VERSION 4.

Parametrics
REFERENCE GUIDE

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 MEDUSA4 Parametrics Reference

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface 7

Overview of Parametric Design 9

Preparing a Drawing for Parameterization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Parameterizing Object Geometry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Advanced Features of Parametric Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Giving Commands in Parametric Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Reference Points 19
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Prims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Static Baselines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Attachment Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Dimensioning 27
Dimensioning for Parametric Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Linear Dimension Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Angular Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Radial and Diameter Dimensions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Dimensioning Fillets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Examples Showing PAR FIL Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Tolerance Dimensioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Geometric Constraints 47
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Perpendicular Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Intersection Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

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MEDUSA4 Parametrics Reference

Tangent Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Circular Baselines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Automatically Inferred Constraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
The Parametric Grid 59
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
The Old Grid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
The New Grid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
The Potential Grid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Limited Grid Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Displaying Grid Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Adding Lines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Grid Tolerance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Variables and Expressions 77
Values in Dimensions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Replacing Dimension Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Variable Scope Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Operators and Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Output Dimensions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Parameterizing Geometry 89
Overview of Parameterization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
PARS and PARS CAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Switches and Layers 95
Parametric Switches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Setting Parametric Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Parametric Switch Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Layers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Layer Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Changing Layer Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Parametric Symbols 111
Creating Parametric Symbols. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Loading Symbols Interactively . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

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Rotating and Mirroring Parametric Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

Loading Symbols Using Instance Clumps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Using Instance Clumps - Gearbox Cover Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Tables 129
Table Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Constructing a Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
The TBL Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Tables and Parametric Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Parametric Groups 139
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Static Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Dynamic Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Rotating Parametric Groups. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
The PAR PRE Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Changing Element Types 151
Parametric Design Element Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Querying Element Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Changing Element Types - PAR DDL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Changing Table Element Types - TBL DDL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Mechanisms 159
Simulating Movement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Running a Mechanism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Preparing the Definition Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Linear Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Rotary Motion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Text Variable Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Using Programs to Control Mechanisms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Plotting Motion Simulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Appendix A Summary of Command Syntax 183
Parametric Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
PAR DDL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
PAR DIM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190

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MEDUSA4 Parametrics Reference

PAR FIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

PAR GRIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
PAR LOA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
PAR SWI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
PAR TOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
PARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Q PAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
TBL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
TBL DDL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
VER FULL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Appendix B Error and Warning Messages 201
Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Warning Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
List of Figures 209

Index 211

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 MEDUSA4

PREFACE

Book Conventions

The following table illustrates and explains conventions used in writing about MEDUSA applica-
tions.
Convention Example Explanation
Menu Choose Zoom from the View menu Indicates a command, function or
Add button button that you can choose from a
Choose the tool Creates thin solid lines. menu, dialog or tooltray.
Syntax acos 0.345 User input,
The ciaddobj command commands, keywords and
Return or Control-g keys to press on a keyboard.
SyntaxBold Enter command> plot_config Where system output and user input
are mixed, user input is in bold.
SyntaxItalic tar -cvf /dev/rst0 filename Supply an appropriate substitute for
each variable; for the given example
replace filename with an actual file
name.
Filename&path medusa\med2d\m2d\src\ Shows path and filenames.
UPPERCASE MEDUSA or CADCONVERT Names of products.
italic left mouse button Indicates the buttons to press on a
Drafting User Guide mouse and names of books.
bold A temporary group is a collection of ... Emphasize text.

Please note: Illustrations showing menus and forms are taken from a window system.
The display for other platforms can differ slightly.

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MEDUSA4
Preface

Online User Documentation

Online documentation for each book is provided in HTML format. You can view this online
documentation in the installation directory, on the CD-ROM, or directly by calling it up within the
MEDUSA user interface.

Installation Directory
1. Navigate to the directory where MEDUSA is installed.
<MEDUSA installation directory>/meddoc/doc/<language>/ (Unix)
<MEDUSA installation directory>\meddoc\doc\<language>\ (Windows)
where <language> is either english, german or french.
2. Click on the file mainmenu.htm.
3. Click the book title you want to view.

CD-ROM
1. Navigate with your HTML browser to the CD-ROM into the following directory.
<CDROM_mount_point>/doc/<language>/ (Unix)
<CDROM_Drive>:\doc\<language>\ (Windows)
2. Click on the file mainmenu.htm.
3. Click the book title you want to view.

MEDUSA Interface
1. Click left on the entry Help inside the main menu.
2. Choose MEDUSA Documentation from the pulldown menu.
A browser opens showing the mainmenu.htm listing all available documents.

Printing Documentation

A PDF (Portable Document Format) file is included for each online book. See the first page of
each online book for the document name which corresponds to the PDF file name (e.g. HTML
title is Drafting User Guide, PDF file is drafting.pdf). Check with your system administrator if you
need more information. You must have Acrobat Reader installed to view and print PDF files. If
you don‘t have the Acrobat Reader, you can download it for free from the Adobe homepage:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html

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OVERVIEW OF PARAMETRIC DESIGN

This chapter describes the general principles of the MEDUSA Parametric Design system.

• Preparing a Drawing for Parameterization............................... 10

• Parameterizing Object Geometry............................................. 14

• Advanced Features of Parametric Design ............................... 15

• Giving Commands in Parametric Design ................................. 17

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MEDUSA4 Parametrics Reference
Overview of Parametric Design

Preparing a Drawing for Parameterization

To parameterize geometry using the MEDUSA Parametric Design system you must prepare the
geometry in a special way. In addition to the geometry that is to be parameterized the sheet
must contain the following:
• A parametric viewbox
• A datum or reference point
• Dimensioning
The system uses a parametric grid to move points in the object geometry. You place some or all
of the points in an object onto intersections on the grid. You then supply new parameters for the
object geometry and the system uses these parameters to calculate the new position of each
grid intersection when you give the PARS command. During parameterization, each point in the
object geometry is positioned at the new grid intersection.

Parametric Viewboxes

Any geometry that you want to parameterize must be inside a Parametric viewbox. A viewbox
can be any shape, but must consist of straight line segments of line type LPV. The following fig-
ure shows a drawing of a rivet, enclosed in a rectangular parametric viewbox.
Figure 1 Parametric Viewbox Containing Definition of a Rivet

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 MEDUSA4 Parametrics Reference
Preparing a Drawing for Parameterization

Reference Points

Inside every parametric viewbox you must place a reference point or datum. The reference
point:
• Provides a static point of reference for all moving points during parameterization
• Can be anywhere inside the viewbox: it does not have to be a physical point on the
object geometry.
Points of object geometry move during parameterization in relation to the position within the
viewbox of the reference point. The reference point does not move during parameterization.

Creating a reference point: Use either a special prim or a pair of intersecting static baselines,
line type LBL to create a reference point. In the following figure, a pair of static baselines define
a reference point for the rivet drawing. In this example, the reference point does not coincide
with a point on the object geometry but is at a center of symmetry.
Figure 2 Rivet With Reference Point

Please note: A grid line intersection is generated at the point on the sheet where you create a
reference point. This is the starting point for the parametric grid.

For more information about using reference points see “Reference Points” on page 19.

Parametric Grid Lines

Parametric Design works not by moving individual points but by moving a grid upon which all
movable points are placed. Grid lines are line type STK, and can be oriented at any angle and
spacing. To display parametric grid lines, use the PAR GRIS command. “The Parametric Grid”
on page 59, describes the commands available for looking at different types of parametric grid
lines.
The following figure shows the result of a PAR GRIS command. The static baselines generate
two grid lines.

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MEDUSA4 Parametrics Reference
Overview of Parametric Design

Figure 3 Rivet With Reference Point and Grid Lines

Reference points and the grid: A grid line intersection is created at the point where you place
the reference point. This is the starting point for the rest of the parametric grid. To build the grid
outwards from the reference point, you must dimension the object points.

Dimensioning the Object Points

Dimensions are necessary to build up the grid. To place a point on the grid you must dimension
it using one of the standard MEDUSA dimensioning commands. Each dimension requires one
or more existing grid lines to support it, so you usually begin dimensioning from the reference
point.
Figure 4 Rivet With Dimensioning and Grid

Each time you add a new dimension clump, you can use the PAR GRIS command to check that
the point you have dimensioned has been placed onto a grid intersection successfully. When
you have dimensioned the object adequately, all moveable points will be at grid intersections,
as in the above figure. You can now define a new set of object parameters. “Dimensioning” on
page 27, explains some useful dimensioning techniques.

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 MEDUSA4 Parametrics Reference
Preparing a Drawing for Parameterization

Defining your Own Parameters

To define new object parameters, you edit the dimension clump and replace the original dimen-
sion value with one of the following:
• Another numeric value
• A variable or an expression
The following figure shows the rivet with new parameters, before parameterization.
Figure 5 Original Rivet Definition with New Parameters

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MEDUSA4 Parametrics Reference
Overview of Parametric Design

Parameterizing Object Geometry

When you have checked that the object points are at grid intersections and you have defined
some new object parameters, the geometry is ready for parameterization.

Parameterization Commands

You have to give just one command to parameterize geometry. This is the PARS command.
When you give this command, the system tries to parameterize all geometry which is inside a
parametric viewbox. The new parameters you have defined are used to calculate new positions
for each grid intersections. The object points are then moved to the new grid intersection posi-
tions.
The following figure shows the rivet after parameterization with new dimension values.
Figure 6 Rivet After Parameterization

Parameterizing a Drawing Using Parametric Design

To create parameterized versions of a drawing using Parametric Design, follow this procedure:
1. Draw a parametric viewbox around the object you want to parameterize.
2. Choose a datum or reference point that will remain static.
3. Decide if all or part of the object is to be parameterized.
4. Dimension the object to put all the relevant points onto the parametric grid.
5. Check that all movable points of the object lie at grid intersections.
6. Exclude some parts from parameterization, if desired.
7. Replace dimension values with your own parameters.
8. Parameterize the object using the PARS command.
9. Check the result.

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Advanced Features of Parametric Design

Advanced Features of Parametric Design

The following features enable you to perform more complex parameterization operations.

Parametric symbols

Parametric symbols enable you to parameterize complex assemblies using several simple part
definitions. For example, the parameterized drawing of a crankcase may refer to a number of
standard fittings such as bolts and washers. You can define each fitting as a parametric symbol
which includes the part geometry and a reference to the values needed to provide the correct
size of fitting. The whole range of symbols is then derived simply by supplying different parame-
ters when loading the symbol onto a sheet. See “Parametric Symbols” on page 111, for informa-
tion on how to create and use parametric symbols.

Tables

Tables allow you to easily set several parameters of an object at the same time. After drawing
and dimensioning a single part pattern and supplying variable dimension values, you can then
place a table on the sheet with all the parameter values of that range of parts. During parame-
terization, the system reads the appropriate values from the correct line in the table and uses
these values to parameterize the standard part definition.
The use of tables for parameterization is described in “Tables” on page 129.

Parametric Groups

Only geometry that is inside a parametric viewbox will be transformed during parameterization.
Geometry that is outside the viewbox will not be affected by any Parametric Design commands.
You can change the way that parts of geometry within a viewbox are transformed with paramet-
ric groups. Using parametric groups you can:
• Completely exclude parts of the drawing from parameterization
• Parameterize parts of a drawing without having to dimension them fully
Geometry within a parametric group is treated as a single entity. Parametric groups can remain
static or can be moved, magnified and rotated as a whole during parameterization. This allows
you to handle details such as shaft ends and bolt holes simply.
See “Parametric Groups” on page 139, for more information.

Mechanisms

You can use Parametric Design to study the movement of mechanisms. By repeatedly parame-
terizing a dimensioned drawing of a mechanism you can simulate its movement as it is redrawn
on the screen at regular intervals. Whenever the mechanism is redrawn in a new position, its

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Overview of Parametric Design

previous positions remain visible, enabling you to investigate potential clashes between differ-
ent parts of the mechanism.
See “Mechanisms” on page 159, for more information on using Parametric Design to simulate
the movement of mechanisms.

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Giving Commands in Parametric Design

Giving Commands in Parametric Design

There are two ways of giving MEDUSA commands:

• By typing the command at the keyboard (interactively)
• By placing in-sheet command text, text type TCO, on the sheet
You can give any of the Parametric Design commands described in this manual (except the
VER FULL command) both interactively and as in-sheet commands. When you enter a com-
mand interactively, the command is executed immediately. In-sheet commands are executed
when you give the PARS command.

Why Use In-sheet Commands?

The advantage of using in-sheet commands is that they are stored with the sheet, so that, for
example, special switch or layer settings or variable values are always used with a particular
drawing. In-sheet commands only affect the viewbox in which you place them, so other view-
boxes and other sheets are not affected by the commands in any one viewbox. After parameter-
ization, parameters set with in-sheet commands are restored to the values held before
parameterization. When you use Parametric Design, use in-sheet commands rather than inter-
active commands where the effects are global rather than local.

Execution Order

In-sheet commands are executed in sequence from the top left to the bottom right. If the
sequence is critical, it is best to put them all in one vertical column. For example:
Figure 7 In-sheet Command Texts

Maximum Number of In-sheet Commands

The maximum number of in-sheet commands per MEDUSA sheet is 200.

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Overview of Parametric Design

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REFERENCE POINTS

This chapter describes how to specify a reference point or datum. This is the point from which
all movement occurs during parameterization.

• Introduction .............................................................................. 20

• Prims........................................................................................ 23

• Static Baselines........................................................................ 24

• Attachment Points.................................................................... 26

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Reference Points

Introduction

The reference point or datum of a drawing provides a static point of reference for any object
points that move during parameterization. Object points can move only in relation to the position
on the sheet of the reference point. The reference point does not move during parameterization.

Creating a Reference Point

Use a special prim, two static baselines or an attachment point to define a reference point. Your
choice of reference point may vary according to the nature of the drawing:
• In a regular parametric definition, the reference point can be defined using:
• A view prim or a PVG prim
• A pair of intersecting static baselines
• In a parametric symbol definition, you define the reference point using one or more
attachment points (text type ATP)
A grid line intersection is created at the point in the viewbox where you place the reference
point. This is the starting point or seed point for the parametric grid.

Positioning Reference Points

You can place a reference point anywhere inside the viewbox. The reference point does not
have to be at a physical point on the object geometry. For example, it could be at a point of sym-
metry in the object definition, as in the rivet definition shown below. The following figure shows a
number of ways reference points can be positioned in relation to object geometry.

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Introduction

Figure 8 Positioning Reference Points

Creating a Parametric Viewbox

Any geometry that you want to parameterize must be inside a Parametric viewbox. A parametric
viewbox is a closed line of type LPV, consisting of straight line segments. Only elements wholly
within a viewbox will be affected by Parametric Design commands.

Features

Viewboxes have the following features:

• They may be any shape
• They must not overlap or be nested
Viewboxes are processed in turn independently of one another, in the order that you place them
on the sheet. The maximum number of viewboxes allowed per sheet is 20.

Examples

The following figure shows some parametric viewboxes.

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Reference Points

Figure 9 Parametric Viewboxes

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Prims

Prims

You can use either a view prim or a special parametric datum prim, type PVG, to define a refer-
ence point in your object definition. A grid intersection is created generated at the datum of the
prim when you place it inside a parametric viewbox. This point is the static reference point for
your object geometry.

Parametric datum prim

The following figure shows the parametric datum prim, type PVG.
Figure 10 A PVG Prim

Orthogonal View Prims

The following figure shows the six orthogonal view prims you can use as reference points. They
are type DXY, DYZ, DZX, DYX, DZY, and DXZ.
Figure 11 Orthogonal View Prims

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Reference Points

Static Baselines

In addition to the prim described on the previous page you can also define a reference point
using one or more static baselines. A grid intersection is created in the viewbox at the point
where the two straight static baselines intersect or at the center point of a circular static base-
line. This point is the static reference point for your object geometry.

Constructing Static Baselines

A static baseline is a single LBL line segment. Each end point of the static baseline has a
FUNV0 point function. A static baseline can be a straight line or a full circle created with either
the CIR or CEN line functions. The following figure shows a viewbox containing static baselines.
Figure 12 Static Baselines

Using static baselines

Straight Static Baselines

A convenient and clear way to define a reference point is with two orthogonal straight baselines.
The two baselines can be used as axes of the object with a fixed reference point defined by
their intersection. Each baseline generates three grid lines:
• One along the line
• One of zero length at each end of the line, perpendicular to the line

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Static Baselines

Circular Static Baselines

A circular static baseline generates a circular grid line, with a grid intersection at the circle cen-
ter point.
The following figure shows the grid lines generated by the baselines in Figure 12, “Static Base-
lines” on page 24. You can build the grid rest of the parametric grid starting from the grid inter-
section created at the reference point.
Figure 13 Grid Lines Generated by Static Baselines

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Reference Points

Attachment Points

When creating a parametric symbol definition you can not use a prim or static baselines to
define the reference point. Instead you must use one or more attachment points.
An attachment point is a text of type ATP. Attachment points define a set of X and Y-sheet coor-
dinates that are used to:
• Generate the parametric grid for the symbol definition before you unload it
• Position the parametric symbol when it is loaded onto a sheet
Two intersecting grid lines are generated through the datum of the text, one horizontal and one
vertical.

Example

The following figure shows a viewbox with two attachment points, ATP1 and ATP2.
Figure 14 Attachment Points

More Information

“Parametric Symbols” on page 111 describes in detail how to use attachment points.

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DIMENSIONING

This chapter describes how to dimension geometry for Parametric Design.

• Dimensioning for Parametric Design ....................................... 28

• Linear Dimension Types .......................................................... 30

• Angular Dimensions................................................................. 33

• Radial and Diameter Dimensions ............................................ 34

• Dimensioning Fillets................................................................. 35

• Examples Showing PAR FIL Options....................................... 38

• Tolerance Dimensioning........................................................... 41

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Dimensioning

Dimensioning for Parametric Design

You place object points onto parametric grid intersections by dimensioning them. Dimensions
specify the relationship between the different grid intersections. When you change dimension
values, you define new positions for the grid intersections.
Points that are placed onto grid intersection are supported by the grid. By changing dimension
values and supplying new object parameters, you define a new position for some or all of the
grid intersections. During parameterization the system moves the grid intersections and corre-
sponding object points to the new positions using the new parameters.

Creating Dimension Clumps

Dimensions are DIM clumps within a DMS super clump. DMS clumps must be left as sheet level
elements when used as input for Parametric Design. The dimensions will not be transformed
properly if they are within SET clumps. Note that the maximum number of DIM clumps allowed
in a chain dimension is 50.
For more information on dimensioning refer to the entry for the DIM command in the MEDUSA
Bacis1 Design Commands Guide.

Dimension Types

You can parameterize geometry dimensioned using any of the following dimension types:
• Chain (CHA)
• Coordinate (COO)
• Datum (DAT)
• Angular (ANG)
• Radial (RAD)
• Diameter (HOL)
• Architectural (AEC)

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Dimensioning for Parametric Design

Illegal Dimensioning

You can not parameterize geometry dimensioned with any of the following DIM command
options:
Option Description
ARC Arc length dimensions
AXO Axonometric orientation
LIM Limit tolerancing

If you try to parameterize geometry dimensioned using any of these options you will receive the
following error message:
Illegal dimension type

Dual Dimensions

Dimensions created with the DUAL option of the DIM command may be used as input to Para-
metric Design.

Dimension Tolerances

The VAR, ABS, UNS, and LIM options of the DIM command select how tolerances will be dis-
played on the sheet. You can parameterize any object with VAR, ABS, or UNS tolerances. The
system will not accept LIM tolerances however, and will produce an error message if you try to
parameterize geometry with LIM tolerances. You can easily convert LIM tolerances into VAR
format before parameterization using the PAR DIM command, which is described in “PAR DIM
command syntax” on page 41.

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Dimensioning

Linear Dimension Types

Use any of the following linear dimension types as input to Parametric Design:
• CHA
• DAT
• COO
• AEC

Creating Dimension Clumps

It is very important to use NEA probes for the dimension construction line. Except for the first
point in the construction line (the dimension text point), all points in the construction line must be
at grid intersections.

Significant Points

The following figure shows the significant points of a linear dimension, including the construc-
tion line used to create the dimension.
Figure 15 Significant Points of a Linear Dimension Type

Orientation of Linear Dimensions

Use the HOR, VER, PAR, and PER options of the DIM command to control the relative orienta-
tion of the components of the dimension clump:

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Linear Dimension Types

• Use the HOR and VER options only if the geometry being dimensioned is to remain
horizontal or vertical during parameterization
• Use the PAR and PER options if the geometry may need to change orientation during
parameterization
If you use the HOR and VER options you will constrain the way the object points can move dur-
ing parameterization. This is a particularly important consideration when creating parametric
symbols, which are often loaded at different orientations. Parametric symbols are described in
detail in “Parametric Symbols” on page 111.

Chain Dimensions and Center Support

If you include the reference point (datum) in a dimension construction line, you can use any of
the types of linear dimension listed in “Linear Dimension Types” on page 30. If the reference
point is at a center of symmetry rather than a point on the object geometry, then using a chain
dimension you may be able to place some of the object points onto the grid using center sup-
port.
Center support allows you to dimension a point and place it onto the grid without including the
reference point in the dimension construction line. Center support is possible when the system
can find an existing grid line that passes through the center of the dimension, perpendicular to
the dimension line.

Example

The following figure shows two views of a cylinder. The reference point is not a point of the
geometry but is at the center of symmetry. The dashed line shows the three point dimension
construction line that is used to create the chain dimension shown in Figure 17, “Chain Dimen-
sioning With Center Support” on page 32.
Figure 16 Two Views of a Cylindrical Object

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Dimensioning

There is no construction line point at the baseline intersection, but the system finds the horizon-
tal baseline passing through the center of the diameter dimension and therefore places the
dimensioned points on the grid.
Figure 17 Chain Dimensioning With Center Support

Use CHA type dimensions when you need center support. Where you do not need center sup-
port, use DAT type dimensions and either:
• Move the reference point until it coincides with a point of geometry, or
• Create a new dimension clump that includes the reference point in the dimension
construction line, as shown in the following figure.
Figure 18 Using The Reference Point to Create a DAT Dimension

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Angular Dimensions

Angular Dimensions

Angular dimensions are created using the ANG option of the DIM command.
When creating angular dimensions, be careful to use NEA probes to create the second and last
points in the dimension construction line. Ultimately, the second, last and center points of the
dimension construction line must lie at grid intersections, though some of the grid lines used to
define these intersections will be generated by the dimension itself.
The center point of the dimension is the point about which the angle is measured. The center
point must lie within the viewbox, whether or not any line in the object passes through it.

Significant Points

The following figure shows the significant points of an angular dimension constructed using a
five point construction line.
Figure 19 Creating an Angular Dimension

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Dimensioning

Radial and Diameter Dimensions

Radial and diameter dimension are created with the RAD and HOL options of the DIM com-
mand. The second point of the construction line used to create radial and diameter dimensions
must be a point on the arc or circle circumference. This point does not have to be at a grid inter-
section.

