3} The list of quantifiers is shown below.
{n,m}At least n and no more than
m
{n,} At least n
{,m} May have 0, but no more
than m
{m} Exactly m
C-16
mt13150_g NX 5
Index
A
Absolute coordinate system . . . .
Analysis
Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mass Properties . . . . . . . . . . .
Annotation
dimension preferences and
placement . . . . . . . . . . . . .
placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
helper lines . . . . . . . . . . .
preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
preferences and placement
placement cues for
dimensions . . . . . . . . .
snap point options . . . . . .
Application
Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drafting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Applications
Gateway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Assemblies
Mirrored . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
session where used . . . . . .
Reports
Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Where used . . . . . . . . . . .
Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Add Component . . . . . . . . . . .
Assemblies application . . . . . .
Assemblies toolbar . . . . . . . . .
Associativity . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bottom-up construction method
Component object . . . . . . . . . .
Component parts . . . . . . . . . .
constraints
angle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 3-3
. . 7-13
. . 7-14
.
.
.
.
24-35
24-36
24-51
24-34
. 24-37
. 24-37
. 16-17
. . 24-2
. . . 1-3
. 19-23
. . 22-7
. . 22-8
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
22-7
22-7
16-3
17-5
16-17
17-3
16-27
17-4
16-5
16-6
bond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
center . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
concentric . . . . . . . . . . .
distance . . . . . . . . . . . . .
fit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
fix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
parallel . . . . . . . . . . . . .
perpendicular . . . . . . . .
touch align . . . . . . . . . . .
types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Constraints . . . . . . . . . . . . .
general concepts . . . . . . . . . .
Load options
Reference Sets . . . . . . . .
Saved Load Options . . . .
Load Options . . . . . . . . . . . .
Load Behavior . . . . . . . .
Load states . . . . . . . . . .
Part Versions . . . . . . . . .
Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
master model . . . . . . . . . . . .
Move Component . . . . . . . . .
Selecting Components in the
navigator . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Subassembly . . . . . . . . . . . .
Top down and bottom up
modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Assembly Navigator . . . . . . . . .
Display Parent . . . . . . . . . . .
Icons and check boxes . . . . . .
Identifying components . . . . .
Make Displayed Part . . . . . .
Make Work Part . . . . . . . . . .
Node display . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pack and Unpack . . . . . . . . .
Selecting Components . . . . . .
shortcut menu . . . . . . . . . . .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
17-20
17-19
17-13
17-14
17-21
17-15
17-16
17-17
17-11
17-10
. 17-9
. 17-2
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
16-12
16-13
16-7
16-11
16-9
16-8
16-10
23-3
17-8
.
.
.
.
.
. . 16-19
. . . 16-4
.
.
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.
.
. 17-2
16-14
16-32
16-16
16-20
16-31
16-30
16-15
16-29
16-19
16-28
. 17-18
Index-1
Index
B
Blend
Variable radius . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-10
Boolean operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
C
Chamfer . . . . . . . . . . . .
creating . . . . . . . . . . .
options . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change Displayed Part .
Component
Substitute . . . . . . . . .
Component Arrays
creating . . . . . . . . . . .
editing . . . . . . . . . . . .
feature-based . . . . . . .
Component parts
Close . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reopen . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coordinate Systems . . . .
Absolute . . . . . . . . . . .
WCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Create a new component
Cue line . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer Defaults
Directory Structures . .
DPV . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Setting Levels . . . . . .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
15-16
15-17
15-18
. 1-15
. . . . . . . 22-14
. . . . . . . . 21-2
. . . . . . . . 21-4
. . . . . . . . 21-6
.
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.
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.
.
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.
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.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
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.
. . . . C-9
. . . . C-7
C-4, C-7
. . . . C-4
.
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.
22-11
22-12
. 3-2
. 3-3
. 3-4
19-3
. 1-5
D
Datum Axis . . . . . . . .
Applications . . . . . .
Creating . . . . . . . . .
Curve/Face Axis
Intersection . . .
Two Points . . . .
Curve/Face Axis . . .
Intersection . . . . . .
Options . . . . . . . . .
Two Points . . . . . . .
Types . . . . . . . . . . .
Datum CSYS . . . . . . .
Datum Plane
Index-2
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
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.
.
5-13
5-16
5-17
5-20
5-19
5-18
5-20
5-19
5-15
5-18
5-14
5-21
At Angle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
At Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Bisector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Curves and Points
Three Points . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Tangent to Face at Point, Line or
Face . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Datum planes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
At Angle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
At Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Bisector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Curves and Points, Three
Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Tangent to Face at Point, Line or
Face . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Delay Evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-63
Delayed Update after Edit . . . . . . . 7-15
Delayed Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
Density . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
Design in Context . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-22
Design in context of an assembly . . 19-8
DesignLogic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19
Dimensions
appended text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-38
creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-33
deleting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-41
edit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-41
change precision . . . . . . . . 24-41
delete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-41
inherit preferences . . . . . . . 24-41
placement cues . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-37
preferences and placement . . . . 24-35
text orientation and text arrow
placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-40
tolerances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-39
edit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-39
Displayed Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-23
Distance between objects . . . . . . . . 7-13
Draft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-11
Drawings
adding a base view . . . . . . . . . . 24-14
adding projected views . . . . . . . 24-16
mt13150_g NX 5
Index
project view options . . . . . . 24-19

