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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?
  • I had that issue with a co-workers computer. My computer could import models and all my auto features worked fine, they would import the model and only half the time the auto features worked. We found out that the Tessellation Multiplier value needed to be changed on their computer to something different than mine.

    I don't know much about that item, it was lucky guess work that ended up resolving the issue. Tweaked it up and down by small values to see what was making differences. HTH Good luck.
  • Try holding Ctrl while clicking on the CAD. Note the surface colour when moving the mouse.