Dimensioning Arcs with the Same Center and Radius

All arcs with the same center and radius must be dimensioned individually unless they overlap.
You can avoid having to create separate dimension clumps for each arc by doing one of the fol-
lowing:
• Use a diameter instead of a radial dimension
• Add lines linking all the arcs together. See ”The Parametric Grid”, “PAR GRIS CIR” on
page 73 for details of how to do this using the Parametric Design command PAR GRIS
CIR.
• Use a switch such as PAR CIR ON or PAR LIM OFF to extend all circular grid lines to
full circles. These switches are explained in “Switches and Layers” on page 95.
Only arcs of circles can be dimensioned. To parameterize a conic arc you must explicitly dimen-
sion the arc end points and the tangent point.

Significant Points

You can create radial and diameter dimensions using two or three point construction lines. The
following figure shows the significant points in a diameter dimension created with a two point
construction line. The significant points are the same for radial dimensions.
Figure 20 Significant Points of Radial and Diameter Dimensions

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Dimensioning Fillets

Dimensioning Fillets

It is not necessary to individually dimension every fillet in the object geometry. The PAR FIL
command specifies a default radius for all undimensioned fillets in the viewbox during parame-
terization. This is particularly useful if the geometry contains several fillets of the same radius.

Creating the Correct Fillet Type

It is important to use fillets of the appropriate type when you create the object geometry:

Tangent point: Use a tangent point arc (FILT) between two straight segments. The grid lines
along the two straight segments will intersect at the tangent point, which must be at a grid inter-
section.

Center point: Use a center point arc (FILC) if one or both of the line segments are circular. The
circular grid line automatically gives a grid intersection at the circle center point.

How Fillets are Defined for PAR FIL

PAR FIL only affects arcs of circles that are supported by two existing tangential grid lines. Arcs
supported in other ways are not considered to be fillets, and you must dimension them explicitly
with radial dimensions as described in “Dimensioning Arcs with the Same Center and Radius”
on page 34.
You can specify a maximum original radius (maxrad) to restrict further what is considered to be
a fillet.

Restrictions on the Scope of PAR FIL

PAR BAS: If a fillet is fully supported by an automatically inferred baseline, as described in

“Geometric Constraints” on page 47, then the inferred radius will be used in preference to the
value you specify with the PAR FIL command.

PAR LIM: The PAR FIL command has no effect if the PAR LIM switch is OFF.

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Dimensioning

In-sheet and Interactive Commands

If you give the PAR FIL command interactively, the default fillet radius is set for all viewboxes in
the current sheet and for all sheets you subsequently call up. This may not be what you intend,
so it is safer to place the PAR FIL command as an in-sheet command inside the appropriate
viewbox. Information on using in-sheet commands is given in “Overview of Parametric Design”
on page 9.

PAR FIL Command Syntax

Option Description
Specifies that all fillets must be dimensioned explicitly. This is the
UNSET
default setting for the PAR FIL command.
Specifies that all fillets not explicitly dimensioned keep their original
KEEP
radius during parameterization.
The default fillet radius of all undimensioned fillets.

MAX
Specifies that only fillets with original radius less than or equal to
<maxrad> should be changed to the specified value. You must
filrad
explicitly dimension all other fillets. This option provides a safeguard
against accidentally dimensioning large radii.

MAXRAD
Maximum fillet radius.

Displaying the Current PAR FIL Setting

Use the Q PAR FIL command to display the current PAR FIL setting.
The syntax for this command is:

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Dimensioning Fillets

Checking the Effect of PAR FIL

You can check the effect of the PAR FIL command using the command PAR GRIS FIL. This
draws grid lines over those fillets affected by the current PAR FIL setting. Grid lines are not
drawn over fillets which are specifically dimensioned or which exceed the maximum value spec-
ified by maxrad. You can find out more about the PAR GRIS command in “The Parametric Grid”
on page 59.
Figure 21 Effect of the PAR GRIS FIL Command

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Dimensioning

Examples Showing PAR FIL Options

The following examples show the effect of each of the PAR FIL options.

PAR FIL UNSET

This is the default option for PAR FIL. You must explicitly dimension all fillets in order to place
them on the grid. Any undimensioned fillets will generate error messages.

PAR FIL KEEP

This command specifies that any fillets not explicitly dimensioned keep their original radius dur-
ing parameterization. PAR FIL KEEP is placed on the sheet as an in-sheet command illustrated
in the following figure.
Figure 22 In Sheet PAR FIL KEEP Command

The following figure shows the result of parameterizing the object shown in the figure above
with new parameters. Note that all undimensioned fillets have kept their original radius.
Figure 23 After Parameterization

You can specify new parameters for any individual fillets by dimensioning them normally.

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Examples Showing PAR FIL Options

PAR FIL filrad

Use this option to specify a default fillet radius. In the following figure a default radius of 5 mm
has been specified with an in-sheet command.
Figure 24 In-sheet PAR FIL 5 Command

The following figure shows the object after parameterization with new dimension values. The
5.0 mm, 7.0 mm, 10.0 mm and 15.0 mm fillets all have the same radius of 5 mm because of the
in-sheet PAR FIL command.
Figure 25 After Parameterization

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Dimensioning

PAR FIL filrad MAX maxrad

Specifies that only fillets with original radius less than or equal to maxrad should be changed to
the specified value. You must explicitly dimension all other fillets. This option provides a safe-
guard against accidentally dimensioning large radii. The following figure shows how the default
fillet radius is set to 5 mm, with a maximum radius of 10 mm using an in-sheet command.
Figure 26 In-sheet PAR FIL 5 MAX 10 Command

Any fillet with a radius exceeding the maximum specified value will not be supported on the
parametric grid, but must be dimensioned explicitly. The effect is revealed by drawing the grid
lines, as shown in the following figure. The 15 mm fillet exceeds the maximum specified value
and it is not is not explicitly dimensioned, therefore it is not supported on the grid.
Figure 27 Unsupported Fillet Revealed by PAR GRIS Command

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Tolerance Dimensioning

Tolerance Dimensioning

There are four kinds of tolerance dimensioning in MEDUSA. These are created using the follow-
ing options with the DIM command:
• ABS
• UNS
• LIM
• VAR
The Parametric Design system needs the text in a dimension clump to evaluate to a single
value in order to be able to parameterize the geometry normally. ABS and UNS tolerances give a
single dimension value, but LIM and VAR tolerances specify a range of values and so have to
be treated specially.

ABS and UNS Tolerances

ABS creates a dimension with a single boxed dimension text. This indicates that it is an abso-
lute value. UNS creates a dimension with a dimension text that has a token value. The dimen-
sion text is underlined to show that the value given is unscaled, but it is a single value, so it can
be parameterized normally.

LIM Dimensioning

The LIM option of the DIM command creates a dimension with a maximum and minimum toler-
ance. Because the system requires a single, nominal value to calculate the new dimension,
dimensions with LIM tolerances cannot be parameterized directly.
You can, however convert LIM tolerances into VAR tolerances before parameterization and then
convert them back afterwards. The command to convert LIM tolerances into VAR format is PAR
DIM LTV. After parameterization you can convert VAR tolerances back to LIM format with the
command PAR DIM VTL.

PAR DIM command syntax

The syntax for the PAR DIM command is:

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Dimensioning

VAR Dimensioning

VAR creates a dimension with a nominal dimension value, and lets you specify permissible
upper and lower tolerances. When you parameterize geometry containing VAR tolerances, you
can control the way the system calculates the new dimension value with the PAR VAR switch.

PAR VAR Command Syntax

Options

The PAR VAR command has seven options: OFF, VAR, LIM, MIN, MAX, MID and RANGE.
Each of these options specifies a tolerance which is used by the system to calculate the new
dimension value during parameterization.
Option Explanation
Specifies that any changes made to the original tolerance text are ignored. The original
OFF
tolerance appears in the parameterized drawing.
Ensures that any expressions which have replaced original tolerance text are evaluated
VAR during parameterization. The resulting value is used to calculate the new dimension
and resulting values are placed in the new dimension. This is the default setting.
Converts VAR tolerance dimensions to LIM format. The new tolerances are calculated
LIM
by evaluating the original tolerance texts, and adding them to the nominal value.
Specifies that the lower tolerance is used for all tolerance dimensions. In some cases,
such as holes, you may need to indicate maximum or minimum diameters explicitly.
MIN
You can do this by editing the individual tolerance texts. This is described in “Specifying
Individual Tolerances” on page 44.
Specifies that the upper tolerance is used. In some cases, such as holes, you may
need to indicate maximum or minimum diameters explicitly. You can do this by editing
MAX
the individual tolerance texts. This is described in “Specifying Individual Tolerances” on
page 44.

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Tolerance Dimensioning

Option Explanation
MID Calculates the tolerance using the following formula: (MAX - MIN) *0.5 + MIN
Calculates the tolerance using the following formula: (MAX - MIN) factor1 + MIN factor2
RANGE factor1 must be a factor in the range 0 to 1. factor2 is an optional extra factor. You must
supply factor1 as an argument here, but factor2 is optional.

Examples of all seven PAR VAR options are shown in the figure below opposite. The original
upper tolerance used in these examples is 2 and the lower tolerance is -1. The tolerance vari-
ables A and B have the following initial values:
A = 7
B = 3
Figure 28 Effects of the PAR VAR Switch

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Dimensioning

Specifying Individual Tolerances

The options PAR VAR MAX and MIN set the tolerance for all tolerance dimensions during
parameterization. In some cases you may need to indicate an individual tolerance explicitly, for
example, to indicate the maximum diameter for a hole dimension. To do this, you can add --
MAX or --MIN text to the relevant tolerance. This specifies that the tolerance indicated is to be
used to calculate the new diameter dimension regardless of the current PAR VAR setting.
If you add --MIN to the higher tolerance, the higher tolerance will be used to calculate the new
dimension when the PAR VAR switch is set to MIN. Conversely, with the switch set to MAX, you
can add --MAX text to the lower tolerance and the lower tolerance will be used to calculate that
dimension.

Procedure

Use the following procedure to place --MAX or --MIN text in a dimension:

1. Using a LET statement, set the new text variable TEXT$ to the tolerance text followed
by --MAX or --MIN, for example:
LET TEXT$ = '-.5 --MAX'
2. Make the relevant tolerance text current.
3. Replace the current text with the new text using the GOBC command.
For more information on using LET, refer to the MEDUSA Bacis1 Design Commands Guide.

Example

To add --MAX to the lower tolerance of the diameter dimension shown in Figure 29 you would
use the following command sequence:
*LET TEXT$ = '-.5 --MAX'
(position the cursor near the lower tolerance text)
*FINT CP
*GOBC
*
In the following figure the in-sheet command PAR VAR MAX specifies that the new dimension
values will be calculated using the upper tolerance.

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Tolerance Dimensioning

Figure 29 Tolerance Dimensions

To ensure that the lower tolerance is used for the diameter dimension, --MAX text has been
added to the lower tolerance text, as shown in the following figure. For all other dimensions in
the viewbox, the upper tolerance will still be used during parameterization.
Figure 30 Inserting --MAX Text

The following figure shows the result of parameterizing the object shown in Figure 30. The
lower tolerance has been used for the new diameter dimension and the upper tolerance for the
other chain dimension.
Figure 31 Result of Parameterization

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Dimensioning

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GEOMETRIC CONSTRAINTS

Most geometric constraints are normally deduced automatically by the Parametric Design sys-
tem. If you need to specify constraints explicitly you can use dynamic baselines.

• Introduction .............................................................................. 48

• Perpendicular Points................................................................ 49

• Intersection Points ................................................................... 50

• Tangent Points ......................................................................... 52

• Circular Baselines .................................................................... 53

• Automatically Inferred Constraints ........................................... 55

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Geometric Constraints

Introduction

Most geometric constraints are normally deduced automatically by the Parametric Design sys-
tem. However, there are times when you must specify constraints explicitly:
• Geometric constraints are not deduced automatically when the PAR BAS or PAR LIM
switches are OFF
• Certain constraints may only be specified explicitly
You specify geometric constraints explicitly in the Parametric design system using dynamic
baselines. Dynamic baselines are useful in situations where a dimension puts an unnecessary
constraint on parameterization, for example, tangency. They may also be needed to place cer-
tain dimensions onto the grid.

Dynamic Baselines

A dynamic baselines consists of line segments of type LBL. If the line has several segments,
each is considered independently. Each linear baseline generates three straight grid lines
• One along the baseline
• One through each end, perpendicular to the baseline
The grid lines generated by a dynamic baseline move relative to the end points. Thus, if the
baseline is from an intersection to a tangent point, the new grid line will be from the new inter-
section tangential to the new circle.

Baseline Point Functions

The following five point functions have special meaning to the Parametric Design system when
they are attached to a baseline:
• FUNV0 for a static point
• FUNV10 for a perpendicular point
• FUNV11 for an intersection point
• FUNV26 for the center of a circle
A baseline with a FUNV0 point function at each end is a static baseline. Static baselines define
fixed reference points during parameterization. You can change the point function at one or both
ends of a static baseline to convert the line into a dynamic baseline.

Setting Baseline Point Functions

There are two ways you can set a particular point function on a baseline:
• Set the function while you are creating the line by placing the point with a probe and
then immediately assigning the chosen point function
• Edit the baseline and, with the relevant point current, either probe the point function
area on the MEDUSA 2D menu or type the command, for example, FUNV 11

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Perpendicular Points

Perpendicular Points

A perpendicular point must be supported by a single existing grid line perpendicular to the base-
line, passing through the perpendicular point. The combination of perpendicular to perpendicu-
lar point functions is not allowed.
The following figure shows a dynamic baseline with a perpendicular point at one end and a
static point at the other.
Figure 32 Perpendicular Point, FUNV10

Example

In the following figure a baseline with a perpendicular point is used to keep the slotted hole par-
allel to the line segment AD when the angle ADC is parameterized.
Figure 33 Dynamic Baseline With Perpendicular Point

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Geometric Constraints

Intersection Points

An intersection point must be supported by an intersection of existing grid lines. Intersection

points are FUNV11. You can place an intersection point at any of the following:
• The center of a circular grid line
• An intersection of straight grid lines
• An intersection of circular grid lines
• An intersection of a straight and circular grid line
The following figure shows a dynamic baseline with an intersection point at one end and a static
point at the other.
Figure 34 Intersection Point, FUNV11

Example

The baseline in the following figure has a static point at one end, attached to the reference
point, and an intersection point at the other end, at the center of a circle. The intersection point
is supported by an intersection of existing grid lines created by the dimensions.
Figure 35 Baseline With Intersection Point

The following figure shows the result of parameterization The circle moves in relation to the ref-
erence point, but the intersection point ensures that the center of the circle always remains at a
grid intersection.

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Intersection Points

Figure 36 After Parameterization

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Geometric Constraints

Tangent Points

A tangent point remains at a tangent to a circular grid line when you shrink or expand the base-
line. Tangent points are FUNV12. The following figure shows a dynamic baseline with a tangent
point at one end and a static point at the other.
Figure 37 Tangent Point, FUNV12

In the following figure, the baseline is tangential to a circle of 40 mm diameter.

Figure 38 Baseline With Tangent Point

When the diameter of the circle is reduced, the baseline tangent point remains tangential to the
circle, as shown in the following figure.
Figure 39 After Parameterization

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Circular Baselines

Circular Baselines

A circular dynamic baseline is a straight line segment with the following point functions:
• FUNV 26 at one end of the line segment
• FUNV 10 or 11 at the other end of the segment
A circular baseline generates the following grid lines:
• A circular grid line centered on the FUNV26 point function and passing through the
other end of the baseline
• A straight grid line along the line segment
Do not confuse circular dynamic baselines with circular static baselines, which have FUNV0
point functions.
The following figure shows a baseline with a circle center point at one end and an intersection
point at the other.
Figure 40 Circular Base Line, FUNV26 and FUNV11

Circular Baseline Point Functions

FUNV 26 One end of the baseline must have a FUNV 26 point function to indicate the center
point. This end must lie at an existing grid line intersection and is used as the center of the cir-
cular grid line.
FUNV 11/10 One end of the baseline must be an intersection point, FUNV 11 or a perpendicular
point, FUNV 10. The circular grid line passes through this point. Note that if you use a perpen-
dicular point, the circular grid line will be tangential to the supporting grid line. It is the baseline,
representing a radius of the circle, that is perpendicular to the existing grid line not the circle
itself.

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Geometric Constraints

Examples

The following figure shows a drawing with a circular baseline, point functions FUNV 26 and
FUNV 10. When the angle is increased, the perpendicular point remains at the intersection of
the circle and the straight line, and the center point remains at the center of the circle.
Figure 41 Circular Baselines, FUNV26 and FUNV10

The following figure shows a baseline with FUNV 26 and FUNV 11 point functions. When the
angle is increased, the baseline intersection point remains at the intersection of the arc and the
straight line, and the center point remains at the center of the arc.
Figure 42 Circular Baselines, FUNV26 and FUNV11

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Automatically Inferred Constraints

Automatically Inferred Constraints

The Parametric Design system infers geometric constraints automatically when the PAR BAS
switch is ON, provided that the PAR LIM switch is also ON. Every time you execute the PARS com-
mand with PAR BAS ON, the system looks to see where geometric constraints may be inferred
from the geometry.

How Constraints are Inferred

The system infers geometric constraints automatically in the following way:

1. Unused potential grid lines are examined to see if they pass through any existing grid
intersections, or are tangential or perpendicular to any existing grid lines.
2. If two points on a potential grid line are found that are intersection, tangent or
perpendicular points, then a geometric constraint is inferred between the two points.
You can see what constraints are being inferred by the system using the PAR GRIS BAS com-
mand. This adds a baseline with the appropriate point functions wherever the system infers a
constraint automatically.

Priority of Geometric Constraints

If the system finds more than two points on a potential grid line from which it can infer con-
straints, then two are chosen in the following preference order:
1. Intersection
2. Tangent
3. Perpendicular
If this preference order does not determine which two points to use, then the points are chosen
arbitrarily.

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Geometric Constraints

When Constraints Are Inferred

Before any geometric constraints are inferred, the system places as much of the geometry as
possible onto the grid. Then it attempts to infer geometric constraints in the following way:
1. The system infers any constraints it can from the existing grid.
2. The system looks to see if any more of the object geometry can be placed onto the
grid.
3. The system looks again to see if it can infer any constraints from the existing grid.
This cycle continues until no further points of geometry can be placed on the grid and no more
constraints can be inferred.

Baseline Inference and PAR FIL

If a default fillet radius is specified using PAR FIL, the specified radius is only used to support fil-
lets if they cannot be supported by a grid line generated by an inferred constraint.
Baselines are inferred automatically, except when:
• The PAR BAS switch is OFF
• The PAR LIM switch is OFF

Displaying Inferred Baselines

You can look at inferred constraints using an option of the PAR GRIS command. The command
PAR GRIS BAS draws automatically inferred baselines on the sheet. Some of the inferences
may depend on the order of elements in the sheet, as there is often more than one way of add-
ing baselines to provide all the necessary grid lines.

PAR GRIS BAS Syntax

The PAR GRIS BAS command can help to speed up parameterization. Once you have finished
the definition drawing and successfully tested it, you can speed up subsequent parameteriza-
tion commands by using PAR GRIS BAS to place the inferred baselines permanently on the
sheet. You can then parameterize the sheet with the PAR BAS switch OFF. This prevents the sys-
tem scanning for geometric constraints each time you parameterize the sheet.

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Automatically Inferred Constraints

Unwanted Inferences

In certain cases, unwanted inferences may be made by the system, placing unnecessary con-
straints on how the geometry is transformed during parameterization. To avoid this, you can
apply all necessary constraints explicitly and then prevent the system applying constraints auto-
matically. Use the following procedure:
1. Add all possible dynamic baselines using the PAR GRIS BAS command.
2. Delete any unwanted baselines.
3. Before parameterization, turn inferencing off by setting the PAR BAS switch to OFF.
For more information on the PAR GRIS command and how to draw parametric grids refer to
“The Parametric Grid” on page 59.

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Geometric Constraints

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THE PARAMETRIC GRID

This chapter describes how MEDUSA Parametric Design uses a parametric grid to move indi-
vidual object points during parameterization.

• Introduction .............................................................................. 60

• The Old Grid ............................................................................ 62

• The New Grid........................................................................... 63

• The Potential Grid .................................................................... 65

• Limited Grid Lines .................................................................... 66

• Displaying Grid Lines ............................................................... 68

• Adding Lines ............................................................................ 71

• Grid Tolerance.......................................................................... 75

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The Parametric Grid

Introduction

Parametric Design works not by moving individual points but by moving a grid upon which all
movable points are placed. The grid consists of lines at any angles and also of circles. When
you place a reference point in a viewbox, you create the starting point for the parametric grid.
The reference point generates the first grid intersection. You build the parametric grid by dimen-
sioning object points. Each time you dimension a point in the object geometry another grid inter-
section is created at that point. Dimensioned points are said to be supported by the grid.
All moveable points of object geometry must be placed at intersections on the parametric grid
before parameterization. If a point is not at a grid intersection then the system does not know
where to move it to during parameterization. When all points are dimensioned, the grid is com-
plete.

Displaying Parametric Grid Lines

Grid lines are not visible until you give the PAR GRIS command. PAR GRIS displays grid lines
corresponding to different versions of the grid:

OLD grid : Corresponds to the original object geometry plus the reference point and dimen-
sioning.

NEW grid : Corresponds to the parameterized geometry.

POTENTIAL grid : Corresponds to the original object geometry without dimensioning. A grid
intersection is generated at every point in the object geometry.

Limited and Unlimited Grid Lines

The final appearance of the grid lines depends on whether the lines are limited or unlimited.
This is set using the PAR LIM switch, which is described fully under section “Limited Grid Lines”
on page 66.

Limited grid lines : Limited grid lines trace over only those parts of the object that are ade-
quately dimensioned. You can clearly see which parts of the object have not yet been dimen-
sioned.

Unlimited grid lines : Unlimited grid lines extend to the edge of the viewbox rather than simply
tracing over the object, making it harder to detect errors.

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Introduction

Deleting Grid Lines

It is useful to display grid lines each time you add a new dimension clump to check that dimen-
sioning is accurate and that the points you have dimensioned are placed on the grid properly.
However, you should never leave the grid lines on the sheet while you are adding dimensions or
other lines to the drawing. The probes used in dimension construction lines may find the ends of
the grid lines, which are slightly displaced from the ends of the object. To prevent grid lines from
interfering with dimensioning, either
• Cancel the PAR GRIS command immediately with CAN
• Delete the layer containing the grid lines (layer 99)

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The Parametric Grid

The Old Grid

The reference point and dimensions generate a grid consisting of lines at any angles and also
of circles. Every point that will move during parameterization must lie on an intersection point in
the grid. This grid is often referred to as the OLD grid because it corresponds to the original
(old) object geometry. The lines of the OLD grid are drawn along the lines of the geometry when
you give the PAR GRIS command.

