Malcolm Crowe Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 Here is a question for anyone who has got around this problem. How do you prevent SmartDimensions (Constraints) from Flipping Directions after dimensional changes? Attached is a video demonstrating a part with holes positioned 50mm from the ends of the part. If the part grows in length then the hole remains 50mm from the end of the part. However, if the part length reduces by more than the 50mm SmartDimension, then the SmartDimension (Constraint) flips direction, positioning the hole 50mm outside the end of the part. I know that I could dimension from the other end and add an expression in the parameters, but I thought I'd ask if there was a simpler way. Malcolm IRONCAD 2020 PU1 - How To Prevent SmartDimensions from Flipping Direction.mp4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GNÄSLUND Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 Hi Malcolm, I did some testing and I think that if you dimension from the top surface and not the edge it will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonas@Solidmakarna Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 I think there is (or has been) a known issue with the direction of locked SmartDimensions that flip in the way you describe, which I'm sure Cary can answer better on. He might have some other workarounds too, maybe similar to what Gustav told us here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cary OConnor Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 What Gustav stated is correct. A face reference will have a directionality applied. For an edge reference, it does not have that reference and can flip. Cary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Crowe Posted September 10, 2020 Author Share Posted September 10, 2020 (edited) Thanks all. That certainly works and is demonstrated in the attached video. For those interested, also shown in the attached video is the difference between selecting the face of a hole and the edge of a hole. When the face of the hole is selected first the SmartDimension won't be perpendicular to the other face selected. However, when the edge of the hole is selected first then it will be perpendicular to the other face selected. Malcolm IRONCAD 2020 PU1 - SmartDimensions - Perpendicular between Hole Edge and Face.mp4 Edited September 10, 2020 by Malcolm Crowe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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