Learning CAD with Alibre Atom3D

I'd agree with keeping sketches simple. Too many features in one sketch may well be a problem later if you want to change things. You may get the dreaded "Target not available" message, which I'm sure David can elaborate on.

Many of my sketches contain only one item. For instance if I'm creating a PCB for form and fit reasons the outline of the PCB will be one sketch and mounting holes will be another, so they're completely independent. Ok, not quite true as I use Alibre Expert (the program that is, not the user) so I have the "hole" function available, but the point is the same. Things like fillets and chamfers on the PCB would be added later, not included in the initial sketch.

I don't sweat dimensions and constraints to start with; I just draw a sketch roughly where I want it and the extrude. I then sketch, extrude or cut and so on until I've got the basic part. Then I will go back to the first sketch and start adding constraints and dimensions and so on through the design. Finally I'll add things like chamfers, fillets and external threads.

I wondered why Neil didn't use the pattern function. I assumed it wasn't available in Atom. I use the function a lot, both linear and circular patterns. If nothing else if I put all the items in one sketch I'd forget which one it was that I'd dimensioned. I also use the mirror function a lot. No point in creating both sides of a part that has plane symmetry.

Andrew

Because the holes aren't arranged in a regular pattern, but some of the spacings are consistent.

Neil

Here you go.

The positions of the power socket cutouts are not regular and relates both to the size and position of the large cutout (for a temperature control module which only ahs a about 1mm of tolerance as otherwise it will conflict with mounting brackets for the internal PSU) and each other.

Perhaps the dual USB cutout should be a separate sketch an no doubt it could be done more elegantly, but it was so easy to set out like this, why worry?.

There is no single 'correct' approach - if it works for you then fine. Here is another way to tackle Neil's power outlet cut-outs, using a single rectangle in the sketch.

And, just to prove that it can be learnt quite quickly, albeit with a fair bit of help, here's a couple of parts I modelled earlier:

From my album,

John

Looking good John, its going to be quite a big engine

Well done John.

As David says there are several ways to end up with the same part, for example the base part in the mag article could have been done with just one sketch that was revolved. Though the way it was built up in the article is a better way to show the absolute beginner the basic first steps.

Assembly problem

Items.....A block housing bearing and shaft

The housing with a hole is anchored on X..Y plane in X direction

A bearing is mated with the shaft

Bearing is mated into the block. All looks good

Colicky the mouse on any menu or in workspace and the bearing and shaft assembly move out still aligned and mated but  always in the same direction, y -

Tried several times, same problem any ideas?

2) is it possible to move the position of the tool groups on the main ribbon bar?

3 is the rendering and reflections seen in Alibra’s web site an extra?

4 what will be the actual cost, to buy at the start and will it need an annual subscription?

5) with mirror  for a symmetrical component, is there a shortcut to select the whole body having created the first half rather than having to select each feature?

Edited By Zan on 01/11/2018 22:38:58 no 5 added

Edited By Zan on 01/11/2018 22:42:45

Just a tip or two on creating custom templates for drawing sheets etc. To create a custom template follow the help file entry "Changing custom templates" to create your version. You are then free to modify this to include what you do and don't need. But the method to create fields in the description block on your drawing as described in the on-line, is not supported in AA3D. Do not despair, you can get around this with a simple copy and paste. Copy and paste a field title, placing it where you want and double clicking on it to edit it to what you want it to say. Then copy and paste one of the predefined fields, e.g. "Sheet scale" to where you want that. Double clicking on this will open the field editing dialog. At the top of this dialog are two radio buttons, "User input" and "Property value", the latter being selected. If you keep it as this you can select what Property value will be automatically writen into the field from the drop down list. If you select "User Input" two fields, the Name of the property you want to add and a suitable input text string. I strongly recommend using Alibre's format of keeping user defined fields in upper case, it helps when you come to fill in the fields, when creating a drawing, to see which fields need your input. And there you are. Save your drawing template, and when you select in when creating a drawing, you will see all of the fields that are contained in your drawing.

Now comes the hard part - discipline. When you create a model fill in the Properties dialogs, accessible from the jewel icon, with the info thats important to you, e.g. the material. Then when it comes to creating a drawing of the model most of the fields will be automatically filled for you by magic.

Hmm havent worked out how to attach a file or screen dump to this, but when I can I will happily post a simple example

Zan,

1, First I would align the bore of the block with the outside of the bearing. Then if the bearing is flush with the side of the block align those two, if it sticks out then you can enter a dimension. Next align the bore of the bearing with the OD of the shaft and then use mate or align to set how far you want it to stick out.

You will mow be able to rotate the shaft in the bearing but it won't move sideways as you have constrained the sideways positions

2, Leave to David

3. You need the Expert version with Keyshot to render but as mentioned in the article ( i think) Simlab Lite is free.

4.£199 one off or £279 with support in UK or see local agent.

5. David again

Edited By JasonB on 02/11/2018 07:04:07

Just to follow up Jason's comment on Simlab Lite (I have no knowledge of this product ), to obtain the rendered images that I showed in my earlier posts, I first scaled the part in the Atom3D window and oriented it how I wanted it to display, then the file was "Export [ed] to PDF" from the File tab. This brings up the picture in your pdf program - Acrobat in my case - a single click on the picture gives a rendered and fully rotatable version. Take a screenshot and clip to the size and content required. A bit long-winded, but it is a work-around and not something I would do on a regular basis.

I off to investigate Simlab Lite.

John

I export at a STEP file and open that in the rendering prog.That way yo can render individual parts or just one face.

Zan,

Item 2) - No you can't re-arrange the Ribbon.

Item 4) - Atom3D is sold without 'tech support' subscription (except for licensing and activation problems) - this is to keep the cost down. You can choose to pay (or not) a fee for software updates only. The UK re-seller support option is a special to give new users extra assistance if required (totally optional).

Item 5) - With FEATURE mirror, you have to select each feature that you wish to mirror (no shortcut for all features so far). PART scale or mirror can mirror the entire part. Note that it behaves differently in that it does not leave the original in place. The 2 mirror functions are used for different tasks.

Jason,

Yes, I can see that would be an easier way - but my copy of Atom3D only gives the option to "save as" files with a ".AD_PRT" extension. Is this is the only file format that will be available after the trial period?

Probably better asked of David Jupp?

John

John,

Try Export instead of Save As - see image. STP, ACIS(SAT) and STL are available.

David,

Thank you. Don't know why I didn't think to do that!

John

Two examples:

Rendered directly in Alibre by assigning colours , transparency and reflectivity to sketches:

Rendered in the free version Simlab Light. Note I made this as a single part and I haven't got the knack of special colouring in Simlab yet, this was my first try:

Just be aware that when you save in a generic format such as IGS, STP or STL, what you are saving is not parametric ie you can no longer change the dimensions of the model, you lose the design history and often the dimensions are not exactly how you created them. It's possible to use "direct editing" in some programs but you are still not working on or creating parametric models in that mode.

Similarly, if you actually found another CAD program that would import native Alibre models (I've yet to find one), you would lose that parametric data, while any assemblies you imported would lose their mates / joints. In the end, when I tried to resurrect previous "orphan" files including Alibre (Geomagic) CAD models, I ended up printing out the 2D drawings and recreating them from scratch in whatever I was using (Solidworks, Inventor, Fusion etc). There's no clever way to do it.

Not trying to pee on anyone's parade (accusations of tribalism etc) but be aware that "save as" has distinct limitations as a way to pass models to other systems. Spoken from experience...

Murray

What is the cost of continuing to use the software once the free six months comes to an end.?

Rik