Displaying OLD Grid Lines

OLD grid lines are displayed using the commands PAR GRIS OLD or PAR GRIS. The grid lines
are type STK lines 3 mm (0.118 inch) in width. Drawing the OLD grid is useful to reveal errors in
the drawing, in particular, inaccurate dimensioning. Inadequately dimensioned points will gener-
ate the following error message:
Point not dimensioned
The datum of the error message text is centered on the point causing the problem.

Example: The following figure shows the effect of the PAR GRIS OLD command. Grid lines are
drawn over all dimensioned points in the original object geometry. This is the OLD grid.
Figure 43 Old Grid Lines

Using PAR GRIS to Check the Grid

The order in which the OLD grid lines are drawn indicates the order in which the object points
were placed on the grid. To examine the grid you are building, use the following procedure:
1. Draw the grid with the PAR GRIS command.
2. Redraw the sheet without the grid lines (grid lines are on layer 99).
3. Locate the first element in the sheet with the STA command.
4. Step through the grid with repeated NEXA STK commands.
This procedure should help you to diagnose errors and give you a better understanding of how
the Parametric Design system works.

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The New Grid

The New Grid

The system uses the parameters you supply to calculate the new position of each intersection
in the OLD grid. The NEW grid shows the position of each OLD grid line based on the new
parameters.

Displaying NEW Grid Lines

Use the command PAR GRIS NEW to display NEW grid lines. The lines are type L4 lines and
are placed on layer 99. New grid lines extend to the edges of the viewbox.

Investigating Errors

You can use PAR GRIS NEW to investigate errors relating to the new parameters. For example,
in the following figure, the vertical line intersects with the circle. The system recognizes this as a
geometric constraint: whenever the geometry is parameterized, the vertical line must intersect
with the circle.
Figure 44 Parameterization Errors

When the chain dimension is increased to 29.5 and the diameter is reduced to 38.0, a problem
occurs, as shown in the following figure. Using the new parameters, the vertical line no longer
intersects with the circle. Consequently, parameterization fails and error messages appear at
the points causing the problem.
Figure 45 Parameterization Errors

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The Parametric Grid

Using PAR GRIS NEW you can examine the new grid and correct any problems with the new
parameters. The NEW grid lines in the following figure show that the vertical line no longer inter-
sects the circle.
Figure 46 Effect of PAR GRIS NEW Command

Removing NEW Grid Lines

To avoid leaving the NEW grid lines on the sheet, either cancel the PAR GRIS NEW command
immediately or delete the layer containing the grid lines (layer 99).

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The Potential Grid

The Potential Grid

The potential grid is generated from the object geometry alone, without reference to any dimen-
sioning. You can look at potential grid lines before you dimension the geometry. Potential grid
lines extend no further than the edges of the object geometry and are used by the system when
creating the OLD grid from dimensions and other constructions in the drawing.
You might use potential grid lines to check, for example, whether the system recognizes col-
linearity constraints within the current grid tolerance setting.

Displaying Potential Grid Lines

Use the command PAR GRIS POT to display potential grid lines. The lines are type STK lines of
3 mm (0.118 inch) width, and are placed on layer 99.
You can only see the potential grid if the PAR LIM switch is ON (see “Limited Grid Lines” on
page 66). The following figure shows an example where PAR GRIS POT is used to display the
potential grid for an undimensioned object.
Figure 47 Effect of PAR GRIS POT Command

Parametric Switches and Potential Grid Lines

There are a number of switches that control the generation of potential grid lines. See “Switches
and Layers” on page 95, for more information about these switches.

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The Parametric Grid

Limited Grid Lines

The PAR LIM switch alters the appearance of OLD grid lines. These grid lines may be either
limited or unlimited.

Limited Grid Lines

With PAR LIM set to ON, OLD grid lines are drawn along lines in the drawing, and do not extend
beyond the end of the geometry. This is the default setting.
Potential grid lines are generated by the object geometry and extend no further than the edges
of the object geometry. The system uses potential grid lines and dimensions to create the OLD
grid. When the PAR LIM switch is ON, the length of each OLD grid line is limited to the extent of
the corresponding potential grid line. Therefore, OLD grid lines are limited to the edges of the
object geometry. If there is no corresponding potential grid line, a zero length grid line is cre-
ated.

Example

The following figure shows a viewbox containing a fully dimensioned object. The in-sheet com-
mand PAR LIM ON has been placed inside the viewbox so that limited grid lines are displayed
when the PAR GRIS command is given.
Figure 48 Limited Grid

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Limited Grid Lines

Unlimited Grids

When the PAR LIM switch is OFF, grid lines are unlimited. This means that they are not con-
strained to lie along the lines in the drawing, as represented by the potential grid lines, but are
considered to be infinite in length. When drawn, the grid lines are limited only by the edges of
the parametric viewbox. Unlimited grid lines have more grid intersections, which may some-
times be advantageous. However, there are a number of disadvantages to using unlimited
grids:
• The grid lines do not simply trace over the part of the drawing that is adequately
dimensioned, so it is harder to find errors
• Spurious intersections are easily generated, adding unwanted constraints to the
drawing
• You cannot use default fillets (see ”Dimensioning”, “How Fillets are Defined for PAR
FIL” on page 35) or automatic deduction of geometric constraints (see ”Geometric
Constraints”, “Automatically Inferred Constraints” on page 55) with PAR LIM OFF
The following figure shows the object from Figure 48, “Limited Grid” on page 66, this time with
the in-sheet command PAR LIM OFF. The OLD grid now extends past the edges of the object
to the edges of the viewbox.
Figure 49 Unlimited Grid

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The Parametric Grid

Displaying Grid Lines

The PAR GRIS command displays parametric grid lines. If the PAR LIM switch is OFF, you can
only use the OLD and NEW options with the PAR GRIS command.

How to Display Grid Lines

To display grid lines, type PAR GRIS followed by the appropriate option.

PAR GRIS Syntax

Option Explanation
Displays OLD grid lines, that is the grid corresponding to the original geometry. This is the
OLD
default option. See “The Old Grid” on page 62for more information about this option.
Displays the NEW grid, that is the grid corresponding to the parameterized drawing. NEW
NEW grid lines extend to the edges of the viewbox. See “The New Grid” on page 63for more
information about this command.
Displays the potential grid. The potential grid is generated from the set of lines in the
POT
drawing. See “The Potential Grid” on page 65for more information about this command.
Adds baselines corresponding to those automatically inferred by the system. Information
BAS on using the PAR GRIS BAS command is given under ”Geometric Constraints”, “PAR
GRIS BAS Syntax” on page 56.

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Displaying Grid Lines

Option Explanation
Adds lines joining collinear straight line segments which do not overlap. See “PAR GRIS
COL
COL” on page 72for more information about this command.
Adds complete circles for every arc of a circle in the viewbox. See “PAR GRIS CIR” on
CIR
page 73 for more information about this command.
Adds tangent lines for any tangent point arcs in the viewbox. See “PAR GRIS TAN” on
TAN
page 74 for more information about this command.
Adds unlimited lines along each line segment in the viewbox and complete circles for
INF
every arc of a circle. An example is given in “PAR GRIS INF” on page 71.
Adds grid lines along fillets that are affected by the current PAR FIL setting. PAR FIL is
FIL
described in detail in ”Dimensioning”, “Dimensioning Fillets” on page 35.
Cancels the command. Note that cancelling the PAR GRIS command has a slightly
different action from cancelling most commands in the Drafting System. The grid lines are
CAN
removed, but the graphics are not redrawn to reflect this. This is also a feature of the
PARS and PARS CAN commands, described in “Parameterizing Geometry” on page 89.

Commands Between PAR GRIS and CAN

You can use only a limited number of commands between any of the PAR GRIS options and the
CAN command. The permitted commands belong to the following categories. To find out more
about these commands refer to the MEDUSA Bacis1 Design Commands Guide or MEDUSA
Bacis1 Guide.
Category Command
Drawing commands CLE, DRA, REDRA
Windowing commands WIN, PAN, ZOO
Parametric switch commands PAR SWI
Bacis1 internal commands QVAR

Please note: If you use any commands other than these, the CAN command will not be
effective and grid lines will be placed permanently on the sheet. The same
categories of command may be used between the PARS command and CAN.

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The Parametric Grid

Grid Line Types and Layer Defaults

Grid lines created with the PAR GRIS command have the following element types:
Grid Command Line Type Layer
PAR GRIS OLD,FIL,POT STK, width 3 mm (0.118 inch) 99
PAR GRIS COL,CIR,TAN,INF L3 17
PAR GRIS NEW L4 99
PAR GRIS BAS LBL 16

You can change the default line types and layers used for parametric grid lines using the PAR
DDL command, which is described in ”Changing Element Types”, “Changing Element Types -
PAR DDL” on page 154.

Making Grid Lines Untransformable

Note that the end points of lines created with the COL, CIR, TAN, and INF options of the PAR
GRIS command may not be at grid line intersections. Make sure that you either delete them or
make them untransformable before you parameterize the drawing. You can easily do this using
an in-sheet layer command, for example LAY 17 UNTRN. Refer to “Switches and Layers” on
page 95, for more information on how to change layer properties.

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Adding Lines

Adding Lines

The PAR GRIS command has four options which provide a quick way of adding lines to your
drawing to help to place all required points on the grid. These options; INF, COL, CIR, and TAN,
are described below.
The line segments added with the INF, COL, CIR and TAN options are line type L3 and are
placed on layer 17. It is important that you make the lines untransformable before you try to
parameterize the sheet. If the end points of these extra lines are not at grid line intersections,
the following error message will appear at each point during parameterization:
Point not dimensioned
To prevent this, make layer 17 untransformable using a layer command as described in “Making
Grid Lines Untransformable” on page 70.

PAR GRIS INF

This command adds the following line segments:

• Straight lines along each line segment in the viewbox, extending to the edges of the
viewbox
• Complete circles for every arc in the viewbox

Example

The following figure shows two views of the same object. The relationship between the two
views must be maintained during parameterization. For example, if one of the diameter dimen-
sions in the right-hand view changes, then the corresponding diameter in the left-hand view
should change by the same amount.
Figure 50 Default Grid Setting

Displaying the grid lines as in the above figure reveals that with the horizontal grid lines gener-
ated by the 9.0 and 36.0 diameter dimensions to not extend to the circles in the left-hand view.
Dimensioning the left-hand view separately would place the circle onto the grid but:
• The information specified by the two existing diameter dimensions would be repeated

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The Parametric Grid

• The system would fail to identify the relationship between the two views: only by
identifying this relationship can the system impose the necessary geometric
constraints during parameterization
The grid lines can be extended using PAR GRIS INF. This generates infinite lines that extend
along the length of the horizontal grid lines to the edges of the viewbox and connect the two
views.The result is shown in the following figure.
Figure 51 Infinite Lines Added With PAR GRIS INF

PAR GRIS INF or Unlimited Grids

Although you could use unlimited grids (PAR LIM OFF) to extend the grid lines from the right-
hand view to the circles in Figure 50, “Default Grid Setting” on page 71, the necessary geomet-
ric constraints will not be automatically inferred. Using PAR GRIS INF has the advantage that it:
• Does not add lines for each zero length grid line while, with unlimited grids, full grid
lines would be generated for each zero length grid line found
• Allows you also to use automatic inference of baselines (PAR BAS ON) and default
fillet settings (PAR FIL), which are not possible with limited grids

PAR GRIS COL

This command adds lines connecting all non-overlapping collinear line segments. PAR GRIS
COL adds all possible lines: you may want to delete lines that you do not require. In the follow-
ing figure, several collinear line segments have been linked using PAR GRIS COL.

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Adding Lines

Figure 52 Collinear Lines Added With PAR GRIS COL

When to Use PAR GRIS COL

This command offers more control than simply turning the PAR COL switch ON, as you can take
different decisions for different sets of collinear lines. If you use the PAR COL switch, the PAR
GRIS COL command is still useful to show graphically the assumptions that are being made.
Sometimes you will discover that lines that were meant to be collinear are not collinear within
the parametric tolerance, or vice versa.

PAR GRIS CIR

This command adds a circle for each arc in the viewbox. This can be useful where geometry
contains several arcs with the same center and radius. For example, in the following figure only
the arcs crossed by the radial dimension lines are supported on the grid. To avoid having to
dimension each arc individually, circular L3 lines linking arcs with the same center and radius
have been added with PAR GRIS CIR.
Figure 53 Circles Added With PAR GRIS CIR

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The Parametric Grid

PAR GRIS TAN

This command adds tangential lines to the tangent point of all tangent point arcs in the viewbox,
as shown in the following figure. This is useful if the PAR TAN switch is OFF, when grid lines
extend along the arc of tangent point arcs but not to the tangent point itself.
Figure 54 Tangential Lines Added With PAR GRIS TAN

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Grid Tolerance

Grid Tolerance

The Parametric Design system uses a tolerance to test for intersections and other conditions.
The grid is extended by this tolerance to allow for inaccuracies in the drawing. This means that
zero length grid lines appear as short lines twice the length of the parametric tolerance.

Using the Grid Tolerance: The tolerance is used primarily as a test distance; points in the
drawing must lie within the tolerance of an old grid line intersection, so that they can move to the
new grid line intersection. Overlapping line segments must be within each other's set tolerance.

Changing Grid Tolerance

You can change the grid tolerance with the PAR TOL command. The default value is 0.1 mm
(0.00394 inches), which should be suitable for most drawings, but you may find that you need to
exaggerate some details. For example, almost collinear lines should be drawn at a significant
angle if you do not intend them to be collinear.
If the system does not find points to be collinear that you intend to be collinear, then you may
need to increase the tolerance. Conversely, you may need to decrease the tolerance if you find
that points not intended to be collinear are being recognized as collinear. However, it is gener-
ally better to adjust the drawing to avoid such problems, since changing the tolerance may
upset other parts of the drawing. The default value has been found to work best in most cases.

The PAR TOL Command

You can set parametric grid tolerance with the PAR TOL command. If you give a value of zero,
the tolerance will be set to the default of 0.1 mm.
PAR TOL command syntax is shown below:

Variable Description
The tolerance required. This must be a real value expressed as a
tolerance
decimal, a fraction, or an expression.

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The Parametric Grid

Q PAR TOL

Use Q PAR TOL to query the current parametric tolerance value. The command syntax is
shown below:

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VARIABLES AND EXPRESSIONS

This chapter describes how MEDUSA Parametric Design evaluates the parameters you supply
in dimension clumps and moves the parametric grid in accordance with these values. New
parameters may be simple numeric values, or variables or expressions that evaluate to simple
numeric values.

• Values in Dimensions............................................................... 78

• Replacing Dimension Text ....................................................... 80

• Variables .................................................................................. 81

• Variable Scope Restrictions ..................................................... 82

• Expressions ............................................................................. 83

• Operators and Functions ......................................................... 85

• Output Dimensions .................................................................. 87

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Variables and Expressions

Values in Dimensions

The Parametric Design system uses the parameters you supply to calculate the new position of
the parametric grid intersections. You specify parameters for Parametric Design by replacing
the original dimension value with a simple numeric value, or a variable or expression that evalu-
ates to a simple numeric value. Before parameterization, you must specify each parameter
using one of the following methods:
• Directly replacing the value of the dimension text
• Setting a variable and giving it a value either directly or using an expression, for
example:
LET A = 60
LET B = A/2
• Specifying a set of values from a table and using these values to replace variables on
the sheet

Replacing Dimension Values

The values in dimensions are part of the dimension. When you change the text for use in Para-
metric Design, it must remain part of the dimension. Therefore you should not delete the old text
and place new text in the same position; you should replace the value of the original text.

Avoiding Ambiguity in Dimension Texts

When you replace dimension values with your own parameters, be careful which part of the
dimension text you replace. Characters that do not represent values should be PRE and POS
texts rather than main dimension texts, for example, R, DIA and j. PRE text is placed before
and POS text is placed after the numeric value in the DIM clump.
If PRE and POS texts are confused with the dimension value, the dimension text becomes
potentially ambiguous. For example, radial dimensions, such as R21, are often problematic.
R21 is valid both as a variable name R21, or as the value 21 with PRE text of R. In cases such
this, the dimension text is always interpreted as a simple value with a PRE text. The following
message will be displayed on the screen to warn you:
Warning
ambiguous dimension texts interpreted as values
If you intend it to be a variable, enclose the name with parentheses (...). For example, use
(R21) for the variable name R21.

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Values in Dimensions

Other Dimension Text Formats

Apart from the simple format of a number with or without decimal places, two other formats are
allowed in dimension texts. These are degrees, minutes, and seconds for angular dimensions,
and feet and inches for imperial units. These formats can also have any PRE and POS texts.

Dimension Text Format After Parameterization

The Parametric Design system only uses the dimension value to parameterize geometry. PRE
and POS text is ignored during parameterization and you can delete it if you want to make the
definition drawing clearer. Note however that the dimensioning on the new drawing will appear
in the style used originally; the value or expression used to specify the new value does not
affect the final format, which will have PRE and POS texts corresponding to the original draw-
ing, even if you deleted them before parameterization.

How Dimension Texts Are Evaluated

Dimension text is evaluated in the following ways to produce a simple numeric value which can
be used as input for Parametric Design:
• Any PRE text is stripped from the beginning of the text string. If this leaves a simple
numeric value then this value is used. For example, R15.5, becomes 15.5. Obviously
15.5 with no PRE or POS text is also valid.
• Any variables or expressions are evaluated to yield a simple numeric value, for
example LENGTH, ANGLE*.6.

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Variables and Expressions

Replacing Dimension Text

The new geometry is calculated from the parameters you supply when you replace the original
dimension values with new ones. You can replace dimension value text with a different numeri-
cal value, for example 55.0, 17.25, 2, or with a variable or an expression.

Procedure

To replace a value in a dimension use the following procedure:

1. Put the new value into the text buffer.
2. Make the dimension text to be replaced current.
3. Substitute the contents of the text buffer for the current text using the GOBC
command.
Repeat the procedure until you have replaced all the values required.

Variables and Expressions in Dimension Clumps

In the following figure, some of the original dimension values have been replaced with variable
names or expressions. To do this, place the variable name into the text buffer, for example
LEN2 or XYZ, and then replace the dimension text using the procedure described above.
Figure 55 Variables in Dimensions

The variables and expressions must evaluate to a single numeric value during parameteriza-
tion. The variables A, LEN1, LEN2, and XYZ must be specified before parameterization using
the LET command.
A more complex example of how expressions can be used, involving logical operators, is given
later in this chapter in “Example” on page 84.

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Variables

Variables

Once you have placed variables in dimension clumps you assign a value to each one using the
LET command. You can use the LET command either interactively or as an in-sheet command.
To enter values from the keyboard, type the whole command string, and then press the Return
key. For example:
*LET A = 45
*LET LONG = 100

In-sheet LET Commands

You can also place a LET command inside the viewbox as an in-sheet command, text type
TCO. The commands are executed in order from top left to the bottom right. If the order of exe-
cution is important, it is best to arrange LET commands in a vertical column in the appropriate
order. In-sheet commands are described in ”Overview of Parametric Design”, “Giving Com-
mands in Parametric Design” on page 17.

LET Command Syntax

Displaying Current Variable Values

Option Description
The name of the variable. The name can be up to six characters, but the first
variable_name
character must be alphabetic. Note that variable names must not contain spaces.
A positional probe, assigning a set of X and Y sheet coordinates to the name
probe variable_name. Use this to position attachment point texts during parametric
symbol loading.
A numeric value. The number specified must be a signed real value expressed as
number
a decimal, a fraction, or an exponential.
string Any text string enclosed in single quotes ( '...' ).
An expression that evaluates to a simple numeric value, for example:
expression
LENGTH*(WIDTH/2)

You can query the value of variables and expressions you have created with the QVAR com-
mand.

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Variables and Expressions

Variable Scope Restrictions

Any variable that exists before parameterization may be accessed at any time. However, there
are restrictions on the scope of variables created using the following methods:
• In-sheet commands (text type TCO)
• Output dimensions
• Parametric symbols
It may not be possible to access variables created using these methods as they exist only tem-
porarily for the duration of the PARS or PAR LOA commands. If you need to access such a vari-
able, in a Bacis1 program, for example, then the variable must exist as a protected variable
before parameterization.

Protected Variables

A protected variable:
• Can be accessed at any time, no matter what the current operation
• Cannot be deleted with the DELM command or overwritten with the DEFM command
• May be edited using the EDIM command or overwritten using the LET command

Creating a Protected Variable

The DEFM command creates a protected variable. DEFM has the following syntax:

Argument Description
Is the name of the variable being generated. It can contain from one to six
variable_name
alphanumeric characters, the first of which must be alphabetic.
Is the text string the variable contains. Text strings that contain spaces must
be bounded by either single or double quotes. For example:
string
DEFM BUF1 "this string has spaces"
DEFM BUF2 thisstringhasnospaces

Numeric variables: To create a protected variable which contains a number, you must use a
slightly different procedure. You first create the protected variable using the DEFM command,
then use the LET command to assign a numeric value to it. For example:
DEFM FRED ''
LET FRED = 42.5
You can find out more about variables and expressions, together with the commands for their
manipulation, in the MEDUSA Bacis1 Guide. The DEFM command is described in detail in the
MEDUSA Bacis1 Design Commands Guide.

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Expressions

Expressions

Using expressions, you can express relationships between different dimensions of the same
object. For example, you may know that the length of a component is always twice its width.
Using an expression, you can define this relationship, which will be maintained whenever the
object is parameterized.

The DEF Command

The DEF command generates a variable containing an unevaluated expression. The expres-
sion is only evaluated when the variable is referenced, when the current values of the other vari-
ables will be used. You can use DEF both interactively and as an in-sheet command.

Command Syntax

The syntax for the DEF command is:

Option Description
Is the name of the variable being generated. It can contain from one to six
variable_name
alphanumeric characters, the first of which must be alphabetic.
Is an unevaluated expression, enclosed in single or double quotes. The value
of expression is evaluated each time the variable is referenced using the
expression
current values of any variables named in the expression. Variables named in
the expression need only be present when the expression is evaluated.

Each DEF command must begin on a new line. Examples of DEF commands are:
DEF SHORT = 'LONG/10'
DEF XYZ = "WIDTH + (A.GT.B)*LENGTH*SIN(3*a)"
The DEF command is described in detail in the MEDUSA Bacis1 Design Commands Guide.

Brackets in Expressions

Use rounded brackets to enclose those parts of the expression to be calculated first. Brackets
can be nested to any level. On all MEDUSA platforms, expressions can be enclosed in round

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Variables and Expressions

brackets ( (...) ) or angle brackets ( <...> ). Angle brackets cannot be used within expressions,
as the following example shows:
Legal Illegal
<LEN + 10> <A*<B-4>>
<A*(B-4)> (A*<B-4>)

Example

The following example shows a drawing where in-sheet commands define the variables LONG
and SHORT. The variable SHORT contains an unevaluated expression, LONG/5. The expression
is only evaluated when the variable SHORT is referenced, when the current values of the LONG
will be used.
Figure 56 Using Variables and Expressions

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Operators and Functions

Operators and Functions

MEDUSA has a variety of arithmetical and logical operators that you can use to create expres-
sions and conditions to be passed as variables during parameterization.

