Alex Khenkin

I don't know if this is 100% relevant, but anyway: I run IC2.5 SP1 (although the same behavior was occurring before) on Win2000 SP3 750Meg RAM 2-processor machine. The following sequence is very repeatable: Start the machine fresh. Open Task Manager. Memory usage 85Meg. Start IC blank, no scene - Mem Usage goes up to 170Meg. Close IC. Memory Usage goes down to 120Meg. Now, what happened with those "extra" 45 Meg? Alex.

One more key to add to the chain: An associate of mine pointed me to an excellent pdf writer, better than pdf995: www.fineprint.com Dangle happily, Alex .

Chris, this is exactly the functionality I was looking for awhile ago when I posted the request. I had an "unfolded" drawing which could be easily modeled in a flat, and then folded. I won't even go into the details of what a nightmare it was to do it in a folded state. Providing that IC will model the bending effects (stretching,etc.) realistically, it should be a great feature. Thanks, Alex.

Andrew, My condolences. I have been in exactly the same situation a few weeks back - it's no fun. I had to go to regedit and search and manually delete every entry that has "IronCAD", "inovate", "VDS" (remember that one?). I even saw things left from IC3.2! After a few hours of grueling work I was able to install IC5.2, and everything works fine now. Good luck, Alex.

I find that even restarting IC does not clear all the RAM - if I use IC long enough the amount of used RAM slowly creeps up. I restart my machine once in awhile. Alex.

Two mice, I'm telling you ! Another thing - try to learn to pay attention to musle tension - you'd be amazed at how tense you are, and how much less effort all these movements actually require. I am fortunate to have spent years playing a musical instrument, as well as studying marshall arts - really helps to have control over the body. Good luck, Alex.

Yes, it happens to me quite often, I even posted a question about it awhile ago: http://www.ironcad.com/support/community/index.php?showtopic=872 , and at the time seemed like I was the only one. Here is the text of my prev. posting: "Please bear with me: I have a scanned image I apply as texture in smart paint dialog box. I use "natural" setting, it goes on as 1,1 ratio, and everything is fine. Next, I add a hole shape. This action for no apparent reason changes the smart paint scale, and I have to use now a 7,3 ratio to get the same look. I do that. Then, I change something about the part, let's say, add a blend. Whops, now it changes the scale back to the original, and my part looks like it's made of several blocks. I have to go back to smart paint and change scaling ratio to 1,1. Annoying." Does this look similar to your problem? Alex.

This really works: I have 2 mice on my machine. They both are "symmetrical" i.e. their shapes are not specific for left of right hand. I'm right-handed, and it takes about 2-3 weeks to learn to operate the mouse with the other hand, but once you've done it it stays with you, like riding a bicycle. Once you are able to alternate hands your problem will go away. Also, there is one other thing - I have a problem with my wrists since I was a teenager - the joints sometimes get inflamed and hurt when I move the hand. Years ago I was given a strange advice - to tie a pure wool thread around the wrist joint when this happens. Since I had nothing to lose I did it, and the pain went away in a couple of days. Haven't failed me since. I have no idea how and why it works, but you might as well try it, too - does no harm, and doesn't cost much, either. Good luck, Alex

Right on, Eric! Just as it is our responsibility to make sure the screws we model are the screws we are going to use, it is IC's responsibility to make sure the screws they model are in conformance with existing standards. Alex.

I agree that IC should have accurate hardware, but my point is - how do you KNOW it is accurate? Should I check model's dimensions when I make up a new piece of hardware from IC Tools? I always go to manufacturer/distributor for the model of what they actually make and what I will be using in my product - it just removes any doubts, I don't have to think about it. Alex.

I don't even assume the IC hardware models are accurate - I use them only where the dimensions are not critical (illustration). For real life screws, I go to McMaster-Carr catalog webpage, and get a 3D model of the screw I'm using when I place the order. Their models are somewhat simplified, but all dimensions are correct. Alex

Check this post: http://www.ironcad.com/support/community/index.php?showtopic=866 Alex.

Here's one: I saved a drawing, then decided to change the way I did a couple of dimensions. I deleted those 2 dimensions, placed 2 new dimensions, and - the "Undo" button is still grey. All 4 actions went "unnoticed" by "Undo" function. Alex.

Chris, that's not it. I will try to take notice when I have these things happen - which action it is, what exactly happens when I hit "Undo", etc. I'll keep you posted. Alex.

Undo function in IC is very selective. There are many actions one can't undo. I never tried to document it in a systematic way, but there definitely are actions which Undo skips (I'm not talking about something obvious like deleting a sheet in drawings. I'll try to pay more attention to this. I have 20 steps. Alex.

Steve, There is one thing you can do meanwhile: go into dimension properties, text, check "replace measurement..." box, then type "270°" in "postfix" box, then OK. It will display "270°". I used this trick on many different occasions. Alex.

One thing that might help is going into "edit view" mode and creating additional lines to use for dimensioning. This helped me in many similar situations, in particular addressing the problem of being unable to snap to a point on a b-spline. You can move the lines to "hidden annotations" layer after you're done. Does this help? Alex.

Here you go. I didn't do any relieves or joining, since I didn't have the specifics, but other than that - this is pretty much what you have drawn. Alex sheetMbox1.ics

Chris, I'm interested. Alex.

Dear Marcus, In "Exported Image Size" dialog box click on "Options". It will open a new dialog box where you will see "24 bit" option. Alex.