Autodesk AutoCAD AutoCAD Mechanical - 2010 Instruction Manual

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AutoCAD Mechanical 2010

User’s Guide

January 2009

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Disclaimer

THIS PUBLICATION AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS MADE AVAILABLE BY AUTODESK, INC. "AS IS." AUTODESK, INC. DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE REGARDING THESE MATERIALS.

Published by: Autodesk, Inc. 111 Mclnnis Parkway San Rafael, CA 94903, USA

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Chapter 1 About AutoCAD Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

AutoCAD Mechanical Software Package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Leveraging Legacy Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Starting AutoCAD Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

AutoCAD Mechanical Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Product Support and Training Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Design Features in AutoCAD Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Mechanical Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Associative Design and Detailing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

External References for Mechanical Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Associative 2D Hide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Autodesk Inventor link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2D Design Productivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Engineering Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Machinery Systems Generators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Intelligent Production Drawing and Detailing . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Detailing Productivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Annotations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Standard Mechanical Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Standard Parts Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Collaboration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

iii

Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Command Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Design and Annotation Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Chapter 3 Working with Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Working with Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Setting Mechanical Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Specifying Drawing Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Saving Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Using Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Setting Default Standards Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Chapter 4 Using Mechanical Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Working with Mechanical Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Creating Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Modifying Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Nesting Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Instance vs. Occurrence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Selection Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Components and Component Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Creating Part Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Creating Assembly Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Modifying Assembly Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Using Folders with Component Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Mechanical Browser Display Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Mechanical Browser and BOMs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Browser Restructure and Ghost Components . . . . . . . . . . . 78

External Reference Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Inserting External Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Editing External Components In-place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Localizing and Externalizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Annotation Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Associative Hide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Basics of AMSHIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Using AMSHIDE in Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Chapter 5 Designing Levers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Extending Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

iv | Contents

Using Libraries to Insert Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Configuring Snap Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

Creating Construction Lines (C-Lines) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Creating additional C-Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Creating Contours and Applying Fillets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Trimming Projecting Edges on Contours . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Applying Hatch Patterns to Contours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Dimensioning Contours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Creating and Dimensioning Detail Views . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

Chapter 6 Working with Model Space and Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Working with Model Space and Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Creating Scale Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Creating Detail Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

Generating New Viewports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Inserting Holes Within Viewports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Creating Subassemblies in New Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

Chapter 7 Dimensioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

Adding Dimensions to Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Adding Multiple Dimensions Simultaneously . . . . . . . . . . . 145

Editing Dimensions with Power Commands . . . . . . . . . . . 149

Breaking Dimension Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Inserting Drawing Borders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

Inserting Fits Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156

Chapter 8 Working with 2D Hide and 2D Steel Shapes . . . . . . . . . . 159

Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

Working with 2D Hide and 2D Steel Shapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160

Opening the initial drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160

Defining 2D Hide Situations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

Inserting 2D Steel Shapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164

Modifying Steel Shapes Using Power Commands . . . . . . . . . 167

Editing 2D Hide Situations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168

Copying and Moving 2D Hide Situations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171

Chapter 9 Working with Standard Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

Working with Standard Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176

Inserting Screw Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178

Copying Screw Connections with Power Copy . . . . . . . . . . 184

Contents | v

Creating Screw Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

Editing Screw Connections with Power Edit . . . . . . . . . . . 195

Working with Power View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198

Deleting with Power Erase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

Inserting Holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204

Inserting Pins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207

Turning Off Centerlines in Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . 210

Hiding Construction Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210

Simplifying Representations of Standard Parts . . . . . . . . . . 211

Chapter 10 Working with BOMs and Parts Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215

Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215

Working with Parts Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216

Inserting Part References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217

Editing Part References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220

Placing Balloons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221

Creating Parts Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227

Merging and Splitting Items In Parts Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233

Collecting Balloons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236

Sorting and Renumbering Items In Parts Lists . . . . . . . . . . 238

Using Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243

Chapter 11 Creating Shafts with Standard Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247

Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247

Creating Shafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248

Configuring Snap Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249

Configuring Shaft Generators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250

Creating Cylindrical Shaft Sections and Gears . . . . . . . . . . 252

Inserting Spline Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256

Inserting Chamfers and Fillets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257

Inserting Shaft Breaks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258

Creating Side Views of Shafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259

Inserting Threads on Shafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259

Editing Shafts and Inserting Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260

Replacing Shaft Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262

Inserting Bearings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264

Engineering Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267

Chapter 12 Calculating Shafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269

Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269

Calculating Shafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270

Creating Shaft Contours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272

Specifying Material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273

vi | Contents

Placing Shaft Supports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275

Specifying Loads on Shafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275

Calculating and Inserting Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278

Calculating Strengths of Shafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280

Chapter 13 Calculating Moments of Inertia and Deflection Lines . . . . . . 285

Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285

Performing Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286

Calculating Moments of Inertia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287

Calculating Deflection Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289

Chapter 14 Calculating Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295

Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295

Chain Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295

Performing Length Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297

Optimizing Chain Lengths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300

Inserting Sprockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302

Inserting Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306

Chapter 15 Calculating Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309

Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309

Calculating Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310

Starting Spring Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311

Specifying Spring Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313

Calculating and Selecting Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316

Inserting Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319

Creating Views of Springs with Power View . . . . . . . . . . . . 320

Chapter 16 Calculating Screw Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323

Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323

Methods for Calculating Screws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323

Using Stand Alone Screw Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325

Selecting and Specifying Screws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326

Selecting and Specifying Nuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328

Selecting and Specifying Washers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329

Specifying Plate Geometry and Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329

Specifying Contact Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332

Specifying Loads and Moments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333

Specifying Settlement Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335

Specifying Tightening Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336

Creating and Inserting Result Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337

Chapter 17 Calculating Stress Using FEA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339

Contents | vii

Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339

2D FEA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340

Calculating Stress In Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341

Defining Loads and Supports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343

Calculating Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345

Evaluating and Refining Mesh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346

Refining Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348

Recalculating Stress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349

Chapter 18 Designing and Calculating Cams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353

Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353

Designing and Calculating Cams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354

Starting Cam Designs and Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355

Defining Motion Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358

Calculating Strength for Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365

Exporting Cam Data and Viewing Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368

Autodesk Inventor Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371

Chapter 19 Using Autodesk Inventor Link Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373

Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373

Linking Autodesk Inventor Part Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374

Shading and Rotating Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375

Inserting Drawing Borders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376

Creating Drawing Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380

Working with Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386

Exporting Drawing Views to AutoCAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391

Linking Autodesk Inventor Assembly Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392

Accessing Parts from the Browser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394

Accessing iProperties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394

Inserting Drawing Borders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397

Creating Parts Lists and Balloons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399

Creating Breakout Section Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402

Modifying Breakout Section Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 409

Removing Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411

Updating Autodesk Inventor Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411

viii | Contents

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413

Overview

Part I provides information for getting started with your AutoCAD® Mechanical software.

It includes an overview of the product capabilities, a summary of commands with their toolbuttons and descriptions, and a summary of new and revised commands in this release of AutoCAD Mechanical.

In addition, Part I includes information about methods to access commands, AutoCAD Mechanical Help, and product support and training resources.

About AutoCAD Mechanical

This chapter provides information about the AutoCAD® Mechanical software application. It describes the software package, the basic design features in the software, and the methods for accessing commands.

A brief overview of the Help, along with information about where to find resources for product learning, training, and support are included.

AutoCAD Mechanical Software Package

AutoCAD Mechanical is a 2D mechanical design and drafting solution for engineers, designers, and detailers. Its intelligent production drawing and detailing features decrease the time required to create and change 2D production designs. AutoCAD Mechanical introduces many 3D concepts in a familiar 2D environment. It is powered by AutoCAD®, with its easy-to-use palette interface and time-saving xref functionality.

The AutoCAD Mechanical design software package includes both AutoCAD Mechanical and AutoCAD. You can use one Options dialog box to customize settings for both AutoCAD Mechanical and AutoCAD.

Leveraging Legacy Data

The tools for migrating legacy data are installed automatically when you install the AutoCAD Mechanical software. A separate utility tool is available for adding structure to legacy files after they are migrated.

The integrated Autodesk® IGES Translator for transferring and sharing of CAD data between CAD/CAM/CAE systems is installed along with the AutoCAD Mechanical product.

Newly generated files in AutoCAD Mechanical can be saved to a previous version so that you can run multiple versions of AutoCAD Mechanical within the same environment.

Starting AutoCAD Mechanical

You can start AutoCAD Mechanical by using one of the following procedures:

■ Click Start on the task bar, and then choose Programs. Select Autodesk ➤

AutoCAD Mechanical 2010.

■ On the desktop, double-click the AutoCAD Mechanical icon:

AutoCAD Mechanical Help

The Help in AutoCAD Mechanical provides information about AutoCAD Mechanical with the power pack.

The Help is formatted for easy navigation, and includes:

■ Content organized by the major functional areas of AutoCAD Mechanical,

with Concept, Reference, and Procedure pages for each functional area. Procedure pages provide step by step instructions on how to execute a given task. The linked Concept page provides background information about the procedure. The linked Reference pages contain information about all the commands and dialog boxes visited while performing the procedure.

■ Specific information about each of the features in the program.

■ Concepts and procedures for the new features in this release.

■ A keyword index and search function.

■ Guides to system variables and accelerator keys.

■ Access to Support Assistance with integrated links to solutions.

4 | Chapter 1 About AutoCAD Mechanical

For access to Help, you can choose from the following methods:

■ From the Help menu, select Mechanical Help Topics.

■ Select the Help button in the standard toolbar.

■ Press F1.

■ Click the Help button within a dialog box.

Product Support and Training Resources

Be more productive with Autodesk software. Get trained at an Autodesk Authorized Training Center (ATC®) with hands-on, instructor-led classes to help you get the most from your Autodesk products. Enhance your productivity with proven training from over 1,400 ATC sites in more than 75 countries. For more information about Autodesk Authorized Training Centers, contact

atc.program@autodesk.com or visit the online ATC locator at www.autodesk.com/atc.

Sources for product support are listed on the AutoCAD Mechanical Product Information Web page. From the AutoCAD Mechanical Web site at http://www.autodesk.com/autocadmech, navigate to the Support Knowledge Base. You can also navigate to the Community page, which contains links to various communities, including the AutoCAD Mechanical Discussion Group.

Design Features in AutoCAD Mechanical

This section provides an overview of the functionality in the AutoCAD Mechanical software, including numerous innovative 2D design features.

Mechanical Structure

Mechanical structure comprises a suite of 2D structure tools for organizing drawings and for reusing associative data. The capabilities of reuse in blocks and accessibility in layer groups are combined in mechanical structure. When you start the AutoCAD Mechanical application, the Mechanical structure environment is enabled by default. You can also work with it disabled.