Arithmetic Operators

You can use the following arithmetic operators:

Symbol Operation
+ Add
- Subtract
/ Divide
* Multiply
** Raise to the power of

You can use any of these arithmetic operators in expressions. For example, this is an interactive
sequence:
*DEF X = (A + B)
*DEF Y = '(B ** 2) - (X / 2)'
*DEF Z = '3 * X'
*PARS CAN
*

Logical Operators

You can include simple conditional statements in expressions using one or more of the following
logical operators:
Symbol Operation
.AND. And
.OR. Or
.NOT. Not
.LT. Less than
.LE. Less than or equal to
.EQ. Equal to
.GT. Greater than
.GE. Greater than or equal to

These operators work by being set to either 0 or 1. If the expression is TRUE then the operator
is set to 1. If the expression in FALSE the operator is set to 0.

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Variables and Expressions

Example

In the following drawing, two tabs are required when len is less than or equal to 150, otherwise
three tabs are needed. To ensure this, one of the dimensions is set to (len*.75) - (tab/2)
when len is greater than 150, but to (len*.6666) - (tab/2) when len is less than or
equal to 150.
Figure 57 Drawing Using Logical Operators

This is done by replacing the dimension text with the following expression:
((len.gt.150)*(len*.75) + (len.le.150)*(len*.6666)) - (tab/2)

When len is greater than 150: For example, if len is equal to 160 and tab is equal to 16
then:
dimension= (1*(len*.75) + 0*(len*.6666)) - (tab/2)
= (len*.75) - (tab/2)
= 112
The result is shown below.

When len is less than 150 : If len is equal to 135 and tab is equal to 16 then:
dimension= (0*(len*.75) + 1*(len*.6666)) - (tab/2)
= (len*.6666) - (tab/2)
= 82
The result is shown below.

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Output Dimensions

Output Dimensions

Output dimensions display values for information. Such dimensions are not necessary for spec-
ifying the size and shape of the object. To make an output dimension, replace the dimension
text with an equals sign ( = ). The original dimension format is used when the final value is out-
put.

Example

In the following figure, the triangle is completely specified by the three chain dimensions. The
angular dimension is an output dimension. The result after parameterization is shown on the
right, where the angle has been calculated and put into the dimension.
Figure 58 Output Dimension

Variables in Output Dimensions

You can use a variable to hold an output dimension value by replacing the dimension text with a
variable name followed by an equals sign, for example: ALL =.
Figure 59 Output Dimension With Variable

During parameterization the value of the variable ALL in the above figure will be calculated from
the other dimension values and this number will replace the variable in the parameterized draw-
ing.

Uses: Output variables are often used in programs that executes the PARS command. Output
variables in programs must be protected variables.

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PARAMETERIZING GEOMETRY

This chapter describes how the parameterization command PARS works.

• Overview of Parameterization.................................................. 90

• PARS and PARS CAN ............................................................. 92

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Parameterizing Geometry

Overview of Parameterization

When you have prepared the definition sheet, you can parameterize the geometry using the
PARS command. Until you are confident that your drawing is correct, it is best to ensure that
parameterization is temporary by cancelling the PARS command immediately with CAN.

What Happens When You Give the PARS Command

When you execute the PARS command, the system performs the following operations in each
viewbox on the sheet:
1. Executes in-sheet commands.
2. Generates the parametric grid.
3. Replaces dimension values with new parameters.
4. Moves any points of the geometry.
5. Deletes specified elements.
6. Processes instance clumps, if any, and loads parametric symbols.
7. Restores any variables, switches or layer properties changed by in-sheet commands
to their pre-parameterization values.

Executing In-sheet Commands

Any in-sheet commands you have placed inside the viewbox are executed, for example, setting
variables or changing switch settings.

Generating the Grid

The potential, OLD and NEW grids are generated using the reference point, geometry, and
dimensions. Dimensioned points are placed onto grid intersections then the system checks to
see if the dimensioned points can be moved successfully using the new parameters.

Replacing Dimension Values

The original dimension values are replaced by the new parameters you have specified. These
may be simple numeric values, or evaluated variables or expressions.

Moving Points

Dimensioned points in the object geometry are moved in the following ways:

Lines : Each point in the line must lie at a grid line intersection, and points are moved with the
associated grid intersection.

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Overview of Parameterization

Arcs : The weight at the tangent point of a tangent point arc is transformed so that arcs of cir-
cles continue to be arcs of circles. Arcs of ellipses created by the ELL command are also pre-
served. For other arcs, the weight is transformed by the ratio of the weights needed to give ELL
type arcs.

Text and prims: If the datum point of a text or prim element lies at a grid intersection, it is
moved with the intersection. Texts and prims that are not placed on the grid are left unmoved.
Those that lie on grid lines, but not at a grid intersection, are moved with the grid line provided
that the grid line intersects other grid lines on both sides of the text or prim. The movement is a
proportioned translation, that is, the ratio of the distances from the text or prim to the nearest
grid intersections on each side is preserved.

Deleting Elements

After moving the object, elements on layers that can be deleted are deleted from the sheet.

Loading Parametric Symbols

Any instance clumps in the viewbox are processed and the specified symbols are loaded and
parameterized. For detailed information about parametric symbols, refer to “Parametric Sym-
bols” on page 111.

Restoring Values

Any changes made by in-sheet commands are reversed. For example, variables, switches, and
layer properties restored to the values they held before parameterization.

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Parameterizing Geometry

PARS and PARS CAN

PARS parameterizes all geometry enclosed in a parametric viewbox. The contents of each
viewbox are scaled according to the dimensions present. Each viewbox is processed indepen-
dently.
By cancelling PARS immediately with CAN, you can parameterize geometry temporarily. This
allows you to check the accuracy of new parameters without changing the geometry perma-
nently. You can then alter the definition if necessary.

Command Syntax

Option Description
Cancels the parameterization command. Unlike cancelling most 2D Design
commands, cancelling PARS will not undraw the new graphics and redraw the old
CAN
graphics. The graphics corresponding to the parameterized geometry are displayed
until you refresh the screen with the REDRA command.

Using PARS CAN

Always use PARS CAN unless you are quite sure that your drawing is ready to be parameter-
ized permanently. If the geometry is parameterized permanently:
• You will not be able to go back and change parameters if they are wrong
• You may not be able to parameterize geometry that is itself the result of
parameterization
If you use PARS CAN you will avoid any danger of accidentally forgetting to cancel the parame-
terization.

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PARS and PARS CAN

Commands Between PARS and CAN

You can use only certain commands between PARS and CAN. The permitted commands
belong to the following categories. To find out more about these commands refer to the
MEDUSA Bacis1 Design Commands Guide or MEDUSA Bacis1 Guide.
Category Command
Drawing commands CLE, DRA, REDRA
Windowing commands WIN, PAN, ZOO
Parametric switch commands PAR SWI
Bacis1 internal commands QVAR

If you use any commands other than these, the CAN command will not be effective and param-
eterization will be permanent. The same categories of command may be used between the PAR
GRIS command and CAN.Permanent parameterization
Always save the sheet before parameterizing geometry permanently. It is not always easy to
reverse the effect of PARS once the opportunity to cancel parameterization has passed.
Remember, if you enter commands after PARS, you may not be able to cancel the parameter-
ization. Use the EXIT command immediately after PARS to explicitly remove the possibility of
cancelling.

Parameterization Errors

Appendix D provides a list of possible error messages. Error messages are written onto the
sheet on layer 99. Errors which occur when using Parametric Design fall into the following cate-
gories:
• Errors relating to the old grid, such as problems in the definition geometry. These are
text type TS1
• Errors relating to the new grid lines, such as problems in the new parameter values.
These are text type TR1
• Errors relating to 2D Drafting, such as typing errors
Associated error lines are type L6. If error messages are written onto the sheet, a warning mes-
sage is output to the screen in the normal way.

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Parameterizing Geometry

2D Design Errors

In addition to error messages from the Parametric Design system, any relevant 2D Design error
message can appear in the sheet or on the screen. Refer to the MEDUSA Bacis1 Design Com-
mands Guide for more information on these error messages. Drawing the grid is often very
helpful in finding errors in the drawing. See “The Parametric Grid” on page 59 for more informa-
tion on drawing grid lines.

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SWITCHES AND LAYERS

This chapter describes how you can change the way geometry is parameterized by changing
various parametric switches settings and layer properties.

• Parametric Switches ................................................................ 96

• Setting Parametric Switches .................................................... 98

• Parametric Switch Examples ................................................. 101

• Layers .................................................................................... 104

• Layer Properties..................................................................... 105

• Changing Layer Properties .................................................... 107

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Switches and Layers

Parametric Switches

The switches outlined below affect the operation of the MEDUSA Parametric Design system.

PAR BAS

When PAR BAS is ON, the system uses the potential grid lines to infer geometric constraints
automatically. Constraints are not inferred automatically when the PAR LIM switch is OFF. For
more information see ”Geometric Constraints”, “Automatically Inferred Constraints” on page 55
which describes how to use the PAR BAS switch to control inferencing of geometric constraints.

PAR COL

When PAR COL is ON, potential grid lines span the gaps between non-overlapping collinear
straight line segments. Provided that you want the segments to remain collinear, you do not
then have to dimension each of the line segments separately.

PAR CIR

The PAR CIR switch affects the generation of potential grid lines from arcs of circles. If the
switch is ON, then complete circular grid lines are generated for all arcs in the viewbox. This
enables you to place all arcs with the same center and radius onto the grid without dimension-
ing each one separately.

PAR LIM

The PAR LIM switch makes OLD grid lines either limited or unlimited. Limited grid lines drawn
along lines in the drawing, and do not extend beyond the end of the geometry. Unlimited grid
lines are limited only by the edges of the parametric viewbox. For more information see ”The
Parametric Grid”, “Limited Grid Lines” on page 66 which describes limited and unlimited grid
lines and gives examples.

PAR MOV

When the PAR MOV switch is OFF, dimension texts are replaced by new parameters but the orig-
inal geometry is not transformed to reflect the new parameters. If PAR MOV is OFF when loading
parametric symbols, the symbol will be loaded at the same position it had in the definition sheet.

PAR PRE

When the PAR PRE switch is OFF, dimensioning within parametric groups is ignored and points
move with the group. For more information see ”Parametric Groups”, “The PAR PRE Com-
mand” on page 149 which describes the PAR PRE switch in more detail.

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Parametric Switches

PAR SUP

PAR SUP ON enables newer forms of dimension support on Prime and VAX systems.

PAR TAN

When the PAR TAN switch is turned OFF, the tangent lines of tangent point arcs are not used to
create the potential grid. The default setting for PAR TAN is ON because the tangential grid
lines are almost always needed to place the tangent points of tangent point arcs at grid intersec-
tions.

PAR TEX

When PAR TEX is OFF, geometry is transformed according to the new parameters in the dimen-
sion clumps but the dimension texts display their original values after parameterization.

PAR UND

The parametric switch PAR UND controls undrawing (erasing) of the geometry during parameter-
ization. The default setting for this switch is ON, so that when geometry is parameterized, the
original image is removed before the new image is drawn. When the PAR UND switch is OFF, the
old image remains visible. This switch is used in mechanism simulations, allowing you to see all
stages of movement at the same time. For more information see ”Mechanisms”, “Undrawing the
Image” on page 165 that describes using PAR UND OFF in mechanisms simulations.

PAR VAR

The PAR VAR switch controls the way the Parametric Design system evaluates tolerance varia-
tion dimensions. This switch is described in detail under the section ”Dimensioning”, “PAR VAR
Command Syntax” on page 42.

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Switches and Layers

Setting Parametric Switches

The graph below shows the command syntax for changing parametric switch settings. The
options are explained below and opposite, and some examples are given on the following
pages.

Option Default Explanation

When the PAR BAS switch is ON, geometric constraints are automatically inferred,
BAS ON provided that the PAR LIM switch is also ON. Geometric constraints are
described in “Geometric Constraints” on page 47.
When PAR COL is ON, grid lines extend along non-overlapping collinear line
COL OFF
segments. An example is shown under “The PAR COL Switch” on page 101.
When PAR CIR is ON, complete circular grid lines are generated from circle arcs.
CIR OFF
An example is shown under “The PAR CIR Switch” on page 102.
When PAR LIM is ON, grid lines do not extend further than the points in the object
geometry. When PAR LIM is OFF, grid lines are unlimited and extend to the
LIM ON
edges of the viewbox. This switch is explained under section ”The Parametric
Grid”, “Limited Grid Lines” on page 66.
When PAR MOV is OFF, dimension texts are replaced by new parameters but the
MOV ON
original geometry is not changed.

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Setting Parametric Switches

Option Default Explanation

The PAR PRE switch affects the way in which points within parametric groups
PRE OFF move during parameterization. This switch is described in detail under section
”Parametric Groups”, “The PAR PRE Command” on page 149.
SUP ON Enables newer forms of dimension support on VAX and Prime platforms.
When PAR TAN is ON, then the tangent lines from tangent point arcs are
TAN ON included in the potential grid. An example is shown in “The PAR TAN Switch” on
page 103.
When PAR TEX is OFF, geometry is transformed but dimension texts display
TEX ON
their original values after parameterization.
When PAR UND is ON, the original geometry is undrawn during
UND ON parameterization. This is done before drawing the new object. When PAR UND is
OFF, the original definition remains visible on the screen after parameterization.
The PAR VAR switch controls the way the Parametric Design system evaluates
VAR VAR tolerance variation dimensions. This switch is described in detail under section
”Dimensioning”, “PAR VAR Command Syntax” on page 42.

Using In-sheet Commands to Set Switches

The best way of setting switches is using in-sheet commands. Use the following procedure:
1. Select new text of type TCO.
2. Place the command into the text buffer, for example: /PAR TAN ON
3. Position the text on the sheet using a probe.

Querying Switch Settings

Use the Q PAR SWI command to find out the current parametric switch settings. The syntax for
this command is:

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Switches and Layers

Resetting Switch Defaults

Use the PAR SWI command to reset all parametric switches to their default settings. The syntax
for this command is:

Option Explanation
Resets switches to the following defaults:
DEF ON -->LIM, BAS, TAN, MOV, TEX, SUP, and UND
OFF --> COL and CIR
Resets switches to default settings compatible with pre-6.0 CIS MEDUSA software.
OLD
In particular, it sets the LIM, BAS, SUP and TAN switches to OFF.

Undrawing Graphics

When the 2D Design graphics switch is turned OFF using the SWI GRA command, then the
definition object is not undrawn and the new object is not drawn after parameterization. See the
MEDUSA Bacis1 Design Commands Guide for more information on this switch.

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Parametric Switch Examples

Parametric Switch Examples

The following examples show the effect of the switches PAR COL, PAR CIR and PAR TAN.

The PAR COL Switch

In the following example, the grid lines do not extend from the dimensioned line segments to
collinear line segments.
Figure 60 Effect of PAR COL OFF

In the following figure, the in-sheet command PAR COL ON ensures that the grid lines extend
across all collinear line segments without having adding any further dimensions.
Figure 61 Effect of PAR COL ON

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Switches and Layers

The PAR CIR Switch

In the following figure radial dimensions generate grid lines along only the dimensioned arcs:
the other arcs with the same center and radius are not placed onto the grid.
Figure 62 Effect of PAR CIR OFF

In the following figure the effect of the in-sheet command PAR CIR ON is to generate a circular
grid line which places all arcs with the same center and radius onto the grid.
Figure 63 Effect of PAR CIR ON

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Parametric Switch Examples

The PAR TAN Switch

In the following figure, although the arc is supported on the grid, the tangent point is not
because PAR TAN is set to OFF by an in-sheet command.
Figure 64 Effect of PAR TAN OFF

In the following figure, the in-sheet command PAR TAN ON ensures that both the tangent point
of the arc and the arc itself are supported on the grid.
Figure 65 Effect of PAR TAN ON

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Switches and Layers

Layers

Layers have properties that affect whether or not they are drawn and whether elements on them
can be changed. There are two layer properties that are used only in Parametric Design
• TRN/UNTRN
• DEL/UNDEL
Other layer properties are also relevant to other commands in MEDUSA 2D Design. This man-
ual only documents the effect of layer commands in relation to Parametric Design. For further
information on layer properties and commands, refer to the MEDUSA Bacis1 Design Com-
mands Guide.

Layer Defaults

Elements created with Parametric Design commands are placed onto the following layers:
Layer Element type
4 Dimensions, baselines
13 Attachment points, instance clump elements
14 In-sheet command text, table elements
15 Parametric group elements
16 Automatically inferred baselines
17 Lines created with the COL, CIR, and TAN options of the PAR GRIS command.
28 Viewbox lines
56 Orthogonal 3D view prims used as reference points.
99 Error messages, OLD, NEW, and POT

You can change these layer defaults with the PAR DDL command. See ”Changing Element
Types”, “Changing Element Types - PAR DDL” on page 154 for information on how to use PAR
DDL.

Querying Layer Properties

Use the Q LIS command to display the current layer properties.

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Layer Properties

Layer Properties

You can change the way geometry is parameterized by changing any of the following layer
properties:

Hittable/Unhittable

Elements on unhittable layers (UNHIT) are not used to generate the parametric grid and they
are not transformed during parameterization. Elements on hittable layers (HIT) are used to gen-
erate the grid. Whether they are transformed or not depends on the other layer properties.

Transformable/Untransformable

Elements on transformable layers (TRN) may be transformed during parameterization, if the

layers are also hittable and unprotected. Elements on untransformable layers (UNTRN) may be
used to build up the grid, but cannot be transformed.

Deletable/Undeletable

Elements on deleteable layers (DEL) are automatically deleted at the end of parameterization,
provided the layers are also hittable and unprotected. This is useful for deleting dimensions and
other items that are required to build up the grid, but are not wanted in the final drawing. Ele-
ments on undeleteable layers (UNDEL) are left on the sheet.

Protected/Unprotected

Elements on protected layers (PRO) can not be transformed or deleted, but may be used to
build up the grid. This property overrides the TRN and DEL layer properties.

Visible/Invisible

Elements on visible layers (VIS) are undrawn before they are moved, and then redrawn in their
new positions during parameterization. Elements on invisible layers (INVIS) are neither
undrawn nor redrawn. Note that the setting of the PAR UND switch affects the undrawing of all
elements (see “PAR UND” on page 97 for more on the PAR UND switch).

Default Layer Settings

When you run the Parametric Design system the default setting for all layers is:
• Hittable
• Transformable
• Undeletable
• Unprotected

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Switches and Layers

• Visible
Layer 99, which is used for error messages and grid lines, is ignored during parameterization.

Dimension Clumps

Dimension clumps are treated as a single unit by the Parametric Design system. Each clump is
ignored, transformed or deleted as a single unit according to the layer of the dimension text
(layer 4).

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Changing Layer Properties

Changing Layer Properties

You can change layer properties using the LAY command. LAY can be used both interactively
and as an in-sheet command.

LAY Command Syntax

The syntax of the LAY command is shown below and the options are explained below and on
the next page:

Options Description
lay_no Specifies the number of the required layer. Must be an integer.
lay_no/ Specifies a range of layers. For example, layers 18 through 23 would be specified
lay_no as 18/23.
Specifies all layers from the layer specified to layer 1023. For example, layers 99
lay_no/*
through 1023 would be specified as 99/*.
ON Layers that are ON are visible, hittable and transformable. This is the default.
OFF Layers that are OFF are invisible, unhittable and untransformable.
HIT Elements on hittable layers are used to generate the grid. This is the default.

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Switches and Layers

Options Description
Elements on unhittable layers are completely ignored by the Parametric Design
UNHIT
system.
Elements on transformable layers are transformed during parameterization. This
TRN
is the default.
Elements on untransformable layers can be used to build up the grid, but cannot
UNTRN
be transformed.
DEL Elements on deletable layers are deleted during parameterization.
Elements on undeletable layers remain on the sheet after parameterization. This
UNDEL
is the default.
Elements on protected layers cannot be transformed or deleted but can be used
PRO
to generate grid lines.
Elements on unprotected layers can be transformed and deleted by the
UNPRO
Parametric Design system. This is the default.
VIS Elements on visible layer are visible on the screen. This is the default.
Elements on invisible layers are neither undrawn nor redrawn during
INVIS
parameterization.

Using In-sheet Commands to Change Layer Properties

You can change layer properties both interactively and using in-sheet command text, though it
is better to use in-sheet commands. Use the following procedure to place an in-sheet layer
command on the sheet:
1. Select new text of type TCO.
2. Place the command into the text buffer, for example: /LAY 4 13 DEL
3. Position the text inside the viewbox using a probe.

LAY DEL Command and Viewboxes

The LAY DEL command does not delete viewboxes which are on the given layer by default. For
this a control variable named PARIVB (PARametric Ignore ViewBox) is available.
• If PARIVB is UNSET or if its value is zero or less than zero, viewboxes will be deleted.
• If PARIVB is set to a value larger than zero, viewboxes will not be deleted.
• If PARIVB is placed, as a TCO text, on a sheet within a viewbox (for example LET
PARIVB = 0), deleting the viewbox will only be applied for that one viewbox.

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Changing Layer Properties

• If you wish viewboxes never to be deleted, PARIVB can be set in the draft.mac and/or
the draft.ini/.draftrc file. In this case an individual viewbox could be made an exception
to this by placing a TCO text (for example LET PARIVB = 0) inside its viewbox.
As with any other geometry selected for DELetion, the viewbox line will only be a candidate for
deletion if it is "inside" the relevant viewing area, which does (in this case) include the possibility
of being coincident with the viewbox.

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Switches and Layers

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PARAMETRIC SYMBOLS

This chapter describes how to create and use parametric symbols. A parametric symbol is a
fully dimensioned drawing, complete with reference point, which is stored in a symbol file. Para-
metric symbols are parameterized as you load them onto a MEDUSA sheet.
There are two ways you can load parametric symbols:
• Using the PAR LOA command, which enables you to parameterize and load a single
parametric symbol interactively
• By parameterizing geometry which has been prepared with instance clumps
This chapter describes the following:

• Creating Parametric Symbols ................................................ 112

• Loading Symbols Interactively ............................................... 115

• Rotating and Mirroring Parametric Symbols .......................... 118

• Loading Symbols Using Instance Clumps ............................. 120

• Using Instance Clumps - Gearbox Cover Example ............... 123

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Parametric Symbols

Creating Parametric Symbols

Essentially, a parametric symbol definition is the same as any other object definition in Paramet-
ric Design. However, when creating a parametric symbol definition:
• Always use attachment points to define reference points
• Always rotate the symbol definition before dimensioning it
• Do not unload the viewbox with the symbol geometry

Reference Points

You must use attachment points and not static baselines or prims to define reference points in
parametric symbol definitions. An attachment point is a text of type ATP, and you can place any
number of attachment points in a parametric symbol definition. The ATP text contains a variable
name that evaluates to the X and Y-coordinates of the reference point. Two grid lines are gener-
ated through the datum of the text, one horizontal and one vertical.

