Parameters

Parameters may be used whenever a 3D object requires defined values. The value input can be a numerical constant, single parameter or mathematical expression, optionally containing parameters. Parameters may define object's dimensions or position within a corresponding solid, if used together with geometric constraints. Changing parameter values, all the affected 3D objects are rebuilt. Parameters are not supported in 2D.


Definition of Parameters

Parameters may contain letters and numbers. A parameter must begin with a letter, not with a number. Allowed letters are a... z and A... Z, usage of diacritical marks, Greek or Cyrillic letters or Japanese or Chinese characters is not possible. Definition of mathematical expressions is described in: Mathematic Expressions.


Parameters may be defined in the function PAR (see below), or may be written into the input field instead of numeric values. If a parameter does not exist, you can confirm the creation of a new one. The default numeric value for numeric input is also offered as a default value of the new parameter.


Parameters in File

Once defined, a parameter is stored in a parameter table. The parameter table is a part of 3D space. Parameters are saved and loaded together with the corresponding 3D/2D file (document). If a document contains objects inserted from part files (if a document is an assembly file), then each assembly group has its own parameter table. The parameter table used for an assembly group is, in fact, the parameter table inserted from the corresponding part file.


If a file is inserted into the current file (document), a parameter table of the inserted file is compared with the current parameter table. If new parameters are not defined in the current table, they are accepted. If they exist and have different values, they are rejected and corresponding dimensions are changed to constant values.


Parameters in Scaled Solids

If you scale selected solids and the solids use parametric values, all such values are changed into constants. Similarly, all parametric values are changed into constants if you change units of the current document (millimeters to inches or vice versa). In both cases you are acknowledged before the operation.


Type of Parameters

Parameters are divided into three types:

  • Linear parameters. These parameters are used for definition of length, diameter, thickness, fillet radius etc. Linear parameters may be used in mathematical expressions. Value of a parameter corresponds to current units (millimeters or inches).
  • Angular parameters. These parameters are used for definition of angles. Angular parameters may be used in mathematical expressions. Value of a parameter is related to angular degrees.
  • Thread parameters. This type of parameter can be used for thread definition. For instance, you may use the parameter “t” instead of “M10”. Whenever the parameter “t” is redefined, the correspondent thread is changed. Thread parameters may be used only as single parameters and not in expressions.

Working with Parameters

Add, change or remove parameter values – PAR

This function allows you to work with all parameters used in the current 3D space and assembly groups. You can:

  • Define a new parameter. Select a type of the parameter; define a parameter name and value. Thread parameter values are selected from a list of threads. If assembly groups are present, select a new parameter location – 3D space or an assembly group.
  • Change a value. Select a parameter and change its value. You may change values of multiple parameters before the changes are applied to corresponding solids.
  • Rename parameters.
  • Delete parameters. If a parameter used in geometry is deleted, the corresponding parametric value is changed into constant value.

After changing parameter values, system checks:

  • If new values of objects comply. For instance, you cannot define the inner pipe diameter greater than the smaller diameter.
  • If the mathematical expression can be evaluated. You cannot divide by zero or value close to zero, you cannot calculate an angle if the sinus is greater than 1 or smaller than -1 etc.

Then, all affected parametric values are recalculated and solids are rebuilt. It is possible that element shapes or positions are incorrect for new parameters and the corresponding Boolean tree cannot be rebuilt. Such solids are highlighted and changes are not finished. You may correct new values and rebuild solids again.



Parameter window. If solid hovers over icons, tool-tip with additional information appears.


 

 