projection lines . . . . . . . . . . 24-17
adding views
preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-18
annotation preferences . . . . . . . 24-34
See also Annotation
creating new sheets . . . . . . . . . . 24-3
deleting a sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-6
edit views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-20
drag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-21
editing a sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-5
editing notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-50
editing views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-20
monochrome display . . . . . . . . . . 24-8
opening a sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-4
removing views . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-22
text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-43
entering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-44
leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-45
text editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-47
See also Text Editor
utility symbols . . . . . . . . 24-2424-25
See also Utility Symbols
view creation options . . . . . . . . 24-15
view preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-9
E
Edge blend
add new set . . . . . .
dialog box . . . . . . . .
overflow resolutions
explicit . . . . . . .
preview . . . . . . . . .
Edge Blend . . . . . . . .
Edge operations
Chamfer . . . . . . . . .
Edge Blend . . . . . . .
overview . . . . . . . . .
Edit
Parameters . . . . . . .
Edit Feature
Playback . . . . . . . .
Reorder . . . . . . . . .
Evaluate Sketch . . . .
Exit NX . . . . . . . . . . .
Expressions
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15-6
15-4
15-7
15-8
15-5
15-3
. . . . . . . . . 15-16
. . . . . . . . . . 15-3
. . . . . . . . . . 15-2
. . . . . . . . . 11-13
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. 7-9
7-10
4-63
1-19
Conditional . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Edit Interpart References . .
functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
interpart . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
List References . . . . . . . . . .
Listed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Load Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Measurements . . . . . . . . . .
operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
precedence and associativity
Extrude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Draft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Feature Playback . . . . . . . . . . . .
Features with predefined shapes
Hole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Placement Face . . . . . . . . . . .
Positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
File Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Saving unnamed template files
Using . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
File Versioning . . . . . . . . . . . . .
example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Form Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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12-11
12-3
20-7
. B-5
20-2
7-12
12-7
20-10
12-16
. B-2
. B-3
. 6-3
10-14
10-5
. 6-4
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. 7-9
11-2
11-4
11-3
11-8
. 1-7
. 1-7
. 1-9
. 1-8
C-13
C-15
11-2
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G
Gateway Application . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
H
Hole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
edit
add positioning
dimensions . . . . . . .
change type . . . . . . . . .
feature dialog . . . . . . . .
reattach . . . . . . . . . . . .
reattach options . . . . . .
reattach selection steps
edit position . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 11-4
. . . . 11-7
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11-18
11-17
11-13
11-14
11-16
11-15
11-12
Index-3
Index
editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-11
options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-6
Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-5
I
Information . . . . . . . . . . .
Part Modifications . . . .
Instance Feature . . . . . . .
array methods . . . . . . .
caveats . . . . . . . . . . . . .
circular array . . . . . . . .
creating . . . . . . . . .
example . . . . . . . . .
parameters . . . . . .
rectangular array . . . . .
creating . . . . . . . . .
example . . . . . . . . .
parameters . . . . . .
Interpart modeling . . . . . .
Interpart Modeling
enabling . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interpart references . . . . .
overriding . . . . . . . . . . .
Partial loading issues . .
referencing . . . . . . . . . .
Tips and recommended
practices . . . . . . . . .
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7-11
22-5
14-2
14-4
14-3
14-9
14-11
14-12
14-10
14-5
14-7
14-8
14-6
19-10
C-12
20-2
20-4
20-9
20-3
. . . . . . 20-11
L
Layers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Load Options
Allow Substitution . . . . . . . . . . 22-14
search folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-24
M
Make Current Feature
Mass Properties . . . . .
Master model . . . . . . .
drawing guidelines .
example . . . . . . . . .
Menus overview . . . . .
Mirror Body . . . . . . . .
creating . . . . . . . . .
