Mike Allen

It may help to create a "tiling" image for mapping. This is an image in which the top edge matches the bottom edge and the right edge matches the left edge. The main trick is starting with an image that is lit evenly (no shadows.) Then open the image in PhotoShop and apply the Offset filter (Filter>Other>Offset...) to offset the image by half its height & half its width. Now you can use the Clone Stamp tool to paint over the edges, resulting in an image that can be tiled in a texture map (which would give you the appearance of a larger image without scaling the size of the holes.) This is all much easier said than done - make sure that your initial image doesn't have any shadows & you're halfway there.

I've since installed Smart Assembly on several other computers & have found that the secret isn't to delete the IronCAD.tbc file, but to close & restart IronCAD after loading the Smart Assembly toolbar. This is an incredibly useful tool, although it doesn't work well with assemblies. What I have found is that you have to place the attachment points at the part level and be sure to have attachment points showing. You can snap a part to an assembly, but you can't snap an assembly to another part or assembly unless the attachment point is highlighted - so you have to be able to see the attachment points.

I got this working on my machine & made a catalog of Smart Assembly parts that work perfectly. Then I asked a colleague to test the parts for me. I registered the SmartAssembly.dll and merged the SmartAssembly.reg on his machine. We loaded the test catalog and nothing worked. I even loaded the Smart Assembly Add-on toolbar. .....OK, I just answered my own question. After deleting the IronCAD.tbc file on my colleague's computer, the Smart Assembly parts work perfectly!

I see a "twist" in the surface that is probably causing the shell to fail. twist.gif

In trying to figure out the variables used to create the star shape in the Advshaps catalog, I stumbled upon an easy modification to create a regular pentagram. 1) Select the star as an IntelliShape. 2) Right-click and select IntelliShape properties. 3) Click the Variables tab and check the Show Formulas box. 4) Change the number of grooves to 5. 5) Multiply the Depth of Groove (Variable\Number[5] * 1.618) 1.618 is a close approximation of the ratio phi, which on a regular pentagram, is the ratio of the distance between 2 adjacent points to the distance between the top point and one of the bottom points. pentagram.gif

I would also like to see a tutorial on how to write formulas for controling IntelliShapes. For instance, the pyramid uses the formula (ATAN( (Sizebox\Height / (MIN( Sizebox\Length, Sizebox\Width ) * 0.5)) ) - (PI( ) / 2)) to taper the sides of a box. It would be nice to have a list of abbreviations for the mathematical terms used. Perhaps you could explain in detail the formulas used to create the star shape from the Advshaps catalog.

Only Robert will know for sure, but I had BIG problems trying to add a second hem.

From what I can tell from Robert's file, he set the minimum bend radius for the stock to .1mm (.004 in.) Then you can drag a bend with stock, delete the Add Stock shape, then drag another bend with stock. The jog will be only .2mm bigger than the stock thickness.

One word: TriBall. IronCAD has the most intuitive interface of any CAD program I've seen. Less time training people to use the program means more productive time for the company.

You can create all of your own stock properties by editing the file tooltbl.txt, located in the ..\IronCAD6\bin directory.

In the next newsletter, could we please have a tutorial on using the bend relief settings in sheet metal (what the different options are and how they affect the shape of the part)?

I really like Ramzi's proposed enhancements! I rarely create part drawings, but I could often use multiple sets of standard views on the same sheet for other technical illustration tasks. I especially like his proposed method for creating associated orthographic views by dragging from the existing view. Anytime you can bypass a menu or dialog box with a control key is a big time-saver.

Add my vote! We really need to have perspective views in 2D drawings.

I didn't know you could do that! Usually if I need two front views, I just right-drag the existing view and copy it to the new location - but I think that I could find a use for having two front views that are associative, now that I know it's possible. Tom has a good point that you should be able to disassociate the view if necessary, or associate it to another view.

The Dell GX240, which has an Intel chipset, works fine with the 3GB switch.

It apparently takes a while to load. Pretty cool!

I would love to see a tutorial on how to import parts from other modeling programs. For instance, if someone wants to send me an IGES file exported from Pro-E, what settings should they use to export and what settings should I use to import? It would be nice to see examples that note what works and what doesn't work (any settings that should be avoided.)

I always use GIF for screenshots, etc. 32-64 colors are usually enough to get the point across. My big problem is that you can only upload one file per message. (If you try to upload a second file, you always get the html code for the first file.) I haven't tried uploading a jpeg, but I assume that Web naming conventions apply (no spaces.) A space in your file name is probably what's generating the "File Type not allowed" error.

You can edit smart dimensions in the scene. In this case, you'd do what Cary said - dimension from the center of the circle to the top of the keyway, then drag the dimension from the center of the circle to the bottom quadrant. Right-click your dimension and select "Transfer to Drawing."

To tell the truth, I use the 3D smart dimensions almost exclusively to check distances. If I've already placed a dimension, sometimes I'll use it to control the distance - but most of the time, I forget about the dimension and use the TriBall.

I agree, 90% TriBall. 1) I think it should be the second selected part that moves. That seems more in keeping with the other behavior of the program (2D geometric constraints, splitting parts.) 2) That sounds like a good idea.

I almost forgot the disappearing toolbar that only shows up when you edit text. You can edit the symbols that appear (Edit>User Defined Symbols...) user-defined.gif

Windows has a Character Map tool (Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Character Map) that will copy symbols to the clipboard and also list the keystrokes to type the character directly. character_map.gif

Try this catalog. I made H-Intellishapes to match the cutaways on your part. then I aligned their anchors to the corner of your part and dragged them into the catalog. When you drag them onto the corresponding point on the new part, just align them with TriBall. CustomSubtract.icc

As you detail the parts you could add them to one or more assemblies. When you're finished, all parts should be in an assembly. For me, assemblies are a good way to control large sections of complex scenes - and they are versatile, since its easy to disassemble & reassemble or drag parts from one assembly into another. You can even reorder the parts inside an assembly by selecting them in the order you want, then assemble & disassemble.