Product Support and Training Resources | 5

The mechanical structure tools include:

■ A browser interface for structured 2D mechanical design, where parts,

assemblies, views, and folders containing associated data are organized, structured, and managed. Standard parts are automatically organized and managed in the browser. All components are accessible through the browser for many functions, and filters can be set to control the type and level of detail of information displayed.

■ Folders in the browser are used for capturing elements of design for reuse.

These elements provide all of the associative instancing benefits of components, but do not register as items in the live BOM database. They can contain geometry.

■ All geometry remains selectable and editable at all times using familiar

commands in open workflows. Workflows for structure can be bottom-up (recommended), middle-out (the most flexible and common workflow), and top-down (not the primary workflow).

Associative Design and Detailing

The browser is used to manage and reuse data in both the design and detailing drafting stages. Many functions can be performed in the browser, including the following:

■ You can instance components and assemblies multiple times. The live

BOM database in AutoCAD Mechanical keeps track of the quantity of each part or assembly used.

■ Changes made to an associative instance of a part or assembly, associative

component, assembly detailing view, or a standard part or feature are automatically reflected in the other instances.

■ Folders, components, and individual views of components can be reused

as needed. They maintain full associativity with each other.

■ Annotation views can be created for components and assemblies to fully

document the design. Changes made to geometry result in associative dimensions being updated to reflect the change.

6 | Chapter 1 About AutoCAD Mechanical

External References for Mechanical Structure

External References for mechanical structure provides for the components of a drawing to be inserted as an external reference to multiple drawings. Conversely, multiple drawings can be attached as external references to a single drawing.

The following are the key benefits of external references for mechanical structure:

■ Increased efficiency by allowing insertion of structure components from

many drawings as external reference associatively for concurrent design.

■ Reuse of parts from existing assembly drawings very quickly.

■ Those involved in multiple design projects that reference the same drawing

are able to obtain the most updated design from the externally reference component.

■ Ability to set up design specific reference directories as libraries for different

applications.

Associative 2D Hide

The 2D hide situation tool in AutoCAD Mechanical automates the process to accurately represent parts and features which are partially or completely hidden in drawing views. The following are some of the 2D hide benefits:

■ Associative hide situations are managed in the browser.

■ The underlying geometry is not altered when you create an associative

hide situation.

■ When geometry is hidden, AutoCAD Mechanical knows it is a component

in the mechanical structure, and provides a tooltip with the name and view of the component.

External References for Mechanical Structure | 7

Autodesk Inventor link

Autodesk Inventor® link redefines the meaning of 3D to 2D interoperability. Use the functionality to link to Autodesk Inventor parts and assemblies to:

■ Access and associatively document native 3D part models without the

presence of Autodesk Inventor.

■ Visualize part models, examine and use part properties such as material,

name, and number.

■ Associatively document part models using precision hidden-line removed

projections, dimensions, and annotations.

■ Link to the native Autodesk Inventor part models automatically notifies

you of changes and enables updating of views and annotations to keep your drawing up-to-date.

2D Design Productivity

These features increase productivity and reduce the number of steps needed to complete mechanical designs:

■ AutoCAD Mechanical provides an intelligent, customizable layer

management system that puts objects on the appropriate layers automatically.

■ Entities that are not on the current layer group, or entities that are on a

locked layer group can be displayed in a different color to reduce screen clutter.

■ 2D hidden-line calculations are based on defined foreground and

background objects. You can choose hidden line representation types.

■ Auto detailing creates detailed drawings of individual components from

an assembly drawing.

■ One set of power commands is used to create, update, and edit objects.

■ Mechanical line objects are available for creating centerlines and center

crosses, construction lines, symmetrical lines, section lines, break lines, and others.

■ Linear/symmetric stretch is used to modify dimensioned geometry by

changing the dimension value.

8 | Chapter 1 About AutoCAD Mechanical

■ Predefined hatch patterns are applicable in two picks from toolbars and

menus.

Engineering Calculations

The automatic engineering calculations available in AutoCAD Mechanical ensure proper function in mechanical designs.

■ The 2D FEA feature determines the resistance capability of an object put

under a static load and analyzes design integrity under various loads.

■ A number of moment of inertia and beam deflection calculations are

available.

■ Engineering calculations are available for shafts, bearings, and screws.

Machinery Systems Generators

Machinery systems in AutoCAD Mechanical generate the design and calculation of shafts, springs, belts and chains, and cams. These tools ensure that you get the design right the first time:

■ With the shaft generator, you can create drawing views of solid and hollow

shafts. Common shaft features supported include center holes, chamfers, cones, fillets, grooves, profiles, threads, undercuts, and wrench fittings. Common standard parts supported include bearings, gears, retaining rings, and seals.

■ With the spring generator, you select, calculate, and insert compression,

extension, and torsion springs, and Belleville spring washers in a design. You control the representation type of the spring, and create a spec form to incorporate in the drawing.

■ The belt and chain generator function provides features to create chain

and sprocket systems, belt and pulley systems, calculate optimal lengths for chains and belts, and insert these assemblies in your design. Chains and belts can be selected from standard libraries.

■ The cam generator creates cam plates and cylindrical cams given input

border conditions. You can calculate and display velocity, acceleration, and the cam curve path. You can couple driven elements to the cam and create NC data through the curve on the path.

Engineering Calculations | 9

Intelligent Production Drawing and Detailing

A number of commands are available in AutoCAD Mechanical that automate the process to create balloons and bills of material.

■ You can create formatted balloons and bills of material, as well as detailed

views of portions of designs.

■ Multiple parts lists per drawing are supported. Grouping of a parts list

provides lists of like items. Selected items can be combined to calculate total length required for stock ordering. The parts lists recognize standard parts. You can format item numbers on parts lists.

■ Standard-sized drawing borders and customizable title blocks are available.

■ Intelligent and associative hole tables show a total count of each type of

hole along with a description of them. A second chart lists the coordinates for each of the holes selected. Any update to the holes is reflected in the charts.

■ A language converter translates text on a drawing into one of seventeen

different languages.

■ Revision control tables in drawings track revisions and display comments.

■ Fits lists chart all fits used in a drawing.

Detailing Productivity

■ Smart dimensions automatically maintain the proper arrangement with

each other.

■ Power dimension commands provide a single command to create and edit

all dimensions, apply specified formats, and add fits or tolerances.

■ Dimensions are automatic for 2D geometry with either ordinate or baseline

dimensions.

■ One command quickly cleans up and arranges dimensions in 2D drawings.

One system setting controls the scale for drawing symbols in all views.

■ Commands are available for align, break, insert, and join to easily

dimension a drawing.

10 | Chapter 1 About AutoCAD Mechanical

Annotations

■ Hole notes can be inserted for standard holes.

■ Commands are available to create standards-based surface texture symbols,

geometric dimensioning and tolerances, targets, and weld symbols.

■ Fits description command creates fits descriptions for standard holes.

■ Leader command creates intelligent balloons and other leaders common

in mechanical drawings.

Standard Mechanical Content

Standard content includes parametrically generated, intelligent geometry that you can use to generate an object from scratch. The following are available:

■ About 600,000 standard parts, including screws, nuts, washers, pins, rivets,

bushings, rings, seals, bearings, keys, and others, can be quickly incorporated into any design.

■ About 8,000 standard features, including center holes, undercuts, keyways,

and thread ends can be quickly incorporated into any design.

■ More than 20,000 standard holes, including through, blind, counterbored,

countersunk, oblong, and others, can be quickly incorporated into any design.

■ Thousands of structural steel shapes, including U-shape, I-shape, T-shape,

L-shape, Z-shape, rectangular tube, round tube, rectangular full beam, rectangular round beam, and others, can be quickly incorporated into any design.

■ An editing environment to create and publish your own content libraries.

Standard Parts Tools

Standard part tools provide for the elements that go with standard parts, such as a hole to accompany a screw. These tools include:

■ Screw connection feature for selecting entire fastener assemblies at one

time.

Annotations | 11

■ Changeable representation of a standard part between a normal, simplified,

or symbolic representation.

■ Power view to automatically generate a different view of a standard part,

such as a top view from a front view.

Collaboration

Enjoy the benefits of design collaboration for your 2D output through Autodesk Streamline® support. Autodesk Streamline is a hosted Web service for sharing personalized design data across the entire extended manufacturing enterprise.

Autodesk Streamline functionality includes the following:

■ Members can view and interact with the 3D data set published on Autodesk

Streamline, without waiting for the data to download.

■ Using Streamline, many people can share design information and

collaborate online. Functionality includes instant messages, email notifications, polling/voting, discussion threads, database creation, and more.

■ AutoCAD Mechanical data can be written to the AutoCAD DWF file format,

which is one of the file types that Autodesk Streamline leverages.

■ You can export 3D CAD data in ZGL format (a compressed form of a

standard Open GL file format called XGL). ZGL readily captures 3D data that can be rendered by the Open GL library. ZGL files can then be uploaded to Autodesk Streamline.

12 | Chapter 1 About AutoCAD Mechanical

Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical

This chapter provides a list of the commands available in AutoCAD® Mechanical, along with a brief description of the function of each command and the associated tool button.

Command Summary

The following is a list of the AutoCAD Mechanical commands, a brief description of each, and the associated icon. The icon is used in the ribbon as well as toolbars

Some commands do not have an associated icon. This list does not contain AutoCAD® commands.

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AM2DHIDE

Draws hidden lines to represent hidden edges, when you specify what objects lie in front and what objects lie behind.

AM2DHIDEDIT

AMABOUT

Edits or updates hide situations created with the AM2DHIDE command.

Displays a screen containing licensing and copyright information.

Inserts an adjusting ring on a shaft.AMADJRINGS2D

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMANALYSEDWG

AMANNOTE

AMASSOHATCH

AMAUTOCLINES

AMAUTODETAIL

AMAUTODIM

AMBALLOON

AMBEARCALC

Analyzes the current drawing and writes layer information to an ALZ file.

Creates a textual annotation that can be attached to an object in a drawing view.

Creates a hatch that updates when you modify its boundaries.

Creates vertical and horizontal construction lines on all endpoints of selected objects.

Moves the selected objects to an external drawing file and creates an xref to it within the current drawing.

Creates multiple dimensions from a selected point to all the vertices on the contour of selected objects.

Creates and places balloons in the drawing area.

Determines the limiting value, dynamic and static load rating, dynamic and static equivalent load, and fatigue life of a bearing.

AMBELL2D

AMBOM

AMBOMEXTTEMP

Performs a spring calculation and inserts a Bellville washer spring in the drawing area.

