Geometric Constraints

Geometric constraints can be defined among solid elements inside a Boolean tree, or among entire solids in 3D space.


If constraints are defined inside a Boolean tree (inside a solid created from multiple elements), they allow you to fix a position of a particular element. Whenever a shape of the solid is changed, the position of constrained elements is redefined according to a new shape. Such definition of constraints is very convenient – without them, you must often perform additional transformations of the element. Sometimes, it may not be possible.


If constraints are defined among entire solids, a position of a constrained solid or solids is changed, whenever a shape or location of related solid is changed.


In essence, constraints are based at:

  • Additional transformations, performed whenever a shape or location of related objects is changed.
  • Removing of degrees of freedom.

Both aspects describe how constraints work, but from different angle of view.


Constraints as Additional Transformations

Additional transformations are performed according to a constraint type, see Available Types of Geometric Constraints. For instance: Define a constraint fixing an object at a distance from a patch and in direction of Y axis. Then, an intersection of Y axis and the patch is calculated. The constrained object is kept at a given distance, measured along the Y axis.


Additional transformation is performed:

  • If you change a location of constrained object. After the change, object is moved along Y axis to keep the defined distance.
  • If you change a location of object the patch is selected at (if you move the anchor)
  • If you change a shape of object the patch is selected at (if you change a shape of the anchor), because the patch may be relocated.

After some changes, one or more constraints may not be performed. In the example above, it may happen if the patch is a plane and if the Y axis is parallel with the plane, after objects transformation. In such case, the constraint is ignored.


Constraints as Removed Degrees of Freedom

Each object in 3D space has six degrees of freedom. Three of them are rotations – around X axis, Y axis and Z axis. Three of them are movements – along X axis, Y axis and Z axis. If an object is constrained, one or several degrees of freedom are removed. For instance, object is fixed at intersection of Y axis with a selected path – removed degree of freedom is movement along Y axis.


If you fix rotation around two axes, the result is, in fact, fixed direction of the remaining axis. For instance, some constraints fix direction along a normal of a selected plane. Consequently, this constraint fixes rotation around remaining two axes.


Fixed movements, rotations or directions of axes are displayed either in constraint panel or in various dialogues – see below. And mainly, fixed movement or rotation is shown at a corresponding axis – as a short line across the tip of the axis.


Definition of Constraints

Constraints may be defined:

  • If a new object is created and its location is defined
  • If objects are inserted from a file or clipboard and their location is defined
  • If an object is selected for transformation. In such a case, you may select an element from the Boolean tree (for instance, a hole). Constraints are defined within an existing solid. Or, you may select one or more entire solids. Then, the constraints may be defined only if you perform an additional Boolean operation and these solids are added to or cut from an existing root solid. The constraints are defined within such a complete solid.

Constraints cannot be defined:

  • If you select the entire solid and a solid element.
  • If you select multiple elements belonging to multiple solids.
  • If an object is inserted from a mechanical part library.
  • If the selected element belongs to a Boolean tree, but the other elements are only blendings.
  • If you select multiple elements and they are already constrained in different groups.
  • If you perform complex solid editing.

To define a constraint, click the inner part of corresponding object’s axes. Optionally, you may click an icon in the Constraint panel. To edit a constraint, click the outer part of an axis. Then you may select:

  • Delete the constraint.
  • Highlight the constraint.
  • Edit a distance used in the constraint (not available for all types of constraints)

You may work with constraints within a function transforming solids or their elements, see Additional Boolean Operation, Constraints Definition. The constraints can be created or edited after the location is defined. Another option is to skip a location definition:


Create, Change or Remove Geometric Constraints among Solid Elements, CST
Create, Change or Remove Geometric Constraints among Entire Solids, CSTS

These functions work with constraints without necessity to define a location. It is possible to define constraints either for solid elements within one solid, or among entire solids in 3D space. Both functions work identically.


Either for the function “Solid Transformation” or “Geometric Constraints”, transformations necessary for a particular constraint are always performed. It is more convenient to define a location and then to switch to constraints definition than to define a location only within the constraint definition. Transformation possibilities within the constraint definition are limited.