options . . . . . . . . . .
Index-4
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. . 7-7
. 7-14
. 23-3
24-52
. 23-4
. . 1-6
14-14
14-15
14-16
Mirrored Assemblies .
Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deselecting objects .
Preview selection . .
QuickPick . . . . . . . .
Radial menus . . . . .
Selecting objects . . .
View manipulation .
View shortcut menu
View triad . . . . . . .
Mouse Buttons . . . . . .
Mouse shortcut menu .
Display Mode . . . . .
Fit . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Orient View . . . . . .
Pan . . . . . . . . . . . .
Refresh . . . . . . . . .
Rotate . . . . . . . . . .
Set Rotate Point . . .
Undo . . . . . . . . . . .
Zoom . . . . . . . . . . .
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19-23
2-14
2-22
2-23
2-24
2-17
2-20
2-18
2-16
2-19
2-14
2-16
2-16
2-16
2-16
2-16
2-16
2-16
2-16
2-16
2-16
O
Offset Face . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-9
Opening Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
P
Parameter Entry Options
Part Files . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change Displayed Part
Close Selected . . . . . .
Opening multiple . . . .
Save As . . . . . . . . . . .
Part Modifications . . . . .
Part Navigator . . . . . . . .
Dependencies panel . .
Details panel . . . . . . .
Main panel . . . . . . . . .
Preview panel . . . . . . .
Shortcut menu . . . . . .
Timestamp order . . . .
Placement Face . . . . . . .
Playback . . . . . . . . . . . .
Positioning . . . . . . . . . .
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10-19
1-13
1-15
1-17
1-14
1-16
19-16
22-5
. 7-2
. 7-3
. 7-4
. 7-2
. 7-5
. 7-7
. 7-6
11-3
. 7-9
11-8
mt13150_g NX 5
Index
constraints . . . . .
terminology . . . .
Preferences
view . . . . . . . . . .
Preview selection . .
Promotion of Bodies
enabling . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . 11-10
. . . . . . . . . . . . 11-9
. . . . . . . . . . . . 24-9
. . . . . . . . . . . . 2-23
. . . . . . . . . . . . C-12
Q
QuickPick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-24
R
Reference Features
Datum Axis . . . . .
Datum CSYS . . . .
Datum Planes . . . .
Reference Sets . . . . .
Creating . . . . . . . .
Deleting . . . . . . . .
Editing . . . . . . . . .
Empty . . . . . . . . .
Entire Part . . . . . .
Information . . . . .
Lightweight . . . . .
Load Options . . . .
Model . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing . . . . . . .
Simplified . . . . . . .
Referencing Existing
Parameters . . . . . .
Reorder features . . .
Revisions . . . . . . . . .
partial loading . . .
using Save As . . . .
Revolve . . . . . . . . . .
Roles . . . . . . . . . . . .
Choosing . . . . . . .
Examples . . . . . . .
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10-20
. 7-10
. 22-2
22-10
. 22-3
. . 6-9
. 2-10
. 2-12
. 2-11
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5-13
5-21
. 5-2
18-2
18-11
18-21
18-20
18-4
18-3
18-14
18-7
18-22
18-5
18-16
18-8
S
Save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-35
Save Work Part Only . . . . . 16-34, 16-36
Search Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-24
Selection
QuickPick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selection Bar
filter components . . . . . . . . . .
Selection Intent . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Curve rule options . . . . . . . . .
face options . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Follow Fillet . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
selecting sketches . . . . . . . . . .
Stop at Intersection . . . . . . . .
Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
assigning different thicknesses
creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sketch
Alternate Solution . . . . . . . . .
Line tangent to arc . . . . . .
Tangent circles . . . . . . . . .
as a base feature . . . . . . . . . . .
Constraints
Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Degree-of-freedom arrows
Degrees of freedom . . . . . .
Dimensional . . . . . . . . . .
Geometric . . . . . . . . . . . .
Convert To/From Reference . . .
Create Inferred Constraints . .
Creating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Curve functions . . . . . . . . . . .
Fillet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Make corner . . . . . . . . . . .
Quick extend . . . . . . . . . .
Quick trim . . . . . . . . . . . .
Quick trim example . . . . .
Curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Delete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dimensional Constraints . . . .
Attach dimension . . . . . . .
Edit using dialog box . . . .
Edit using dynamic input
box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inferred dimensions . . . . .
Retain dimensions . . . . . .
Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drag
Multiple curves . . . . . . . .
Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 2-24
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16-21
10-2
10-3
13-7
10-4
10-4
10-4
13-2
13-4
13-3
13-5
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4-44
4-46
4-45
4-55
4-47
4-62
4-64
. 4-9
4-38
4-43
4-42
4-41
4-39
4-40
4-19
4-65
4-55
4-61
4-59
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4-58
4-57
4-60
4-56
8-6
8-8
8-7
4-5
. . . 8-3
. . . 8-4
Index-5
Index
to assist constraining . . . . . . . 8-5

