transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 9:57 am
by Mike Gera
In a part sketch, what is the most efficient workflow for transitioning from a straight line to a fillet and then back to a straight line?
Currently, for example, I'll draw a 90-degree hard corner, then as a secondary operation, add a sketch fillet.
I'm pretty sure there's a way to add the sketch fillet "on the fly".
Thanks for any replies.
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:00 am
by Frederick_Law
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:01 am
by DanPihlaja
Well, there is this:
There are 2 ways to draw a line in Sketcher.
Click and Drag
Click, release, move the mouse, click release.
If you use the 2nd method, then a 2nd line will be formed with its attachment point at the end point of the last line.
When you are at this stage, if you hit the "A" key, it will switch to drawing an arc. Once you place the arc, it will automatically transition to drawing a line again. if you hit the "A" key again, it will switch again to drawing an arc.
Is this what you mean?
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:08 am
by Glenn Schroeder
For me it depends on the situation. If I just need one then I move my cursor back to the end of the straight line, like shown in the video @Frederick_Law posted. If I want multiple fillets, and especially if I want them equal, I use the sketch fillet tool.
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
This works, but it does require that I then go back and add two "tangency relations. Is there a way to avoid having to do that?
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:36 am
by gupta9665
Mike Gera wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:18 am
This works, but it does require that I then go back and add two "tangency relations. Is there a way to avoid having to do that?
When you add the arc, SW should automatically add the tangent relation. It does for me using both options i.e. on pressing A to start the arc OR dragging the cursor back and start the arc.
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:37 am
by AlexLachance
Mike Gera wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:18 am
Thanks, Frederick.
This works, but it does require that I then go back and add two "tangency relations. Is there a way to avoid having to do that?
The tangency relations are supposed to add themselves automatically. Not the case on your end..?
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:38 am
by Mike Gera
AlexLachance wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:37 am
The tangency relations are supposed to add themselves automatically. Not the case on your end..?
Not happening on my end.
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:49 am
by gupta9665
Mike Gera wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:38 am
Not happening on my end.
I know it is stupid to ask but check if "automatic relation" is set to on. If all settings are good then knock on your VAR door.
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 12:06 pm
by DanPihlaja
Mike Gera wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:18 am
Thanks, Frederick.
This works, but it does require that I then go back and add two "tangency relations. Is there a way to avoid having to do that?
It depends on where you place your cursor when you hit the "A" key. It is intuitive about where the cursor is.
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 12:46 pm
by Mike Gera
I've now gotten it to the point where I need to add one tangency.
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 1:07 pm
by DLZ_SWX_User
Glenn Schroeder wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:08 am
For me it depends on the situation. If I just need one then I move my cursor back to the end of the straight line, like shown in the video @Frederick_Law posted. If I want multiple fillets, and especially if I want them equal, I use the sketch fillet tool.
I am of the same mind as Glenn. It all depends on what I want to achieve or how I want to control features.
Mike Gera wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2023 12:46 pm
I've now gotten it to the point where I need to add one tangency.
This is all that I have been able to achieve also.
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 1:41 pm
by Glenn Schroeder
The arc is automatically tangent to the first line, but I'm able to get the other one tangent also. If you can't I suspect one of the options at Tools > Options > System Options > Sketch > Relations/Snaps isn't checked.
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 1:50 pm
by Mike Gera
Glenn Schroeder wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2023 1:41 pm
The arc is automatically tangent to the first line, but I'm able to get the other one tangent also. If you can't I suspect one of the options at Tools > Options > System Options > Sketch > Relations/Snaps isn't checked.
image.png
Hi Glen,
This is how they're set:
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 2:54 pm
by Glenn Schroeder
Mike Gera wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2023 1:50 pm
Hi Glen,
This is how they're set:
Then I can't imagine why you can't get the second line tangent.
Something just occurred to me. After clicking to place the arc, and moving your cursor to start a line from its endpoint, you will only get the option to make this line tangent to the arc in its present location. If your cursor isn't close to tangent with the arc then you won't get the option.
If you don't, applying the tangent relation later is so simple that it's not worth spending much time worrying about (at least in my opinion). All you have to do is click on the point where the line and arc join, then click on the Tangent icon. Of course you can achieve the same thing by Ctrl+selecting the line and the arc, but it's not necessary as long as the end point isn't shared by a third sketch entity.
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 3:04 pm
by Mike Gera
Glenn Schroeder wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2023 2:54 pm
Then I can't imagine why you can't get the second line tangent.
Something just occurred to me. After clicking to place the arc, and moving your cursor to start a line from its endpoint, you will only get the option to make this line tangent to the arc in its present location. If your cursor isn't close to tangent with the arc then you won't get the option.
