Posted: 11 April 2008 at 6:36pm | IP Logged

> Multi Trajectory Sweep tool question. 
> PTC Calls the VSS  tool. 
> Where is merge ends hiding.

This is a Pro/E forum and most of us know what a VSS is.  The
Variable Section Sweep does not require multiple trajectories
and it's more than a simple multiple trajectory sweep tool.
 
Now, in lucid terms for those of us that have to wait 'til after
Tom Brokaw, what is it that you'd like to know?

Posted: 13 April 2008 at 10:03am | IP Logged

> to share mcadcentral as a resource I use when I get stuck.

That's a good tip and demonstrated a couple of worthwhile points to boot...
You have to work at getting good info on the litter strewn Disinformation
Highway and the best way to get a concise answer is to ask a concise question.

I hope you also stressed that good forum etiquette begs the use of other
resources like Help...
Part / Base Features / Variable Section Sweep / About the VSS User Interface:
"Merge ends check box - Merge the ends ..."
... before posting.

> PTC got the name backwards

I guess I'm missing the point of view. It's a variable (not multiple) section
sweep function. Multiple trajectories are not required to vary the section nor
are additional trajectories limited to dragging section vertices around when
they are used. So as long as we're swapping opinions; to characterize (and
teach?) it as a simple multiple trajectory sweep that PTC, for some reason,
calls VSS is a light treatment of a pretty sophisticated function.

Posted: 17 April 2008 at 9:12am | IP Logged

There are three things possible:

1. Swept Blend - Multiple sections.  Section entities can change types (from arc to line for example).  I think there needs to be the same number of entities in each section, but that may not be true anymore.
2. Variable Section Sweep - Uses a single section, but that section can vary greatly in size and shape along the trajectory.  A line will always be a line, but it may grow or shrink in length and change angle.  Thank a square to a rectangle to a trapezoid to a parallelogram.
3. Constant Section Sweep - Uses a single section that cannot change size or shape.  A square is a square is a square at any point along the trajectory.  Can be made with the old sweep tool (insert - sweep) or by selecting the 'constant section' pick in the VSS tool as shown above.  The latter method gives you the flexibility to change to variable later.

I would say that 'variable' is the appropriate term here.