Example

The following figure shows a parametric symbol. The attachment points A and B generate grid
intersections at the datum of the texts, and the line linking the attachment points generates a
grid line through the attachment points and along the orientation of the rotated object. The ori-
entation and length of the tab when it is loaded will be determined by the relative positions of the
attachment points. The in-sheet layer command LAY 4 13 DEL ensures that the dimensioning
and the extra line are deleted during parameterization.
Figure 66 Symbol Definition With Attachment Points

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Creating Parametric Symbols

Symbol Orientation

The symbol shown in the Figure 66 has been rotated. This is because horizontal and vertical
lines grid lines can constrain the orientation of the symbol when you try to load it. If you intend to
load the symbol at different orientations, avoid creating horizontal and vertical lines in the sym-
bol definition. Note that attachment points generate horizontal and vertical grid lines through the
datum point. An easy way of avoiding constraints on symbol orientation is to rotate the entire
symbol definition, including any attachment points, and then dimension it in a rotated position.

Testing the Symbol Definition

Before you unload the symbol definition, test it with the PARS CAN command. Use the following
procedure:
1. Make sure the object geometry is inside a parametric viewbox.
2. Specify positions for the attachment point texts using LET commands and probes, for
example:
LET A = FRE$RP
3. Parameterize the geometry temporarily with PARS CAN.
If there are no problems with the definition sheet, then you are ready to unload the symbol.

Unloading the symbol

Use the UNLOA command to unload the dimensioned symbol. Full details of UNLOA are given
in the MEDUSA Bacis1 Design Commands Guide. The point probed when unloading the sym-
bol is not significant: this point is not used at all when the system loads the parametric symbol.
To avoid unloading the viewbox with the geometry, use either of the following methods:
• Draw a group line around the geometry then use the UNLOAG command
• Make the viewbox line current then use the UNLOAIC command

In-sheet Commands and Parametric Symbols

Parametric symbol definitions may include in-sheet commands and tables as well as object
geometry. When you load a symbol onto a sheet, it takes the switch settings, layer attributes,
grid tolerance value, and fillet radius default for the sheet onto which you are loading it. You can
change the settings for the symbol being loaded with in-sheet commands in the symbol defini-
tion, but after the symbol is loaded the settings are restored to their original values. In-sheet
commands within a symbol definition affect only the symbol geometry and not the rest of the
geometry on the master sheet.

Deleting Layers

Parametric symbols may include in-sheet layer commands, for example, to delete elements that
are required to parameterize the symbol, but are not wanted on the final drawing. You can

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Parametric Symbols

remove unwanted elements automatically using an in-sheet layer command such as LAY 4 14
DEL in the symbol definition.

Tables and Parametric Symbols

Tables can be useful when using parametric symbols. The entries in a table row or column
define values for several symbol variables at once. See “Tables” on page 129, for more informa-
tion about using tables in Parametric Design.

Variables and Parametric Symbols

Any variables created within a parametric symbol definition exist only temporarily for as long as
it takes to load the symbol onto the sheet. These variables cannot be accessed afterwards. If
the value of a variable used within a symbol is required outside the symbol, in a Bacis1 pro-
gram, for example, you must define it as a protected variable.

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Loading Symbols Interactively

Loading Symbols Interactively

The PAR LOA command loads and scales a parametric symbol. Use the following procedure to
load a single symbol:
1. Specify the symbol you want to load by typing PAR LOA followed by a filename.
2. Specify all variables in the symbol definition with the ARG command.
3. Load the symbol with the CAL command.
For example:
*PAR LOA bearing1.sym
*ARG ANG = 45
*ARG A = FRE$RP
*CAL
Only protected variables and variables defined using ARG can be accessed by the symbol as it
is loaded. More information about variable scope restrictions is given under section ”Variables
and Expressions”, “Variable Scope Restrictions” on page 82.

PAR LOA Syntax

Option Explanation
filename The name of the file containing the symbol definition.
ARG Specifies variables in the parametric symbol, including symbol attachment points.
variable The name of the required variable. For example, LENGTH, X1, RADIUS.
Value assigned to the variable name variable. The number specified must be a signed
number
real value expressed as a decimal, a fraction, or an exponential.
string Any text string enclosed in single quotes. For example, 'LENGTH'.
A probe positioning attachment points in the symbol definition. Probe syntax is
probe
described in the MEDUSA Bacis1 Design Commands Guide.
Initiates the symbol loading and parameterizing (if any) after you have specified all the
CAL arguments. You can load several copies of the symbol by respecifying the arguments
before using CAL again.
CAN Cancels the last copy of the symbol.

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Parametric Symbols

Loading the Same Symbol Several Times

PAR LOA works in a loop, enabling you to load a parametric symbol in several places on the
same sheet. You can redefine the attachment point position and any other variables before
loading another copy of the symbol with the CAL command. For example:
*PAR LOA bolt.sym
*ARG A = FRE$RP
*CAL
(move the cursor to a new position)
*ARG A = FRE$RP
*CAL
(move the cursor to a new position)
*ARG A = FRE$RP
*CAL
In the following figure, the symbol defined in Figure 66, “Symbol Definition With Attachment
Points” on page 112 has been loaded onto a sheet at different positions and orientations. The
different orientations are achieved by moving the two attachment points A and B in relation to
each other. The in-sheet commands in the original symbol definition ensure that the dimension-
ing, the attachment points, the line linking the attachment points, and the in-sheet command text
itself do not appear on the final drawing.
Figure 67 Symbol Loaded at Different Orientations

Cancelling the Last Copy

If you are not happy with the new drawing you can cancel the last copy of the symbol with the
CAN command and then respecify the arguments before loading another copy. For example:
*PAR LOA bearing2.sym
*ARG A = NEA$RP
*ARG B = SEG$RP
*CAL
*CAN
*ARG A = NEA$RP
*ARG B = INT$RP
*CAL

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Loading Symbols Interactively

Unlike cancelling PARS and PAR GRIS, the new graphics are undrawn when you cancel PAR
LOA.

Errors During Loading

If you make a mistake when loading a parametric symbol, the unparameterized symbol will
appear at an arbitrary location on the screen with error messages indicating the problem areas.
However, although you can see the symbol on the screen, it is not loaded onto the sheet and if
you refresh the screen with a REDRA command, the image will disappear. The reason for this is
that it could be difficult to delete a symbol which has been placed into a drawing. To investigate
the problem, examine the file containing the original symbol definition.

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Parametric Symbols

Rotating and Mirroring Parametric Symbols

It is often useful to rotate or mirror a symbol about its attachment point as it is loaded onto the
sheet. Use ROT or MIR before you give the CAL command. See the MEDUSA Bacis1 Design
Commands Guide for more details on rotating and mirroring elements.
You can rotate and mirror only parametric symbols which contain one attachment point. The fol-
lowing examples show how the symbol definition in the following figure can be rotated and mir-
rored.
Figure 68 Original Symbol

Rotating Symbols

You can rotate parametric symbols use any of these commands:

• ROTLN angle (text remains legible)
• ROTFN angle (text remains fixed)
• ROTRN angle (text remains rigid)
For example, to load and rotate the symbol definition shown in Figure 68, you could use the fol-
lowing commands. The result is shown in the following figure.
*PARLOA RECT.SYM
*ARG P1 = FRE$RP
*ARG LONG = 50
*ARG SHORT = 30
*ROTLN 30
*CAL
Figure 69 Symbol Rotated by 30 Degrees

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Rotating and Mirroring Parametric Symbols

Mirroring Symbols

Use any of the following commands to mirror symbols about the horizontal or vertical axis.
• MIRVLN (mirror vertical, text legible)
• MIRVRN (mirror vertical, text rigid)
• MIRVFN (mirror vertical, text fixed)
• MIRHLN (mirror horizontal, text legible)
• MIRHRN (mirror horizontal, text rigid)
• MIRHFN (mirror horizontal, text fixed)
These commands work only if the symbol has a single attachment point. For example, the fol-
lowing sequence gives the mirroring shown in the following figure:
*PARLOA RECT.SYM
*ARG P1 = FRE$RP
*ARG LONG = 50
*ARG SHORT = 30
*MIRVFN
*CAL
*
Figure 70 Symbol Mirrored with MIRVFN Command

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Parametric Symbols

Loading Symbols Using Instance Clumps

So far, to load and parameterize a symbol, you have used three commands: PARLOA, a series
of ARG commands to specify variable values and finally CAL to load and parameterize. Using
instance clumps, you can parameterize a sheet and load parametric symbols onto it with one
command, PARS.
When you parameterize a sheet containing instance clumps, the system does the following for
you:
1. Parameterizes any geometry that is inside a viewbox.
2. Processes any instance clumps, loading and parameterizing parametric symbols.
If you use the PAR GRIS command in a sheet containing instance clumps, grid lines are only
drawn for the main definition. Instance clumps will not be processed.

Instance Clump Elements

Each instance clump contains the following elements:

• SPS text containing a symbol file name. The named symbol is loaded onto the sheet
when you give the PARS command.
• One or more instance clump attachment points (SAT texts) that define the position at
which the symbol attachment points (ATP texts) are placed
• Optional in-sheet commands (text type SCO) that specify variables in the symbol
definition
The following figure shows the structure of an instance clump:
Figure 71 Structure of an Instance Clump

Creating an Instance Clump

To create an instance clump, use the following procedure:

1. Open a new CPI clump.
2. Place text into the text buffer, for example:
ATP1, hole1.sym, arg len1 = 30.5.
3. Select the appropriate text type: SPS text for the symbol filename, SAT text for
attachment point text or SCO text for commands.
4. Place the text onto the sheet using a probe.

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Loading Symbols Using Instance Clumps

Instance Clump Element Types

The following element types are used in instance clumps:

• Symbol filename SPS text
• Symbol attachment points SAT text
• Symbol commands SCO text
The following figure shows an example of an instance clump in detail.
Figure 72 Instance Clump Elements

For each CPI clump on the sheet, a copy of the symbol in the file specified by the SPS text is
loaded. You can use only one SPS text in each instance clump, and this must be a valid file-
name.

Variables in Instance Clumps

The symbol attachment points, text type SAT, are variables which are used to position the sym-
bol on the sheet. The text must contain a valid variable name (up to six characters, the first
character being alphabetic). SAT texts in instance clumps usually correspond directly to the
attachment points, ATP texts, in the symbol definition. Symbol attachment points are normally
positioned at grid intersections so that the symbol is loaded at the appropriate place in the
parameterized object.
You can define any other variables required for the symbol using ARG commands in SCO type
texts. Only protected variables and argument variables you define in instance clumps can be
accessed by parametric symbols during parameterization.
See ”Variables and Expressions”, “Variable Scope Restrictions” on page 82 for more informa-
tion about variable scope restrictions and protected variables

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Parametric Symbols

Commands in Instance Clumps

You can place the following commands in instance clumps. They should be of text type SCO:
• VER FULL
• ARG

VER FULL: Place the VER FULL command in an instance clump to generate more detailed
error message information when an error occurs during symbol loading. The syntax for VER
FULL is:

VER FULL causes the symbol to be drawn on the screen and enlarged, with error messages
indicate the areas on the symbol causing problems.

ARG : Use ARG to assign values to variables in parametric symbols. Values can be numbers or
strings. The following graph shows the syntax for the ARG command:

Variable Description
The name of the required variable. The name can be up to six characters, but the
variable
first character must be alphabetic.
The number assigned to the variable variable. The number you specify must
number
be a signed real value expressed as a decimal, a fraction, or an exponential.
string Any text string enclosed in single quotes ( '...' ).

Loading Errors

Errors that occur when you load symbols using instance clumps are indicated by error mes-
sages drawn on the SPS text. If you include VER FULL in an instance clump, more detailed
error message information is provided if an error is found during symbol loading.
It is important to note that the Parametric Design system first parameterizes the object in the
viewbox fully and, when it has finished, then processes any instance clumps in the viewbox.
The instance clumps are processed independently of each other. If errors are encountered
when loading a symbol specified by one of the instance clumps, the symbol will be left in the
sheet at the wrong position, and the rest of the object will be parameterized normally. This
means you can use only the limited range of commands listed under ”Parameterizing Geome-
try”, “Commands Between PARS and CAN” on page 93 before cancelling the parameterization.
It is therefore recommended that you use the temporary parameterization command PARS
CAN before parameterizing the sheet irreversibly with PARS.

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Using Instance Clumps - Gearbox Cover Example

Using Instance Clumps - Gearbox Cover Example

This example shows instance clumps being used to add tabs onto a drawing of a gearbox
cover, shown in the following figure.
Figure 73 Gearbox Cover

Four different symbols are defined representing four tabs, shown in the following figure. These
symbols must be positioned on the main drawing during parameterization. One tab fits lies
along the straight edges of the gearbox cover and three fit onto curved edges of the cover. A
variable is used in these three to specify each different radius of curvature.
Figure 74 Four Tabs

The Figure 75, “Gearbox Cover Definition” shows the definition sheet for the gearbox cover.
The geometry of the main part of the cover is drawn on the sheet and fully dimensioned, and
instance clumps specify where the tabs are to be placed when the sheet is parameterized. The
sheet also contains an in-sheet command LAY 4 13 DEL which deletes all dimensions and
instance clump elements from the final drawing. Note that the symbol attachment points are all
fully dimensioned.

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Parametric Symbols

Figure 75 Gearbox Cover Definition

Instance Clumps

Instance clumps are used in this example to add the tabs to the main drawing of the gearbox
cover. Each instance clump on the main component definition contains the following informa-
tion:
• The name of the symbol file containing the tab definition
• Two symbol attachment points (SAT texts)
• For the symbols containing the variable RAD, SCO text to specify radius of curvature

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Using Instance Clumps - Gearbox Cover Example

The following figure shows the gearbox cover definition with the dimensioning removed so that
you can see the instance clumps more clearly.
Figure 76 Instance Clumps

The following figure shows one of the instance clumps in detail.

Figure 77 Detail of Instance Clump

Symbol Definitions

Four different symbols are defined, three of which contain an additional variable, RAD, to specify
the radius of curvature. The symbols are:
• tab1.sym for use on flat surfaces
• tab3.sym for use on curved surfaces
• tab4.sym and tab5.sym for use on partially curved surfaces
The following figures show the symbol definitions for each of the tabs used in this example.

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Parametric Symbols

Figure 78 Definition for tab1.sym

Figure 79 Definition for tab3.sym

Figure 80 Definition for tab4.sym

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Using Instance Clumps - Gearbox Cover Example

Figure 81 Definition for tab5.sym

Figure 82 Gearbox Cover - Final Drawing

The above figure shows the gearbox cover after parameterization. The tab symbols have been
loaded onto the main drawing and all dimensions and in-sheet command text have been
deleted.

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Parametric Symbols

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TABLES

This chapter shows how to use tables to store one or more groups of values on a sheet and set
a number of related variables during parameterization.

• Table Definitions..................................................................... 130

• Constructing a Table .............................................................. 132

• The TBL Command................................................................ 135

• Tables and Parametric Symbols ............................................ 137

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Tables

Table Definitions

A table is composed of special elements. Tables contain a series of values arranged in rows
and columns which you can access using the TBL command. Using a table you can set several
variable parameters at once with a single TBL command. You can have more than one table on
a sheet.

Accessing Table Values

When you execute the TBL command, the system reads values from the table and uses them to
parameterize the geometry. Specifying a table row or column has the same effect as giving a
LET command for each entry in that row or column.
Figure 83 The Parts of a Table

Parts of a Table

A table consists of the following elements:

Part Element Type Function
The table name. This text must be in the same SET clump
Title TTB text as the table boundary line. TTB text is optional if there is
only one table on the sheet.
Defines the table boundary. The LTB line must be in a SET
Box LTB line
clump.
Column names TRC text Row and column names define a set of values. TRC texts
are sheet level texts. The should not be part of the clump
Row names containing the LTB line ands must be within the table area
defined by the LTB line.
The values are sheet level texts, placed at the intersection
of horizontal and vertical lines from the row and column text
Values Any text type
datums. Use either construction lines or the grid to place
values. Any valid expression may be used in a table.

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Table Definitions

Structure of Table Elements

The diagram below shows the relationship between table elements.

Figure 84 The Structure of Table Elements

Adding Elements to Tables

You can add lines to the table, for example to divide the rows and columns. These lines can be
of any type and will be ignored by the TBL command. However, you must put the LTB line defin-
ing the table boundary and any extra lines on an untransformable layer before parameterization.

Positioning Tables on the Sheet

A table can be placed anywhere on the sheet. It does not have to be in the same viewbox as the
object geometry, though if it is inside the viewbox make the table boundary and any extra lines
untransformable.

Changing the Element Types Associated with a Table

If you use the default element types used for tables (types LTB, TTB and TRC) in other applica-
tions, conflicts between element types and their uses may occur. You can avoid this by redefin-
ing element types for the parts of a table with the command TBL DDL. This command is
described under ”Changing Element Types”, “Changing Table Element Types - TBL DDL” on
page 158.

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Tables

Constructing a Table

You can construct a table both by entering the commands directly using the keyboard. In the fol-
lowing example the commands are entered directly:
*NEWC SET NEWL LTB LAYN14
*FRE $RP Probe the bottom left corner of the box
*FRE $RP Probe the top right corner of the box
*BOX ENDL
*/table1
*NEWT TTB LAYN14 FRE $RPPosition the table name text with a probe
*END End the clump
*/R1
*NEWT TRC LAYN14
*FRE $RP Position the row and column texts with probes

Entering Values in a Table

Table values can be of any text type. Use either a MEDUSA 2D Design grid or construction lines
to place the table values in correct alignment with the row and column texts. If they are not
aligned you will receive the following error message when you try to parameterize the drawing:
Cannot resolve table
This error means that the system cannot separate the table into rows and columns with the
same number of entries in each row and in each column during parameterization.

Example

The table shown in the following figure contains the dimensions for a joist section. Lines and
text (Nominal size, Thickness) have been added between the rows and columns to make the
information in the table clearer. Remember that if you add lines for this reason, you must make
them untransformable before parameterizing the drawing. This table can be used to create a set
of joists. The definition sheet for the joist is shown in Figure 87, “In-sheet TBL Command” on
page 136. Because this is the only table on the definition sheet, there is no table title text (text
type TTB).

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Constructing a Table

Figure 85 Table of Dimensions For Joist Section

Variables and Expressions in Tables

You can use variables and expressions in tables. Variables are evaluated during parameteriza-
tion and the numeric value is used to calculate the new dimension.

Please note: The sequence of variables and expressions in the table is important.

In the table shown in the following figure, some of the values are expressions rather than
numeric values.
Figure 86 Table with Variables

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Tables

The value of each variable used in a table refers to its value before the execution of the TBL
command and not to its value calculated during the execution of the TBL command.

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The TBL Command

The TBL Command

You can use the TBL command both interactively and as an in-sheet command.
• When you specify a row name in the TBL command, the values for that row are
assigned to the variables specified in the columns
• When you specify a column name in the TBL command, the values for that column are
assigned to the variables specified in the rows
The syntax of the TBL command is shown below:

Option Description
Specifies the table name. This is only required if there is more than one
table_name
table in the relevant sheet or symbol.
A variable name that evaluates to a valid table name. The name can be
table_variable
any text string, but must be enclosed in angled brackets ( < ... > ).
Specifies the row name. The name specified can be any text string, but
row_name
must be enclosed in single quotes ( '...' ).
Specifies the column name. The name specified can be any text string,
column_name
but must be enclosed in single quotes ( '...' ).
A variable which evaluates to a table row or column name. The name
row/col_variable specified can be any text string, but must be enclosed in angled
brackets ( < ... > ).

Using Variables to Access Rows

The command TBL table1 'row1' accesses values from the row named row1 each time you
load the symbol. Instead of identifying a row or column name, you can use a variable. This
enables you to specify a different row or column each time you load the symbol. For example,
the following command creates the variable name var:
TBL table1 <var>
The value you specify for this variable must be a table row or column name.

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Tables

Example

The following figure shows an example with an in-sheet TBL command. The table named in the
TBL command is shown in Figure 85, “Table of Dimensions For Joist Section” on page 133. The
row name, 5, contains a set of values for all the variables in this joist definition. Because there is
only one table on this definition sheet, no table name needs to be specified.
Figure 87 In-sheet TBL Command

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Tables and Parametric Symbols

Tables and Parametric Symbols

In the last chapter parametric symbols were introduced as a useful way of storing part defini-
tions that dimensioned in terms of variable parameters. Tables can be used with parametric
symbols to set all the variables in a parametric symbol at once with a single TBL command. A
table can store the values for variables in the main component and in any symbols. Using tables
to store variable values in this way helps to keep the main drawing simpler.
If you want to use a table when loading a parametric symbol, simply include the table in the
symbol definition. Create the table in the usual way. You must unload the table with the symbol
geometry.

In-sheet Commands

The following are the in-sheet commands.

TBL command : Include an in-sheet TBL command in the symbol definition and unload this
with the table and symbol geometry.

Layer commands : Use a layer command to make the table outline and table value texts
untransformable, or the system will try to parameterize them when you load the symbol. Use the
same in-sheet command to prevent the table elements and in-sheet commands from the sym-
bol definition appearing on the master drawing. For example,
LAY 13 14 UNTRN DEL

Unloading the Symbol

When you unload the symbol make sure you unload:

• All of the geometry
• The table
• All in-sheet commands

Please note: Do not unload the parametric viewbox.

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Tables

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PARAMETRIC GROUPS

This chapter describes how to use parametric groups in MEDUSA Parametric Design to isolate
geometry where dimensions are to remain unchanged during parameterization. This enables
you to parameterize parts of an object.

• Introduction ............................................................................ 140

• Static Groups ......................................................................... 143

• Dynamic Groups .................................................................... 144

• Rotating Parametric Groups .................................................. 147

• The PAR PRE Command....................................................... 149

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Parametric Groups

Introduction

Parametric groups provide a way of moving and scaling parts of geometry without having to
dimension every detail. The detail enclosed in a parametric group is either scaled or ignored
during parameterization, depending on the number of PPG prims in the group.
Points within a parametric group move in different ways depending on whether or not they are
dimensioned:
• All points within the group line that are not explicitly dimensioned are moved and
scaled together with the group. You need to explicitly dimension only a few datum
points.
• Points within the group line that are explicitly dimensioned are moved according to the
dimension moves and not according to how the group moves.