Inserts a blind hole from the content library.AMBHOLE2D

Creates, edits, or deletes Bills of Materials (BOMs).

Creates an extraction template to be used by BOM Migration Utility.

14 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMBOMMIGRATE

AMBREAKATPT

AMBROUTLINE

AMBROWSER

AMC_Break_Line

(Layer Name)

AMC_Construction

(Layer Name)

AMC_Construction_Invisible (Layer Name)

Migrates non-AutoCAD Mechanical drawings to the latest AutoCAD Mechanical drawing format. Legacy BOM data within the drawings will be migrated to intelligent BOM and Parts list data.

Breaks a line, polyline, or a spline at a specified point.

Draws a special spline to show breakout borders.

Displays, hides, and moves the mechanical browser.

Inserts a blind slot from the content library.AMBSLOT2D

Draws break out lines, as in hatched loop breaks or freehand breaks in shafts.

Draws centerline.AMC_Centerline

Draws construction lines to display with the content.

Draws construction lines that do not display with the content.

(Layer Name)

AMC_Contour_BHII

(Layer Name)

AMC_Contour_BHII_Invisible (Layer Name)

Draws contour edges.AMC_Contour

Draws contours that make underlying and overlapping objects invisible in a hide situation.

Draws contours that do not display with the content, and make underlying and overlapping objects invisible in a hide situation.

Command Summary | 1

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMC_Contour_BHIU

(Layer Name)

AMC_Contour_BHIU_Invisble (Layer Name)

Name)

AMC_Dimension_Invisible (Layer Name)

Name)

AMC_Text_Medium

(Layer Name)

Name)

AMCAM

Draws contours that make underlying objects invisible, and leave overlapping objects unchanged in a hide situation.

Draws contours that do not display with the content, make underlying objects invisible, and leave overlapping objects unchanged in a hide situation.

Draws dimensions to display with the content.AMC_Dimension (Layer

Draws dimensions that do not display with the content.

Draws hidden edges.AMC_Hidden (Layer

Draws text that derives its color from the Text Medium object. However, this object does not control the height of the text you draw.

Draws thread lines.AMC_Thread (Layer

Displays a wizard for the design of linear, circular, or cylindrical cams.

AMCARRAY

AMCENCRANGLE

AMCENCRCORNER

Creates multiple copies of content objects in a pattern.

Edits an existing content array object.AMCARRAYEDIT

Creates concentric pitch circles and places holes on it at specified angles.

Places a hole at a specified distance from two contour lines.

16 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMCENCRFULLCIRCLE

AMCENCRPLATE

AMCENINBET

AMCENTLINE

Creates concentric pitch circles and places a specified number of holes on them, distributed uniformly.

Places a hole at a specified point.AMCENCRHOLE

Places a centerline cross on a circle.AMCENCRINHOLE

Places a centerline cross at a specified point.AMCENCROSS

Places holes at the corners of a closed contour that represents a plate.

Draws a centerline in between two lines to mark them as symmetrical.

Inserts a centerhole from the content library.AMCENTERHOLE2D

Draws a centerline at a specified place in the drawing area.

AMCHAINLENGTHCAL

AMCHAM2D

Draws a chain or belt links along a polyline.AMCHAINDRAW

Calculates the required length of a chain or belt when you trace the path of the chain or belt.

Connects two non-parallel objects by extending or trimming them to intersect or to join with a beveled line.

Command Summary | 17

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

Creates dimensions for chamfers.AMCHAM2D_DIM

AMCHATCH

AMCHECKDIM

Defines content hatch objects in templates for part or feature views.

Edits an existing content hatch object.AMCHATCHEDIT

Highlights or edits dimensions with dimension text overrides.

Displays the Content Editor Layers dialog box.AMCLAYER

Inserts a clevis pin from the content library.AMCLEVISPIN2D

Locks or unlocks construction line layers.AMCLINEL

Locks or unlocks the construction line layer.AMCLINEL

Freezes or thaws construction line layers.AMCLINEO

Closes the Content Editor.AMCLOSE

AMCOMP2D

Performs a spring calculation and inserts a compression spring in the drawing area.

Draws a construction line circle.AMCONST_CIRCLE

18 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMCONSTC2

AMCONSTCC

AMCONSTCCREA

AMCONSTCIRCLI

AMCONSTHB

AMCONSTHM

Draws a construction line circle that uses a specified line as a tangent.

Draws a construction line circle that is concentric to a specified circle.

Draws a construction line circle to represent a top view of a shaft or hole.

Draws a construction line rectangle around a circle.

Draws a construction line cross.AMCONSTCRS

Draws a construction line when you specify two points or a point and an angle.

Draws a construction line that bisects an angle.

Draws a horizontal construction line.AMCONSTHOR

AMCONSTHW

AMCONSTKR

AMCONSTLOT

Draws a construction line through a point, by specifying an angle relative to an apparent line that goes through that point.

Draws a construction line that is tangential to two specified circles.

Draws construction lines.AMCONSTLINES

Draws a construction line that is perpendicular to a specified line.

Command Summary | 19

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMCONSTLOT2

AMCONSTPAR

AMCONSTPAR2

AMCONSTSWI

AMCONSTTAN

AMCONSTTC

Draws a construction line through a specified point that is a perpendicular to the direction specified by another point or angle.

Draws a construction line parallel to an existing line at a specified distance.

Draws a construction line parallel to an existing line and bisects the distance between the selected line and a specified point or a specified distance.

Switches between construction lines that extend to infinity in both directions or lines that extend in one direction only.

Draws two parallel construction lines that are tangential to a specified circle.

Draws two construction lines that are tangential to two specified circles.

Draws a vertical construction line.AMCONSTVER

AMCONSTXLINE

AMCONSTXRAY

AMCONTENTADD

Draws a construction line through a point, which extends to infinity in both directions.

Draws a construction line starting from a point and extends to infinity in one direction.

Draws a construction line along the z axis.AMCONSTZ

Creates new content from scratch, the current drawing, or by selecting a block definition in the current drawing.

20 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMCONTENTEDIT

AMCONTENTLIB

AMCONTENTLIBMIGRATE

AMCONTENTMIGRATE

AMCONTIN

AMCONTOUT

Edits the template of the selected view when a Content Library part or feature on a drawing is selected.

Displays the Content Libraries.AMCONTENTLIB

Opens the Content Libraries for selection and insertion of content.

Migrates Vario libraries to the current release of AutoCAD Mechanical.

Displays the Content Manager.AMCONTENTMANAGER

Migrates legacy Vario parts and features to the current AutoCAD Mechanical format.

Creates a closed polyline that traces the inner contour of an enclosed area.

Creates a closed polyline that traces the outer contour of an enclosed area.

AMCONTRACE

AMCONVDWG

AMCOPYLG

AMCOPYRM

Creates a closed contour that traces the contour of an area by letting you specify the boundaries segment by segment.

Changes layers properties (layer name, color, linetype, lineweight) to that specified in a Conversion Control file (CCF file).

Copies objects on one or more layer groups to a new layer group.

Performs copy, rotate, and move operations on specified objects, in sequence

Command Summary | 21

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMCOPYRM_MR

AMCOPYRM_RM

AMCOPYVIEW

Copies, then moves, and then rotates the specified objects.

Copies, then rotates specified objects.AMCOPYRM_R

Copies, then rotates, and then moves specified objects.

Copies a drawing view to the same layout or to a different layout.

Inserts a cotter pin from the content library.AMCOTTERPIN2D

Inserts a counterbore from the content library.AMCOUNTB2D

Inserts a countersink from the content library.AMCOUNTS2D

Places one content part reference in a view.AMCPARTREF

AMCRIVET2D

AMCSAVEAS

Inserts a countersunk rivet from the content library.

Saves the current view.AMCSAVE

Saves the current view in Content Editor to a different name.

Displays the Content Settings dialog box.AMCSETTINGS

Navigates between views.AMCSWITCHVIEW

Displays the Family Table.AMCTABLE

22 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

Closes the Family Table.AMCTABLECLOSE

AMCTABLETOGGLE

AMCTESTCONTENT

AMCYLPIN2D

AMDATUMID

AMDATUMTGT

AMDEFLINE

Creates content families by attaching a Family Table to parts or features.

Tests the view of the part or feature being authored in its current state.

Inserts a cylindrical pin from the content library.

Creates a datum identification symbol and, attaches it to an object in the drawing area.

Creates a datum target symbol and, attaches it to an object in the drawing area.

Creates a dead joint symbol.AMDEADJOINT

Calculates and draws the deflection line or moment line of a beam that is subject to various forces.

Deletes a drawing view.AMDELVIEW

AMDETAIL

AMDIMALIGN

AMDIMARRANGE

Create a scaled circular, rectangular, or free defined detail view of selected geometry.

Lines up linear, ordinate, or angular dimensions, with a dimension you select as the baseline.

Rearranges linear and ordinate dimensions, placing them at an appropriate distance from the outer contour of an object you select.

Command Summary | 23

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMDIMBREAK

AMDIMINSERT

AMDIMJOIN

AMDIMSTRETCH

AMDRBUSHHOLE2D

AMDWGVIEW

Creates breaks in dimensions at specific points or at points where the dimensions cross other objects.

Splits a linear or angular dimension into two individual dimensions.

Combines two individual dimensions (of the same type) into a single dimension.

Edits multiple dimensions simultaneously.AMDIMMEDIT

Resizes objects by stretching or shrinking a linear or symmetric dimension.

Inserts a drill bushing from the content library.AMDRBUSH2D

Inserts a drill bushing and the corresponding hole, from the content library.

Creates a drawing view for an Inventor linked drawing.

AMEDGESYM

AMEDITVIEW

Creates an edge symbol and, attaches it to an object in the drawing area.

Provides the ability to modify attributes of a drawing view.

Erases all construction lines.AMERASEALLCL

Erases selected construction lines.AMERASECL

24 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMEXPLODE

AMEXT2D

AMEXTHREAD2D

AMFCFRAME

AMFEA2D

AMFEATID

AMFILLET2D

Converts mechanical structure objects to nonmechanical structure objects. When used on non-mechanical structure objects, breaks a compound object into its component objects.

Performs a spring calculation and inserts a compression spring in the drawing area.

Inserts an external thread from the content library.

Creates a feature control frame symbol and, attaches it to an object in the drawing.

Performs a Finite Element Analysis on a twodimensional object that is subject to a static load.

Creates a feature identification symbol and attaches it to an object in the drawing area.

Rounds and fillets the edges of objects with an arc of a specified radius.

AMFITSLIST

AMGROOVE2D

AMGROOVESTUD2D

AMHATCH_135_11

Generates a fits list from the dimensions in the drawing area and enables you to place at a location of your choice.