To create, change or delete constraints, you can right-click an object and select the command from pop-up menu. In case of constraints of a solid element, press and hold Ctrl and move cursor over objects. Then, single elements are detected and menu called by right-click is related to detected element.


Selecting constraint definition from pop-up, for a detected element (hole)


Constraint definition, Constraint panel


Constraint definition, example of constraint fixing a distance to selected patch


Constrained Objects

Constraints fix a constrained object in its movement along an axis or in rotation around the axis. The constraining is performed for the insertion point of the object. You may change a location of the insertion point until constraints are defined. Then you may change the location of the insertion point only temporarily within the current function. The change is not accepted permanently.


Also, you cannot change permanently a location of the insertion point, if the corresponding element is an anchor for another constrained object and this object is constrained right to the insertion point.


Selecting Constrained Objects

This option, which is available for objects selection, allows you to select an entire constrained group of solid elements.
Similar as previous, allows you to select an entire group of constrained solids.

If you select objects for transformation, the complete constrained group is detected. You cannot change a location of a single element of the constrained group individually.


Automatic detection of a constrained object is displayed at the cursor:

CursorUse
A constrained group or constrained object is detected
The already constrained object cannot be selected for the current constraint definition

Selecting Constrained Objects from Scheme

This option, which is also available for objects selection, allows you to select either constrained group of objects or to select objects the group is constrained to.

Constrained objects are displayed in the scheme. Such a scheme shows you legibly all dependencies – you can see the entire chain of constraints. Before selection, you can optionally highlight a constrained group – so you can see exactly which object or objects will be selected. Also, you can optionally click an object in 3D space and if constrained, it is highlighted both in the scheme and in 3D.


If you want to select anchors (or master solids, or solids the group is constrained to), click a corresponding column in the scheme. Then you can highlight each constraint individually – again because you will see which object will be selected. Or you can select the anchor of each constraint.


Generally, a group (often containing only one object) can be constrained to multiple different objects.


Constraining Multiple Objects

You may select multiple objects for constraining. The insertion point is the point of the first selected object. If you need to add a new object into a constrained group, select the group and a new object (or multiple new objects). They are added automatically.


This option, which is available in the Constraint panel, allows you to remove an object from the constrained group.

Display Constrained Links

This option displays scheme of all constraints, so you can see the currently defined constraints in relation to other constrained objects.

Display, Edit or Delete Defined Constraints

Allows you to work conveniently with all constraints currently defined for the selected object (objects).

Dialog panel containing a list of currently defined constraints


Cancel All Constraints

This option, which is available in the Constraint panel, cancels all constraints of the currently defined group.

Types of Geometric Constraints

All constraints are related to a specified axis. Direction of the axis may be selected along or against to a normal or another axis in dependence on a particular situation.


Definition of a constraint rewrites all existing constraints whose fix any axis of the object the same way as the new constraint. Fixed movements, fixed rotations or defined directions for the constrained object are displayed in the upper part of the Constraint panel.


If any of existing constraints has to be removed by redefinition, a dialogue panel is displayed and you can confirm such change.


Example of a new constraint colliding with existing ones


Available Types of Geometric Constraints

Distance to solid's insertion point. Constrained object is at a defined distance from the insertion point of a selected object (another solid element). Distance may be either positive or negative (along or against the axis arrow), or zero. This type of the constraint is often used for definition of a distance between holes or other solid elements.
Distance from a patch, the axis is not directed. Intersection between the axis and the selected patch is calculated. The constrained object is fixed at a specified distance from the intersection.
Location at a patch, the axis is not directed. This constraint is similar to the previous, but the distance is always zero.
Location at a patch, the axis is directed according to a normal. The nearest point at a patch is found. Then the object is moved to the nearest point and the corresponding axis is directed against or along the normal of the patch at the location. This type of the constraint fixes the object at a surface and adjusts always its orientation. It can be used often for location of a hole – the object is always at the surface and the axis is always oriented perpendicularly to the surface.
Location at a circle center, the axis is directed according to the normal of a planar surface. This constraint is especially useful for joining pipe or shaft segments.
The axis is directed according to a plane normal. This constraint is performed always as first before the other constraints. It defines orientation of the constrained object. Only one axis can be oriented this way.
The axis is directed according to a rotation axis. The axis is parallel to the axis of the rotation surface.
Object is constrained at a distance from a rotation axis. An axis selected from the remaining two axes is simultaneously directed according to the rotation axis.