Static and Dynamic Groups

There are two types of parametric group:

• Static
• Dynamic

Static groups : The simplest form of parametric group is a static group. This consists of a
closed line of type LPG in a SET clump, and does not include any parametric group prims.
Undimensioned points inside a static group remain in their original position on the sheet during
parameterization.

Dynamic groups : A parametric group that contains an LPG line and one or more PPG prims is
known as a dynamic group. Points within a dynamic group can be moved, scaled, rotated or dif-
ferentially scaled depending on how many PPG prims the group contains.

Parametric Group Elements

A parametric group is a clump of type SET containing a parametric group line. This is a single
closed line of type LPG composed of straight line segments. The clump may also contain one,
two or three prims of type PPG.

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Introduction

Figure 88 Structure of a Parametric Group

Using tangent point arcs to define the parametric group line is not recommended, as the tangent
points lie outside the line.

Creating a Parametric Group

Use the following procedure to create a parametric group.

1. Enclose the geometry that will not vary in dimension by a parametric group line of type
LPG.
2. If necessary, draw a further parametric group around any parts of the geometry.
3. If required, create one, two, or three parametric group prim(s) of type PPG inside the
same clump as the parametric group line.
4. Ensure that all PPG prims are at grid line intersections. You may need to dimension
them to place them on the grid.

Parametric Group Example

In the drawing shown in the following figure, placing a parametric group around the bolt head
removes the need to detail the bolt head chamfer. The LPG line surrounding the bolt head
defines a parametric group containing three PPG prims. All three prims lie on grid line intersec-
tions.

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Parametric Groups

Figure 89 Bolt Definition With Parametric Group

The following figure shows two examples obtained by parameterizing the definition in Figure 89.
In each case, the bolt head has been scaled in proportion to new parameters.
Figure 90 Results of Parameterization

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Static Groups

Static Groups

A static group consists of a closed line of type LPG in a SET clump. Static parametric groups do
not contain parametric group prims. Any point within the LPG line that is not fully dimensioned
will not be moved during parameterization.

Example

The following figure shows an object where most of the geometry has been enclosed in a static
group line. This means that only the dimensions shown have to be added to enable the drawing
to be parameterized.
Figure 91 Static Parametric Group

The following figure shows the same object after parameterization. Only one dimension has
been changed, and the geometry inside the static group is untransformed.
Figure 92 After Parameterization

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Parametric Groups

Dynamic Groups

A parametric group containing one or more prims of type PPG is known as a dynamic group.
PPG prims must be part of the same SET clump as the LPG line, and the datum of each prim
must lie at a grid intersection. These datum points are used to define the transformation that is
applied to any undimensioned points lying within the group line.
The PPG prims do not need to lie inside the area defined by the group line. The prims are asso-
ciated with the group line, because they are all in the same clump. You can include more than
one closed group line in a clump. However, the group lines should not overlap or be nested.

How Dynamic Groups Work

What happens to a dynamic group during parameterization depends on how may prims it con-
tains.

Translating - one prim: If the group has only one prim, then the group is simply translated in
the same way as the datum point with no rotation or scaling.

Scaling and rotating - two prims : With two prims the group will be scaled according to how
the distance between the two prims changes, and rotated according to how one datum rotates
about the other.

Differential scaling - three prims : Group with three prims can be scaled differentially, as well
as translated and rotated. Different scale factors can be used along different axes of the object.
Normally the prims are positioned so that the object is scaled differently in two orthogonal axes.
If the axes are not orthogonal, you may have to link the prims with one or more lines to make
sure they lie at grid intersections.

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Dynamic Groups

Example

The following figure shows an example of a dynamic group consisting of an LPG line and one
PPG prim.
Figure 93 Parametric Group Definition

Transforming Using One Prim

The drawing (a) in the following figure shows a parametric group positioned near to the corner
of an object. The PPG prim in the group is placed on the parametric grid by the 9.0 dimension.
When this parameter is changed, the bolt hole moves horizontally during parameterization, as
shown in (b).
Figure 94 Group with One Prim

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Parametric Groups

Transforming Using Two Prims

The drawing (a) in the following figure shows a parametric group with two prims. An additional
PPG prim at the bottom of the bolt hole is placed on the grid by dimensioning the length of the
bolt hole. By increasing the length of the hole, the whole of the bolt hole is scaled proportionally,
as shown in (b).
Figure 95 Group with Two Prims

Transforming Using Three Prims

If you add a third PPG prim as shown in (a) below, the length and width of the bolt hole can be
changed independently. The third prim is placed at a grid line intersection by dimensioning the
width of the bolt hole. The result of lengthening the bolt hole is shown in (b). The hole has been
stretched in the Y-axis but left unchanged in the X-axis. Note that this may still not be exactly
what you want as the angles in the geometry at the bottom of the bolt hole will have changed.
Figure 96 Group with Three Prims

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Rotating Parametric Groups

Rotating Parametric Groups

Using two or three prims, you can rotate geometry within parametric groups. This allows you to
keep geometry within parametric groups at the same orientation as the geometry outside the
group during parameterization.
Drawing (a) in the figure below shows a bolt hole on a part of an object that is to be rotated. With
only one prim in the group, the hole will be translated as shown in (b) where the hole is no
longer at the same orientation as the rest of the object.
Figure 97 Parametric Group with One Prim

Rotating Groups Using Two Prims

The following figure shows that by placing two prims inside the parametric group, the hole
rotates with the rest of the geometry.
Figure 98 Parametric Group with Two Prims

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Parametric Groups

Rotating Groups Using Three Prims

In the following figure, three prims in the parametric group allow the bolt hole to be scaled differ-
entially as well as rotated.
Figure 99 Parametric Group with Three Prims

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The PAR PRE Command

The PAR PRE Command

When you create a parametric group, points within the group line that are explicitly dimensioned
are moved during parameterization according to the parameters specified in the dimension and
not according to how the group moves.
Using the PAR PRE switch you can change this so that all dimensioning within the groups will be
ignored and explicitly dimensioned points within a parametric group will move according to the
group and not the dimension. The command syntax for changing the PAR PRE switch is shown
below.

Syntax

Option Description
OFF When PAR PRE is OFF, all dimensioning within parametric groups is ignored.
With PAR PRE ON, points within the parametric group line that are explicitly
ON dimensioned are moved according to the dimension and not according to
how the group moves. This is the default setting.

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Parametric Groups

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CHANGING ELEMENT TYPES

This chapter describes how to change the default element types used in MEDUSA Parametric
Design with the PAR DDL and TBL DDL commands.

• Parametric Design Element Defaults ..................................... 152

• Querying Element Defaults .................................................... 153

• Changing Element Types - PAR DDL .................................... 154

• Changing Table Element Types - TBL DDL ........................... 158

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Changing Element Types

Parametric Design Element Defaults

The variables listed below are the Parametric Design system element type defaults. You can
change these defaults using the PAR DDL command, which is described under section “Chang-
ing Table Element Types - TBL DDL” on page 158.
Variable Description Default
ACO Instance clump command text SCO
ARP Instance clump attachment point text SAT
BOX Viewbox line LPV
BSL Baselines LBL
COL Lines created by PAR GRIS COL L3
COM In-sheet command text TCO
CIR Lines created by PAR GRIS CIR L3
PVG, DXY, DYZ, DXZ
DAT Datum point prim
DYX, DZY, DZX
ERR Line and text types used for error messages
FIL Lines created by PAR GRIS FIL STK
GPD Parametric group datum prim PPG
GPL Parametric group line LPG
INF Lines created by PAR GRIS INF L3
INS Instance clump name text SPS
NDA Attachment point text ATP
NEW NEW grid lines STK
OLD OLD grid lines STK
POT Potential grid lines STK
POI Baseline point functions
TAN Lines created by PAR GRIS TAN L3

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Querying Element Defaults

Querying Element Defaults

Use Q PAR DDL to display the current Parametric Design element defaults :

Example

When you give the command Q PAR DDL, a complete list of current element type defaults is
displayed. For example:
*
*qparddl

Parametrics element types :-

BOX - LPV
BSL - LBL
DAT - PVG DXY DYZ DZX DYX DZY DXZ
NDA - ATP
COM - TCO
INS - SPS
ARP - SAT
ACO - SCO
GPL - LPG
GPD - PPG
SLN - SWL
SPM - SWP
Grid lines :-
POT - STK Layer: 99 Width: 3.00
OLD - STK Layer: 99 Width: 3.00
NEW - L4 Layer: 99 Width: 0.00
BAS - LBL Layer: 16 Width: 0.00
COL - L3 Layer: 17 Width: 0.00
CIR - L3 Layer: 17 Width: 0.00
TAN - L3 Layer: 17 Width: 0.00
INF - L3 Layer: 17 Width: 0.00
More?y
FIL - STK Layer: 99 Width: 3.00
Errors :-
Input : TS1
Output : TR1
Line Type: L6
Layer : 99
Width : 0.00
Point functions :-
Intersection : 11
Tangent : 12
Perpendicular: 10
Circle center: 26

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Changing Element Types

Changing Element Types - PAR DDL

Use PAR DDL to redefine the element types that are used in parametric constructions. You can
redefine the type, and for grid lines also the layer and width, used for output from Parametric
Design commands such as PAR GRIS. The syntax graph for PAR DDL is shown on the next
page.
Any element types you define using PAR DDL replace the default element types for construc-
tions shown under section “Parametric Design Element Defaults” on page 152.

General Parametric Design elements

The following series of options define various Parametric Design element types.
Option Default Description
BOX LPV Viewbox line
BSL LBL Baselines
Datum point prim
DXY
DYZ
DAT PVG DXZ
DYX
DZY
DZX
NDA ATP Attachment point text
COM TCO In-sheet command text
INS SPS Instance clump name text
ARP SAT Instance clump attachment point text
ACO SCO Instance clump command text
GPL LPG Parametric group line
GPD PPG Parametric group datum prim
Static window line. This is a deprecated line type: use a
SLN SWL
parametric group line instead.
Static window datum prim. This is prim: use a
SPM SWP parametric group datum prim instead.
types --> One or more valid element types

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Changing Element Types - PAR DDL

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Changing Element Types

Grid line Elements

The following series of options define Parametric Design grid line elements.
Option Default Description
OLD STK Old grid lines
New grid lines
NEW STK type --> Any valid element type, for example TS1, LPG, L5.
layer --> The number of the required layer. Must be an integer.
POT STK Potential grid lines
COL L3 Lines created by PAR GRIS COL
CIR L3 Lines created by PAR GRIS CIR
TAN L3 Lines created by PAR GRIS TAN
INF L3 Lines created by PAR GRIS INF
Lines created by PAR GRIS FIL
TYPN type A valid element type, for example TS1, LPG, L5.
LAYN layer The number of the required layer.
FIL STK
layer must be an integer.
WIDN width Width of a superline. width is a signed real value
expressed as a decimal, fraction, or an exponential.

Point Functions and Error Messages

The following options define baseline point functions and error message elements.
Option Description
Baseline point functions:
intersection Intersection point function. The default is 11.
POI tangent Tangent point function. The default is 12.
perpendicular Perpendicular point function. The default is 10.
center Center point function. The default is 26.
Line and text types used for error messages:
input The text type used for input errors, that is, errors concerning the new grid.
The default is TS1.
output The text type used for output errors, that is, errors concerning the new
ERR
parameters you have specified. The default is TR1.
line The line type used to indicate bad constructions. The default is L6.
layer The layer used for error messages. This defaults to 99.
width The width of the error lines if you defines a superline in line.

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Changing Element Types - PAR DDL

Element Type Defaults

RESET: Resets all element types to the default.

PAR DDL Example

The following example shows several element types being changed using PAR DDL:
*PAR DDL BOX LGR
*OLD L3 52 NEW STK 52 3.0
*PAR DDL POI 8 12 18 24
*FIL LAYN 100 TYPN L4
*

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Changing Element Types

Changing Table Element Types - TBL DDL

Use the TBL DDL command to redefine the element types used in tables. Any element types
you redefine in this way replace the types currently in use.

Syntax

Variable Description
The line type used for the table boundary line.
line_type
The default is LTB.
The text type used for the table name text.
name_type
The default is TTB.
The text type used for the row and column name texts.
row/column
The default is TRC.

Example
*TBL DDL L6 T2 T3*

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MECHANISMS

This chapter describes how to simulate the movement of parts or objects on a MEDUSA sheet
by repeatedly parameterizing an object and changing selected dimensions. This allows you, for
example, to investigate potential clashes between different parts of a mechanism.

• Simulating Movement ............................................................ 160

• Running a Mechanism ........................................................... 162

• Preparing the Definition Sheet ............................................... 163

• Linear Motion ......................................................................... 166

• Rotary Motion......................................................................... 169

• Text Variable Commands ....................................................... 170

• Using Programs to Control Mechanisms ............................... 171

• Plotting Motion Simulations.................................................... 173

• Examples ............................................................................... 174

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Mechanisms

Simulating Movement

Parametric Design allows you to simulate movement by repeatedly parameterizing geometry.

You set a dimension variable and then repeat the following sequence as many times as
required:
1. Parameterize the geometry temporarily with PARS CAN.
2. Increment the dimension variable.
This allows you to produce several versions of a single drawing, each representing a stage of
motion.

Simulating Different Types of Motion

The type of motion simulated may be linear, rotary, or a combination of the two:
• Linear movement is simulated by moving geometry relative to a fixed point
• Rotary movement is simulated by moved geometry around a fixed or moving center
To repeat the sequence of commands needed to simulate motion you can do any of the follow-
ing:
• Use the macros provided with the Parametric Design menus
• Execute a text variable command
• Execute a Bacis1 program

Setting Parameters

The following parameters are used in motion simulation:

• A controlling variable, an angular, a linear, or a radial/hole dimension whose
value changes with each parameterization operation
• An increment setting, the amount by which the controlling variable is
incremented each parameterization operation
The starting value of the controlling variable must be specified before parameterization begins.
The increment can be a positive or negative value.

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Simulating Movement

Running the Simulation

There are three ways of running a motion simulation once you have prepared your sheet and
specified the variables:
• One step at a time
• For a specified number of steps
• Continuously (until you decide to stop)

Single step : To run a motion simulation one step at a time, increment the controlling variable
by the amount you set parameterize the prepared geometry with the variable. If you cancel the
PARS command immediately, the scaling is not permanent, although the variable will be incre-
mented by the specified amount.

Several steps : To parameterize the sheet a specific number of times, use a program. Each
PARS command in the program must contain a CAN command. When the program ends,
REDRA displays the original object only. An example of using a program to parameterize a
mechanism is given later in this chapter under section “Parameterizing the Loader Mechanism
Repeatedly” on page 181.

Continuously : To parameterize a sheet continuously, use either a program or a text variable

command. If you use a text variable command, use the following procedure to stop parameter-
ization:
• Control-p for Prime
• Control-c for Sun and VAX
The process is aborted at the earliest possible opportunity, and automatically cancelled. When
you refresh the screen with a REDRA command, the original object definition is drawn.

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Mechanisms

Running a Mechanism

Use the following general procedure for motion simulation:

1. Ensure that all parts of the mechanism definition are inside the parametric viewbox.
2. Place an in-sheet command inside the viewbox to prevent dimensioning, in-sheet
commands and dynamic baselines from being redrawn each time the drawing is
parameterized. For example:
LAY 4 14 UNTRN INVIS
If you have included any parametric groups in the drawing, make them
untransformable.
3. Test the drawing by clearing the workstation screen with the CLE command and then
use PARS CAN to check for problems in the mechanism definition. Correct any errors
before continuing.
4. Replace the dimension which is to change and any other dimensions with variable
names.
5. Specify all variables using LET commands.
6. Test the drawing again using PARS CAN.
7. Set the PAR UND switch to OFF.
8. Clear the workstation screen using the CLE command.
9. Execute a text variable command or program to repeatedly parameterize the drawing.

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Preparing the Definition Sheet

Preparing the Definition Sheet

You can use the Parametric Design system to simulate the movement of a mechanism drawn
on any MEDUSA sheet. Before you can start simulating motion, however, you must prepare the
definition drawing in the following way:
1. Specify any parameters that will change during parameterization.
2. If necessary, add dynamic baselines to connect reference points on rotating linkages.
3. Add in-sheet commands to place dimensioning on an invisible or deletable layer.
4. Make sure the PAR UND switch is OFF.

Drawing and Dimensioning the Geometry

Dimension the object as you would for regular parameterization. Enclose parts of the object that
will not move within a parametric group or leave their dimensions unchanged. Make sure that all
points required to move are at grid line intersections.

Setting up Variables and Expressions

Replace the text of dimensions that will change during parameterization with variable names or
expressions, for example:
• LEN
• ANG + 15
• LEN * .5
Specify a starting value for each variable name before you test the drawing. Full details of how
to use variables and expressions are given in “Variables and Expressions” on page 77.

Using Dynamic Baselines

Many mechanisms involve two or more rotating linkages. The position of a linkage at any one
time usually depends on the position of the linkage to which it is connected and you can use
dynamic baselines to connect the reference points on each linkage. Refer to “Geometric Con-
straints” on page 47, for more information about using dynamic baselines.

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Mechanisms

Making Dimensions Invisible

Place dimensioning on an invisible or deletable layer to clarify each stage of a mechanism dur-
ing repeated parameterization. Use an in-sheet layer command, for example:
LAY 4 INVIS
Parameterization is slightly quicker if dimensioning is made invisible.

Adding Lines

Adding lines to the mechanism definition can help to create the dimensions necessary for
repeated parameterization. For example, it may be necessary to add a horizontal or vertical line
to a drawing so that you can specify a variable angle. Place all additional lines on a layer where
they can be easily deleted or made invisible during parameterization.
You may wish to use additional lines to improve visualization of the motion to be simulated. For
example, when simulating rotary movement, it is helpful to construct a dummy circle that con-
nects the center of rotation with a point on the outline of the object or with the corresponding
dynamic reference point. When used to show the path of a dynamic reference point, the dummy
line also serves to dimension the reference point radially. An example of this is shown in the fol-
lowing figure.
Figure 100 Using Additional Lines

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Preparing the Definition Sheet

Undrawing the Image

To monitor the movement of an object, the parameterized version of the master drawing created
by each parameterization must remain visible on the screen. This allows you to see and investi-
gate potential clashes between different parts of an object or mechanism.
The parametric switch PAR UND controls undrawing (erasing) of the image. The default setting
for this switch is ON, so that when an object is repeatedly parameterized, the old image is
removed when the new image is drawn. When the PAR UND switch is OFF, the old image
remains visible. You can then see all stages of movement at the same time.

Cancelling the Parameterization Command

When simulating movement you must use the PARS CAN command. If you parameterize the
geometry permanently, the parameterized version of the master will be used as the input for the
next parameterization. This may cause errors as geometry produced by parameterization often
cannot itself be parameterized.

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Mechanisms

Linear Motion

You can simulate linear movement by parameterizing geometry so that the geometry moves rel-
ative to a fixed reference point. The reference point can be either a pair of static baselines, an
orthogonal view prim or a PVG prim.

Magnification

To simulate magnification of an object in one or more directions, place a reference point on part
of the geometry being parameterized and replace dimensions with variables or expressions.
The reference point will not move during parameterization and therefore repeated parameter-
ization will simulate magnification of the object in one or more directions rather than movement.

Example

The following figure represents a rectangle that has been repeatedly parameterized. The value
of the variable LEN is increased each time, while the lower left-hand corner of the rectangle
remains stationary because of the prim. The dashed lines show where the right edge of the rect-
angle is redrawn each time LEN is incremented.
Figure 101 Magnification in One Direction

Movement in One Direction

To simulate movement in one direction, replace a dimension in the direction required with a vari-
able or expression. The following figure shows how the whole object geometry moves when the
value the variable, DIST. is increased.

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Linear Motion

Figure 102 Linear Motion

DIST specifies the position of Point A relative to the reference point (a DXY prim). By increasing
DIST with each PARS command, the rectangle moves to the right. If DIST were decreased, the
rectangle would move to the left.

Movement in Two Directions

You can simulate movement in two directions in two different ways:

• By replacing a dimension in each direction with separate variables or expressions, as
in the following figure.
• By replacing a dimension in one direction with a variable and a dimension in the other
direction with an expression containing the same variable, as in Figure 104, “Varying a
Single Parameter” on page 168.
In the following figure, the aim is to move the rectangle in both the X and Y axes. To do this you
must increment the two variables, XDIR and YDIR, which specify the position of the geometry
point A relative to the prim.
Figure 103 Varying Two Parameters

In the following figure, any change in the value of the variable XDIR will result in movement in
both directions because one of the dimensions is expressed in terms of the other.

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Mechanisms

Figure 104 Varying a Single Parameter

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Rotary Motion

Rotary Motion

You can simulate rotary movement by moving geometry around a fixed or moving center. This is
achieved by repeatedly parameterizing geometry containing an angle dimension. The angle
must be specified as a variable or expression whose value changes each time the geometry is
parameterized. As with linear motion, you can change any of the other mechanism dimensions
into variables.
You might use rotary motion simulation to represent an object turning around a fixed center, for
example, the movement of a crank and crank arm.

Rotation About a Fixed Center

Use the following procedure when you define an object that is to be rotated about a fixed center:
1. Draw the object geometry.
2. Place a reference point at the point around which the object is to be rotated.
3. Dimension the drawing and add additional lines to the drawing if necessary (see
”Preparing the Definition Sheet”, “Adding Lines” on page 164).
4. Rotate the object and baselines to avoid the constraints imposed by horizontal and
vertical baselines. Do not use an angle of 30, 45, or 60 degrees as these are
considered as special cases by the system.
5. There must be at least one angle dimension between one of the static baselines and a
point on the outline of the object. If such an angle dimension is not present, add one.
6. Perform steps one through nine of the general procedure described under section
“Running a Mechanism” on page 162.

Example

The following figure shows a fully dimensioned cam that can be rotated about its center. The
angle of rotation is specified by the angle ANG. Note that the cam and the static baselines have
been rotated through an arbitrary angle to avoid the constraints associated with horizontal and
vertical baselines.
Figure 105 Rotation About a Fixed Center

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Mechanisms

Text Variable Commands

Using a text variable command, you can repeatedly perform two operations:
• Temporarily parameterize geometry
• Increment the controlling variable
Only one variable, the controlling variable, can be incremented using a text variable command.
This transforms a critical dimension, for example the angle in the cam in Figure 105, “Rotation
About a Fixed Center” on page 169. Dimensions that are functions of the controlling variable
may also be transformed during parameterization, for example, ANG + 50 or ANG * .5. You
cannot change any other dimension variables with a text variable command.

Creating a Text Variable Command

A text variable command should be created and stored in a buffer. Use either the input text
buffer (which is also used when creating or editing text) or create an exclusive buffer:
• Commands stored in the input text buffer are executed when you give the command
XQT. For example:
/PARS CAN LET ANG = (ANG - 10) XQT
• An exclusive buffer is a variable name containing a text variable command. For
example, an exclusive buffer ABC might be declared in the following way:
LET ABC = 'PARS CAN LET ANG = (ANG - 10) XQT ABC'

Executing a Text Variable Command

The XQT command executes a text variable command.

