Features and Operations

Modeling points form the basic framework and structure for a 3DCS simulation model.

The 3DCS Model Creation Toolbar contains features that can be created for analysis modeling:

Topics:

Points

Other useful point-related functions:

Feature Information

Feature Validation

Select Multiple Points

Fast Point Creation

Pick Feature

Points Use Information for more information about a Point or Feature.
Point Type	Name	Link Type	Description
	Coordinate Point	Not referenced to any surface	Coordinate Points are points created in space, or defined by an XYZ location. The Coordinate Point can be defined as a Feature of Size, such as a Hole or a Pin. It can be used in a Rigid Body move, Tolerance or Measure.
	Coordinate Point: Defined as a Hole
	Coordinate Point: Defined as a Pin
	Feature Point	Linked to a Surface or a CAD Point	Feature Points can be created on features and defined as either a Point on a Surface, or a Center Point of a Feature of Size. When a Feature Point is created on a surface, it will inherit the material direction of the surface or the axis direction of a Hole or Pin feature.
	Feature Point: Defined as a Hole
	Feature Point: Defined as a Pin
	Feature Point: Defined as a Hole - Circle Edge point
	Feature Point: Defined as a Pin - Circle Edge point
	Feature Point: Defined as a point on an Edge
	Hole: Defined as a Cone feature
	Pin: Defined as a Cone feature
	Hole: Defined as a Sphere feature
	Pin: Defined as a Sphere feature
	Dynamic Point	Linked to two DCS or Feature Points	Dynamic Points can be created by using one or two Coordinate or Feature Points, to either create an offset point or a center point between two points.

Features Use Information for more information about a Point or Feature.
Feature Type	Name	Description
	Feature: Defined as a Plane	Most features used in 3DCS are defined as a Plane. If 3DCS cannot detect a diameter from the selected surface, it can be shown as a Feature but without any geometry type (Plane, Cylinder, etc.).
	Hole: Defined as a Cylinder feature	Features created using a Feature Point will be defined in the Features list.
	Pin: Defined as a Cylinder feature
	Edge: Defined as a Hole
	Edge: Defined as a Pin
	Edge: Defined as a Line
	Hole: Defined as a Cone feature
	Pin: Defined as a Cone feature
	Hole: Defined as a Sphere feature
	Pin: Defined as a Sphere feature
	Point-Based Feature	A Group of Points can be created to define a Plane or an Edge in 3DCS.
	Combined Feature	A group of Features to use in the Dimensioning Location tolerance.
	Slot/Tab	Slot or Tab features are used to define a Feature of Size. This feature can be used in a Move to define a Two-Way locator.

Edges - Hole and Pin creation: When selecting an edge when creating a Feature Point or through a MTM/GD&T dialog, 3DCS will ask whether the user will define the edge as a Hole or Pin.

1.In any dialog (for example: GD&T Size Tolerance or Circular Tolerance), select an Edge.

2.If the edge is a complete Feature of Size (i.e., Pin or Hole type; Complete being an entire circle, not segmented). Users will be asked whether to create the edge as a Hole (Yes) or Pin (No).

Edge_HolePin

To switch the Edge from a hole to a pin, or pin to hole:

1.Open the Feature Point dialog.

2.Select [Feature] and then select the Edge.

3.Select [Material] to switch the hole to a pin, or pin to a hole.

Notes:

•Main Feature and Dependent Feature: Some CAD systems will create two halves of a cylinder, 3DCS will also create two halves of the cylinder as two meshed features. Once the user creates two features, the cylinder will be recognized as one feature. The Main Feature will be the first feature selected, the second is called the Dependent Feature. Users can only select the Main Feature for Point creation and used in GD&T or MTMs.

•Switch Direction option in the Feature right click menu will help to convert Holes to Pins and Slots to Tabs, or switch the surface direction of a planar or complex feature. Procedure: Right-click on any feature in the Feature list and select Switch Direction.