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Introduction to VariCAD
VariCAD Installation Installing Upgrades Hardware and Software Requirements
Files and Directories Used by VariCAD Default VariCAD Files Converting 2D/3D Objects to and from Other Formats How 3D Objects Are Converted to STEP or IGES Creation of STL format Directories
Getting Started VariCAD User Interface Working with Multiple Monitors 2D/3D Area Status Bar Toolbar Icons Dialog Windows - Cancel and Back Buttons Mouse Buttons 3D Mouse Invoking and Running VariCAD Functions Finishing VariCAD Functions Stepping Back within a Function Selecting Objects between Functions Additional Options within Functions Creating, Opening and Saving VariCAD 2D/3D Files File or Folder Preview Definition Backing up Your Files Working with Multiple Files Copy and Paste Switching between 2D and 3D Undo and Redo Dragging Objects Dragging Increments Turning off Detection Temporarily
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Selecting 2D Objects Using Selection Windows Limited 2D Selections Deselecting Objects Finishing the Selection Selecting 2D Locations Defining Angles and Directions Writing Special Characters Mathematic Expressions Checking Objects, Distance, Angle and Coordinates
Drawing 2D Objects Drawing Lines Arrows Drawing Curves Creating Points Creating Circles and Arcs Creating Text Objects Editing and Deleting 2D Objects Deleting Objects Changing Objects Geometry Creating Corners, Chamfers and Fillets Breaking and Dividing 2D Objects Editing Text Transforming and Copying 2D Objects Translating, Rotating and Scaling Mirroring Objects Offsetting Objects Stretching Objects
Dimensioning Single Dimensions - Horizontal, Vertical and Diagonal Predefined Horizontal, Vertical and Diagonal Dimensions Serial, Parallel and Datum Dimensions Angular Dimensions Diameter and Radius Dimensions, Thread Dimensions Dimension Attributes Finish Symbols Weld and Tolerance Symbols Creating Leaders, Item Numbers Editing Dimensions
Axes
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Creating Solids Sketching of a 2D Solid Profile Sketching Plane Definition Sketching Environment, Finish Sketching Sketching of Profile of New Solid Displaying of Created or Edited Solids Multiple Sketching Planes Common Sketching Features Additional Sketching Features Closed Rotation of Multiple Profiles Convergence of Lofted Profiles into One Point Tangent Direction of Lofting Features Related to Solid Creation Method Manual Selection of Profile’s 2D Objects Solid Insertion Point Solid Insertion Point for Profiles Selected in 2D Mode Rotating, Extruding, and Lofting Profiles Rotated Solids Extruded Solids Lofted Solids Helical Surfaces Basic Solid Volumes Cylinders, Cones, Boxes, Pyramids, Pipes, Spheres Editing of Spatial Dimensions of Basic Solids
Editing Solids Selecting Solids Visibility of 3D Objects Shading and Colors of Individual Solids Boolean Operations - Adding and Cutting Solids Boolean Operations Boolean Tree Structure Editing Common Boolean Operations Holes, Grooves, Cutting by Planes Resolving (Exploding) Solids 3D Filleting and Chamfering Deleting Solids Editing Shape of Solids Edit Solid Element Shape Transforming and Copying Solids Solid Object Coordinate System 3D Space Coordinate System Inserting and Transforming Solids Defining Vectors and Rotation Axes Transforming Objects Using their Axes Translating by Distance Dynamic Translation Rotating by Angle Dynamic Rotation Dragging in Increments Additional Rotation around an Axis Setting the Direction of Solids Axes Positioning and Location at Surface Positioning by Plane Zoom in on Transformed Solids Additional Options for Right-Click Objects during Transformation Additional Boolean Operation, Constraints Definition Changing Insertion Point, Displaying Axes Inserting and Copying Identical Copies of Solids Permanent Change of Axes of Solids Imported from Step Defining 3D Locations Selecting Planes 3D Locations Settings Mirroring and Rescaling Solids Exploded View of Assemblies Groups of Solids
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
Exporting Views and Sections from 3D to 2D Creating 2D from 3D List of 3D View Exports, Updating Views 3D Sections 3D Comprehensive Shapes Creating and Editing 3D Texts Pipes and Wires Sweeping of 2D Profiles Offset Patches – Thick Shells Threads in 3D
Checking Functions and Calculations Units of Calculation Results Volume, Mass, Surface and Moment of Inertia Calculations Checking and Measuring Geometry Interferences among Solids
3D Assemblies Creating Part Files, Assembly Files and Assembly Links Saving and Loading the Assembly Files Sub-assemblies Relative Paths in Assembly Links Simultaneously Open Assembly and Part Files Definition of Assembly-Part links Definition of Sub-assembly - Part links Breaking Links between Part or Sub-assembly and Assembly Editing Sub-assemblies or Parts in Assembly Environment Selecting Parts or Sub-assemblies for Editing Editing Parts or Sub-assemblies 3D Assembly Tree Scheme 3D Assembly Tree Scheme Window Objects Select Mode Part Editing or Attributes Definition Mode Managing All Assembly Tree Files Surface Development (Unbending)
Bill of Material, Object Attributes and Title Blocks Object Attributes BOM, Attributes and Title Blocks Mask Sharing BOM, Attributes and Title Blocks Settings (Mask) Attribute Definition Groups of Attributes Output to Formatted Text (List of Parts) Title Blocks Export to Other Systems Compatibility of Defined Attributes and Attribute Groups Working with BOM BOM at Basic Level BOM Containing structure of Assembly BOM from 3D Group BOM Objects Displaying, Filtering and Sorting BOM Objects Creating Files from BOM Copying Data from Assembly into Parts and Vice Versa Defining Item Numbers in BOM Single Click Attributes Copy Attributes from 2D Area Supplementary Objects Solid and Assembly Attributes Solid Attributes List of Materials Material as a Solid Attribute Assembly Attributes, Title Block Filling
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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