VX CAD Reference
Section	Title	Description
1	The Basics	VX work flow, fundamentals, and an overview of the File and Object Levels as well as import and export options.
2	Part Modeling	An overview of the Part Level, part features, part editing, assembly design, sheet metal design, mold design, advanced rendering, inquiring part data and part tools.
3	The Sketcher	An overview of the Sketch Level, sketch geometry, dimensions and constraints, sketch editing and inquiry.
4	Detail Drawing	An overview of the Drawing Packet and Drawing Sheet Levels, 3D Layouts, sheet geometry and dimensions, sheet editing and inquiry.
5	Reference Material	Input options index, variable, equations, expressions, advanced tools, utilities and third party applications.

 

 

 

Menu selection sequences are shown in the following format:

 

Help > Interactive Mode

 

 

 

Many key words and phrases are shown in bold type for emphasis.  They may be the key words on a form or button.  Many are also phrases or form names that contain hypertext jumps in the online version of the documentation.  Command and document icons are used at section headings to convey at a glance different types of information.  The icons used are shown below.

 

	Command icon. These are used in the VX interface.  They are shown along side the command name and/or description.
	Blank icon. These indicate that the command does not have an icon in the VX interface.
	Required Inputs. These indicate inputs that are required for the command to function.  The input forms themselves are not shown.
	Optional Inputs.  These indicate inputs that are optional.  They are not required for the command to function but many have default values assigned to them.  The input forms themselves are not shown.
	Forms and Dialogues. These indicate that the following documentation relates to VX forms and dialogues.  The images of the forms and dialogues may not be present in all cases.
	General information. These distinguish general information about VX from command specific information.
	Right-click to access function. These indicate that the function that follows can only be accessed using the right mouse button over geometry or manager tree entity.
	Applying VX. These indicate sections that show how VX can be applied to real-world applications (CAD Reference only).
	Invoked by. This indicates a menu sequence that can invoke a command.  In VX there are usually multiple ways to invoke commands.  The Pull Down Menu method is usually the one indicated.
	References.  These indicate links to other related and useful help topics.
	Notes.  These indicate that a list of command or topic specific notes are to follow.
	Caution.  These indicate caution. The command or procedure that follows may cause objects or files to be damaged or deleted if not performed correctly.  You should understand the procedure and proceed carefully.
	Tips & Techniques.  These indicate an operating tip or trick.  It will be followed by valuable information that you should read in order to take full advantage of VX CAD/CAM. See CAD Tips & Techniques for a complete list.

 

 

 

Operational sequences are numbered:

 

Example:

 

1. Select the edges to chamfer.

2. Select the face on the first side of the edge. This face will receive the first setback distance. You may only select a face that borders the selected edge.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until all of the edges you want to chamfer are selected and their faces are specified and then middle-click to continue.

4. Specify the first setback distance.

5. Specify the second setback distance (or angle if the Angle option is selected - see below).

6. Middle-click to execute the command.

      

OR

 

If there is only one operational step, it is preceded by a bullet.

 

Example:

 

• Press the Control Keys (Ctrl+K) to toggle the coordinate readout on/off.

 

 

 

A blue arrow is used to identify important notes in the middle of a topic.

 

Example:

 

• You can also use this command to open (and execute) VX macro files (*.vxm) created using the VX Design Automation Language.

 

 

You will also find notes at the end of many topics.

 

Example:

 

Notes

 

• About Copying Sketches (see Tips & Techniques).

• Assigning Names to Features (see Tips & Techniques).

• During Path input, you can right-click and select Make Curve List from the Input Options Menu. This will allow you to make a parametric list of existing curves to use as input for this command.

 

 

 

Tips & Techniques are provided throughout the documentation. They provide useful information and guidance that can help you take full advantage of VX and its advanced features. An example is shown below.  See Tips & Techniques for a complete list and links.

 

Example:

 

 

 

 

Documentation for the contents of forms and dialogues is presented in the following format.  Many forms are not shown graphically.  The icon shown below is used to alert you that a form or dialogue is being documented.  

 

The title of the form or section within a dialogue will appear to the right of the icon.  Option titles or form content will appear below the icon followed by a description.

 

Example:

 

File Properties Form

 

• Name - The current name of the active file.

• Location - The location of the archive of the active file.

• Size - The current size of the active file.

• Modified Displays - Yes or No if the active file has been modified since it was last saved.

 

  

Example:

 

Required Inputs

 

Points

Select the points to project and then middle-click to continue.

 

Geometry

Select the curves and/or faces to project to.

 

      

There are options that are common to many forms and dialogues.  These are documented once for the type of forms in question.  For example, all of the command options forms contain a set of similar options.  These are documented under Command Options Forms in Chapter 1 of the CAD Reference manual.

 

 

 

The VX online help pages contain "drop-down" topics.  These topics are indicated with bold blue underlined text.  They drop-down (i.e., expand) the current page when selected and then collapse when selected again.

 

 

 

 

 

VX offers many commands that can be used at multiple levels.  For example, the Create Points command is available at the Part, Sketch and Drawing Sheet levels.   These multi-level commands are only documented once in the order and VX level that they appear (e.g., File, Object, Part, Sketch, Drawing Packet, Drawing Sheet and CAM Levels).

 

The Create Points command is documented in Chapter 8 - Wireframe Features under Points.  The distinction (3D/2D) is appended to the titles of these multi-level commands.  This means that they are used at the Part Level as well as the Sketch or Drawing Sheet Levels.  The distinction (3D) or (2D) will appear alone to eliminate any possible confusion concerning the title of the command.  If no distinction is provided, then the command is only used at the level in which it is documented.

 

 

 

"What's New" icons may appear throughout this documentation alerting you to new functionality for the current release.