Assembly Tools

Ribbon : Modify | 3D Modifications | Assemble by Facet

Default Menu : Modify | Modify 3D Objects | 3D Assemble | Assemble byFacet

Palette : 3D Model | 3D Modify | Assemble by Facet

Several methods are used to assemble components onto the primary unit.For example, the Assemble by Facet tool could be used to align the faces of a part and the Assemble by Edge tool can be used to define common points and edges.

Assemble by 3 Points

Ribbon : Modify | 3D Modifications | Assemble by 3 Points

Default Menu : Modify | Modify 3D Objects | 3D Assemble | Assemble by 3 Points

Palette : 3D Model | 3D Modify | Assemble by 3 Points

This manipulation feature is used to assemble 2D profiles or 3D objects by defining a base point and a destination point.A minimum of 2 points is required; a source and a destination point.

Example

In the example below, the view is set to Isometric South East. Two boxes are drawn without dependence in the workspace. The midpoint of the edge shown as point 1 will be assembled onto the midpoint of the edge shown by part 2.

Select Modify > Assemble > Assembly by 3 Points, then select the blue box at the right of the selection above.

At the prompt : specify the location of the source point, target the vertex, select the midpoint shown by point 1 above.

At the prompt > specify the location of the destination point, target the midpoint shown by point 2 above.

The assembly guideline will indicate the source and destination points of the assembly. If this is correct, select the Finish Assembling option from the status bar at the bottom left of the editor.

The result is shown below from World Plan view (shown left) and Isometric South East (shown right)

Parts assembled using Assemble by 3 Points – minimum 2 points required

Assemble by Edge & Point

Ribbon : Modify | 3D Modifications | Assemble by Edge and Point

Default Menu : Modify | Modify 3D Objects | 3D Assemble | Assemble by Edge and Point

Palette : 3D Model | 3D Modify | Assemble by Edge and Point

This tool assembles objects by aligning corresponding points or edges.

Example

Select the Assemble by Edge & Point tool, shown above, then select the object shown by point 1 below.

Select the midpoint of the edge shown by point 1 as the source object.

Select the midpoint of the edge shown by point 2 as the destination object.

This function rotates the source object in the workspace to align with the destination object. Select Finish Assembling from the Inspector/Status bar, or right click in the workspace and select Finish from the local menu. The result is shown below from World Plan view (shown left) and Isometric South East (shown right)

Parts assembled using edges

Assemble by Facet

Ribbon : Modify | 3D Modifications | Assemble by Facet

Default Menu : Modify | Modify 3D Objects | 3D Assemble | Assemble by Facet

Palette : 3D Model | 3D Modify | Assemble by Facet

This assembly feature is used to assemble 2 corresponding flat surfaces of a part by aligning the source to the destination facet.When using this feature, the source object is frequently moved and rotated to align with the destination facet.The Assemble by Facet feature does not use snap modes and is designed only to assemble two corresponding faces in the same plane.When using the Assemble by Facet feature, the keyboard keys Page Up and Page Down can be used to cycle through different facets of the part.

Worked Example

Select the Assemble by Facet tool, shown top, then left click onto the face indicated by point 1 below. The keyboard Page Up or Page Down key can be used to target the correct face.

Next, position the cursor over the face shown by point 2 below.

Select Finish Assembling from the Inspector/Status bar or right click in the editor and select finish from the context menu.

The result is shown below shown from Isometric South East view.

Take Note

Results may differ due to differently selected source and destination positions. This method is usually used as a quick alignment of faces. The Assemble by 3 Points tool method can then be used to accurately assemble the parts.