• For input text buffer commands, type XQT then press Return.
• For text variable commands stored in an exclusive buffer, type XQT followed by the
variable buffer name, for example XQT buffer_name then press Return.
Once started, a text variable command will run the commands in the text buffer continuously
until you stop it.

Interrupting a Text Variable Command

To stop a text variable command loop, use the key sequence described under section ”Simulat-
ing Movement”, “Continuously” on page 161. If you stop a text variable command in this way
and then want to restart it, you must first refresh the screen with a REDRA command and then
enter a new starting value for the variable.

Querying the Content of a Text Buffer

To display the contents of text buffers type QVAR TEX for the input text buffer and
QVAR buffer_name for an exclusive buffer.

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Using Programs to Control Mechanisms

Using Programs to Control Mechanisms

Programs are a powerful tool for simulating movement using Parametric Design. Using pro-
grams you can:
• Change several dimension variables at once
• Use logical operators during parameterization

Creating a Program

You can create a program in two ways:

• Using your operating system text editor
• Using MEDUSA program mode
Details of how to create programs in MEDUSA program mode are given in the MEDUSA Bacis1
Guide.

Running a Program

When you run a program to parameterize an object, first clear the screen with the CLE com-
mand and then type RUN followed by the name of the program. For example:
*RUN MECH1.PRG Return
*

Example

The drawing shown in the following figure is ready to be parameterized using a program which
will rotate the component several times, increasing the value of the variable ANG by 30 degrees
each time.
Figure 106 Cam Definition Drawing

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Mechanisms

To begin with, the program sets the value of the variable ANG to 40 degrees. The PARS CAN
command is inside a loop which parameterizes the component until ANG is greater than 100
degrees.
10 LET ANG = 40
20 LOOP
30 PARSCAN
40 BREAK IF (ANG.GT.100)
50 LET ANG = (ANG + 30)
60 ENDLOOP
70 ENDRUN
With each loop, the program does the following:
1. Parameterizes the component temporarily with the PARS CAN command
2. Tests whether ANG is greater than 100 using the logical operator .GT. The result of the
test is true or false:
• If false, ANG is increased by 30 and the loop is reentered.
• If true, the loop is exited and the program stops.
The following figure shows the result of repeated parameterization using the program above.
Figure 107 Result of Repeated Parameterization

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Plotting Motion Simulations

Plotting Motion Simulations

It is not possible to plot the screen display to show all the movement of the mechanism. You can
only plot the master drawing that is used for each parameterization.
The reason for this is that you parameterize the drawing using PARS CAN, not PARS. The mas-
ter drawing is redrawn with new dimensions, but the new dimensions are cancelled in memory.
When you plot a sheet, you get the information in memory, not the information on the screen.
It is not possible to use PARS instead of PARS CAN in command loop. The PARS command
must be cancelled, otherwise errors would be caused. Using PARS, the drawing produced by
one parameterization would be used as input for the next. This causes problems as there is no
guarantee that a drawing produced by parameterization is itself capable of being parameter-
ized. A drawing that is the result of parameterization may contain geometric constraints, such
as coincident points or horizontal and vertical lines, which prevent it from being parameterized

Getting a Screen Dump

One way to get around this problem is to get a screen dump. A screen dump can only be
obtained if there is a hardcopy device attached to your workstation.

Creating a Composite Drawing

If you cannot get a screen dump, you can create a composite drawing of the mechanism using
the following procedure.
1. Increment the variable in the master drawing.
2. Parameterize the drawing permanently.
3. Save the sheet as a symbol.
4. Increment the variable on the master drawing by a further step.
5. Parameterize the drawing again.
6. Save the sheet as a symbol, using a new filename.
Continue this procedure until you have a symbol representing each stage in the movement of
the mechanism. Then load all the symbols onto the same sheet to form a composite drawing
which can be plotted.

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Mechanisms

Examples

The examples in the following sections show both linear and rotary motion.

Piston mechanism : The first example uses a piston mechanism which uses both linear and
rotary movement. Static baselines define the reference point and a text variable command is
used to repeatedly parameterize the mechanism.

Loader mechanism : The second example is of a lift arm assembly for a loader shovel bucket.
The rams, linkages etc are stored as parametric symbols and are loaded onto the sheet during
parameterization using instance clumps. All but two of the dimensions are constant, and a pro-
gram is used to repeatedly change the values of the two variable dimensions.
Each example shows:
• The basic mechanism definition
• The method used to repeatedly parameterize the mechanism (text variable command
or program)
• An illustration of the mechanism following repeated parameterization

Procedure

When defining a mechanism that involves more than one type of motion, use the following pro-
cedure:
1. Create and dimension the basic mechanism. Do not include any detail.
2. Define starting values for each of the variables and test the mechanism with PARS
CAN.
3. Create a text variable command or program to change the values of the variables.
4. Test the mechanism using the commands in the text variable command or program. Do
not proceed until the mechanism can be repeatedly parameterized successfully.
5. If required, make adjustments to the mechanism and repeat the previous step.
6. If required, edit the text variable command or program and repeat step 4.
7. Add details to the basic mechanism and fully dimension them.
8. Verify that the mechanism will still parameterize and correct any errors.
9. Execute the text variable command or program to move the mechanism.

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Examples

Piston mechanism

In this example a piston mechanism shows both linear and rotary movement. By repeatedly
changing the value of the dimension ANG, the line segment AB rotates about Point A. The move-
ment of Point C is constrained in two ways:
• It is always at a fixed distance from Point B
• It can only move horizontally because a horizontal static baseline passes through it
The basic mechanism shown in the following figure contains the following important points:
• A single static reference point defined by intersecting static baselines
• Two dynamic baseline segments define three further points:
• A is a circle center point (FUNV 26) defining the center of rotation
• B and C are intersection points (FUNV 11)
Figure 108 Basic Mechanism for a Piston

Text Variable Command

The following sequence of commands, using a text variable command, is used to repeatedly
parameterize the mechanism:
*/PARS CAN LET ANG = <ANG + 10> XQT
*LET ANG = 0
*CLE
*XQT
*
The following figure shows the fully-defined mechanism definition, ready for parameterization.

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Mechanisms

Figure 109 Detailed Mechanism Definition

The following figure shows a possible result of repeated parameterization.

Figure 110 Repeated Parameterization of Piston Mechanism

Loader Mechanism

The following figure shows a lift arm assembly for a loader shovel. When the lift rams are
extended, the length of the bucket control ram remains constant while you can manipulate the
angle of the bucket floor.

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Examples

Figure 111 Simulation Showing Lift Arm Assembly Motion

Loader Definition Sheet

The following figure shows a detail from the loader definition sheet. This contains a skeletal out-
line of the lift arm assembly. All the dimensions are constant with the exception of two identified
by the variable names L3 and L4. These variables control the length of the bucket control and
lift rams respectively.

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Mechanisms

Figure 112 Loader Definition

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Examples

Tables

The following figure shows three tables containing values which can be used to produce a sin-
gle parameterization of the loader definition drawing. The in-sheet TBL command specifies row
MID from the table MID. This sets L3 to 1455 and L4 to 1800 when the drawing is parameter-
ized.
Figure 113 Tables LO, MID, and HIGH

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Mechanisms

Mechanism Components

Drawings of the rams, linkages and other components are stored as parametric symbols and
are loaded onto the sheet during parameterization using instance clumps. The following figure
shows the symbol definition for the bucket and Figure 115 shows the lever arm.
Figure 114 Bucket Definition

Figure 115 Lever Arm Definition

With the exception of the hydraulic rams, the components loaded into the parameterized mech-
anism are undimensioned parametric groups. The whole symbol has been enclosed in a para-
metric group line and therefore does not need to be dimensioned as it loaded. In the above
figure, there are two parametric group prims, at the same position as the ATP texts. These will
be used when the symbol is loaded onto the sheet during parameterization.

Attachment Points

All the component symbols have two attachment points which are used to locate the symbol in
the correct position within the mechanism. Attachment point texts (ATP texts) on the symbols
correspond to labelled points (SAT texts) of the same name on the skeletal outline shown in
Figure 112, “Loader Definition” on page 178.

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Examples

Symbol definitions for the hydraulic rams have to be both located and scaled within the mecha-
nism drawing. The ram cylinder and rod eye are included in separate parametric groups as they
do not need to be scaled when they are loaded. Because they are in inside a parametric group
line they do not have to be fully dimensioned. The definition for the lift ram is shown below.
Figure 116 Lift Ram Definition

During parameterization the ram rod is extended when loaded into the sheet as the ends of the
ram assembly are placed at the appropriate attachment points on the mechanism, which move
according to the current value of the variables L3 and L4.

Parameterizing the Mechanism Once

After executing PARS CAN once the parameters specified in the in-sheet TBL command TBL
MID 'MID' will move the mechanism to the mid-position for both lift and bucket control rams.

Parameterizing the Loader Mechanism Repeatedly

Using a program that increments a variable after each PARS CAN command, you can both
raise the loader arm and tip the bucket. Before doing this, the in-sheet TBL command which
sets the value of L4 and L5 permanently (see Figure 112, “Loader Definition” on page 178) must
be either deleted or commented out, to allow one of the variables to be incremented during
parameterization.
In the program below, the value of L3 is constant and L4 is incremented after each PARS CAN.
This raises the loader arm. Figure 111, “Simulation Showing Lift Arm Assembly Motion” on
page 177 gives an idea of what happens when you run this program.
20 let l3 = 1455
30 let l4 = 1332
40 parscan

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Mechanisms

50 let l4 = 1650
60 parscan
70 let l4 = 2000
80 parscan
A different program can be run which tips the bucket. In this program, L4 remains constant and
L3 is incremented after each PARS CAN:
20 let l4 = 2000
30 let l3 = 1705
40 parscan
50 let l3 = 1455
60 parscan
70 let l3 = 1205
80 parscan
The following figure gives an impression of what happens when you run this program.
Figure 117 Tipping the Bucket

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APPENDIX A SUMMARY OF COMMAND SYNTAX

This appendix summarizes all the MEDUSA Parametric Design system command syntax.
MEDUSA 2D commands which are used during parameterization, for example, LET and LAY,
are not covered here. For more information on 2D commands refer to the MEDUSA Bacis1
Design Commands Guide.
You can issue all Parametric Design commands both interactively and as in-sheet commands
except for VER FULL, which can appear only inside instance clumps. A brief description is
given of each command, followed by syntax graph and information about command arguments,
subcommands and defaults.

• Parametric Switches .............................................................. 184

• PAR DDL................................................................................ 187

• PAR DIM ................................................................................ 190

• PAR FIL.................................................................................. 191

• PAR GRIS .............................................................................. 192

• PAR LOA................................................................................ 193

• PAR SWI ................................................................................ 194

• PAR TOL ................................................................................ 195

• PARS ..................................................................................... 196

• Q PAR .................................................................................... 197

• TBL ........................................................................................ 198

• TBL DDL ................................................................................ 199

• VER FULL.............................................................................. 200

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Appendix A Summary of Command Syntax

Parametric Switches

There are a number of switches which affect the operation of the Parametric Design system.
You can set switches both interactively and using in-sheet commands. The command syntax for
changing parametric switch settings is shown below.

Syntax

Options
Option Default Description
If the PAR BAS switch is ON, baselines are automatically inferred, provided
BAS ON
that the PAR LIM switch is also ON.
If the PAR COL switch is ON, non-overlapping collinear line segments are
COL OFF
merged to create potential grid lines.
If the PAR CIR switch is ON, complete circle grid lines are generated from
CIR OFF
arcs of circles in the viewbox.
If the PAR LIM switch is ON, grid lines are limited by the line segments in
LIM ON the viewbox. If the switch is OFF, then baselines cannot be automatically
inferred, and fillets cannot be given a default radius.

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Parametric Switches

Option Default Description

If the PAR MOV switch is OFF, elements are not scaled, but dimension
texts are replaced by scaled values. If PAR MOV is OFF when loading
MOV ON
parametric symbols the symbol will be loaded at the same position it had in
the definition sheet.
The PAR PRE switch allows you to set the precedence rules for parametric
groups to those of static windows. When PAR PRE is OFF, points that are
dimensioned, fully or partially, within the parametric group are totally
unaffected when you parameterize the sheet, just as when using static
PRE ON
windows. With PAR PRE ON, static windows take precedence over
dimensioning, and dimensioning takes precedence over parametric groups.
See ”Parametric Groups”, “The PAR PRE Command” on page 149 for more
information.
This switch applies to Prime and VAX systems only. If the PAR SUP switch
SUP ON
is ON it enables newer forms of dimension support.
If the PAR TAN switch is ON, then the tangent lines from tangent point arcs
TAN ON
are included in the potential grid lines.
If the PAR TEX switch is OFF, elements are scaled but dimension texts
TEX ON
retain their original values.
If the PAR UND switch is ON, then the drawing definition is undrawn when
you parameterize the sheet with the PARS command. This is done before
UND ON
drawing the new object. With PAR UND set to OFF, the original definition
remains visible on the screen when you parameterize the sheet.

Tolerance Variation Var Options

The PAR VAR switch has seven options: OFF, VAR, LIM, MIN, MAX, MID and RANGE.
Each of these options specifies a tolerance used by the system to calculate the new dimension
value during parameterization.
Options Description
Any changes made to the original tolerance text are ignored. The original tolerance
OFF
appears in the parameterized drawing.
Any expressions which have replaced original tolerance text are evaluated during
VAR
parameterization.This is the default setting.
LIM Converts VAR tolerance dimensions to LIM format.
MIN Specifies that the lower tolerance is used for all tolerance dimensions.
MAX Specifies that the upper tolerance is used for all tolerance dimensions.

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Appendix A Summary of Command Syntax

Options Description
Calculates the tolerance used for all tolerance dimensions from the following formula:
MID
(MAX - MIN) *0.5 + MIN
Calculates the tolerance used for all tolerance dimensions from the following formula:
(MAX - MIN) factor1 + MIN + factor2
RANGE
factor1 must be a factor in the range 0 to 1.
factor2 is optional.

Further Information

Refer to “Switches and Layers” on page 95 for examples and further details of how to change
parametric switch settings. The PAR VAR switch is described under section ”Dimensioning”,
“PAR VAR Command Syntax” on page 42.

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PAR DDL

PAR DDL

Redefines the following element types:

• Element types that are used in parametric constructions
• The type, layer, and, for superlines, the width of parametric grid lines
• The line and text types used for error messages
• The point functions used in baselines

Syntax

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Appendix A Summary of Command Syntax

Further Information

Refer to “Changing Element Types” on page 151, for more information on using this command.

General Parametric Design Elements

The following series of options define various Parametric Design element types such as view-
boxes, baselines and parametric group lines.
Option Default Description
BOX LPV Viewbox line
BSL LBL Baselines
DAT PVG Datum point prim: DXY DYZ DXZ DYX DZY DZX
NDA ATP Attachment point text
COM TCO In-sheet command text
INS SPS Instance clump name text
ARP SAT Instance clump attachment point text
ACO SCO Instance clump command text
GPL LPG Parametric group line
GPD PPG Parametric group datum prim
Static window line. This is a deprecated line type: use a parametric
SLN SWL
group line instead.
Static window datum prim. This is prim: use a parametric group
SPM SWP datum prim instead.
types: One or more valid element types.

Grid line Elements

The following series of options define Parametric Design grid line elements. Use these options
to redefine the type, layer and, for superlines, the width of the grid lines drawn by the PAR GRIS
command.
Option Default Description
OLD STK Old grid lines
New grid lines
NEW STK type Any valid element type, for example TS1, LPG, L5.
layer The number of the required layer. Must be an integer.
POT STK Potential grid lines
COL L3 Lines created by PAR GRIS COL
CIR L3 Lines created by PAR GRIS CIR

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PAR DDL

Option Default Description

TAN L3 Lines created by PAR GRIS TAN
INF L3 Lines created by PAR GRIS INF
Lines created by PAR GRIS FIL
TYPN type
A valid element type, for example TS1, LPG, L5.
LAYN layer
FIL STK
The number of the required layer. layer must be an integer.
WIDN width
Width of a superline. width is a signed real value expressed
as a decimal, fraction, or an exponential.

Point Functions and Error Messages

The following options define baseline point functions and error message elements.
Baseline point functions:
intersection Intersection point function. The default is 11.
POI tangent Tangent point function. The default is 12.
perpendicular Perpendicular point function. The default is 10.
center Center point function. The default is 26.
Line and text types used for error messages:input
The text type used for input errors, that is, errors concerning the new grid.
The default is TS1.
output The text type used for output errors, that is, errors concerning the
ERR new parameters you have specified. The default is TR1.
line The line type used to indicate bad constructions.
The default is L6.
layer The layer used for error messages. This defaults to 99.
width The width of the error lines if you defines a superline in line.

Element Type Defaults

You can reset the standard element types and layers to those used by default when the Para-
metric Design system is first used with PAR DDL RESET.

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Appendix A Summary of Command Syntax

PAR DIM

Converts tolerance dimension types. Using PAR DIM, you can convert LIM tolerances into VAR
format before parameterization, and then convert them back into LIM format again after param-
eterization. You cannot parameterize dimensions created with the DIM command option LIM.

Syntax

Option Description
LTV Converts LIM tolerance dimensions to VAR format.
VTL Converts VAR tolerance dimensions to LIM format.

Further Information

Refer to ”Dimensioning”, “PAR DIM command syntax” on page 41 for more information on using
this command.

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PAR FIL

PAR FIL

Defines a default fillet radius. You can use PAR FIL both interactively and as an in-sheet com-
mand.

Syntax

Option Description
UNSET Specifies that all fillets must be dimensioned explicitly. This is the default.
KEEP Specifies that all fillets that are not explicitly dimensioned keep their radii unchanged.
MAX
Specifies that only fillets with original radius less than or equal to maxrad should be
changed to the specified value. All other fillets must be explicitly dimensioned. If this
qualifier is not provided and large radial dimensions are omitted, unexpected results
filrad
may occur.
maxrad
Specifies a maximum fillet radius. The value specified must be a signed real value that
is expressed as a decimal, a fraction, or an exponential.

Further Information

Refer to ”Dimensioning”, “Dimensioning Fillets” on page 35 for more information about how to
use PAR FIL.

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Appendix A Summary of Command Syntax

PAR GRIS

Displays parametric grid lines.

Syntax

Option Description
Draws the old grid (lines of type STK), that is, the grid corresponding to the
OLD
original drawing. This is the default option for the PAR GRIS command.
Draws the new grid (lines of type STK), that is, the grid corresponding to the
NEW
parameterized drawing.
POT Draws the potential grid (lines of type STK).
Draws baselines (lines of type LBL) corresponding to those that are automatically
BAS
inferred if the PAR BAS switch is ON.
COL Draws lines of type L3 over non-overlapping collinear straight line segments.
CIR Draws complete circular lines of type L3 for all arcs.
TAN Draws lines of type L3 tangentially to tangent point arcs.
Draws infinite lines of type L3 along each line segment in the viewbox, and
INF
complete circles for each arc of a circle.
Draws grid lines (line type STK) along only the fillets that are affected by the
FIL
current PAR FIL setting.

Further Information

See “The Parametric Grid” on page 59 for more information about grids and the PAR GRIS
command.

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PAR LOA

PAR LOA

Loads and parameterizes a parametric symbol. filename is the name of the symbol file you
want to load.

Syntax

Option Description
Assigns values to variables in the parametric symbol during
parameterization. You can use ARG interactively or as an in-sheet
command of text type SCO in an instance clump.
variable The name of the required variable.
ARG
number A number assigned to the variable variable.
string Any text string enclosed in single quotes.
probe A positional probe. This assigns sheet coordinate values to
attachment point variables in the symbol definition.
Initiates the symbol loading and scaling (if any) after you have specified
CAL all the arguments. You can load several copies of the symbol by
respecifying the arguments before typing CAL again.
CAN Cancels the last copy of the symbol loaded.

Further Information

See “Parametric Symbols” on page 111 for more information about using PAR LOA and ARG.

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Appendix A Summary of Command Syntax

PAR SWI

Resets parametric switches to their default settings.

Syntax

Option Explanation
Resets switches to the following default settings:
ON
DEF LIM, BAS, TAN, MOV, TEX, SUP and UND
OFF
COL and CIR
Resets switches to default settings compatible with pre-6.0 CIS
OLD MEDUSA Parametrics software. In particular, it sets the LIM, BAS,
SUP and TAN switches to OFF.

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PAR TOL

PAR TOL

Sets the parametric grid tolerance.

Syntax

Variable Description
The value of the tolerance required. The value specified must be a
tolerance
signed real value expressed as a decimal, a fraction, or an expression.

Further Information

Refer to ”The Parametric Grid”, “Grid Tolerance” on page 75 for more information on using PAR
TOL.

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Appendix A Summary of Command Syntax

PARS

Scales an object according to the values in dimensions clumps. If you do not want parameter-
ization to be permanent, cancel PARS with CAN. When you use this command you can type
either PARS CAN or PARSCAN.

Syntax

Option Description
Cancels the last parameterization command. Always cancel the PARS command with
CAN
CAN unless you are sure you will not need to change the definition drawing again.

Further Information

See “Parameterizing Geometry” on page 89, for more information about using PARS.

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Q PAR

Q PAR

Displays the current grid tolerance, fillet, switch, and element default settings.

Syntax

Option Description
Gives information about the current default types for the elements the
DDL
Parametric Design system is using.
FIL Gives information about the current fillet settings.
SWI Gives information about the current parametric switch settings.
TOL Gives information about the current parametric grid tolerance.

Further Information

Details of grid tolerance, fillet, switch, and element defaults are given on the following pages:
• Default element types under ”Changing Element Types”, “Parametric Design Element
Defaults” on page 152
• Fillets under ”Dimensioning”, “Displaying the Current PAR FIL Setting” on page 36
• Switches under ”Switches and Layers”, “Setting Parametric Switches” on page 98
• Grid tolerance under ”The Parametric Grid”, “Grid Tolerance” on page 75

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Appendix A Summary of Command Syntax

TBL

References the values in a table. The table can create and overwrite variables for use in param-
eterizing objects. You can use the TBL command both interactively or as an in-sheet command.

Syntax

Option Explanation
Specifies the table name. This is only required if there is more
table_name
than one table in the relevant sheet or symbol.
A variable name that evaluates to a valid table name. This must
table_variable
be a text string enclosed in angled brackets ( < ... > ).
Specifies a table row name. This can be any text string enclosed
row_name
in single quotes ( '...' ).
Specifies a column name. This can be any text string enclosed
column_name
in single quotes ( '...' ).
A variable which evaluates to a valid table row or column name.
row/col_variable
This must be a text string enclosed in angled brackets ( < ... > ).

Further Information
Refer to “Tables” on page 129 for more information about tables and the TBL command.

