Project: HiCAD Parametrics

Distance

3-D Standard > HCM > Distance

Distance, direct
Parallel to X-/Y-/Z-axis
Direct distance, min./max. value

Distance, direct

3-D Standard > HCM > Distance, direct

You find the Distance, direct function in the HCM function group of the 3-D Standard tab.

You use this function to assign a distance constraint. These are, in principle, genuine three-dimensional distances, i.e. the two-dimensional distance is not measured in the view.

HCM 3-D always regards geometries as unbounded. For example, the distance of a point from a straight edge is measured in such a way that the perpendicular of the point is dropped on the straight line on which the line lies. This distance can differ from the distance of the point from the edge if this perpendicular does not lie on the line. If, however, you want to use this particular distance, you must assign distance constraints to bounding points/edges.

Identify the two geometries.
Enter the distance.

You can also enter a variable instead of an amount and then change it subsequently. The transformation will be performed.

Distances from planes may also imply parallelisms, e.g. for the distance of the surface from lines, cylinders or other surfaces. In the case of the distance from lines, however, this is not automatic, enabling the distance between two skew straight lines to be measured.

Although you can also define a distance with 0, it is better to assign a Coincidence constraint. This can be processed more quickly and enables solutions to be found more easily for complex systems.

You can also define a distance between a geometry and a sketch. In a distance constraint between a circle and the circle of a sketch, the distance from the midpoint is taken into account, enabling the constraint to be complied with even if the circle becomes an ellipse.

Use the functions of the context menu to set distance constraints to coordinate system elements, in the same way as you would do for geometry elements of the drawing. You call the context menu by right-clicking after selecting the first geometry.

The context menu functions enable you to set a distance constraint between a selected geometry element and

the X-, Y- or Z-axis (= same as an edge), or
the XY-, YZ- or XZ-coordinate plane (= same as a plane in the drawing).

Choose Step back to undo the last action, and select Cancel to abort the process

Please note:

For planar surfaces you can specify a distance constraint as a positive or negative value in the pocket calculator of HiCAD, making it possible to change both half-spaces. You can achieve the same effect with the Half-space specification constraint.
Distances between two planes also allow you to change the Alignment.

Parallel to X-/Y-/Z-axis

3-D Standard > HCM

Use the distance constraints

Parallel to X-axis
Parallel to Y-axis
Parallel to Z-axis

to specify a distance value relative to the corresponding coordinate system axis.

The constraint can only be assigned between 2 points here.

Direct distance, min./max. value

3-D Standard > HCM > Distance > Direct, min/max value

When using this enhancement of the Distance function, you will be prompted to assign 2 values to 2 points defining the minimum and maximum distance between these points.

You have now assigned a distance constraint with a defined area to these 2 elements. This defined area must not be exceeded, e.g. when performing motion simulations.

3-D Part Constraints Manager

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