If you don't, applying the tangent relation later is so simple that it's not worth spending much time worrying about (at least in my opinion). All you have to do is click on the point where the line and arc join, then click on the Tangent icon. Of course you can achieve the same thing by Ctrl+selecting the line and the arc, but it's not necessary as long as the end point isn't shared by a third sketch entity.
image.png
How exactly are you transitioning from placing the 2nd (and final) arc point back to a straight line?
Thanks.
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 3:08 pm
by Mike Gera
OK, I now see what the problem is and where the confusion lies. I'm able to infer the 2nd tangency relation, but not necessarily at the desired 90 degrees. I'm basically trading the tangency for the perpendicularity.
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 4:32 pm
by Mike Gera
Does SolidWorks have an ORTHO mode?
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2023 8:21 am
by Glenn Schroeder
Mike Gera wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2023 3:08 pm
OK, I now see what the problem is and where the confusion lies. I'm able to infer the 2nd tangency relation, but not necessarily at the desired 90 degrees. I'm basically trading the tangency for the perpendicularity.
That's correct.
Mike Gera wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2023 4:32 pm
Does SolidWorks have an ORTHO mode?
I don't know. Can you please explain what that is for the slower members of the class (like me)?
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2023 8:25 am
by DanPihlaja
Mike Gera wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2023 4:32 pm
Does SolidWorks have an ORTHO mode?
Sort of. You can kind of get an ortho mode by playing with these settings:
You then have to view the grid using this:
And define the grid here:
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2023 8:29 am
by Glenn Schroeder
Mike Gera wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2023 3:08 pm
OK, I now see what the problem is and where the confusion lies. I'm able to infer the 2nd tangency relation, but not necessarily at the desired 90 degrees. I'm basically trading the tangency for the perpendicularity.
I just checked. You can get both perpendicular and tangent (assuming the first line was vertical or horizontal, at least). When placing the arc, if you will click to finish it when you see the blue horizontal and vertical dotted lines then you can place the second line with the relations you want.
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Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2023 8:39 am
by Mike Gera
Glenn Schroeder wrote: ↑Wed Nov 15, 2023 8:21 am
That's correct.
I don't know. Can you please explain what that is for the slower members of the class (like me)?
Imagine a world where uppey/downey and leftie/righie was all you had.
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2023 9:21 am
by Mike Gera
Glenn Schroeder wrote: ↑Wed Nov 15, 2023 8:29 am
I just checked. You can get both perpendicular and tangent (assuming the first line was vertical or horizontal, at least). When placing the arc, if you will click to finish it when you see the blue horizontal and vertical dotted lines then you can place the second line with the relations you want.
image.png
image.png
No matter what I do, I don't see the horizontal and vertical ghost lines. What version os SW are you running?
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2023 9:47 am
by DanPihlaja
Mike Gera wrote: ↑Wed Nov 15, 2023 9:21 am
No matter what I do, I don't see the horizontal and vertical ghost lines. What version os SW are you running?
You might need to have this checked:
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2023 10:05 am
by DLZ_SWX_User
Thanks @Glenn Schroeder ! This looks like it'll be a benefit to my sketching in more ways than one!
DanPihlaja wrote: ↑Wed Nov 15, 2023 9:47 am
You might need to have this checked:
image.png
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2023 10:05 am
by SPerman
Mike Gera wrote: ↑Wed Nov 15, 2023 9:21 am
No matter what I do, I don't see the horizontal and vertical ghost lines. What version os SW are you running?
I'm on 2022 SP5 / W11 like you. The only time I see the ghost lines is if there is a dimension referencing the line (and "keep constrained corners" is checked.)
From the SW help:
Keep constrained corners: Maintains the virtual intersection point if the vertex has dimensions or relations. When cleared, and if the vertex has dimensions or relations, you are asked if you want to delete those geometric relations when the fillet is created.
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2023 10:57 am
by Frederick_Law
DLZ_SWX_User wrote: ↑Wed Nov 15, 2023 10:05 am
This is what I normally would do.
This would be faster and easier to control. Usually.
Another is fillet feature which should be used before sketch fillet.
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2023 11:38 am
by Glenn Schroeder
Mike Gera wrote: ↑Wed Nov 15, 2023 9:21 am
No matter what I do, I don't see the horizontal and vertical ghost lines. What version os SW are you running?
SW2023 sp 3.0
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2023 7:28 am
by john@layketool.com
AlexLachance wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:37 am
The tangency relations are supposed to add themselves automatically. Not the case on your end..?
It seems that the first transition from the line to an arc will get the tangency relation added but the transition from the arc to the 2nd line will not add the tangency relation unless you position the line to be tangent. Would be like making a slot and unless you stop the point of the arc end at the exact point of tangency and then add the line, it will not be tangent.
Re: transitioning from a straight line to a fillet to a straight line
Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2023 4:33 pm
by Krzysztof Szpakowski
It looks like you have disabled automatic relations in menu TOOLS - SKETCH SETTINGS - AUTOMATIC RELATIONS
