Use the Insert | Feature | Constructed submenu to construct features when probing on a required element is not possible (for example, the intersection point of two edges).
The items on this menu enable you to create features (points, lines, circles, and other features) from existing features (ones already probed or constructed). The "Navigating the User Interface" chapter describes the several ways to specify input features. See the "Selecting Features Using the Graphic Display Window" topic in the "Editing the CAD Display" chapter for a description of the several ways to specify input features.
Once you construct the feature, PC-DMIS draws the new feature on the screen. For 3D features (Cylinder, Sphere, and Cone) and for a 2D plane, PC-DMIS draws the feature with a shaded surface.
Sample cylinder feature, CYL1, drawn with shaded surfaces, constructed from two circles, CIR1 and CIR2
Hiding Shaded Plane Features
To hide shaded planes, set the None option in the Display area of the Construct Plane dialog box (Insert | Feature | Constructed | Plane). To globally hide all drawn shaded planes for future plane features, select the Do Not Display Plane check box in the Setup Options dialog box.
Changing the Feature Color
If desired, you can use the ID Setup tab in the Setup Options dialog box to modify the feature color used during feature creation. See the Color check box that appears after you choose Features under the Labels For item.
You can construct a feature by selecting features in the dialog boxes or the Edit window (see "To Construct a Feature from the Edit Window" and "To Construct a Feature Using the Construction Dialog Boxes:"). The specific rules to construct a feature from other features are found in the appropriate sections and apply to both methods of construction. The default method to construct a feature is Auto. In this case, PC-DMIS automatically determines the best construction type based on the input feature or features. The order of selection (unless noted otherwise) is usually not important. It is only necessary that you choose the correct feature type or types. For example, to construct an intersect point between a line and a slot, simply select the necessary line and slot. PC-DMIS creates a point where the line intersects the slot.
It is important to note that the documented conventions are simply a tool that allows you to become familiar with the rules that govern the Edit window. The actual Edit report displays in all capital letters.
Example of the command line that shows a constructed point in the Edit window:
CONSTR/POINT, INTOF, line_id, slot_id
or, CONSTR/POINT, INTOF, slot_id, line_id.
The main topics in this chapter include: