Accessing the Modify Parts Tools

To access the Modify Parts tools, in Toolbox, click on the Modify tab then select the Modify Parts tab. 

This section will not cover Part Properties or Draw Part in 2D – those will be included in later sections. 

These tools do not include functionality to create parametric parts. All part, rotation, and place values are static (except the material – material pointers can be selected using the Edit Part tool). Additional steps would be required to make the parts parametric.

Add/Edit Parts Interface

To add or edit a part, you must select the product in which the parts will be added/edited. After choosing a product, the following interface will be displayed. 

1. Position UCS – Allows you to pick three points (X, Y, and Z axes) for locating a part. The points selected will also determine the base point,  length & width of the part.
   
2. Select Polyline – Allows you to select a closed polyline that will represent the part. This can be an irregular shaped polyline.
   
3. Part Name – Enter the name of the part to be added. If editing a part, this will display the name of the selected part.
   
4. Part Width – Enter the width of the part to be added (double-clicking in this field will allow you to pick points in the drawing to obtain the width). If editing a part, this will display the width of the selected part.
   
5. Part Length – Enter the length of the part to be added (double-clicking this field will allow you to pick points in the drawing to obtain the length). If editing a part, this will display the length of the part.
   
6. Material – If editing a part, the material of that part will be displayed. If adding a part, click the Edit Material button. From there, you can select a material (static) or a material pointer (variable driven).
   
7. Base Point – Select the base point if adding a part. If editing a part, this will display the assigned base point.
   
8. Preview Position – This will display and rotate the UCS icon when the Position UCS option has been used.

This will not give a preview of the part’s placement.

Erasing, Moving, and Copying Parts

1. Erasing parts is very straightforward, simply click on the Erase Parts command and select the part(s) you wish to erase.
   
2. Moving and copying parts requires you first to select the part. Second, you will need to specify a base point. Lastly, you will choose the new point of placement.
   

When moving or copying a part with associative machining, the machining will also move and copy with the part.

Understanding the Rotate Part Interface

To rotate a part, you must select the part to be rotated – this works with one part at a time. After selecting the part, the following interface will be displayed. 

1. Base Point – Allows you to choose a base point for the part. Notice that the base point is indicated by the red circle in the display area.
   
2. Machine Point – Allows you to select a machine point for the part. Notice that the machine point is indicated by the blue circle in the display area. Machine points are different than base points. Base points are used as a reference point for part placement, whereas machine points are used to reference the machining origin of the part. The machine point can affect the direction of machining, which edge or face receives machining, and it can also affect grain direction. Machine points will be covered in a later section.
   
3. X, Y, and Z Origins – Allows you to input values for locating the part manually.
   
4. X, Y, and Z Rotations – Allows you to input values for rotating the part manually.
   
5. Display Area – The display area will show the changes made to each of the fields.
   

Grouping Parts

1. To group parts, you must first select the item number for the product that contains the parts; then choose the parts to be grouped. After the parts have been selected, the product will be updated and will include only the parts selected.

Any parts not included in the selection will be removed from the product.