Drag objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Evaluate and update . . . . . . . . . 4-63
Geometric Constraints . . . . . . . . 4-47
Displaying symbols . . . . . . . 4-51
Show or remove . . . . . . . . . . 4-52
Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-49
Help lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21
Inferred constraints . . . . . . . . . . 4-20
Inferred Constraints . . . . . . . . . . 4-35
Snap Angle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36
Input Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-27
Internal and external . . . . . . . . . 4-17
Layers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
Lines at angles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-30
Lines parallel or perpendicular . . 4-28
Lines tangent to a curve . . . . . . . 4-29
Making internal external . . . . . . 4-18
Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13
modify existing features . . . . . . . . 4-6
Naming
In Sketch Properties . . . . . . 4-14
On the toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
other applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Constraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Types of sketches . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-31
Constraints recognized by snap
point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-34
Snap Point options . . . . . . . . 4-32
process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-23
Mouse gesture to create an
arc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-25
Object type options . . . . . . . . 4-26
Stopping string mode . . . . . . 4-24
Reattach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
Reference Direction . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Retain dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . 4-60
Short list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22
Sketch Plane
Existing plane or planar
face . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10
New plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
Suppress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-65
Index-6
Timestamp and dependencies

Sketch in context . . . . . . . . . . .
Status line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Substituting components . . . . .
using Reopen . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using Substitute . . . . . . . . .
Using the Assembly Navigator
Suppression by Expression . . . .
Sweep along Guide . . . . . . . . . .
Swept Features
Body types . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Boolean operations . . . . . . . .
Revolve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sweep along Guide . . . . . . . .
Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. 8-11
. 19-9
. . 1-5
22-14
22-18
22-16
22-19
12-12
. 6-10
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. . 1-7
24-47
24-48
24-49
. . 1-4
. . 2-2
. . 2-4
. . 2-6
. . 2-4
. . 2-7
. . 2-9
. 2-20
. . 2-8
. 19-2
. . 9-2
. 6-7
. 6-6
. 6-9
6-10
. 6-2
T
Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Text Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . .
text preview . . . . . . . . . . .
tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The NX window . . . . . . . . . .
Toolbars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customizing . . . . . . . . . . .
Add or remove buttons
Displaying toolbars . .
Rail . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Saving configuration . . . . .
Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selection Bar . . . . . . . . . .
Top-down design . . . . . . . . .
Trim Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. . . 22-14
4-63, 7-15
. . . 24-24
. . . 24-29
. . . 24-27
. . . 24-32
. . . 24-28
. . . 24-30
. . . 24-25
. . . 24-26
. . . 24-26
U
Unique Identifier (UID)
Update Model . . . . . . .
Utility Symbols . . . . . .
automatic centerlines
creating . . . . . . . . . .
cylindrical centerline
deleting . . . . . . . . . .
linear centerline . . . .
options . . . . . . . . . . .
defining objects .
limiting objects .
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mt13150_g NX 5
Index
placement
settings . .
symbol . . .
views . . . .
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24-25
24-26
24-26
24-25
Variable radius blends . .

