Positioning using the Cylindrical View

This task shows you how to define the position of a sketch according to a cylindrical view: front, top, bottom or side view within the document. 

Generally speaking, sketch positioning is done in three steps:

  1. defining the import view, in relation to the document view defined using the standard View toolbar (Quick View sub-toolbar).
  2. positioning the local axis-system (model axis) onto the image
  3. scaling the image in relation to the geometry within the document using information from the image: the distance between two points along one of the model axis direction, thus setting the rectangle's or the line's size. Then it may be necessary to zoom in or out to get the rectangle or the line to match these two points, using local manipulators.

An image has been loaded as described in Creating an Immersive Sketch.
From the samples directory, you can also select the SampleCar_side.tif image.

  1. From the View toolbar, click Left View .

    The sketch will be imported within this view.

  2. From the Sketch Parameters dialog box, select the cylindrical view (right icon).

    The image size is indicated in the dialog box, for information.
    A dashed rectangular frame is displayed representing the size of the image, and scale in relation to the document. Several manipulators are available, to help you scale and position the sketch properly:
    The displayed axis-system allows you to define the document's origin. 
    • to define the document's origin:
    • to set the size: drag the arrow one way or the other, or right-click an arrow, choose the Edit contextual menu and specify a value:
    • to set the dimension: click the tag to edit the dimension:
    • to rotate the rectangular frame about the model axis:
    • to zoom in or out the image in relation to the document, thus scaling it. The rectangle's size remains unchanged:
    • to perform a scaling and rotation, as described above, at the same time:

Two options are available from the dialog box:
 

Using a cube
This option enables you to define the view using a rectangle.
The loaded image looks like this:

  1. Move the pointer over the axis-system's middle point and position it at the correct location.

  2. Release the axis-system's middle point when you are satisfied with its position.

  3. Define the axis orientation:

    • click the Flip arrow at any time to invert the orientation and therefore the rectangular frame.  (See also Copying/Pasting a Sketch.)

    • right-click the Flip arrow to change the orientation and set another axis.

  4. Move over to one of the frame's corner to define the model size.

  5. With the pointer over the Size manipulator, right-click and choose the Edit contextual menu item.

    The Tuner dialog box is displayed, allowing you to enter exact values, in relation to the document's origin.
    If you move the manipulators, the model size does not change.
    You can also be simply drag the Size manipulator to the correct location, provided the scaling already is correct.
    The results may be something like this, with the rectangular frame's limit outside the image's limits, which may not correspond to your needs.

  6. Using the Zoom manipulator, zoom the image in or out to define the image scale in relation to the geometry.

    The rectangular frame's size being retained, the image is in fact zoomed, thus defining the scale.
    Once the scale has been defined using the zoom in one direction, you do not need to redefine it in the other direction.

  7. Check and, if needed, modify the size in the other direction.

    It is best not to use the zooming capability in both directions, but rather to set it once for the whole image

  8. Once you are satisfied with both the image size and the rectangular frame positioning, click OK in the dialog box.

    The image has been imported into the .CATProduct document and a Painting feature is added to the specification tree.
    You can now manipulate the image as any element into a .CATProduct or .CATPart document.
 

Using a Line
  This option enables you to define the view using a line.
 

 

The loaded image looks like this:

  1. Move the pointer over the first point and position it at the correct location.

  2. Release the point when you are satisfied with its position (it is not necessarily the origin).

  3. Perform the same operation with the second point.

    The cylindrical view is now aligned.

  4. Define the axis orientation:

    • click the Flip arrow at any time to invert the orientation and therefore the rectangular frame.  (See also Copying/Pasting a Sketch.)

    • right-click the Flip arrow to change the orientation and set another axis.
     

  5. Define the model size.

  6. With the pointer over the Size manipulator, right-click, and choose the Edit contextual menu item.

    The Tuner dialog box is displayed, allowing you to enter exact values, in relation to the document's origin
     
    If you move the manipulators, the model size does not change.

  7. Click the Stretch option to allow the manipulation and distortion of the image.

    Two new manipulators are displayed to:
    • modify the handle position and define the stretch origin:
    • stretch the image:

  8. Define the stretch origin using the circle manipulator.

  9. Use the arrows to stretch the image or right-click and choose the Edit contextual menu item.

    The circle is displayed in dotted lines, meaning that the origin can no longer be modified.
    Here is the result of a distortion:
    To cancel the distortion applied to the image, simply click the Reset button or right-click the circle manipulator and choose the Edit contextual menu item.

  10. Once you are satisfied with both the image size and the rectangular frame positioning, click OK in the dialog box.

    The image has been imported into the .CATProduct document and a Painting feature is added to the specification tree.
    You can now manipulate the image as any element into a .CATProduct or .CATPart document.
  • You can trim the image itself, using the manipulators on the solid green frame. 
  • Click on the Focus Off text at the bottom of the image to reset the image parallel to the screen. You can also choose the Activate Viewpoint contextual menu.

Once you have clicked this text, it changes to Focus On and lets you zoom or move (grabbing the red triangles)  the image within the document, independently of the compass. Note that you cannot rotate the image.

To return to standard document manipulations, click the Focus On text, or choose the Deactivate Viewpoint contextual menu.

 
 

Selecting the axis system
  This option enables to select either an axis system belonging to a part or a part in the specification tree (in this case, the axis system of the part will be selected).
 
 
  • Click the axis icon to activate the selection of the axis system. By default, the axis system is the product's one and the painting reference matches the selected axis system.
    Clicking the icon again re-sets the default axis system.
  • During this mode, all the options in the dialog box are grayed out until you select an axis system, either in the 3D area or in the specification tree.

  1. Load CarSketch.tif.
    The Sketch Parameters dialog box opens.

  2. Position the local axis-system of the car onto the left wheel and scale the image as shown below:

  3. Click OK in the Sketch Parameters dialog box.

  4. Now load DoorSketch.tif. This sketch has its own axis system.

    The Sketch Parameters dialog box opens.

  5. Click the axis icon to activate the selection of the axis system.

  6. Position the sketch onto axis system of the door and scale the image as shown below:

  7. Click OK in the Sketch Parameters dialog box.