Removing Constraints According to Corresponding Axes

Clicking an outer part of object’s axes, you may select deletion of the corresponding constraint (see above). If you need to cancel the constraining of a selected axis, use following options:

Constraint fixing movement along the axis is deleted.
Constraint fixing rotation around the axis is deleted.
Constraint fixing alignment of the axis is deleted.

Chain of Constraints

Constraints within a solid cannot be defined without a limitation. Basically, if an object A is constrained to an object B, then the object B cannot be constrained to the object A. All objects can be constrained to an object which is not constrained further.


If the object A is constrained to the object B (for instance, fixed at a distance from a patch of the object B), and the object B is constrained to the object C, a sequence of objects A, B and C creates a constrained chain.


Regarding the already existing constraints, you cannot anchor a constrained group at an object, if:

  • The object is from a different solid.
  • The object is from a different chain of constraints,
  • The object is constrained at the currently defined group, not only directly, but also over multiple constrained links.

System automatically blocks the selection of anchors, if the constraint is not possible. The cursor is automatically changed at such a situation (see Selecting Constrained Objects


Chain of constraints


Fixed Object within Constraints

When the position of constrained elements is redefined according to a new shape, it may be moved inconveniently. For instance, you may define a chain of constraints within a shaft. After changing a length of a segment, all remaining segments are moved. You may want objects to be moved in opposite direction. You can fix a selected element from the entire solid. Then the element remains always in the same position – it is not translated or rotated. If no element is fixed, then elements without constraints remain at the same location.

This option, which is available in the Constraint panel, allows you to fix a selected element to the current location.

Constraining Angles

To constrain an angle, perform an additional rotation around an axis first.

See Additional rotation around an axis. As angular value, enter or define a new parameter. Then constrain selected objects, if they are not already constrained.


It is necessary to fix direction of at least one of remaining two axes. For instance, the example displayed below constraints angle of rotation around X axis. Here, you should fix direction of Y or Z axis. Preferably, fix a direction of one of these axes along a normal of planar surface.


If you change the corresponding angular parameter, the angle is recalculated and constrained objects are rotated according to the new angle. The necessary condition for fixing angles by parameters is that the objects must be already constrained at least once. Direction of any perpendicular axis must be fixed. Otherwise, after a change of the angle the axes are rotated instead of the objects.


Another advantage of additional rotation around axes combined with constraint definitions is a possibility to constrain objects in any direction, regardless of the initial state of their axes. Objects are always constrained in direction of X, Y or Z axis. The axes are directed according to how a solid was created, and the direction may not be always convenient. After transformation of objects and additional rotation around an axis, you may constraint objects exactly in desired direction.


Additional rotation around X-axis


 

 


VariCAD HELP

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Parameters Definition of Parameters Parameters in File Parameters in Scaled Solids Type of Parameters Working with Parameters Geometric Constraints Constraints as Additional Transformations Constraints as Removed Degrees of Freedom Definition of Constraints Constrained Objects Types of Geometric Constraints Chain of Constraints Fixed Object within Constraints Constraining Angles Constraints in Solid Creation 2D Profiles Constraining Objects in 2D Profile Selecting Vertexes Display Options Filleting, Chamfering and Radii of Circles or Arcs Constraining Circular Arcs Constraining NURBS Curves Editing Constraints Deleting Constraints Coordinate Systems
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Tips and Tricks List of All VariCAD Functions Hotkeys Embedded Functions

QUICK DEMO

Tips and Tricks
Basics Of Control

Interface, examples of various input steps, like mouse button clicks, hot-keys and their combinations. Examples of detection, objects selection and view changes.

Tools for 2D location, Tool combinations

Tools for location of 2D objects.

2D object selection, Filter combinations

Tools for selection of 2D objects.

Line

Drawing line from a point to another point, Using leading lines, According to values entered from a keyboard (xy, dx dy, angle radius, called by pressing K, D, R keys), Using fixed (locked) values (called by pressing TAB key), Combining multiple tools (TAB, dxdy...), Tangent lines.

Rectangle

Drawing rectangle by two opposite locations, Using fixed (locked) values (called by pressing TAB key), Diagonal distance.