tips and techniques . . .
Versioning Rules . . . . . .
View Preferences . . . . . .
Edges Hidden by Edges
Hidden Lines . . . . . . .
Smooth Edges . . . . . . .
Virtual Intersections . .
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..
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15-10
15-13
. C-13
. 24-9
24-11
24-10
24-12
24-13
W
WCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Dynamics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Drag along axis . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Handles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Move on axis using dynamic input
box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Move, free form . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Move, origin to a point . . . . . . 3-7
Orient to object . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Reverse axis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Rotate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Move . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Work part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-26
Index-7
This page left blank intentionally.
UGS Education Services offers a blend of training

solutions for all of our product lifecycle management
products.
Our Online Store Learning Advantage was
developed to provide our customers with just in time
training for the latest in application developments.
Here are some of the Learning Advantages:
Customers have direct access
Self-paced course layout
Online Assessments
Just in time training for the latest release
To learn more about the Learning Advantage visit

our website http://training.ugs.com or email us at
training @ugs.com
L
E
A
R
N
I
N
G
A
D
V
A
N
T
A
G
E
STUDENT PROFILE
In order to stay in tune with our customers we ask for some background information. This information will be kept
confidential and will not be shared with anyone outside of Education Services.
Please Print
Your Name
U.S. citizen
Course Title/Dates
Yes
1 thru
No
1
Hotel/motel you are staying at during your training

Planned departure time on last day of class
Employer
Location
Your title and job responsibilities

Industry:
Auto
Aero
Consumer products
Machining
Tooling
Medical
Other
Types of products/parts/data that you work with

Reason for training
Please verify/add to this list of training for Unigraphics, I-deas, Imageware, Teamcenter Mfg., Teamcenter Eng. (I-Man), Teamcenter
Enterprise (Metaphase), or Dimensional Mgmt./Visualization. Medium means Instructor-lead (IL), On-line (OL), or Self-paced (SP)
Software
From Whom
When
Course Name
Medium
1
1
1
Other CAD/CAM/CAE /PDM software you have used
Please check1 your ability/knowledge in the following

