Positional Constraints

You use this function to define coincidences of composite edge elements. You can do this between two points, two edges, point on edge and point on circle.

This either merges elements together or ensures that a point can only move gradually on another element.

Identify the two elements/points.

Also bear "unboundedness" in mind here, i.e. a coincidence between a point and a line does not necessarily mean that the point lies on the line between the two bounding points, but only that it lies on the straight line through these two points.

Click to open a pull-down menu with further functions for positional constraints.

If you apply this positional constraint to a straight line of a sketch, HiCAD determines to which CS-axis the straight line has the smallest angle. A Parallel constraint will then be applied to this axis.

For planar sketches you can also apply this constraints to 2 points. In this case the angle between a virtual straight line running through these 2 points and the CS axes will be considered. An Equal distance constraint with regard to this CS axis will then be applied for the 2 points.

Original situation: The dotted line represents the X-axis

After applying the Align to CS axis function to the 2 end points of the straight line

A tangential constraint enables you to achieve tangential transitions between a line and a circle/circular arc, a line and a cylinder, a line and a sphere or a circle and a surface.

Also bear chirality in mind with tangential constraints.

For tangential constraints, the Reverse orientation function is available in the context menu of the constraint.

You can assign this constraint between a circle/circular arc and a point, a circle/circular arc and a line, two circles/circular arcs, a circle and a cylinder, a circle and a sphere.

This function enables you to fix a point on the perpendicular of a centre line between 2 geometry elements of a sketch.

Step 1: Identify the 2 geometry elements that you want to be the reference points.

Step 2: Specify the mid-point to be fixed.

You use this function to assign a symmetry constraint between two lines, two circles/circular arcs, two points.

To do this, first define a symmetry plane and then specify two reference geometries in each case.

Use this function to assign the same radius to two circles and or circular arcs of a sketch.

Identify the circles or circular arcs to which you wish to apply these positional constraints.

This function enables you to assign the same distance as between two other elements to two geometry elements of a sketch.

Identify 2 geometry elements. Between these 2 elements the equal distance as the one between the other element pairs of this constraint will be preserved.

Please note that there is no dedicated reference distance here, i.e. the distance between all element pairs can indeed change. The constraint just ensures that it remains equal everywhere.

If you specify a dedicated reference distance and want to preserve it, you need to fix the distance of an element pair by means of a different constraint, e.g. a dimensional constraint or the Fix function.

Press the middle mouse button to end the function.

This constraint causes two angles to always have the same value.

After calling this function, identify two angles each either by selecting an arc or by selecting two straight lines.

Graphical elements that are contained in a group will only be moved together by the HCM.

After calling this function, identify multiple graphical elements in succession. Alternatively, the context menu provides the functions Lines in rectangle, Connected lines or edges and All lines, with which you can quickly select multiple or even all lines of the sketch. Press the middle mouse button to complete the selection and create the group constraint. HiCAD will then prompt you to select graphical elements for the next group. Press the middle mouse button without having selected graphical elements before to terminate the function.

In the context menu of the created group constraint, you have the possibility to edit the list of graphical elements contained in the group as well as to switch the scalability of the group between Scalable and Fixed.

Here you can access the Automatic positional constraint function for automatic assignment of positional constraints.

With the functions of this menu you can assign one of three properties to splines in sketches.

This function enables you to align two edges or a surface and an edge in parallel.

Identify the two elements. The second element is aligned in parallel to the first element and the composite edge model adjusted accordingly.

By specifying a perpendicular constraint, you ensure that lines and planes are positioned perpendicular to one another. The straight line of the first identification then stands perpendicular to the second identification.