What is the most efficient way to deal with equation errors?

[Mike Gera]

I've been dealing with a lot of

"The following equations could not be evaluated because of deleted/invalid dimensions:"

...errors on a large, complex part that I've been working on.

Why I'm getting the error is no mystery: I'm deleting features that contain in-play variables.

The question becomes how to efficiently deal with the errors.

For example, how does one execute a global search for for "D2@Sketch85" (whether it's being used or not, whether it needs to be deleted or not)?

Is there a way to automatically delete all orphaned equations?

Regarding the yellow exclamation point to the left of an equation in the equation manager: what exactly does it mean? How is it corrected?

Thanks for any replies.

[jcapriotti]

You could use the "Dimension View" in the equation manger to see all dimensions, then the filter box show only the boxes that contain the dimension.

[Frederick_Law]

Setup Variables to use in equation.
Only use dimension from same sketch/feature.
Setup Variables for cross sketch/feature dimensions.
Don't do "chain" dimension: D2=D1, D3=D2, D4=D3 etc.
Make it: D2=D1, D3=D1, D4=D1

[Glenn Schroeder]

Setup Variables to use in equation.
Only use dimension from same sketch/feature.
Setup Variables for cross sketch/feature dimensions.
Don't do "chain" dimension: D2=D1, D3=D2, D4=D3 etc.
Make it: D2=D1, D3=D1, D4=D1

You forgot one. Use construction geometry and relations instead of equations whenever possible and practical. Which is almost all of the time for me.

[Frederick_Law]

Yes, those go in first.
Usually I'll use D1=D2 instead of equal relation because it's easier to change if they don't equal anymore.
Colinear and midpoint are great things to use.

[AlexLachance]

Don't do "chain" dimension: D2=D1, D3=D2, D4=D3 etc.
Make it: D2=D1, D3=D1, D4=D1

This is an understatement. Too many people use equations the wrong way. This is one of the worst.

[Frederick_Law]

Chain projection is next on that list.

[SPerman]

Use construction geometry and relations instead of equations whenever possible and practical. Which is almost all of the time for me.

You sound like a BBQ chef who used to spend a lot of time around here.

[Glenn Schroeder]

Yes, those go in first.
Usually I'll use D1=D2 instead of equal relation because it's easier to change if they don't equal anymore.
Colinear and midpoint are great things to use.

How is deleting a relation more difficult than editing or deleting the equation?

[Frederick_Law]

I mean changing it later. Not right after they're added.

To change D2 = D1, just edit and enter new dimension.

To remove equal relation, first highlight/display and find the relation in sketch.
If it's the only equal relation, it'll be easy.
Sometimes there are a few "chain" relations. There might be 2 or more =

[Mike Gera]

Setup Variables to use in equation.
Only use dimension from same sketch/feature.
Setup Variables for cross sketch/feature dimensions.
Don't do "chain" dimension: D2=D1, D3=D2, D4=D3 etc.
Make it: D2=D1, D3=D1, D4=D1

Not to be "that guy", but is there any way you could post a .SLDPRT example of that?

Thanks.

[Mike Gera]

You could use the "Dimension View" in the equation manger to see all dimensions, then the filter box show only the boxes that contain the dimension.

image.png

image.png

Ah, thanks.

On a related note, how would I search for the feature or features that use, for example, "D2@Sketch85"?

[Mike Gera]

Chain projection is next on that list.

What is a chain projection?

Thanks.

[Frederick_Law]

Project a line from sketch1 to sketch2.
Project the project line in sketch2 to sketch3.
Repeat for 10 more sketch.
This make each sketch dependent of the one before.
All they need is sketch1.

This could happen when project from feature. Instead of sketch, project from feature edge/face.

It is always much more stable when project from sketch. Even when feature is suppressed, the sketch is still there.

[DanPihlaja]

Not to be "that guy", but is there any way you could post a .SLDPRT example of that?

Thanks.

Here are a couple of different ways of doing the same thing (see attached). In all 4 scenarios, all the circles in the sketch are driven by something so that you only have to edit 1 thing to change all the circle diameters.
Please note: There are other ways to do it, but these are some examples

1) Global Variable
2) Equals Diameter dimension
3) Linked Values
4) Equals Constraint

Attachments made with SW 2022.