API: Model vs. World coordinates

Here is my problem:

I've been using face normals to figure out which way components are facing,
then tweaking the tranformation matrix to get the result I want. It works,
except when a part comes in with a coordinate system different from the one
that I am working with. (ie: Both normals should be (0,1,0) according to
the geometry on the screen, but the component still has the same
normals,coords and geometry it had in the part file (0,0,-1).

I would like to work with everyting in world coordinates, so is there a way
to go about doing this? I found GetCurrentCoordinateSystem name, but it
returns an empty string.

I am not against solving the problem a different way, so if anyone has any
tips on inserting and mating components - please let me know.

Thanks,

Brian

 

Component2::Transform, MathUtility::CreateVector and
MathVector::MultiplyTransform are the APIs you need.
check this group archive for some messages on this topic

If I understood correctly, you might prefer to create a mate, then delete it
once the parts are in place...

 

Component2::Transform, MathUtility::CreateVector and

So from what I've read the transform of the component contains the
transform in world coordinates. I am still unsure of the actual steps to
get the Normal from the face into world coordinates. Is it as simple as
just multiplying the world transform against a transform with the face
normal as the location?

Well, I was just wondering if there were any better ways than what I am
doing now. In cases of pre-made parts - I will used named faces (but a lot
of times I'll have to search using particular conditions in the geometry)

Thanks,

Brian

 

:

right:
Dim normal as SldWorks.MathVector
Set normal=swApp.GetMathUtility.CreateVector(face.Normal)
Set normal=normal.MultiplyTransform(component.Transform2)
' normal.ArrayData returns the normal in world coordinates

Maybe with mate references ? Currently API has only
PartDoc::GetMateReferenceEntity, but I won't be surprised if a next version
offers access to multiple mate references... ;-)

Philippe Guglielmetti - www.dynabits.com