Constraints Overview
Overview: After creating the profile curves, the next step is to create geometric constraints. As mentioned before, geometric constraints control the shape of the profile. These constraints are meant to hold sketch curves tangent to each other, keep end point connected to each other, keep lines horizontal or vertical and much more. Play the video to see some of the basic constraints and how they are added. This is a sound video, so please adjust your volume accordingly.
Automatic Constraints
As you draw a profile, there are times when geometric constraints are automatically created. The first automatic constraint is called Connect. The connect constraint connects two keypoints together. This is displayed in the graphics window with a small square around the connected keypoints. You can also use connect to attach a keypoint of a profile to a keypoint on the solid.
Horizontal – Vertical Constraint
This constraint has two applications. First, it makes a line either horizontal or vertical. Second, it makes two keypoints align themselves horizontally or vertically. The Horizontal – Vertical constraint displays as a plus sign at the midpoint of a line. If this constraint is used between two points, a dashed line between the two points and a plus sign is displayed.
Collinear Constraint
The Collinear constraint aligns two lines. This constraint is useful when a notch or a tab is used in the profile. The Collinear constraint is displayed in the graphics window with two large circles at the midpoint of each line.
Tangent Constraint
The Tangent constraint makes two curves tangent to each other. The only combination of curves that cannot be made tangent is two lines. The Tangency constraint is displayed as a small circle at the point of tangency.
Connect
Use this to ...
- Connect an endpoint, midpoint or arc center of a profile to another keypoint or element in the profile and/or the solid.
- Play the video for an overview of how to use the connect constraint to force line endpoints to connect to other objects. Do not adjust your volume; there is no sound associated with this video.
Prerequisites
- Solid Edge must be in the Profile mode. Profile mode is automatically activated when creating a sketch feature or creating a profile for a feature.
Process: Creating a Connect Relationship
1. Click Connect on the on the Features and Relationships toolbar.
2. Pick the first keypoint in the Graphics window.
3. Pick the second keypoint.
4. The first selection moves to fit the second and places a small square at the intersection of the selected keypoints.
Tips
- The first object you select typically moves or modifies to accommodate the relationship placed with the second object.
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