Quick Start Guide - The First 5 Minutes

 

 

Let's take VX for a quick test drive. We'll create a new VX file and a new part at the same time.  Then we'll use a sketch to create a simple extruded shape.  After viewing the part in different display modes and learning about Dynamic View, we'll save the file. You now have the keys.  Lets go for a ride!

 

 

  1. From your desktop (or from your user directory using Windows Explorer) select the vx.exe icon to launch VX.

 

 

vx.exe Icon
vx.exe Icon

 

The VX splash screen will appear while the program loads.  Once VX is loaded, you need to create a file to work in.

 

  1. Pick File > New or pick Create New File from the Tool Bar or press (Ctrl+N) to display the New File/Object Form shown below.
     

  2. This form allows you to create a new file and a root object (e.g., part/assembly, drawing sheet, etc.) at the same time. As you can see, the Part/Assembly icon is already selected. Type TEST DRIVE.VX in the Name field and then pick OK. You are then moved to the Part Level.

 

 

Create new file

 

Now we can create some geometry.

 

  1. Pick the Extrude Shape icon Extrude Shape from the Shape Tool Tab.

 

 

4281.gif

 

 

 

  1. Middle-click to create a new 2d sketch.

     

  2. Middle-click to accept the world XY datum plane.

     

  3. Middle-click again to continue.

     

Now you're at the Sketch Level. VX is a multi-level application.  Each level is used to create or manage different root objects like parts and assemblies, sketches, drawings, etc.  You are moved to the sketch level automatically during any command that can accept a sketch as input.
 

  1. From the ReadySketch Tool Tab, pick the Circle icon Circle (Center, Boundary)
    VX provides numerous ready sketches that are predefined and ready to insert on the fly.  This makes sketching fast and easy.

 

 

4282.gif

 

 

  1. You will see a preview of the circle as you move the cursor around.  VX is waiting for you to select an insertion point for the ReadySketch Circle.  Select the 0,0 location or enter 0,0 into the Base field of the Options Form that is now displayed.


     

Sketching a circle for the Extrude Solid command
ReadySketch  Circle for the Extrude Solid Command


 

  1. ReadySketches come with pre-defined dimensions that you can edit to suit your needs.  
    Now, double-click on the circle diameter dimension and enter     40.00 into the Input Dimension Value Form.  


     

Edit Dimension Value

 

 

 

  1. Now pick the Zoom All icon from the top toolbar Zoom All (Ctrl+A)

 

 

Zoom All <Ctrl + A>

 

 

  1. Right-click and pick Exit Sketch from the popup menu or pick Go up to Parent Object from the Tool Bar to exit the sketch.

 Extrude Solid - Reqired Inputs

 

You are now back at the Part Level, ready to complete the Extrude Shape command.

 

 

  1. In the Required Inputs section of the Options Form, enter 0 for the Start of the extrusion.

     

  2. Enter 35 for the End.  The extruded shape is now complete.

     

 

Extruded Solid Complete

Extruded Solid Complete

 

  1. Pick View > Hidden Line to see the part as it is shown in the figure above.  Now pick View > Shade to change to a shaded display.

     

You can also pick Display Shade On/Off (Ctrl+F) from the Tool Bar of simply press (Ctrl+F).  VX provides multiple ways of performing tasks.  Choose methods that are most comfortable for you.  You can also customize VX to create your own User Tool Bars and keyboard shortcuts.  

  

 

Setting the Display to Shade
Setting the Display to Shade
 

 

Now let's use Dynamic View.  What is Dynamic View?  Its an easy way to view and manipulate your display.  Dynamic View is a group of functions that work in conjunction with your 3-button mouse and function keys to dynamically pan, zoom and rotate your part, sketch or drawing sheet. Dynamic View is also transparent so it can be used at any time without interrupting the active command.

 

  1. Pick Dynamic View On/Off (Ctrl+Space) from the Tool Bar to toggle Dynamic View on.  You can also press (Ctrl+Space) or press and hold the F2 key.  Notice that the cursor now looks like a 3-button mouse.

     

  2. Press and hold the right mouse button as you drag the cursor in a circular pattern.  The part will dynamically rotate.  The left mouse button pans and the middle button zooms.

 

 

Using Dynamic View

Using Dynamic View
 

  1. If you wish you can pick File > Save or pick Save Session from the Tool Bar to save your file. The File Browser is displayed to select the location of your file. Pick Save to save it.

 

 

Congratulations! You have just created your first VX part. Now select Help > Help Browser... to learn more about VX or select Help > Interactive Mode to display help for each VX command you select.