Part Variables (3-D)

3-D Standard > Tools > Attr... > Part variables

Besides the variables in the feature log, you have the option to assign so-called Part variables to 3-D parts. The Part variables function shows all variables assigned to the active part in a table. These part variables are, for instance, assigned via Feature Technology, the 3-D Part HCM, the C-Edge HCM, or by changing a parametric dimension.

You can change the variables assignment, add comments, or create new variables in the table.

The following options are available:

Change value

Double-clicking a value opens a new input field where you can enter a new value. Then, simply click on another field to apply the value. You can also doouble-click the Variable itself to open a value input window, where you can enter the new value and confirm with OK. The changed values will be marked with a * in the Variables table until you close the table with OK.

Change comment

To assign a comment to a variable, or change an already existing entry, double-click the corresponding row and enter the new comment in the input field.

Activate context menu

Right-click a column row to open a context menu with editing functions:

Delete variable
Deletes the variables marked in the table.
Rename variable
Allows you to change the name of variables.
Add new variable
Adds a new variable to the table. For variants of the type String, enter the variables name and the value/text. Variables of the type Element are primarily used for Design Variants (see also Feature Technology). A simple example: Create a cuboid. Now, define a part variable, e.g. P1 of the type: Element -> Point, and place the point in the centroid of the top surface. Then, insert a through hole somewhere in the top surface. Now expand the feature log entry of the bore, right-click the Point entry select Edit formula and enter P1 instead of a value, the bore will be placed into the point that was defined via the variable. If you change the variable, the bore will be automatically adjusted.
Insert variable
Inserts the variant from the clipboard.
Copy variable
Copies the variants marked in the table to the clipboard.
Cut variable
Copies the variants marked in the table to the clipboard, removing it from the table.
Variables, where-used
If you select this option, HiCAD shows you, after closing the dialogue window, where the variables are used:

Important:

Whenever you enter a variable, HiCAD will check whether this variant already exists in one of the lists. If this is not the case, the variable will be added to the list. During its search for already existing variables, HiCAD will observe a specific sequence. First, HiCAD will search for the variable on the lowest level. If you value was found on this level, HiCAD will search for the value on the next higher level.

Example:

First, HiCAD will search in the feature log. If the variable cannot be found there, the search will be extended to the part variables of the part. If the variable cannot be found there either, HiCAD will search in the superordinate part, and so on. If the variant is found, the value of this variable will be used. If the variable does not exist, it will be added to the corresponding variables list. If a new variable is used in the feature log, it will also be automatically added to the part variables of the part to which the feature belongs.

The variables list of the first two levels contain no variants by default, if such variants had not been entered manually. If a particular variable is used in different parts, they can be placed together into a main assembly (or a simple assembly). If you then remove the variants in the sub-parts, and adjust the variants in the main assembly, the variables in all parts will be adjusted.