Subject
CAD modeling
CAD assemblies
CAD drafting
CAM
CAE
PDM data management
PDM system management
None
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Novice
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Intermediate
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Advanced
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Platform (operating system)
Thank you for your participation and we hope your training experience will be an outstanding one.
Course Agenda
NX Design for the Experienced CAD User
NX Design for the Experienced CAD User with Teamcenter Integration
Monday
Morning
Introduction & Course overview
Lesson 1. NX part files
Lesson 2. The NX User Interface
Afternoon
Lesson 3. Coordinate systems
Lesson 4. Sketch Task Environment
Tuesday
Morning
Lesson 5. Datum features
Lesson 6. Swept features
Lesson 7. Part structure
Afternoon
Lesson 8. Using sketches
Lesson 9. Trim Body
Lesson 10. Swept feature options
Wednesday
Morning
Lesson 11. Hole features
Lesson 12. Expressions
Lesson 13. Face Operations
Afternoon
Lesson 14. Associative copies
Lesson 15. Edge operations
Thursday
Morning
Lesson 16. Introduction to Assemblies
Lesson 17. Adding and constraining components
Lesson 18. Reference Sets
Afternoon
Lesson 19. Top Down Assembly Modeling
Lesson 20. Interpart Expressions
Friday
Morning
Lesson 21.Component Arrays
Lesson 22. Revisions and Substitutions
Afternoon
Lesson 23. Master Model
Lesson 24. Introduction to Drafting
Accelerators
The following Accelerators can be listed from within an NX session by choosing
InformationCustom MenubarAccelerators.
Function
FileNew...
FileOpen...
FileSave
FileSave As...
FilePlot...
FileExecuteGrip...
FileExecuteDebug Grip...
FileExecuteNX Open...
EditUndo
EditCut
EditCopy
Edit-Paste
EditDelete...
EditSelectionTop Selection Priority - Feature
EditSelectionTop Selection Priority - Face
EditSelectionTop Selection Priority - Body
EditSelectionTop Selection Priority - Edge
EditSelectionTop Selection Priority - Component
EditSelection-Select All
EditShow and HideShow and Hide... (by type)
EditShow and HideHide...
EditShow and HideInvert Shown and Hidden
EditShow and HideShow...
EditShow and HideShow All
EditTransform...
EditObject Display...
ViewOperationZoom...
ViewOperationRotate...
ViewOperationSection...
ViewLayoutNew...
ViewLayoutOpen...
ViewLayoutFit All Views (only with multiple views)
ViewLayoutFit
ViewVisualizationHigh Quality Image...
ViewInformation Window
Hide or show the current dialog box
ViewReset Orientation
InsertSketch...
InsertDesign FeatureExtrude...
Accelerator
Ctrl+N
Ctrl+O
Ctrl+S
Ctrl+Shift+A
Ctrl+P
Ctrl+G
Ctrl+Shift+G
Ctrl+U
Ctrl+Z
Ctrl+X
Ctrl+C
Ctrl+V
Ctrl+D or Delete
F
G
B
E
C
Ctrl+A
Ctrl+W
Ctrl+B
Ctrl+Shift+B
Ctrl+Shift+K
Ctrl+Shift+U
Ctrl+T
Ctrl+J
Ctrl+Shift+Z
Ctrl+R
Ctrl+H
Ctrl+Shift+N
Ctrl+Shift+O
Ctrl+Shift+F
Ctrl+F
Ctrl+Shift+H
F4
F3
Ctrl+F8
S
X
InsertDesign FeatureRevolve...
InsertTrimTrimmed Sheet...
InsertSweepVariational Sweep...
FormatLayer Settings...
FormatVisible in View...
FormatWCSDisplay
ToolsExpression...
ToolsJournalPlay...
ToolsJournalEdit
ToolsMacroStart Record...
ToolsMacroPlayback...
ToolsMacroStep...
InformationObject...
AnalysisCurveRefresh Curvature Graphs
PreferencesObject...
PreferencesSelection...
StartModeling...
StartAll ApplicationsShape Studio...
StartDrafting...
StartManufacturing...
StartNX Sheet Metal...
StartAssemblies
HelpOn Context...
Refresh
Fit
Zoom
Rotate
Orient View-Trimetric
Orient View-Isometric
Orient View-Top
Orient View-Front
Orient View-Right
Orient View-Left
Snap View
R
T
V
Ctrl+L
Ctrl+Shift+V
W
Ctrl+E
Alt+F8
Alt+F11
Ctrl+Shift+R
Ctrl+Shift+P
Ctrl+Shift+S
Ctrl+I
Ctrl+Shift+C
Ctrl+Shift+J
Ctrl+Shift+T
M or Ctrl+M
Ctrl+Alt+S
Ctrl+Shift+D
Ctrl+Alt+M
Ctrl+Alt+N
A
F1
F5
Ctrl+F
F6
F7
Home
End
Ctrl+Alt+T
Ctrl+Alt+F
Ctrl+Alt+R
Ctrl+Alt+L
F8
Evaluation Delivery
NX 5 DEC, Course #TR13150/TR13152
Dates
thru
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
STRONGLY
AGREE
AGREE
SOMEWHAT
AGREE
Instructor:
SOMEWHAT
DISAGREE
If there were 2 instructors, please evaluate the 2nd instructor with Xs
DISAGREE
Instructor:
STRONGLY
DISAGREE
Please share your opinion in all of the following sections with a check in the appropriate box:
clearly explained the course objectives

was knowledgeable about the subject
answered my questions appropriately
encouraged questions in class
was well spoken and a good communicator
was well prepared to deliver the course
made good use of the training time
conducted themselves professionally
used examples relevant to the course and audience
provided enough time to complete the exercises
used review and summary to emphasize important information
did all they could to help the class meet the course objectives
Comments on overall impression of instructor(s):

