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AutoFeatures not reading CAD surface

TheBradish
I can't get Auto Features to work consistently with my CAD models. I've seen other complain about something like this before, but I don't remember seeing solutions for it, so I thought I'd take another stab...

Our engineers use NX to create part models. When I use a model, they export one for me in STEP 203 format. Then I import into PC-DMIS x4.2 MR1 on a PC running Windows XP.
When I'm in Program Mode I can pick a point on any surface of the model and see a little red vector arrow appear, indicating that a hit was successfully added to the buffer.

Things get interesting when I start using certain Auto Features. Typically there is no problem using plane/circle/cylinder. I usually have a problem with Vector Point (the feature I use most frequently); I can easily create a point on a flat surface, but when I click the model on a curved surface, my vector point will snap to the nearest existing feature. Normally I get around it by keying in my coordinates and reading the CAD vector, but this is a lot harder to do with Edge Point or Angle Point, and lately this is really getting in the way of writing good programs.

Does anybody have any clue as to why I can create good points on the model in Program Mode, but not with Auto Features?
  • Are you in Surface mode when picking auto-features? That is what I would expect to see when in wireframe mode.
  • Are you in Surface mode when picking auto-features? That is what I would expect to see when in wireframe mode.

    +1 That would be my first thing to check.

    If that is not the issue, could you possibly try another type of CAD format (STEP 214, IGES, Parasolid, etc.)?

    Sometimes I have issues with the CAD vectors in some of my models. I usually reboot and it fixes itself. (Most of the time) Sometimes I have to re-import.
  • Yes, I am in Surface Mode.

    I have attempted to use IGES before, but it was a non-starter. Maybe I'll play with the other formats more.

    I would be really surprised if rebooting or reimporting would help. I've been having this problem since I started over a year ago, and with more than one machine. Won't hurt to try, though, when I have time.
  • I wonder if the surface vectors are showing up. I have a model that I'm working with as we speak that has a surface with no vector (that I can find). I had to calculate the vector myself. Thank God it's a non-changing surface!

    Have you checked the surface vectors of the model?
  • If you import the HEXBLOCK.IGS model (in the pc-dmis install directory) can you create a vec point on the 3d contoured surface?

    This might point us towards if the issue is something to do with your setup/method, or if it's something to do with how the models are exported/translated/imported.
  • Do you have access to Solidworks? If so, try importing the .stp file into there and run import diagnostics on it. If it fixes some issues with the model, go File, Save As and select step or IGES and reimport into your program. This usually fixes similar issues for me...
  • Thanks for the tip, Mike. I'm not sure if we have Solidworks, but I'll look into it.
  • I have had this happen to me with auto cylinder. In my case, it just won't select anything at all

    I can't get Auto Features to work consistently with my CAD models. I've seen other complain about something like this before, but I don't remember seeing solutions for it, so I thought I'd take another stab...

    Our engineers use NX to create part models. When I use a model, they export one for me in STEP 203 format. Then I import into PC-DMIS x4.2 MR1 on a PC running Windows XP.
    When I'm in Program Mode I can pick a point on any surface of the model and see a little red vector arrow appear, indicating that a hit was successfully added to the buffer.

    Things get interesting when I start using certain Auto Features. Typically there is no problem using plane/circle/cylinder. I usually have a problem with Vector Point (the feature I use most frequently); I can easily create a point on a flat surface, but when I click the model on a curved surface, my vector point will snap to the nearest existing feature. Normally I get around it by keying in my coordinates and reading the CAD vector, but this is a lot harder to do with Edge Point or Angle Point, and lately this is really getting in the way of writing good programs.

    Does anybody have any clue as to why I can create good points on the model in Program Mode, but not with Auto Features?
  • We have NX, CATIA, SOLIDWORKS, MASTERCAM, etc. No matter what we use, we always lose something in the translation. I've had issues like this before. I just go back to the CAD dept and ask them to clean and recreate the non-cooperating area. But here are other ways to get around this, and from the sounds of it, you have used one option already. Here is another one you might want to try. Go to wireframe mode, click on two wires, (parallel or perpendicular to each other) and somewhere near the vicinity of your target point. After clicking on the two wires, click on the surface where you want to take your hit, and click create. Let me know what happens.
  • try bringing in your iges in "iges (alternate)" this has cleared up similar issuses I have had
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