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AutoFeatures not reading CAD surface

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?
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  • 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.
Reply
  • 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.
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