Multi-line

Offset at one side from the central polyline, Offset at both sides from the central polyline.

Circle

Drawing circle by center and point at the circle, Center and radius, Two points, Three points, As a tangent to 2 objects, As a tangent to 3 objects.

Rotated parts

Shaft – a front view, Shaft – create a contour.

Polygon: hexagon

Leading circle is inside, the polygon orientation is at the edge, Leading circle is outside, the polygon orientation is at the vertex.

Dragging a circle to the rectangle center

Dragging, start by Ctrl+Shift+move cursor over an object, Dragging – right click. Two methods, different location at a center, Dragging, clicking an icon, Using Ctrl+X, Ctrl+V, Translate by a defined vector, Translate to a shifted center, Locate, using incremental cursor movement.

Stretching of objects

Dragging, start by Ctrl+Shift+move cursor over an object, Dragging – right click. Two methods, different location at a center, Dragging, clicking an icon, Using Ctrl+X, Ctrl+V, Translate by a defined vector, Translate to a shifted center, Locate, using incremental cursor movement.

Blending

Filleting of 2D corners, instant access (using Shift key), Filleting of 2D corners, Chamfering of 2D corners, instant access (using Shift key).

Divide or extend a 2D object

Extend to a boundary, Create a full circle from a circular arc, Remove a segment, Trim, Divide an object by a boundary, Divide an object by a point.

Changing 2D object attributes

Changing color, Changing line type, Changing layers, Blank/unblank objects (invisible/visible), Changing displayed thickness - 1 or 2 pixels.

Dimensioning

Smart dimensioning – easy dimensioning done within a single command. Horizontal and vertical dimensioning. Dimensioning of threads, chamfers, fillets and diameters. Aligning dimensions according to each other.

Settings

Drawing format, sheet border, Drawing scale, Using 2D layers, automatic changes of 2D layers, Default settings of a new file.

Creating a 2D drawing data

Drawing 2D objects and filling title blocks manually in the 2D area, 2D objects and title blocks created automatically from 3D space, Printing to PDF.

Selection of solids

Working with 3D solids. Examples of solid insertion, selection or transformation.

Solid transformation

Examples of solid insertion, detection and transformation. Examples of solid copying.

Single solid shapes

Creating predefined solid shapes (Box, cylinder, cone, pipe...). All solids can be created by rotation, extrusion or lofting of contours.

Solid creation by defined contour

Solid creation by extrusion, full or partial rotation of contour.

Lofting rectangle to circle

Creating a solid by lofting rectangle to circle.

Lofting a rectangle to single point

Creating a solid by lofting a rectangle to single point.

Lofting among multiple contours

Creating a solid by lofting among multiple various planar profiles.

Lofting among profiles rotated symmetrically around an axis

Creating a solid by lofting among multiple various planar profiles.

Sweeping of a 2D contour in 3D space

Sweeping of a 2D contour - creation of a banister, pipe...

Creating pipes or wires

Creating of pipes, wires (banister, cables, ropes...).

Rotation and lofting of contours

Rotation and lofting between two different contours, like between a circle and rectangle or between circles with different radii. Profile change is linear or allowing tangential direction from both ends.

Helical surface

Creating a helical surface by simultaneous rotation and extrusion of 2D contour.

Creating holes and grooves

Creating holes and threaded holes, cutting by an extruded contour, creating groove, cutting by a box. X axis of a tool is always perpendicular to selected surface.

Shells, sheet metal parts

Creating a sheet metal part using shell tools.

Editing of solid elements

Editing of solid elements by changing dimensions. Values can be defined in tables or by 3D dimensions. Editing of dimensions together with change of location of solid elements.

Editing of solid elements by changing creation contours

Editing of basic shapes by changing their creation contours.

Editing of solid elements, selection by cursor or from scheme

Solid element can be selected by cursor (press and hold Ctrl key, move cursor over it), or from Boolean tree scheme.

Editing of 3D pipes and wires

Example of creation of 3D wire, thread and geometrical constraint. Next step shows editing of it.

Assembly, Parts, 2D Drawings

An example of alternative creation of an assembly, sub-assembly, parts and corresponding 2D drawings.



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