Inserts a circlips and draws the corresponding groove on a shaft.

Inserts a grooved drive stud from the content library.

Fills an enclosed area with a 135-degree, 11 mm/0.4" hatch.

Command Summary | 25

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMHATCH_135_2

AMHATCH_135_4

AMHATCH_45_13

AMHATCH_45_2

AMHATCH_45_5

AMHATCH_DBL

AMHOLECHART

Fills an enclosed area with a 135-degree, 2.7 mm/0.12" hatch.

Fills an enclosed area with a 135-degree, 4.7 mm/0.19" hatch.

Fills an enclosed area with a 45-degree, 13 mm/0.5" hatch.

Fills an enclosed area with a 45-degree, 2.5 mm/0.1" hatch.

Fills an enclosed area with a 45-degree, 5 mm/0.22" hatch.

Fills an enclosed area with a 45 and 135 degree, 2.3 mm/0.09 cross hatch.

Displays AutoCAD Mechanical online help.AMHELP

Creates coordinate dimensions for holes in a work piece, dimensions the size of those holes, and generates a hole chart for that work piece.

AMINERTIA

AMINERTIAPROF

AMJOIN

Calculates the moment of inertial of a closed contour.

Calculates the moment of inertia for cross sections of cylinders, hollow cylinders, rectangular prisms, or hollow rectangular prisms.

Creates an Autodesk Inventor linked file.AMIVCOMPONLY

Connects non parallel lines, polylines, arcs, and circles.

26 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMLANGCONV

AMLANGTEXT

AMLAYER

AMLAYERGROUP

AMLAYINVO

AMLAYMOVEPL

Translates text in the drawing to another language.

Display a list of text strings for which translations are available and enables you to insert them into your drawing.

Displays the AutoCAD Mechanical Launchpad.AMLAUNCHPAD

Displays the Mechanical Layer Manager, which enables you to manage layers and mechanical layer definitions.

Displays the Layergroup Manager, which allows you to manage layergroups, layers, and their properties.

Toggles the visibility of the layer assigned to invisible lines (AM_INV).

Moves objects from one layer to another.AMLAYMOVE

Move objects that lie on standard parts layers (layers AM_0N to AM_12, by default) to the corresponding working layers (layers AM_0 to AM_12, by default).

AMLAYMOVEWL

AMLAYPARTO

AMLAYPARTREFO

Move objects that lie on working layers (layers AM_0 to AM_12, by default) to the corresponding standard part layers (layers AM_0N to AM_12N, by default).

Toggles the visibility of the standard part layers (AM_0N to AM_12N, by default).

Toggles the visibility of the layer assigned to part references (AM_PAREF, by default).

Command Summary | 27

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMLAYRESET

AMLAYTIBLO

AMLAYVISENH

AMLAYVPO

AMLGMOVE

AMLIBRARY

Resets properties of all mechanical layers to be identical to the corresponding layer definition.

Toggles the visibility of the layer assigned to title blocks and drawing borders (AM_BOR, be default)).

Displays the Visibility Enhancements dialog box, which allows you to visually differentiate between the active layergroup and inactive ones.

Toggles the visibility of the layer assigned to viewport borders (AM_VIEWS, by default).

Moves the selected objects to a specified layergroup.

Displays the Library dialog box, which enables you to organize drawing files to retrieve and reuse them more efficiently.

Lists information about a selected view.AMLISTVIEW

Inserts a lubricator from the content library.AMLUBRI2D

AMMANIPULATE

AMMARKSTAMP

AMMCONTV

Displays the Power Manipulator, a tool that enables you to rotate move and copy objects by dragging.

Creates a marking symbol and attaches it to an object in the drawing area.

Makes contours that are hidden by construction lines visible.

28 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMMODE

AMMOVEDIM

AMMOVEVIEW

AMNOTE

AMOFFSET

AMPARTLIST

AMPARTREF

Switches between model space and paper space.

Moves dimensions within a view or between views, while maintaining their association to the drawing view geometry.

Moves a drawing view to another location within the same layout or to another layout.

Creates a leader note and, attaches it to an object in the drawing area.

Inserts a nut from the content library.AMNUT2D

Creates concentric circles, parallel lines, and parallel curves.

Creates a parts list and enables you to place it in the drawing area.

Creates a part reference and places it in the drawing area.

AMPLOTDATE

Edits a part reference.AMPARTREFEDIT

Inserts a plain bearing on a shaft.AMPLBEAR2D

Inserts the current date in the lower right corner of all title blocks in the drawing.

Inserts a plain rivet from the content library.AMPLRIVET2D

Command Summary | 29

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

Inserts a plug from the content library.AMPLUG2D

AMPOWERCOPY

AMPOWERDIM

AMPOWERDIM_ARCLEN

AMPOWERDIM_BAS

AMPOWERDIM_CHAIN

Produces an identical copy of a specified object.

Creates multiple types of dimensions within a single command session and provides the ability to specify tolerances or fits as appropriate.

Creates aligned linear dimensions.AMPOWERDIM_ALI

Creates angular dimensions.AMPOWERDIM_ANG

Creates arc length dimensions for arcs and arc segments on a polyline.

Creates a linear or angular dimension from the first extension line of a selected dimension.

Creates a linear, angular, or arc length dimension from the second extension line of a selected dimension.

AMPOWERDIM_DIA

Creates diameter dimensions for arcs and circles.

Creates horizontal linear dimensions.AMPOWERDIM_HOR

30 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMPOWERDIM_JOG

AMPOWEREDIT

AMPOWERERASE

AMPOWERRECALL

Create a radius dimension with the origin of the dimension at any location you wish and a jog at a convenient location along the dimension line.

Creates radius dimensions for arcs and circles.AMPOWERDIM_RAD

Creates rotated linear dimensions.AMPOWERDIM_ROT

Creates vertical linear dimensions.AMPOWERDIM_VER

Recognizes any object you select and invokes the most appropriate command to edit it.

Erases AutoCAD Mechanical objects cleanly and heals the surrounding area.

Recognizes the object you select and invokes the command that it was created with.

AMPOWERSNAP

AMPOWERVIEW

AMPROJO

Displays the Power Snap Settings dialog box, to enable you to set the running object snap modes.

Creates a top view from a side view of a standard part and vice versa.

Creates projection lines to assist you create orthographic views.

Command Summary | 31

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMPSNAP1

AMPSNAP2

AMPSNAP3

AMPSNAP4

AMPSNAPCEN

AMPSNAPMID

Sets the running object snap modes to the settings saved as Power Snap Configuration Setting 1.

Sets the running object snap modes to the settings saved as Power Snap Configuration Setting 2.

Sets the running object snap modes to the settings saved as Power Snap Configuration Setting 3.

Sets the running object snap modes to the settings saved as Power Snap Configuration Setting 4.

Snaps to the center of a rectangle, when invoked from within another command.

Switches entity filters on or off.AMPSNAPFILTERO

Snaps to a point on the apparent line between two specified points, when invoked from within another command.

AMPSNAPREL

AMPSNAPVINT

AMPSNAPZO

Snaps to a point relative to a specified point, when invoked from within another command.

Snaps to the apparent intersection of two nonparallel lines, when invoked from within another command.

Toggles snapping to Z axis coordinates on or off.

Draws rectangle using a closed polyline.AMRECTANG

32 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMRECTBWH

AMRECTBWH2

AMRECTBY

AMRECTCW2H

AMRECTCW2H2

AMRECTCWH

AMRECTCWH2

Creates a rectangle by using the middle of the base as the start point, and by specifying the full base and full height.

Creates a rectangle by using the middle of the base as the start point, and by specifying the full base and half of the height.

Creates a rectangle by using the middle of the base as the start point, and specifying a corner point.

Creates a rectangle by selecting the center as start point, and by defining half base and full height.

Creates a rectangle by using the center of the rectangle as the start point, and specifying half of the base and half of the height.

Creates a rectangle by selecting the center of the rectangle as the start point, and by specifying the full base and full height.

Creates a rectangle by using the center of the rectangle as the start point, and specifying the full base and half of the height.

AMRECTCY

AMRECTLWH

AMRECTLWH2

Creates a rectangle by using the center of the rectangle as the start point, and specifying a corner.

Creates a rectangle by using the midpoint of the height as the start point, and specifying the full base and full height.

Creates a rectangle by selecting the height middle as start point, and by defining full base and half height.

Command Summary | 33

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMRECTLY

AMRECTQBT

AMRECTQBY

AMRECTQCR

AMRECTQCW

AMRECTQLR

AMRECTQLY

Creates a rectangle by using the middle of the height as the start point, and specifying the opposite corner.

Creates a square by selecting the base middle as starting point, and by defining full base.

Creates a square by selecting the base middle as starting point, and by defining half base.

Creates a square by selecting the center as starting point, and by defining half base.

Creates a square by selecting the center as starting point, and by defining full base.

Creates a square by selecting the height middle as starting point, and by defining full base.

Creates a square by selecting the height middle as starting point, and by defining half base.

AMRECTQXY

AMRECTXWH

Creates a square by selecting the starting point, and by defining full base.

Creates a rectangle by using a corner of the rectangle as the start point, and specifying the full base and full height.

Turns revisions on or off.AMREV

Adds a revision line to a revisions list.AMREVLINE

34 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

Updates the revision block.AMREVUPDATE

Inserts a roller bearing on a shaft.AMROLBEAR2D

AMSACTIVATE

AMSBASE

AMSCALEXY

AMSCOPYDEF

AMSCREATE

Makes the specified component view or folder the active edit target.

Changes the basepoint of a component view or folder.

Sets scale of X and Y axes independently of each other.

Creates a scale area in model space.AMSCAREA

Displays the Structure Catalog.AMSCATALOG

Displays the scale of a scale area or viewport.AMSCMONITOR

Saves a copy of the definition of the selected structure object to another name.

Creates a new component, component view, folder or annotation view.

AMSCREWCALC

Inserts a screw or bolt from the content library.AMSCREW2D

Calculates factors of safety for parts of a screw connection.

Command Summary | 35

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMSCREWCON2D

AMSCREWMACRO2D

AMSCRIPT

AMSEALS2D

AMSECTIONLINE

AMSEDIT

AMSETUPDWG

Inserts an entire fastening assembly using items from the content library.

Inserts an entire fastener assembly using items predefined on a template.

Generates Scripts to apply a specified operation on selected drawings or entire folders.

Inserts a sealing ring from the content library.AMSEALRING2D

Inserts a seal or O-ring and draws the corresponding groove on a shaft.

