Radius Round and Setback

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Permalink Reply by Poorvesh Mistry on May 12, 2009 at 4:17am

I have created a video for this issue

http://www.spaceclaiming.com/video/setback-in-fillets-corners

I know that "Setback" on corner is a feature in CATIA, but I don't know its application in product design, where or in what cases do you require Setback Corners?

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Permalink Reply by martin kopplow on May 12, 2009 at 5:51am

This is most probably not an everyday requirement, though for some reasons, such as safety regulations, one might need to have the corners more rounded than the edges, or one might wish a suitcase like apperance of the product designed.

I expexted this to be kind of standard in CAD, and with spaceclaim I would not have been surprised if I could just use the pull tool on a rounded corner to create setback, maybe with some setback tool guide, or by keying in the required setback value.

Currently, SC does not have this tool option, and also no convenient way to model a threefold face as required, as far as I can see, which is a pity.

Martin

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Permalink Reply by Poorvesh Mistry on May 12, 2009 at 9:36pm

Fine, but as far as I know, SpaceClaim was launched first as a software that could help CAE team to simplify their models, to get iterative results without depending on the CAD team, you can say that "it just want to act as mediator" not a CAD system. It was meant to compliment the existing CAD system and not to replace it. Still the target remains the same, so their are enhancements to improve & repair the models.

I feel that the software is cost effective, it is having a short learning curve and they are always ready to improve, so shouldn't be disappointed if currently it does not have an easy tool to satisfy your expectations.

After all, it take a lot of time for a seedling to emerge into a mighty Oak tree.

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Permalink Reply by martin kopplow on May 13, 2009 at 1:32am

"After all, it take a lot of time for a seedling to emerge into a mighty Oak tree."

Yes, and you can dig out a seedling and plant it elsewhere, try that with the mighty oak tree ... ;O)

I am aware of the mediator approach, though I also see it developing the powers of a mid range CAD system, fortunately without the overhead that usually comes with these. Here, starting from a "data turntable" status, it has by now replaced at least 90% of the former main CAD application. I only use the former system in cases where SC lacks a special tool. Then, I export the part in question, modify it and import into SC again. That happens once a week or so. Everything else appears easier and faster in SC.

Martin

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Permalink Reply by Frank D on May 26, 2009 at 8:16am

Poorvesh
I am compelled to write in response to your statement about what SpaceClaim was launched for.
I can tell you unequivocally, that it was designed and built first and foremost to make 3D solid modeling easy, for regular people and professionals. Our trade-offs over time were and still are, balancing functionality additions with ease-of-use. You are totally right that it was and is meant to complement traditional tools, and Martin, kudos to you for seeing that and using SC when it does what you want well, and doing other things elsewhere.

As you both correctly comment, we are trying to find the common usages and make them fantastic and examples of the SC workflow. The new Chamfer functionality that we are working on for our next service pack, bubbled up out of this forum, since it became obvious that it was needed in more cases.

Perhaps editing the setback of three-corner radii will enjoy a similar rise in priority. I know that at some point we will hav eto take advantage of more of the advanced rounding capabilities that the kernels provide, but we have not had that request from customers thus far -- leading me to believe that most are making simpler rounds (or taking them off, more likely.)

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