Features

A Feature is a physical construct on a model, such as a hole or an edge, that will be used for reference by other tools.

The feature-manipulating tools on this menu are:

• Create Features - identifies and assigns a name to a physi­cal construct so that it can be referenced by other tools.

• Feature Info - allows editing of the geometric parameters of a selected feature (when at least one Feature exists)

• Convert to Datum - converts an active feature to a datum (when at least one Feature exists)

• Show All Features - causes all of the active object’s features to appear in the Viewing Area (when at least one Feature exists)

• Hide All Features - removes all of the active object’s features from view (when at least one Feature exists)

• Cut Feature - conforms a polygon mesh to the exact shape of a Feature (when at least one Feature exists)

• Toggle Labels - switches the display of feature name labels on and off (when at least one Feature exists)

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• Create 3D Features - (S9-01B) - creates a 3D plane, cylinder, cone, or sphere feature

• Edit 3D Features - (S9-01C) - modifies a 3D plane, cylinder, cone, or sphere feature

• Detect 3D Features - (S9-01D) - detects a plane, cylinder, cone, or sphere in the structure of a polygon object and creates a 3D Feature sub-object

• Fit to Feature - (S9-01E) - restructures a polygon object to match the ideal geometry of a 3D Feature sub-object

• Convert to Polygons - (S9-01F) - converts a 3D Feature sub-object to a new polygon object in the Model Manager

• Convert to Datums - (S9-01G) - creates Datum sub-objects based on the geometry of 3D Features. A Sphere 3D Feature yields a Point Datum at its center; a Cylinder 3D Feature yields a Point Datum at its center, an Axis Datum, a Point Datum at its top and bottom, and a Plane Datum at its top and bottom; a Cone 3D Feature yields a Point Datum at its center, an Axis Datum, a Point Datum at its top, and a Plane Datum at its top and bottom; a Plane 3D Feature yields a Point Datum at its center, a Plane Datum, and an Axis Datum to indicate its normal.

• Modify Feature Display - (S9-01H) - configures the graphical representation of 3D Features in the Viewing Area - as a wireframe or not, with transparent polygons or not, and with a name label or not.

• Copy Features - (S9-01I) - copies 3D Feature sub-objects from one object to another

• Perfect Features - (S9-01J) - extends or reduces the length of existing 3D Features (but not Plane 3D Features)

• Convert to CAD - (S9-01K) - creates CAD objects based on the geometry of 3D Feature sub-objects (closed spheres, closed cones, closed cylinders, and planes)