Draws a section line inserts the corresponding section view label in the drawing area.

Adds, removes, or copies geometry to the currently activated folder or component view.

Imports the drafting standards and the dependant settings from a template file.

Starts the Shaft Generator utility.AMSHAFT2D

AMSHAFTCALC

AMSHAFTEND

Calculate deflection lines, bending moments, torsion moments, and factors of safety for shafts and axles put under static loads.

Draws a break line on a shaft to indicate a shaft end.

Inserts a parallel or woodruff key on a shaft.AMSHAFTKEY2D

36 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMSHAFTLNUT2D

AMSHIDE

AMSHIDEEDIT

AMSIMPLEWELD

AMSINSERT

Inserts a shaft lock nut and a lock washer on a threaded segment of a shaft.

Draws hidden lines to represent hidden edges, when you specify what objects lie in front and what objects lie behind.

Edits a hide situation created with the AMSHIDE command.

Inserts a shim ring on a shaft.AMSHIMRING2D

Draws seam and fillet welds on ellipses, circles, arcs, lines and polylines.

Inserts an instance of a component, component view or folder, that is already defined in the drawing.

Turns the Design Navigation Mode on or off.AMSNAVMODE

AMSNEW

AMSPROCKET

AMSPURGE

AMSREPLACEDEF

Creates a new mechanical structure definition from selected objects.

Inserts the front view of a sprocket or pulley from the content library.

Removes unused definitions of mechanical structure objects from the drawing.

Replaces the definition of selected instances of a component view or folder, with another definition.

Command Summary | 37

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMSSMODE

AMSTDPREP

AMSTYLEI

Switches between the top-down and bottomup geometry selection modes.

Displays the Content Manager.AMSTDPLIBEDIT

NOTE This command is superseded by the AMCONTENTMANAGER command.

Defines how selected parts and features from the content library are represented in the drawing.

Inserts a steel shape from the content library.AMSTLSHAP2D

Imports dimension styles from another drawing.

Changes the text style to italics.AMSTYLEITAL

Sets the current text style to SIMPLEX.AMSTYLESIMP

Sets the current text style to STANDARD.AMSTYLESTAND

Sets the current text style to USER1.AMSTYLETEXT

AMSURFSYM

Creates a surface texture symbol and attaches it to an object in the drawing area.

38 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMSYMLEADER

AMTAPBHOLE2D

AMTAPETHREAD2D

AMTAPITHREAD2D

AMTAPTHOLE2D

Adds or removes leaders and leader segments to/from a symbol.

Draws symmetrical polylines.AMSYMLINE

Inserts a tapped blind hole from the content library.

Inserts a taper pin from the content library.AMTAPERPIN2D

Creates a taper or slope symbol.AMTAPERSYM

Inserts a tapered hole that contains external threads.

Inserts a tapered hole that contains internal threads.

Inserts a tapped through hole from the content library.

AMTESTCONTENTCLOSE

SERT

AMTEXT3

Closes the Test Content Window and returns you to the Content Editor.

Inserts the content being tested.AMTESTCONTENTIN-

Creates a multiline text object of 3.5 mm height.

Creates a multiline text object of 5 mm height.AMTEXT5

Command Summary | 39

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

Creates a multiline text object of 7 mm height.AMTEXT7

AMTEXTCENT

AMTEXTHORIZ

AMTEXTRIGHT

AMTHOLE2D

AMTOR2D

Creates a multiline text object that is centered horizontally and vertically.

Creates a center justified multiline text object that is aligned to the bottom of the specified area.

Creates a right justified multiline text object that is aligned to the bottom of the specified area.

Inserts a through hole from the content library.

Inserts a thread end from the content library.AMTHREADEND2D

Inserts a drawing border with a title block.AMTITLE

Performs a spring calculation and inserts a torsion spring in the drawing area.

AMTRCONT

Traces contours on construction lines or construction line circles.

Inserts a through slot from the content library.AMTSLOT2D

Inserts an undercut on a shaft.AMUNDERCUT2D

40 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

AMUPDATE

AMUSERHATCH

AMVALMIGRATE

AMVIEWALL

AMVIEWCEN

AMVIEWLL

AMVIEWLR

AMVIEWOUT

Updates the specified drawing view to reflect the modifications made to the model.

Fills an enclosed area with a user-defined hatch pattern.

Migrates the schema of the selected VAL file format to the current AutoCAD Mechanical format.

Creates the named view AM_VIEW6 and loads it.

Creates the named view AM_VIEW5 and loads it.

Creates the named view AM_VIEW3 and loads it.

Creates the named view AM_VIEW4 and loads it.

Exports drawing views to an AutoCAD drawing file.

AMVIEWUL

AMVIEWUR

AMVISIBLE

AMVPORTAUTO

AMVPZOOMALL

Creates the named view AM_VIEW1 and loads it.

Creates the named view AM_VIEW2 and loads it.

Displays the Desktop Visibility dialog box to enable you to selectively display/hide objects.

Creates viewports for all scale areas that are not associated with a viewport.

Resets all viewports to their default scale factors.

Command Summary | 41

DescriptionCommand NameIcon

Inserts a washer from the content library.AMWASHER2D

AMWELDSYM

AMXREFSET

Creates a welding symbol and attaches it to the weld point.

Displays the Xref Processing dialog box to enable you to specify how xref entities are displayed.

Draws a zigzag line.AMZIGZAGLINE

Zooms an area in a viewport.AMZOOMVP

42 | Chapter 2 Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical

Design and Annotation Tools

The tutorials in this section teach you how to use the tools in AutoCAD® Mechanical for design, annotation, and productivity. The lessons include step-by-step instructions and helpful illustrations. You learn how to work with templates and layers, mechanical structure, model space and layouts, dimensions, steel shapes, bills of material (BOMs) and parts lists. Instructions on how to prepare your designs for final documentation are also included.

Working with Templates

In this tutorial, you learn about the predefined templates and how to create your own user-defined templates in AutoCAD® Mechanical.

Key Terms

DefinitionTerm

base layer

layer group

part layers

template

A layer made up of working layers and standard parts layers. Base layers are repeated in every layer group.

A group of associated or related items in a drawing. A major advantage of working with layer groups is that you can deactivate a specific layer group and a complete component. The drawing and its overview are enhanced with a reduction in regeneration time.

A layer where the standard parts are put. All standard parts layers have the suffix AM_*N.

A file with predefined settings to use for new drawings. However, any drawing can be used as a template.

The layer where you are currently working.working layer

Working with Templates

In AutoCAD Mechanical, you can use templates (*.dwt files) to create drawings.

Predefined templates, which contain settings for various drawings, such as am_iso.dwt or am_ansi.dwt, are supplied with AutoCAD Mechanical. You can

create your own templates, or use any drawing as a template. When you use a drawing as a template, the settings in that drawing are used in the new drawing.

Although you can save any drawing as a template, prepare templates to include settings and drawing elements that are consistent with your company or project standards, such as the following items:

■ unit type and precision

■ drawing limits

■ snap, grid, and ortho settings

■ layer organization

■ title blocks, borders, and logos

■ dimension and text styles

■ linetypes and lineweights

If you start a drawing from scratch, AutoCAD Mechanical reads the system defaults from the registry. The system defaults have a predefined standard.

If you create a drawing based on an existing template and make changes to the drawing, those changes do not affect the template.

To begin working with templates immediately, you can use the predefined template files.

However, for this tutorial you create your own template.

Setting Mechanical Options

In the Options dialog box, you can specify general settings for AutoCAD Mechanical, Autodesk® Mechanical Desktop®, and AutoCAD®. Tabs that affect settings for either Mechanical Desktop or AutoCAD Mechanical, or both, have an AM prefix. Use the arrows at the right end of the tab bar to move left and right through all of the available tabs.

To set mechanical options

1 Start the Mechanical Options command.

Ribbon None.

46 | Chapter 3 Working with Templates

Assist ➤ Options.

OPTIONS or AMOPTIONSCommand

2 On the AM:Standards tab, specify:

Standard: ISO

Measurement: Metric

Model Scale: 1:1

Click OK.

NOTE All settings in this dialog that are stored in the drawing (template) are

marked with this icon: The current standard and all related settings are listed in the right section.

Specifying Drawing Limits

Specify the drawing limits according to size A0 (840 x 1188 mm). This limits your drawing space to the specified size.

Specifying Drawing Limits | 47

To specify the drawing limits

1 Start the Drawing Limits command.

Ribbon None

2 Respond to the prompts as follows:

Specify lower left corner or [ON/OFF] <0.00,0.00>: Press ENTER

Specify upper right corner <420.00,297.00>:

Enter 841, 1189, press ENTER

The limits are expanded to A0 format.

Saving Templates

Save the previously changed drawing as a template.

To save a template

1 Start the Save As command.

Ribbon

Format ➤ Drawing Limits

LIMITSCommand

Drawing Template ➤

2 In the Save Drawing As dialog box, specify:

Files of type: AutoCAD Mechanical Drawing Template (*.dwt)

File name: my_own_template

File ➤ Save As

SAVEASCommand

48 | Chapter 3 Working with Templates

➤ Save as ➤ AutoCAD Mechanical

Click Save.

3 In the Template Description dialog box, specify:

Description: Tutorial Template

Measurement: Metric

Click OK.

4 Close the drawing.

Ribbon

➤ Close ➤ Current Drawing ➤

File ➤ Window ➤ Close

Saving Templates | 49

Using Templates

Use the previously created template to start a new drawing.

To open a template

1 Start the New command.

Ribbon

2 In the Select template dialog box, select my_own_template.dwt, and then

choose Open.

CLOSECommand

➤ New ➤ Drawing ➤

File ➤ New

NEWCommand

Start the new drawing using the settings of the previously saved template.

50 | Chapter 3 Working with Templates

Setting Default Standards Templates

Specify your template as the default template.

To set a default template

1 Start the Mechanical Options command.

Ribbon None.

2 In the Options dialog box, AM:Standards tab, choose Browse.

Tools ➤ Options

AMOPTIONSCommand

3 In the Open dialog box, select my_own_template.dwt, and then choose

Open.

4 In the Options dialog box, Click OK.

The template my_own_template is used as the default standards template until you specify a different default template.

Setting Default Standards Templates | 51

NOTE The default standards template is used if a drawing does not contain any AutoCAD Mechanical configuration. If a drawing already contains AutoCAD Mechanical configuration data, or a new drawing has been created using an AutoCAD Mechanical template, the default template does not affect the drawing.

This is the end of this tutorial chapter.

