How to Chain Select in WF

[marker4x4]

Heck, how do you guys select chains in WF? For instance I want to select the blue set of edges for Trajectory Sequence and in order to do that, I have to hold down CTRL and select each segment individually... and since I use Spaceball, I have to move my hand back and forth between the keyboard to Spaceball... it's a PITA because I've got lots of chains to select. Also, because it's an imported model, I can't (for some reason) use Surface Chain. Any advice will be much appreciated.


View attachment 2619

Thanks!!

 

[appinmi]

If you are creating your tool path from edges, and want to select a "chain of edges", pick "surface chain". Pick on a surface that has all of your edges, in this case the top surface. If there is more than one "chain of edges" on this surface, it will highlight one in green. Either accept this chain, or pick "next" until the correct chain is highlighted.


I do not use this much, because it is very dificult to define the startpoint. Instead, I create the path from "curves". You can still select the edges as a "curve chain", and the entity that you select will be the startpoint of the cutter path.

 

[marker4x4]

If you are creating your tool path from edges, and want to select a "chain of edges", pick "surface chain". Pick on a surface that has all of your edges, in this case the top surface. If there is more than one "chain of edges" on this surface, it will highlight one in green. Either accept this chain, or pick "next" until the correct chain is highlighted.


I do not use this much, because it is very dificult to define the startpoint. Instead, I create the path from "curves". You can still select the edges as a "curve chain", and the entity that you select will be the startpoint of the cutter path.

Well, the trouble is that ProE doesn't let me to scroll through all possible chains with Surface Chain selection. It highlights green only the outside boundary and Next/Previous options don't change that - I don't know why...

What do you mean when you say "...You can still select the edges as a "curve chain" ?

Thanks,

 

[appinmi]

Create your tool path by "curve". When prompted for the curves, it defaults to "one at a time". Select "curve chain", then select one edge of the chain and follow the prompts.


Another way to do this is to create a datum curve using the edges in question. Reorder this curve before your NC sequence. Then create the path using the curve.

 

[marker4x4]

Create your tool path by "curve". When prompted for the curves, it defaults to "one at a time". Select "curve chain", then select one edge of the chain and follow the prompts.


Another way to do this is to create a datum curve using the edges in question. Reorder this curve before your NC sequence. Then create the path using the curve.

I've tried that too; no dice on that one either, ProE won't let me select the solid's geometry. Oh well, another thing to put up with I guess

Thanks,

 

[superdutynick]

This is kind of an alternative... Have you looked at the space pilot? It has the accelerator keys in the corner including shift and control. I also like a five button mouse to program one button shift and one for control. It saves on moving from keyboard to mouse/spaceball(pilot). you can also slide your keyboard over to your spaceball so you can just hit control with your thumb.

 

[marker4x4]

Does anyone know how the heck this work (from the WF Manual):

<h1>To Construct a Chain</h1>

1. <li ="kadov-p-CTopic-Text-Numbered">
   Select an edge or curve on your model to establish
   the anchor. Pro/ENGINEER highlights the selection.
   <li ="kadov-p-CTopic-Text-Numbered">
   Press SHIFT and right-click to query all possible
   chains related to the anchor. Valid edges and curves for each possible chain are
   highlighted and a ToolTip identifies the chain type, for example Tangent, Surface Loop, or One-by-One. Note that the pointer must be near the
   selection and not over a handle to be able to query possible chains.
   <li ="kadov-p-CTopic-Text-Numbered">
   If you are constructing a From-To chain, place your
   pointer over the edge or curve where the chain will terminate and right-click to
   query through the possible chains until you locate the From-To
   chain.

1. <li ="kadov-p-CTopic-Text-Numbered">
   Click the highlighted item that is associated with
   the chain type that you want to create. Pro/ENGINEER constructs the chain and
   highlights it. If you are working with a tool closed, the Selected Items area
   indicates the selection and the Selected Items dialog box
   contains the chain. If you construct a chain from inside a tool, the active
   collector contains the chain and the Chain label is
   displayed on the model.
   <li ="kadov-p-CTopic-Text-Numbered">
   If you are constructing a One-by-One chain, holding
   down the SHIFT key, click on the anchor again and select additional edges or
   curves to include in the chain. Pro/ENGINEER appends and highlights the
   chain.

...... I was trying to follow this procedure, but it doesn't work for me. Or is it only valid for modeling functions, not for ProNC?

Thanks,

 

[superdutynick]

Mark,


I believe that is part of the new functionality, and therefore only available in the "new" areas of wildfire. Kind of like the undo and redo capabilities that have been added.


Have you tried that in regular part mode? Also, some of the selection techiniques (especially some of the intent's) vary by date code.

 

[peterbrown77]

"Well, the trouble is that ProE doesn't let me to scroll through all possible chains with Surface Chain selection"


Obviously this is some sort of bug. I use Trajectory by Edge with surfacechains regularly. Are you certain you are selecting the face of the part and not that of the workpiece?


While the start point is not where you want it when doing a surf chain, a Build Cut motion will generally take care of that for you.


Regards