Dimensional Constraints

Sketch > HCM

On the left hand side of the HCM function group on the Sketch Ribbon tab you find various functions for the creation of dimensional constraints:

Besides the

Smart dimensioning button you can find other buttons that enable you to directly create dimensional constraints for the Distance parallel to

the X-,

Y- or

Z-axis. Clicking the arrow symbol

of the Smart dimensioning button opens a pull-down menu with further dimensional constraints functions, e.g. for angular or radius dimensions.

When using constraints requiring a value input, you may also use formulae or variables. The start value of the variable will then be requested by HiCAD (if it has not been defined yet).

Dimensional constraints are displayed as linear, radius or angle dimensions, depending on the selected function.

Function	Description
	Distance parallel to x-, y- z-axis	This function also enables you to assign a distance constraint between 2 points, an edge and a point or two edges. The assigning of constraints to edges is only possible in planar sketches. As with the Smart dimensioning function, you can call a context menu with additional functions here
	Double / Diameter	This dimensional constraint is used for dimensioning diameters in the case of revolved solid sketches. It is assigned between a symmetry axis and a point or a symmetry axis and an edge. When revolved solids are derived from sketches with this dimensional constraint, corresponding parametric dimensions are then displayed for the diameter. First, specify the symmetry axis and then identify the edges or points to be specified.
	Aperture angle	Angle constraints at the aperture angle of a circular arc.
	Automatic dimensional constraints	This function automatically looks for distance, angle or radius constraints
	Change	Use this function to change a constraint that has already been assigned to a c-edge. Identify the constraint you want to change and enter the new values.

Function

Description

Distance parallel
to x-, y- z-axis

This function also enables you to assign a distance constraint between 2 points, an edge and a point or two edges. The assigning of constraints to edges is only possible in planar sketches.

As with the Smart dimensioning function, you can call a context menu with additional functions here

Double / Diameter

This dimensional constraint is used for dimensioning diameters in the case of revolved solid sketches. It is assigned between a symmetry axis and a point or a symmetry axis and an edge.

When revolved solids are derived from sketches with this dimensional constraint, corresponding parametric dimensions are then displayed for the diameter.

First, specify the symmetry axis and then identify the edges or points to be specified.

Aperture angle

Angle constraints at the aperture angle of a circular arc.

Automatic dimensional constraints

This function automatically looks for distance, angle or radius constraints

Change

Use this function to change a constraint that has already been assigned to a c-edge.

Identify the constraint you want to change and enter the new values.

Please note:

As soon as you change a first HCM distance or radius constraint in a sketch, HiCAD will offer to scale the complete sketch appropriately. For further information, please read the Auto-Scaling of Sketches topic.

Selected HCM dimensional constraints are highlighted in the drawing by the special colour Marking 5 (default: Orange). You can change this colour via the Colour Editor if desired.

Important:

The dimension points depend on the dimensioning option selected under 3-D HCM Tools/Settings.

The dimensions generated by the HCM are not 'normal' HiCAD dimensionings. Conversely, HiCAD dimensionings are NOT dimensional constraints of the 3-D C-Edge Constraint Manager!

Dimensional constraints assigned to a sketch are adopted as parametric dimensions.

When you call one of the functions for assigning of dimensional constraints, the coordinate system for 3-D sketches will be activated automatically if the respective function works with this coordinate system. When you end the function, HiCAD will switch back to the previous coordinate system.

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