52 | Chapter 3 Working with Templates

Using Mechanical Structure

In this tutorial, you learn how to use mechanical structure in AutoCAD® Mechanical. You learn how to work with folders, components and component views. You also review the bill of materials, restructure components and resolve ghost components. You learn how to insert components from external files, edit in-place, localize external components and externalize local components.

Key Terms

DefinitionTerm

annotation view

associative

A folder that contains one or more component views dedicated to annotating and detailing parts and subassemblies.

In mechanical structure, the implication that a change to one instance of a definition is reflected in all other instances of that definition, including the definition itself.

mechanical browser

component

component view folder

A browser that contains the hierarchy of components, component views, annotation views, and folders of a given mechanical structure.

A browser placeholder and identification for the component type. A component is analogous to the manufacturing units of parts and assemblies.

A folder nested under a component that contains the geometry for a particular view of that component.

DefinitionTerm

definition

elemental geometry

in the Create Hide Situation dialog box)

geometry

object

occurrence

A description of a folder, component, or view that AutoCAD Mechanical saves in the database, similar to a block definition.

The graphical elements of a drawing that represent the shape and size of a part or assembly.

A unit of elemental geometry.free object (as used

The graphical elements of a drawing that represent the shape and size of a part or assembly.

Geometry that is included in a hide situation.hidden geometry

An iteration of a definition as it appears in mechanical structure.instance

Used variously to describe any item in mechanical structure, whether a component, folder, or geometry.

Placement of a component, usually in multiple-level assemblies, where a component is replicated as a result of multiple placements of a single part or subassembly.

Working with Mechanical Structure

Mechanical structure is a set of tools used to organize data for reuse. Structure is graphically represented by a tree called the Mechanical Browser.

54 | Chapter 4 Using Mechanical Structure

The Mechanical Browser and structure tools are not displayed by default. To display them, you must switch to the structure workspace. First, you must create a new drawing and enable mechanical structure.

To display the Mechanical Browser

1 On the command line, enter WORKSPACE and press ENTER.

2 Respond to the prompts as shown:

Enter workspace option

[setCurrent/SAveas/Edit/Rename/Delete/SEttings/?]:

Enter C and press ENTER

Enter name of workspace to make current [?] <Current Workspace>:

Enter Structure and press ENTER

Even though you switch to the Structure Workspace, mechanical structure is not switched on automatically.

To enable mechanical structure

■ Click the STRUCT status bar button and ensure that it lights up.

Working with Mechanical Structure | 55

Folders

The basic element of mechanical structure is the folder. A folder is similar to a block in that it has a definition that can be instanced multiple times. Like a block, the definition is stored away in the non graphical area of the drawing. Similar to blocks, any change you make to the folder definition is reflected in all instances of that folder.

Creating Folders

1 Use the Circle tool to create a circle. The size and proportions are not

important.

2 Use the Rectangle tool to draw a rectangle around the circle.

3 Right-click anywhere in the browser, and select New ➤ Folder.

4 Respond to the prompts as shown:

Enter folder name <Folder1>: Press ENTER

Select objects for new folder:

Select the circle and then the rectangle and press ENTER

Specify base point: Pick the lower left corner of the rectangle

Modifying Folders

While folders are similar to blocks, there are significant differences. The most significant, is that the contents of a folder remain editable without the need for a special editing mode such as REFEDIT.

56 | Chapter 4 Using Mechanical Structure

To grip edit the circle

1 Continue clicking the circle until you see the word CIRCLE in the tooltip

window.

2 Select a grip, drag and then click.

If the contents of a folder are selectable, how do you select the folder? This is where the tooltip comes in. You select folders (and other elements of structure) by cycling through a selection, and the tooltip tells you what you are selecting. In the next exercise, you copy the folder to demonstrate structure selection.

To copy the folder

1 Press ESC to clear any preselection.

2 On the command line, enter COPY and press ENTER.

3 Continue clicking the circle until you see the word Folder1:1 in the tooltip

window.

4 Press ENTER to complete selection, then pick points to finish the copy.

5 Press ESC to finish.

Modifying Folders | 57

The Mechanical Browser shows a second instance of the folder (Folder1:2), implying that you copied the folder, not just the contents.

In the next exercise you modify the contents of a folder to demonstrate that modifying one instance of a folder updates both.

To edit an instance

1 Continue clicking a circle until you see the word CIRCLE in the tooltip

window.

2 Press DELETE. Note how the circle is deleted from both instances.

Next, you add new geometry to a folder. Before you add geometry you must activate the folder to make it the active edit target. This ensures that geometry is added to the folder and not to model space.

To activate and add geometry

1 In the browser, right-click Folder1:1 and select Activate. The geometry

that does not belong to this folder is dimmed out.

2 Use LINE to draw two diagonal lines from corner to corner on the

rectangle. Note that the lines appear in the other instance as soon as the command is completed.

58 | Chapter 4 Using Mechanical Structure

3 Double-click a vacant area in the browser to reset activation.

Nesting Folders

Like blocks, folders can be nested. However, a folder cannot be nested within itself, which is about the only restriction on folder nesting.

1 Draw a small circle in the lower triangle in the second instance of the

folder.

2 Draw a line from the center of the circle to the 3 o’clock quadrant of the

circle.

3 In the browser, right-click Folder1:2 and select New Folder.

4 Respond to the prompts as shown:

Enter folder name <Folder2>: Press ENTER

Select objects for new folder:

Nesting Folders | 59

Select the circle and then the line, press ENTER

Specify base point: Select the center of the circle.

5 Expand Folder1:1 and Folder 1:2 and verify that a nested folder was

created.

6 In the browser, right-click Folder1:2 again and select Insert Folder.

7 Respond to the prompts as below:

Enter folder name to insert or [?] <?>: Enter Folder2, press ENTER

Specify the insertion point or [change Base point/Rotate 90]:

Click in the triangle on the right, in the second instance of Folder1

Specify rotation angle <0>: Enter 45, press ENTER

60 | Chapter 4 Using Mechanical Structure

Notice that when you added the nested folders, both instances updated, as when you added the lines. Folder2:1 was created as a child of Folder1:2 because we chose New Folder from its context menu, and Folder2:2 was inserted into Folder1:2 for the same reason. Note that as with blocks, you were able to rotate the folder instance on insertion.

Instance vs. Occurrence

To finish with folders, you inspect a few browser functions such as visibility and property overrides. While performing these exercises you learn the difference between instances and occurrences.

To override properties

1 In the browser, right-click Folder1:1 and select Property Overrides.

2 In the Property Overrides dialog box, select the Override Properties check

box.

3 Select the Color check box, The default color changes to red.

4 Click OK.

Note how the entire instance, inclusive of the nested folders is now red. Also note how the color change did not have an effect on Folder1:2.

5 In the browser, right-click Folder1:1 again, and select Property Overrides

6 In the Property Overrides dialog box, clear the Enable overrides check

box, and click OK.

7 In the browser, right click Folder1:1 ➤ Folder2:1 and select property

overrides.

8 Apply a color override of red to the folder.

Instance vs. Occurrence | 61

The subfolder you selected is now red, but the other subfolder is not. Notice that the same subfolder under Folder1:2 has changed color to red. This is because property overrides are instance-based. When you look at visibility you will understand why this matters.

To apply visibility overrides

1 In the browser, right-click Folder1:1 and select Visible. The entire folder

is now invisible.

2 In the browser, right-click Folder1:1 and select Visible. The folder is visible

again.

3 In the browser, right-click Folder1:1\Folder2:2 and select Visible. Notice

that unlike the property overrides, both instances of Folder2 are visible in Folder1:2. That's because visibility is occurrence-based.

Selection Modes

There are three status bar buttons that control the different selection modes. These buttons are not visible by default and you must display them first.

To display the selection mode status bar buttons

1 Click the Drawing Status Bar Menu arrow at the right end of the drawing

status bar.

62 | Chapter 4 Using Mechanical Structure

2 Turn on the Status Toggles ➤ S-LOCK, Status Toggles ➤ R-LOCK and

Status Toggles ➤ Top Down/Bottom up options.

FunctionButton

BTM-UP/TOP-DN

R-LOCK

S-LOCK

Switches the structure selection order between bottom-up and top-down.

Switches the Reference Lock on and off. When the Reference Lock is on, you cannot select entities in an external folder or view (more on this later).

Switches the Selection Lock on and off. When the Selection Lock is on, selection is restricted to the active edit target and below.

The next two exercises demonstrate the behavior of the BTM-UP/TOP-DN and S-LOCK selection modes.

To select items when the selection mode is set to top-down

1 Press ESC to clear any preselection.

2 Click the BTM-UP/TOP-DN button and ensure that the text on the button

reads TOP-DN.

3 Click one of the circles in Folder1:1. Note the tooltip indicates that you

selected the folder, Folder1:1, and not the circle.

4 Click the circle again. Note the tooltip indicates that you selected the

nested folder.

5 Click the circle again. Note the tooltip indicates that you have finally

managed to select the circle.

6 Click the circle again. Selection cycles to Folder1:1 again.

When the selection mode is set to top-down, the selection sequence begins at the topmost level and ends with the elemental geometry. When the selection mode is set to bottom-up the selection begins with the elemental geometry.

You may want to set the selection mode and repeat the exercise to verify the behavior of the selection modes under the bottom-up.

To select items when S-LOCK is on

1 Press ESC to clear any preselection.

Selection Modes | 63

2 In the browser, double-click Folder1:1 to activate it.

3 Click the S-LOCK button and latch it down to turn on the selection lock.

4 Click one of the circles in Folder1:2. Note that the circle is no longer

selectable.

5 Click one of the circles in Folder1:1. Grips appear, indicating that selection

is possible.

6 Double-click the root of the Mechanical Browser tree to reset activation.

7 Close the drawing. You can save the drawing, if required.

Components and Component Views

You may notice that folders provide some useful features, but they're probably not different enough from blocks to convince you to change over to the structure paradigm. The true potential of mechanical structure becomes visible only when you start dealing with components and component views.

Component Views are basically folders with some extra rules that make them more suitable for mechanical design. You typically need more than one view to fully describe a part or assembly. Folders (and blocks before them) don't offer any mechanism other than naming to associate multiple views of the same part. Components and views solve this by allowing you to collect multiple folders (component views) under a single Component.

A component can be a part or assembly, based on its contents (if a component contains another component, it's an assembly). The component also gives you a place to store attributes like description and material. Components don't actually contain geometry; they group the views that contain the geometry. This will begin to make more sense when you create some components and component views.

Creating Part Components

1 Start a new drawing and draw a long thin rectangle (the edge view of a

plate).

2 Draw a second rectangle, above the first, having the same width (the top

view).