Overall impression of instructor(s)
Poor
Excellent
Suggestions for improvement of course delivery:
What you liked best about the course delivery:
Class Logistics:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The training facilities were comfortable, clean, and provided a good learning
environment
The computer equipment was reliable
The software performed properly
The overhead projection unit was clear and working properly
The registration and confirmation process was efficient
Hotels: (We try to leverage this information to better accommodate our customers)
1.
Name of the hotel
Best hotel Ive stayed at
2.
Was this hotel recommended during your registration process?
3.
Problem? (brief description)
YES
NO
SEE BACK
Evaluation - Courseware
NX 5 DEC, Course #TR13150/TR13152
STRONGLY
AGREE
AGREE
SOMEWHAT
AGREE
SOMEWHAT
DISAGREE
DISAGREE
Please share your opinion for all of the following sections with a check in the appropriate box
STRONGLY
DISAGREE
Material:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The training material supported the course and lesson objectives

The training material contained all topics needed to complete the projects
The training material provided clear and descriptive directions
The training material was easy to read and understand
The course flowed in a logical and meaningful manner
6.
How appropriate was the length of the course relative to the material?
Too short
Too long
Just right
Comments on Course and Material:
Overall impression of course
Poor
Student:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
I met the prerequisites for the class (I had the skills I needed)
My objectives were consistent with the course objectives
I will be able to use the skills I have learned on my job
My expectations for this course were met
I am confident that with practice I will become proficient
Name (optional):
Location/room
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(Your name is required at the bottom of this form)
Please check this box if you would like to receive more information on our other courses and services.
(Your name is required at the bottom of this form)
Thank you for your business. We hope to continue to provide your training
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Excellent

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NX Design for the

Experienced CAD User

Proprietary & Restricted Rights Notice

This software and related documentation are proprietary to UGS Corp.

NX Design for the Experienced CAD User Student Guide

NX part files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

The NX user interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

NX Design for the Experienced CAD User Student Guide

Coordinate systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Sketch Task Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

NX Design for the Experienced CAD User Student Guide

UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved

UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved

NX Design for the Experienced CAD User Student Guide

Datum features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Swept features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

Part structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1

NX Design for the Experienced CAD User Student Guide

UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved

Using sketches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1

Trim Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1

NX Design for the Experienced CAD User Student Guide

Hole features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1

NX Design for the Experienced CAD User Student Guide

UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved

Face operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1

Associative copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1

Edge operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-1

NX Design for the Experienced CAD User Student Guide

Introduction to Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-1

NX Design for the Experienced CAD User Student Guide

UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved

Adding and constraining components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-1

Reference Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-1

Top-down assembly modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-1

NX Design for the Experienced CAD User Student Guide

Create a new component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Interpart references . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-1

Component Arrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21-1

Revisions and substitutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-1

NX Design for the Experienced CAD User Student Guide

UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved

Master model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23-1

Introduction to Drafting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-1

NX Design for the Experienced CAD User Student Guide

Create automatic centerlines on existing views

Additional projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

NX Design for the Experienced CAD User Student Guide

UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved

System Topics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1

UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved

NX Design for the Experienced CAD User Student Guide

Open and examine NX models.

Create and edit parametric solid models.

Create and modify basic assembly structures.

Create and modify simple drawings.

UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved

NX Design for the Experienced CAD User Student Guide

How to use this manual

How to use this manual

One or more activities

This is an example of a step. Numbered steps specify the actions

Confirm important facts by restating them in your own words.