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TBL DDL

TBL DDL

Redefines the element types used in tables. The element type specified must be a CAN-code of
up to 3 characters: the first character must be a letter, the others can be letters, numbers, $,
%, or #.

Syntax

Option Default Explanation

line_type LTB Specifies the line type to be used for the table frame line.
name_type TTB Specifies the text type to be used for the table title.
row/column TRC Specifies the text type to be used for the row and column headings.

Further Information

See “Changing Element Types” on page 151, for examples and for more information about
using this command.

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Appendix A Summary of Command Syntax

VER FULL

Displays detailed error information if an error occurs during symbol loading.

Syntax

Further Information

Refer to the section ”Parametric Symbols”, “Commands in Instance Clumps” on page 122 for
more information about using this command.

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APPENDIX B ERROR AND WARNING MESSAGES

This appendix lists alphabetically the error and warning messages that can occur when you use
MEDUSA Parametric Design.
Any relevant Drafting System error message can also appear either in the sheet or on the
screen. For information on Drafting System error messages, refer to the MEDUSA Bacis1
Design Commands Guide.

• Error Messages...................................................................... 202

• Warning Messages ................................................................ 208

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Appendix B Error and Warning Messages

Error Messages

Ambiguous Construction

The new grid on which the construction is based does not result in a unique set of grid lines.
When a construction has unnecessary supporting grid lines, Parametric Design uses only the
minimum necessary to support the construction. The remaining grid lines are then checked for
consistency. This error is normally caused either by over-dimensioning, or by using a tolerance
that is too large. Use the PAR GRIS command to identify the grid lines that are used to support
the construction.

Ambiguous Point

The point indicated is at a point on the old grid that does not transform to a unique point on the
new grid. This is because the grid lines which intersect at the point in the old grid do not all inter-
sect at the same point in the new grid. This error is normally caused by over-dimensioning or by
using a tolerance that is too large. Use the PAR GRIS command to identify the grid lines that
intersect at the point.

Cannot resolve table

The table cannot be separated into rows and columns with the same number of entries in each
row and in each column. Check the types, positions and number of texts in the table.

Element types insufficiently specified

This error occurs if one of the construction elements used by the Parametric Design system
does not have a valid type specified for it. This is most likely to be a problem in the DDL, as the
Parametric Design system has a complete set of defaults.

Fatal error during dimensioning

This error is produced when the PARS command is executed and an error is found in your
dimensioning, for example a corrupt dimension clump.

Group datums define impossible transformation

This error is normally caused by coincident or colinear datum points in a parametric group.

Illegal context for element

This error is produced when you execute the PAR LOA command and an element is found in
the symbol definition which is not valid as input to Parametric Design.

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Error Messages

Illegal dimension type

Axonometric dimensioning and tolerance limit dimensioning are not supported by Parametric
Design, that is, the DIM command options AXO and LIM. See “Dimensioning” on page 27, to
see which dimensioning types you can use with Parametric Design.

Illegal expression

An expression has been used to define a variable which includes an invalid operator or function.
See “Variables and Expressions” on page 77, for a list of valid operators and functions.

Illegal point/line function

The point function used on the baseline indicated is not recognized by the system. See “The
Parametric Grid” on page 59, for more information on point functions.

Illegal variable name

The text indicated should be a valid variable name. This message may occur with symbol
attachment points and table row and column names.

Illegal viewbox definition

The viewbox indicated interferes with other viewboxes in the sheet. Viewboxes may not overlap
or be nested. The X and Y limits of each viewbox line are used when testing for overlap. The
other viewboxes are processed as normal.

No constructions in viewbox

No grid was generated because there was no valid construction in the viewbox. This is either
because there are no dimensions or other constructions in the viewbox, or the constructions are
on unhittable layers.

No current sheet

There must be a current sheet before you can execute any commands

No solution possible

The point or construction has no solution in the new grid. For example, a point may lie at the
intersection of two circular grid lines in the old grid, but in the new grid the circles are too far
apart to intersect.

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Appendix B Error and Warning Messages

No supporting grid(s)

The construction indicated does not have sufficient grid lines to support it. Use the PAR GRIS
command to examine the existing grid. This should reveal the missing link that is required to
build up the grid. If the PAR BAS switch is OFF, a dynamic baseline may be needed.

No table found

No table could be found with the name you specified in the TBL command. If the TBL command
is given as an in-sheet command in a symbol, the search is restricted to the symbol containing
the command.

No viewboxes in sheet

The Parametric Design system only scales objects which are inside a parametric viewbox.

Obsolete command GLMT, use PAR LIM

Obsolete command GLME, use PAR LIM
Obsolete command GLRAD, use PAR LIM
Obsolete command QGLRAD, use PAR LIM

These error messages relate to obsolete Prime Variational Geometry commands for displaying
parts of the grid. Use the PAR LIM switch instead. When the PAR LIM switch is ON, the grid
lines are limited by the line segments in the viewbox.

Point not dimensioned

The point indicated does not lie on a grid intersection in the old grid. All line points must lie on
grid intersections. This message is the result of under-dimensioning, but can also be caused by
inaccurate drafting, where points that should be coincident are not quite coincident. The error
can also occur if the end points of dimensions are not at grid intersections. Be careful to probe
the correct points when you are dimensioning objects.

Problem with construction

Some unidentified problem has occurred with a construction. This is often due to zero length
baselines or expressions that evaluate to the wrong data type.

Problem with parametric group datums

An internal problem has occurred with the parametric group datum points.

Problem with parametric group line

A problem has occurred in creating a test polygon from the parametric group line.

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Error Messages

Problem with VAR to LIM conversion

This message is displayed following the unsuccessful completion of a PAR GRIS or PARS
CAN. A problem has occurred in attempting to convert a VAR dimension to a LIM dimension.

Row/col not found

The specified text string cannot be found as a row or column name in the relevant table.

Row/col text not outside body texts

The row and column texts must be outside the area of the table containing all the entries.

Specified type is not a line

Specified type is not a prim
Specified type is not a text

These errors are due either to a problem in the DDL or an invalid type specified in the PAR DDL
command.

System error - automatic baseline buffer overflow

The buffer used for storing grid lines that cross the potential grid line indicated has overflowed.
This means that no baseline will be automatically generated. This buffer is also used with output
radial dimensions. This problem can be avoided by adding an explicit baseline, if required.

System error - grid finding buffer overflow

The buffer used for finding grid lines that pass through a specified point has overflowed
because too many grid lines pass through the point.

System error - element type storage is full

The maximum number of element types you can define with the PAR DDL command is 50. Six-
teen are defined by default. See “Changing Element Types” on page 151, for more information
about the PAR DDL command.

System error - parametric workspace is full

This error is normally caused by too many dimensions in one viewbox. The workspace is used
for storing information on the constructions and the grid lines.

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Appendix B Error and Warning Messages

System error - too many in-sheet commands

The maximum number of in-sheet commands in a viewbox is 200. Less may be allowed if large
numbers of variables are used.

Too few rows/columns/entries

There must be at least one row, one column and one entry in a table.

Too many datums in parametric group

The maximum number of prims in a parametric group is three.

Too many entries in table

The maximum number of entries in a table is 2500.

Too many parametric groups

The maximum number of parametric groups in a viewbox is 100.

Too many rows and columns in table

The maximum total number of rows and columns in a table is 100.

Too many viewboxes

The maximum number of viewboxes in a sheet is 20.

Trying to move point outside max. area

When you parameterize an object, no points can be moved outside the maximum drawing area.

Typing mistake!

This error is the result of bad command syntax either in an in-sheet command or in a command
that you have entered directly.

Unable to convert dimension

The PAR DIM command option VTL has failed. Either the VAR dimension being converted or
the resulting LIM dimension is invalid.

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Error Messages

Unable to load sheet file

This error occurs when you try to load a parametric symbol file which is does not exist or is not
readable. Make sure you have given the correct pathname for the symbol file.

Unknown element type

This error is generated when you try to specify an illegal element type in the TBL DDL com-
mand. See “Changing Element Types” on page 151, for information about the element types
you can specify using TBL DDL.

Unset variable

The construction indicated includes a variable which has not been assigned a value. The com-
mand QVAR may be used to query the current value of a variable.

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Appendix B Error and Warning Messages

Warning Messages

ambiguous dimension texts interpreted as values

One or more dimension texts may have been interpreted as simple values with a PRE text, but
the texts could also have been interpreted as variable names. Alternatively, the dimension text
may have been interpreted as both a value produced by automatic dimensioning and also as an
expression. See “Geometric Constraints” on page 47 for more information about how the Para-
metric Design system interprets dimension text.

messages written into sheet

This message is output to the screen whenever error messages are written into the sheet.

no grid lines drawn, as PAR LIM switch is OFF

Certain PAR GRIS options are only available with limited grid lines.

PARDIM command interrupted

PARGRIS command interrupted
PARLOA command interrupted
PARS command interrupted

These messages will appear when you interrupt any of these commands.

point(s) scaled outside viewbox

One or more points were moved outside the viewbox when the elements were moved.

protected elements not transformed or deleted

Elements on protected layers cannot be transformed or deleted by the Parametric Design sys-
tem. However, they can be used during the creation of the grid. This warning occurs if there are
elements on a hittable but protected layer that may also be transformed or deleted.

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 Parametric Viewbox Containing Definition of a Figure 36 After Parameterization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Rivet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Figure 37 Tangent Point, FUNV12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Figure 2 Rivet With Reference Point. . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Figure 38 Baseline With Tangent Point . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Figure 3 Rivet With Reference Point and Grid Lines .12 Figure 39 After Parameterization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Figure 4 Rivet With Dimensioning and Grid . . . . . . . .12 Figure 40 Circular Base Line, FUNV26 and FUNV11 . 53
Figure 5 Original Rivet Definition with New Parameters . Figure 41 Circular Baselines, FUNV26 and FUNV10 . . 54
13 Figure 42 Circular Baselines, FUNV26 and FUNV11 . . 54
Figure 6 Rivet After Parameterization . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Figure 43 Old Grid Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Figure 7 In-sheet Command Texts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Figure 44 Parameterization Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Figure 8 Positioning Reference Points . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Figure 45 Parameterization Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Figure 9 Parametric Viewboxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Figure 46 Effect of PAR GRIS NEW Command . . . . . . 64
Figure 10 A PVG Prim. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Figure 47 Effect of PAR GRIS POT Command . . . . . . 65
Figure 11 Orthogonal View Prims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Figure 48 Limited Grid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Figure 12 Static Baselines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Figure 49 Unlimited Grid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Figure 13 Grid Lines Generated by Static Baselines . .25 Figure 50 Default Grid Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Figure 14 Attachment Points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Figure 51 Infinite Lines Added With PAR GRIS INF. . . 72
Figure 15 Significant Points of a Linear Dimension Type Figure 52 Collinear Lines Added With PAR GRIS COL 73
30 Figure 53 Circles Added With PAR GRIS CIR . . . . . . . 73
Figure 16 Two Views of a Cylindrical Object. . . . . . . . .31 Figure 54 Tangential Lines Added With PAR GRIS TAN .
Figure 17 Chain Dimensioning With Center Support . .32 74
Figure 18 Using The Reference Point to Create a DAT Di- Figure 55 Variables in Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
mension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Figure 56 Using Variables and Expressions. . . . . . . . . 84
Figure 19 Creating an Angular Dimension . . . . . . . . . .33 Figure 57 Drawing Using Logical Operators. . . . . . . . . 86
Figure 20 Significant Points of Radial and Diameter Di- Figure 58 Output Dimension. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
mensions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Figure 59 Output Dimension With Variable . . . . . . . . . 87
Figure 21 Effect of the PAR GRIS FIL Command. . . . .37 Figure 60 Effect of PAR COL OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Figure 22 In Sheet PAR FIL KEEP Command . . . . . . .38 Figure 61 Effect of PAR COL ON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Figure 23 After Parameterization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Figure 62 Effect of PAR CIR OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Figure 24 In-sheet PAR FIL 5 Command . . . . . . . . . . .39 Figure 63 Effect of PAR CIR ON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Figure 25 After Parameterization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Figure 64 Effect of PAR TAN OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Figure 26 In-sheet PAR FIL 5 MAX 10 Command . . . .40 Figure 65 Effect of PAR TAN ON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Figure 27 Unsupported Fillet Revealed by PAR GRIS Figure 66 Symbol Definition With Attachment Points . 112
Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Figure 67 Symbol Loaded at Different Orientations . . 116
Figure 28 Effects of the PAR VAR Switch. . . . . . . . . . .43 Figure 68 Original Symbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Figure 29 Tolerance Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Figure 69 Symbol Rotated by 30 Degrees . . . . . . . . . 118
Figure 30 Inserting --MAX Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Figure 70 Symbol Mirrored with MIRVFN Command . 119
Figure 31 Result of Parameterization . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Figure 71 Structure of an Instance Clump . . . . . . . . . 120
Figure 32 Perpendicular Point, FUNV10. . . . . . . . . . . .49 Figure 72 Instance Clump Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Figure 33 Dynamic Baseline With Perpendicular Point.49 Figure 73 Gearbox Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Figure 34 Intersection Point, FUNV11 . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Figure 74 Four Tabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Figure 35 Baseline With Intersection Point . . . . . . . . .50 Figure 75 Gearbox Cover Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

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List of Figures

Figure 76 Instance Clumps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Figure 98 Parametric Group with Two Prims. . . . . . . 147
Figure 77 Detail of Instance Clump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Figure 99 Parametric Group with Three Prims . . . . . 148
Figure 78 Definition for tab1.sym . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Figure 100 Using Additional Lines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Figure 79 Definition for tab3.sym . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Figure 101 Magnification in One Direction . . . . . . . . . 166
Figure 80 Definition for tab4.sym . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Figure 102 Linear Motion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Figure 81 Definition for tab5.sym . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Figure 103 Varying Two Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Figure 82 Gearbox Cover - Final Drawing . . . . . . . . . 127 Figure 104 Varying a Single Parameter . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Figure 83 The Parts of a Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Figure 105 Rotation About a Fixed Center . . . . . . . . . 169
Figure 84 The Structure of Table Elements . . . . . . . . 131 Figure 106 Cam Definition Drawing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Figure 85 Table of Dimensions For Joist Section . . . 133 Figure 107 Result of Repeated Parameterization . . . . 172
Figure 86 Table with Variables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Figure 108 Basic Mechanism for a Piston . . . . . . . . . . 175
Figure 87 In-sheet TBL Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 Figure 109 Detailed Mechanism Definition . . . . . . . . . 176
Figure 88 Structure of a Parametric Group . . . . . . . . 141 Figure 110 Repeated Parameterization of Piston Mecha-
Figure 89 Bolt Definition With Parametric Group . . . . 142 nism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Figure 90 Results of Parameterization. . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Figure 111 Simulation Showing Lift Arm Assembly Motion
Figure 91 Static Parametric Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 177
Figure 92 After Parameterization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 Figure 112 Loader Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Figure 93 Parametric Group Definition. . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Figure 113 Tables LO, MID, and HIGH . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Figure 94 Group with One Prim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Figure 114 Bucket Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Figure 95 Group with Two Prims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 Figure 115 Lever Arm Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Figure 96 Group with Three Prims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 Figure 116 Lift Ram Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Figure 97 Parametric Group with One Prim . . . . . . . . 147 Figure 117 Tipping the Bucket. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

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INDEX

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Numeric Current PAR FIL Setting 36

2D Design Errors 94
D
A DAT type dimensions 32
ABS Tolerance 41 datum prim 23
Accessing Table Values 130 DEF Command 83
adding grid lines 71 Defaults
advanced features 15 layer 104
Angular dimensions 33 Defining your Own Parameters 13
ARC 29 Deletable 105
arithmetical operators 85 deleting grid lines 61
attachment point 26 Diameter Dimensions 34
Avoiding Ambiguity in Dimension Texts 78 Dimension Clumps 106
AXO 29 Dimension Texts
avoiding ambiguity 78
Format After Parameterization 79
B replacing 80
Baseline Inference 56 Dimension Tolerances 29
Baseline Point Functions 48 Dimension Types 28
Baselines 24 linear 30
brackets in expressions 83 Dimensioning
Fillets 35
illegal 29
C LIM 41
CAN 196 the Object Points 12
Center point 35 Tolerance - 41
Center Support 31 dimensions
Chain Dimensions 31 output 87
Changing values 78
Element Types 154 displaying
Table Element Types 158 grid lines 68
Checking the Effect of PAR FIL 37 Inferred Baselines 56
circular dynamic baseline 53 Parametric Grid Lines 60
Circular Static Baselines 25 Dual Dimensions 29
Commands Between PAR GRIS and CAN 69 Dynamic Baselines 48
Commands Between PARS and CAN 93 dynamic groups 140
Constraints how they work 144
how they are Inferred 55
Constructing a Table 132
Creating E
a Parametric Group 141 Effects of the PAR VAR Switch 43
a Parametric Viewbox 21 Element Defaults 152
a Reference Point 20 query 153
Dimension Clumps 28, 30
Parametric Symbols 112

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

element types H
changing 154 Hittable 105
of grid lines 70 How Constraints are Inferred 55
Entering Values in a Table 132 How Dynamic Groups Work 144
error messages 202
Example
circular baselines 54 I
drawing using operators 86 Illegal Dimensioning 29
dynamic groups 145 Individual Tolerances 44
in-sheet TBL command 136 In-sheet Commands
instance clumps 123 maximum number 17
intersection point 50 to Set Switches 99
limited grid lines 66 why to use 17
Loader Mechanism 176 Instance Clump 120
magnification 166 commands in - 122
Old Grid Lines 62 Element Types 121
output dimensions 87 Gearbox Cover Example 123
PAR CIR 102 Loading Errors 122
PAR COL 101 variables 121
PAR DDL 157 intersection point 50
PAR FIL filrad 39 Investigating Errors in new grid 63
PAR FIL filrad MAX maxrad 40 Invisible 105
PAR FIL KEEP 38
PAR TAN 103
parametric group 141 L
parametric symbol 112 LAY Command 107
perpendicular point 49 Layers 104
Piston mechanism 175 change Properties 107
program to control mechanisms 171 defaults 104
simulating a rotary motion 169 properties 105
static groups 143 query properties 104
table 132 LET Command 81
TBL DDL 158 LIM 29
tolerance dimensioning 44 LIM Dimensioning 41
variables and expressions 84 Limited Grid Lines 66
expressions 83 Limited grid lines (definition) 60
brackets 83 Linear Dimension Types 30
in Dimension Clumps 80 Linear Motion 166
Loader mechanism 174
loading symbols 115
F logical operators 85
Fillet Type 35
FUNV0 48
M
Magnification 166
G Maximum Number of In-sheet Commands 17
geometric constraints 48 Mechanism
graphics running 162
undraw 100 Mirroring Symbols 119
grid 60 Movement in One Direction 166
adding lines 71 Movement in Two Directions 167
new 63 Moving Dimensioned Points 90
investigating errors 63
old 62
potential 65 N
Tolerance 75 NEA probes 30
grid lines New Grid 63
deleting 61 NEW grid (definition) 60
displaying 68
element types 70
limited 66 O
making untransformable 70 Old Grid 62
unlimited 67 OLD grid (definition) 60

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

operators 85 parametric switches 96, 184

Orthogonal View Prims 23 in-sheet commands 99
Other Dimension Text Formats 79 setting 98
Output dimensions 87 parametric symbols
creating 112
loading - using instance clumps 120
P mirroring 119
PAR BAS 96 Reference Points 112
PAR CIR 96 rotate 118
example 102 Parametric Viewboxes 10
PAR COL 96 PARIVB 108
example 101 PARS 92, 196
PAR DDL 154, 187 what happens when giving the - command 90
PAR DDL RESET 189 parts of a table 130
PAR DIM 41, 190 Perpendicular Point 49
PAR FIL 36, 191 Piston mechanism 174
PAR FIL filrad (example) 39 place a reference point 20
PAR FIL filrad MAX maxrad (example) 40 Plotting Motion Simulations 173
PAR FIL KEEP (example) 38 Potential Grid 65
PAR GRIS 68, 192 POTENTIAL grid (definition) 60
PAR GRIS BAS 56 preference order of geometric constraints 55
PAR GRIS CIR 73 Preparing a Drawing for Parameterization 10
PAR GRIS COL 72 prim 23
when to use 73 Printing documentation from Portable Document Format
PAR GRIS INF 71 (PDF) files 8
PAR GRIS NEW 64 Priority of Geometric Constraints 55
PAR GRIS POT 65 Programs to Control Mechanisms 171
PAR GRIS TAN 74 Properties
PAR GRIS to Check the Grid 62 of layers 105
PAR LIM 96 change 107
PAR LOA 115, 193 Protected 105
PAR MOV 96 protected variable 82
PAR PRE 96, 149 PVG Prim 23
PAR SUP 97
PAR SWI 194
PAR TAN 97 Q
example 103 Q PAR 197
PAR TEX 97 Q PAR TOL 76
PAR TOL 75, 195 query
PAR UND 97 element defaults 153
PAR VAR 97 Layer Properties 104
Command 42 Switch Settings 99
examples 43
options 42, 185
Parameterization R
Errors 93 Radial Dimensions 34
overview 90 Reference Points 11
Parameterizing 14 of Parametric Symbols 112
Parametric Design positioning 20
advanced features 15 Resetting Switch Defaults 100
overview 9 Rotary Motion 169
Parametric Grid Lines 11 rotate parametric groups 147
Parametric Group Rotating Symbols 118
creatioin 141 Running a Mechanism 162
Elements 140 Running the Simulation 161
Example 141
introduction 140 S
rotating 147
Setting Parametric Switches 98
Significant Points 30, 33, 34

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Simulating Testing the Symbol Definition 113

Different Types of Motion 160 text variable command 170
examples 174 Tolerance Dimensioning 41
linear motion 166 Tolerance Variation Var Options 185
magnification 166 Tolerances
overview 160 individual 44
plot motion simulations 173 Transformable 105
prepare the definition drawing 163
programs 171
rotary motion 169 U
running 161 Undeletable 105
Static Baselines 24 Undrawing Graphics 100
Static groups 140 Unhittable 105
Straight Static Baselines 24 Unlimited grid lines (definition) 60
Structure of Table Elements 131 Unlimited Grids 67
switches 96, 184 Unprotected 105
query its settings 99 UNS Tolerance 41
reset to defaults 100 Untransformable 105
symbols Unwanted Inferences 57
load interactively 115
loading - Using Instance Clumps 120 V
mirroring 119
rotate 118 Values in Dimensions 78
test definition 113 variables 81
in Dimension Clumps 80
protected 82
T Scope Restrictions 82
table 130 to Access Rows 135
change element types 131 Variables and Expressions in Tables 133
create 132 VER FULL 200
enter values 132 Visible 105
-s and Parametric Symbols 137
variables and expressions 133 W
variables to access rows 135
tangent point 35, 52 warning messages 208
TBL 135, 198 Why Use In-sheet Commands 17
TBL DDL 158, 199

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