3 Right-click anywhere in the browser, and select New ➤ Component.

64 | Chapter 4 Using Mechanical Structure

4 Respond to the prompts as shown:

Enter new component name <COMP1>: Press ENTER

Enter new view name <Top>: Press ENTER

Select objects for new component view:

Select the larger rectangle and press ENTER

Specify base point: Pick the lower left corner of the rectangle

Note that the Mechanical Browser now displays the component COMP1:1 and that it contains the component view; Top, below it.

To add a new view to a component

1 In the browser, right-click COMP1:1 and select New ➤ Component

View.

2 Accept the default name for the component view.

3 Select the smaller rectangle and press ENTER.

4 To specify a base point, click the lower left corner of the rectangle. Note

that the new component view, Front, was added to the component COMP1:1.

Creating Part Components | 65

Creating Assembly Components

You now have two component views; Front and Top, and they are grouped together in the browser by COMP1:1. In the next exercise, you insert another instance of COMP1 and assemble the two components (parts) in an “L” shape.

To insert a new instance of a component

1 In the browser, right-click a vacant area, and select Insert ➤ Component.

2 Respond to the prompts as shown:

Enter component name or [?] <?>: Enter COMP1 and press ENTER

Enter component view name or [?] <Top>: Enter Front and press ENTER

Specify the insertion point or [change Base point/Rotate

90/select next View]:

Pick point 1, the top left corner of the larger rectangle

Specify rotation angle <0>: Press ENTER

66 | Chapter 4 Using Mechanical Structure

3 In the browser, right-click COMP1:2 and select Insert ➤ Component

View ➤ Top.

4 Respond to the prompts as shown:

Specify the insertion point or [change Base point/Rotate

90/select next View]:

Pick point 2, the lower left corner of the front view of COMP1:1

Specify rotation angle <0>: Press ENTER.

To assemble components

1 Right-click anywhere In the browser, and select New ➤ Component.

Creating Assembly Components | 67

2 Respond to the prompts as shown:

Enter new component name <COMP2>: Enter ASSY and press ENTER

Enter new view name <Top>: Enter Front and press ENTER

Select objects for new component view:

Select COMP1:1 (Front) and COMP1:2 (Top) and press ENTER

To select a component view instead of the geometry, continue clicking the geometry until you see the component view name in the tooltip window. If you accidentally select the wrong view, you can cancel the selection by selecting the view again with the SHIFT key pressed.

Specify base point: Pick the lower left corner of the combined view.

The Component Restructure dialog box is displayed.

3 In the Destination Components list, right-click a vacant area, and select

Create New View.

4 Respond to the prompts as shown:

Enter new view name <Top>: Press ENTER

Select objects for new component view:

Select COMP1:1 (Top) and COMP1:2 (Front), press ENTER

Specify base point: Pick the lower left corner of the combined view

68 | Chapter 4 Using Mechanical Structure

Modifying Assembly Components

As you work, you can continue to add views as needed. To demonstrate this, in the next exercise, you add a side view of this assembly.

To add a component view

1 Draw a rectangle representing the side view of the first instance of COMP1.

2 In the browser, right-click ASSY:1 and select New ➤ Component View.

3 Respond to the prompts as follows:

Enter new view name <Right>: Enter Side and press ENTER

Select objects for new component view:

Don’t pick anything, press ENTER

Specify base point: Pick the lower left corner of the rectangle

4 In the browser, right-click COMP1:1 and select New ➤ Component

View.

5 Respond to the prompts as shown:

Enter new view name <Right>: Enter Side, press ENTER

Specify parent view or [?] <Front>: Enter Side, press ENTER

Select objects for new component view:

Pick the rectangle and press ENTER

Modifying Assembly Components | 69

Specify base point: Pick the lower left corner of the rectangle

6 In the browser, right-click COMP1:2 and select Insert ➤ Component

View ➤ Side.

7 Respond to the prompts as shown:

Specify parent view or [?] <Front>: Enter Side, press ENTER

Specify the insertion point or [change Base point/Rotate

90/select next View]:

Enter R, press ENTER

Specify the insertion point or [change Base point/Rotate

90/select next View]:

Pick a place close to the other view

Specify rotation angle <90>: Press ENTER

8 Move the view into the correct position.

70 | Chapter 4 Using Mechanical Structure

In the next exercise, you add a component to the assembly to demonstrate the ability to add a component after the assembly is created.

To add a component

1 Draw a circle on the top view of the assembly.

2 In the browser, right-click ASSY:1(Top) and select New ➤ Component.

3 Respond to the prompts as shown:

Enter new component name <COMP2>: Press ENTER

Enter new view name <Top>: Press ENTER

Select objects for new component view: Select the circle, press ENTER

Specify base point: Click the center of the circle

Modifying Assembly Components | 71

4 Draw a rectangle representing the projected view in the front view of the

assembly

5 Right-click COMP2:1 and select New ➤ Component View.

6 Respond to the prompts as shown:

Enter new view name <Front>: Enter Side, press ENTER

Specify parent view or [?] <Front>: Press ENTER

Select objects for new component view:

Select the rectangle, press ENTER

Specify base point: Pick the midpoint of the lower edge of the rectangle

72 | Chapter 4 Using Mechanical Structure

7 In the browser, right-click COMP2:1 and select Insert ➤ Component

View ➤ Side.

8 Respond to the prompts as shown:

Specify parent view or [?] <Front>: Enter Side, press ENTER

Select objects for new component view:

Select the rectangle, press ENTER

Specify the insertion point or [change Base point/Rotate 90/select next View]: Pick the midpoint of the lower rectangle in the Side

view of ASSY1

Using Folders with Component Views

When folders are used in conjunction with component views, you can do several useful things. This section shows two examples.

You can use folders to contain drawing items that would otherwise not be accounted for with a default component view folder.

In the following example, a folder, Groove:1, was created to contain the upper groove and arrayed to create the others. Because the groove is implemented as a folder, it does not have an impact on the BOM. Modifying one of the grooves results in all grooves being updated.

Using Folders with Component Views | 73

In the following example, a folder, Profile:1, was created to contain the upper-wheel profile. Profile:2 is another instance of this folder, created by mirroring Profile:1. Changing one profile automatically updates the other. The wheel component was created after the Profile folders. The design intent is captured and organized with these folders.

Mechanical Browser Display Options

The Mechanical Browser shows the hierarchical organization of components within a drawing. In this section, you use browser options to show data in different ways to get a better understanding of components and component views.

The default view of the Mechanical Browser shows the hierarchical organization of components as well as indicates which component owns a given component view.

74 | Chapter 4 Using Mechanical Structure

To show the View Tree and Component Tree

1 Right-click the root node of the Mechanical Browser and select Browser

Options.

2 In the View Tree section, select the Display Tree check box.

3 In the Component Tree section, clear the Component Views check box.

4 Click OK.

5 Right-click a vacant area in the Mechanical Browser and select Expand

All.

In this view, the hierarchy of components as well as views are shown.

Mechanical Browser Display Options | 75

To show both default and expandable assembly views

1 Right-click the root node of the Mechanical Browser and select Browser

Options.

2 In the Component Tree section, select the Component Views check box.

3 Click OK.

In this view, the Mechanical Browser shows the hierarchy of components, component views as well as indicates which component owns a given component view. In practice, you can work with the view settings that makes most sense to you.

Mechanical Browser and BOMs

Components not only group component views, they hold bills of material (BOM) attributes as well. In the next exercise, you insert a parts list and in the process, explore the BOM of the simple assembly you created.

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To insert a parts list

1 On the command line, enter AMBOM.

2 Respond to the prompts as shown:

Specify BOM to create or set current [Main/?] <MAIN>: Press ENTER

3 In the BOM dialog box, click the plus sign (+) in the first column to

expand ASSY.

4 Click the Insert Parts list button on the toolbar of the BOM dialog box.

5 In the Parts List dialog box, click OK and click inside the drawing to

indicate where to insert the parts list.

6 In the BOM dialog box, click OK.

Mechanical Browser and BOMs | 77

By associating views through a single component, the BOM is managed accurately and semi-automatically. You can manage component attributes through the BOM editor or directly on the component from the Mechanical Browser.

Browser Restructure and Ghost Components

In the next exercise you restructure COMP1:1 and COMP2:1 to be parts of an assembly named SUB-ASSY. To do this, you must create SUB-ASSY first.

To create a component

1 Right-click a vacant area in the Mechanical Browser and choose New ➤

Component.

2 Respond to the prompts as follows:

Enter new component name <COMP3>: Enter SUB-ASSY, press ENTER

Enter new view name <Top>: Press ENTER

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Select objects for new component view:

Select COMP1:1 (Top) and COMP2:1 (Top), press ENTER

Specify base point: Pick the lower left corner of the combined view

The Component Restructure dialog box is displayed.

3 Observe the Mechanical Browser.

Browser Restructure and Ghost Components | 79

Note that the component SUB-ASSY is already created (1) and COMP1:1 and COMP2:1 are components of it. Also, the COMP1:1 and COMP2:1 continue to exist as components of ASSY1 (2), but the icon changed. This icon indicates that the component is a Ghost Component. Ghost components are containers of the views of components that are in an intermediate state of restructure.

To learn how to resolve ghost components, you must stop creating SUB-ASSY at this point.

4 Click OK. You now have two ghost components in the Mechanical

Browser.

Before you start resolving ghost components, you must add two component views to the component SUB-ASSY.

5 In the Mechanical Browser, right-click SUB-ASSY:1 and select New ➤

Component View.

6 Respond to the prompts as follows:

Enter new view name <Front>: Press ENTER

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Select objects for new component view:

Don’t pick anything, press ENTER

Specify base point:

Pick the lower left corner of the large rectangle in the lower left of the drawing

7 In the Mechanical Browser, right-click SUB-ASSY:1 and select New ➤

Component View again.

8 Respond to the prompts as shown:

Enter new view name <Right>: Enter Side, press ENTER

Select objects for new component view:

Don’t pick anything, press ENTER

Specify base point:

Pick the lower left corner of the assembly displayed in the lower right of the drawing

Browser Restructure and Ghost Components | 81

To resolve ghost components

1 In the Mechanical Browser, click the ghost component COMP1:1, press

the CTRL key and click COMP2:1. Both components are selected.

2 Drag to SUB-ASSY1. The Component Restructure dialog box is displayed.

3 In the Source Component Views list, with the CTRL key pressed select

COMP1:1(Front) and COMP2:1(Side).

4 Drag to SUB-ASSY1(Front). The views move from the Source Component

Views list to the Destination Component Views list.

