Normal to Command

In Solidworks there is a command in modelling mode that when you
select a face you can make it "normal to" which orientates the
selected face to become square and full to the screen.
I note that there is an icon in the ProE sketching mode that does a
similar thing but it does not appear in the modelling mode.

I am missing this useful tool, is there any way of adding it in any
way?

(I understand that there are the options for selecting the datum faces
but often I have datums turned off in a busy model and cannot
instantly recognise which face is which).

Grateful for any help

cheers

david

 

In Solidworks there is a command in modelling mode that when you
select a face you can make it "normal to" which orientates the
selected face to become square and full to the screen.
I note that there is an icon in the ProE sketching mode that does a
similar thing but it does not appear in the modelling mode.

I am missing this useful tool, is there any way of adding it in any
way?

(I understand that there are the options for selecting the datum faces
but often I have datums turned off in a busy model and cannot
instantly recognise which face is which).

Grateful for any help

cheers

david

Under 'Help>Help Center' you'll find a section on Tutorials. The "Getting Started with Pro/ENGINEER" tutorial has some basic information on named views, view modes, spin/pan/zoom and other interface issues. Probably worth checking out.

But, if you find a view you'd like to save, click the 'Reorient View' button (arrows pointing at block or select 'View>Orientation>Reorient'), click on Saved Views, type a name, hit Return and any time you want to recall that view, go to your saved views list and select the name. While you're there, you'll notice some preset named views that you can set from here or use the Saved Views list icon. There's no limit to the number of named, saved views you can have. Also, 'View>View Manager' offers another way to create oriented or combo views (the All tab). Anyway, there's a wealth of functionality to explore and master.

David Janes

 

You can use the same reorient icon that David mentioned to do what
you're asking, although the Solidworks implementation is much more
seemless. In ProE the steps are as follows:

1) Activate the Reorient dialog (via toolbar, menu, or mapkey)
2) Click the surface you want to be normal to
3) Click a reference surface, plane, or edge that will designate the
top of the view

In SW all you have to do is select the surface and activate the normal
to command, so ProE has one extra step.

 

You can use the same reorient icon that David mentioned to do what
you're asking, although the Solidworks implementation is much more
seemless. In ProE the steps are as follows:

1) Activate the Reorient dialog (via toolbar, menu, or mapkey)
2) Click the surface you want to be normal to
3) Click a reference surface, plane, or edge that will designate the
top of the view

In SW all you have to do is select the surface and activate the normal
to command, so ProE has one extra step.


Agreed, but in all of this remember: Pro/e made it possible, SW made it simple, now P/E is making it simple and powerful.

David Janes

 

Thanks guys, Takedown's method looks good so will try in the am

Shame that there appears to be such an attitude within this group to
Solidworks - and other packages. All I want is the best tool to enable
me to do my job in the easiest way and with the best results possible.
I used ProE back in the Unix days and the disasterous multi-nested
menus era. When I moved to a new company in 1996 as the cad manager I
evaluated all current packages and SWX was by far the best - for my
purposes - at that time. Now, returning to ProE, I really expected the
package to have exceeded the usabilty of SWX but apart from the Menu
Tree (which it appears is now used by most other packages) there is
still a lack of directness to achieve most instructions. I presume
that "everything" that I want is in there somewhere but the
frustration of a package that is lacking logical usabilty is painful.
I read that Wildfire 3 is another step closer but this company doesn't
appear to like updating easily.
I presume that none of us work for the software bods, so no allegiance
there. Wouldn't it be great if we used these tools and could interface
seamlessly with each other? One day the manufacturers will end up
producing the same product and all our jobs will be easier. I don't
mind what package I use - I just want it to do what I want. (hence the
post in the first place.....)

Please don't start a major post in response - it's just my view.

Once again - thanks for the help.

Cheers

david