5 Drag the remaining views in the Source Component Views list to

SUB-ASSY1:(Side) in the Destination Component Views list.

6 Click OK.

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The ghost components disappear and COMP1:1 and COMP2:1 are now parts of SUB-ASSY1.

In the final exercise of browser restructure, you restructure SUB-ASSY1 to be a subassembly of ASSY1.

To restructure components

1 In the Mechanical Browser, drag SUB-ASSY:1 ➤ Front to ASSY:1 ➤

Front. The Restructure components dialog box is displayed.

2 Drag SUB-ASSY:1 (Top) to ASSY:1 (Top) and SUB-ASSY:1 (Side) to ASSY:1

(Side).

3 Click OK. SUB-ASSY1 is restructured as a subassembly of ASSY:1

Browser Restructure and Ghost Components | 83

External Reference Components

In AutoCAD Mechanical, you can save individual parts and subassemblies in external files and share them between designs. When a part is modified, the changes are propagated to all instances, ensuring that assembly drawings are always synchronized with their related part drawings.

Inserting External Components

In this exercise, you insert a Gripper on to a Gripper Plate drawing.

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1 Open the file Tut_Gripper_Plate.dwg in the tutorials folder.

Ribbon None.

File ➤ Open...

OPENCommand

NOTE The path to the tutorials folder is;

■ Windows Vista

:C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Autodesk\ACADM

2010\Acadm\Tutorial

■ Windows

XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Shared

Documents\Autodesk\ACADM 2010\Acadm\Tutorial

The drawing contains two views of a gripper plate and contains two construction lines.

2 To keep the original file intact, save the file as Gripper.dwg

3 Display the Structure Catalog.

Ribbon None.

Tools ➤ Palettes ➤ Structure Catalog

Structure ➤ Structure Catalog...

AMSCATALOGCommand

4 In the External Drawings tab, navigate to the tutorials folder and select

Tut_Gripper.dwg.

NOTE In the Structure Catalog, navigate to the following folders:

■ Windows Vista: C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\ACADM

2010\Acadm\Tutorial

■ Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\

Autodesk\ACADM 2010\Acadm\Tutorial

The Mechanical Structure panel shows the mechanical structure components in the drawing and the Preview panel shows a preview of the drawing.

5 In the structure panel, double click GRIPPER to reveal the components

list.

6 Click and drag GRIPPER ➤ Front to model space.

Inserting External Components | 85

7 Respond to the prompts as shown:

Specify the insertion point or [change Base point/Rotate

90/select next View]:

Pick the upper left corner of the smaller rectangle

Specify rotation angle <0>: Press ENTER

Note the Mechanical Browser. The external reference (xref) component is indicated by a blue colored marker.

Once one view of an xref component is inserted, the other views can be inserted as normal.

To insert another view of the xref component

1 In the Mechanical Browser, right-click GRIPPER1 and select Insert from

Xref Drawing ➤ Component View ➤ Top.

2 Respond to the prompts as shown:

Specify the insertion point or [change Base point/Rotate

90/Select nextView]:

Pick the upper left corner of the larger rectangle

Specify rotation angle <0>: Press ENTER

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To insert more instances of the xref component

1 On the command line enter MIRROR and press ENTER.

2 Respond to the prompts as shown:

Select objects:

Ensure that the selection mode is set to TOP-DN and in model space, click both xref views you inserted, press ENTER

Specify first point of mirror line:

Click anywhere on the vertical construction line

Specify second point of mirror line:

Click elsewhere on the vertical construction line

Erase source objects? [Yes/No] <N>: Enter N and press ENTER

3 In the last column of the Component View Instance Created dialog box,

select New.

A new instance of the component, GRIPPER:2 is created. You will now mirror the top views of GRIPPER:1 and GRIPPER:2 to draw two more grippers on the top view of the plate.

4 On the command line enter MIRROR and press ENTER.

5 Respond to the prompts as follows:

Select objects:

Ensure that the selection mode is set to TOP-DN and in model space, click the top views of the two grippers, press ENTER

Specify first point of mirror line:

Click anywhere on the horizontal construction line

Specify second point of mirror line:

Inserting External Components | 87

Click elsewhere on the horizontal construction line

Erase source objects? [Yes/No] <N>: Enter N and press ENTER

Next, you assemble the components under an assembly, named GRIPPER ASSEMBLY.

To assemble components

1 Right-click a vacant area in the Mechanical Browser, and select New ➤

Component.

2 Respond to the prompts as shown:

Enter new view name <Top>: Enter Front and press ENTER

Select objects for new component view:

Ensure that the selection mode is set to TOP-DN and window select the smaller rectangle and the two grippers connected to it and press ENTER

Specify base point:

Pick the intersection of the construction line with the upper edge of the rectangle

The Component Restructure dialog box is displayed.

88 | Chapter 4 Using Mechanical Structure

3 In the Destination Components list, right-click a vacant area, and select

Create New View.

4 Respond to the prompts as shown:

Enter new view name <Top>: Press ENTER

Select objects for new component view:

Ensure that the selection mode is set to TOP-DN and window select the larger rectangle and the four grippers connected to it and press ENTER

Specify base point: Pick the intersection of the two construction lines

5 Save the file as Gripper Assembly.dwg.

Editing External Components In-place

In AutoCAD Mechanical, you can edit xref components in-place. Although this is very convenient, if you accidentally modify a component, the mistake affects all drawings that use this xref component. As a precaution, you must do one of the following before you edit an xref component:

■ Release the R-LOCK status bar button.

■ Activate the xref component view or folder to be edited.

In the next exercise, you modify the gripper lever using the activate method.

Editing External Components In-place | 89

To edit an xref component in place

1 In the Mechanical Browser, double-click Gripper ➤ Front to activate it.

Notice that locks appear on all instances of the gripper in the Mechanical Browser. This indicates that the source file containing the gripper is now locked and no one else can modify it.

2 Start the Chamfer command.

Ribbon

Content Edit tab ➤ Modify panel ➤ Chamfer.

Modify ➤ Chamfer

AMCHAM2DCommand

3 Respond to the prompts as shown:

Select first object or [Polyline/Setup/Dimension]: <Setup>

Press ENTER

4 In the Chamfer dialog box, select 10 as the first and second chamfer

lengths, and click OK

5 Respond to the prompts as shown:

Select first object or [Polyline/Setup/Dimension]: <Setup>

Select the left vertical line of the gripper lever (1)

Select second object or <Return for polyline>:

Select the lower horizontal line of the gripper lever (2)

Select object to create original length: Press ESC

6 In the Mechanical Browser, double-click a vacant area to reset activation.

Note that although the xref component view is no longer the active edit target, the gripper continues to be locked.

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7 In the Mechanical Browser, right-click a vacant area, and select Purge All

Locks.

8 In the Purge Locks message box, click OK.

To verify if the changes were written back to the source file

■ In the Mechanical Browser, right-click GRIPPER1 and select Open to Edit.

The Gripper source file opens.

Note that the component view Open Position has also been modified. How did this happen?

Expand the component Lever1. Notice that it has two instances of the component view Front. Another example of how mechanical structure can eliminate repetitive tasks.

Localizing and Externalizing

To modify a part without effecting other drawings that use the part, you can localize the xref component. By localizing you copy the definition of the xref component to the current drawing and the link with the xref file is severed.

To localize an xref component

1 From the Window menu, switch to the Gripper Assembly drawing.

2 In the Mechanical Browser, right-click the GRIPPER assembly node and

select Localize.

3 In the Xref Info message box, click Yes.

The Gripper is no longer an xref component.

To detail a part without loosing associativity between the detail and assembly, you can externalize the part to a file and detail it in that file. In the next exercise you externalize the cylinder component.

To externalize a component

1 In the Mechanical Browser, expand one of the Gripper components and

right click CYLINDER:1.

2 Select Externalize.

3 In the New External File dialog box, accept the defaults and click Save.

Localizing and Externalizing | 91

Note that CYLINDER:1 is an xref component in all instances of the GRIPPER component.

Annotation Views

In some cases, externalizing to detail may be considered excessive. Mechanical Structure provides for creating Annotation Views, an associative view of a component purely for the purpose of detailing. Annotation views have no effect on the BOM.

In the next exercise, you create an annotation view for the LEVER component.

To create an annotation view

1 In the Mechanical Browser, expand one of the Gripper components and

right-click LEVER:1

2 Select New ➤ Annotation View.

3 Respond to the prompts as follows:

Enter annotation view name <LEVER(AV1)>: Press ENTER

Select placement location

[Modelspace/existing Layout/ New layout] <existing Layout>:

Press ENTER

Enter existing layout name <Layout1>: Press ENTER

Enter scale or [Calculate] <1:2>: Press ENTER

--- Switch to Paperspace ---

Restoring cached viewports - Regenerating layout.

Create labels for all subviews [Yes/No] <No>: Press ENTER

Specify base point:

Select a point at the center of the A3 paper for the annotation views

Specify the insertion point or [change Base point/Rotate

90/select next View/Done] <Done>:

Select a point below and to the right of the point you clicked on previously

Specify rotation angle <0>: Press ENTER

Specify the insertion point or [change Base point/Rotate

90/select next View/Done] <Done>:

92 | Chapter 4 Using Mechanical Structure

Autodesk AutoCAD AutoCAD Mechanical - 2010 Instruction Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Contents

About AutoCAD Mechanical

AutoCAD Mechanical Software Package

Leveraging Legacy Data

Starting AutoCAD Mechanical

AutoCAD Mechanical Help

Product Support and Training Resources

Design Features in AutoCAD Mechanical

Mechanical Structure

Associative Design and Detailing

External References for Mechanical Structure

Associative 2D Hide

Autodesk Inventor link

2D Design Productivity

Engineering Calculations

Machinery Systems Generators

Intelligent Production Drawing and Detailing

Detailing Productivity

Annotations

Standard Mechanical Content

Standard Parts Tools

Collaboration

Commands in AutoCAD Mechanical

Command Summary

Working with Templates

Key Terms

Working with Templates

Setting Mechanical Options

Specifying Drawing Limits

Saving Templates

Using Templates

Setting Default Standards Templates

Using Mechanical Structure

Key Terms

Working with Mechanical Structure

Folders

Creating Folders

Modifying Folders

Nesting Folders

Instance vs. Occurrence

Selection Modes

Components and Component Views

Creating Part Components

Creating Assembly Components

Modifying Assembly Components

Using Folders with Component Views

Mechanical Browser Display Options

Mechanical Browser and BOMs

Browser Restructure and Ghost Components

External Reference Components

Inserting External Components

Editing External Components In-place

Localizing and Externalizing

Annotation Views