Constructed features

The Constructed Statements toolbar within the Productivity+ GibbsCAM plug-in allows
the creation of virtual elements based on position information determined from previously
measured features.
This module demonstrates how to create the range of available constructed features:
constructed point, constructed line, constructed circle and constructed plane.
Having completed this module you will be able to:
Generate constructed point, line, circle, and plane features using previously measured
feature data

Screenshots may vary from those shown depending on the installed version of the Productivity+ GibbsCAM plug-in.

The Constructed Features toolbar allows the generation of virtual features by using previously
established position data.

This position data can be determined from measured features or constructed features that have been
generated earlier in the Productivity+ GibbsCAM plug-in program.
To create a constructed feature:
Ensure the elements required to create the feature already exist within the Productivity+ GibbsCAM
plug-in program
Add an element from the Constructed Feature toolbar (available options are point, line, circle and
plane)
Drag and drop the required existing elements onto the constructed feature
element (when the cursor changes to a rectangle and an arrow, release
the mouse button)
Open the constructed feature element and add any required offsets (as appropriate, depending on
constructed feature type)
Details of the available range of constructed features and their creation methods are provided within
this document.
This document contains information on creating:
Constructed points
Constructed lines
Constructed circles
Constructed planes

Constructed Point
Constructed point features can be generated using a variety of different methods. These methods
are differentiated by the number of child statements, and the existing feature types required for point
construction.
Note: The GibbsCAM plug-in does not produce a graphical representation on the solid model of any
constructed points.
Offset from origin method
The most simple method of constructing a point is Offset from origin, where a point feature is
generated at a specified X, Y, Z offset from the co-ordinate system (0, 0, 0) position. As this method
uses the origin position, no child statements are required.
The example below shows a constructed point generated using an X, Y, Z offset (50, 20, 30) from CS1.

Offset from position method

When using Offset from position, a constructed point is created by applying an offset to an existing X,
Y, Z position. This method requires a single child feature.
Any previously measured feature can be used to determine the position to which the offset is applied,
however certain features allow the selection of more than one position. For example, if using a
line feature, the default option is midpoint, but either of the end points may be selected instead. A
previously constructed point is also a valid option.
The example below uses a previously measured 3D corner as the position to which an offset will be
applied.

To apply the required offsets, open the Constructed point dialog and manually enter the X, Y and Z
offset values. The following example uses an offset of 10 (mm) in each direction.
When entering the offset values, note how the values in the Position (P1) field (the position of the
resulting constructed point) change to reflect the offset applied.
Once all offsets have been entered, click OK to close the dialog and click Do It to generate the point in
the program.

Note: To apply an offset to a position other than the default (this option is available when the child
feature is a line or web/pocket), select the appropriate Reference to: statement in the Program viewer.
Select the Reference field in the Property viewer, then the ellipsis button. From the drop down, select
the required position to which the offset will be applied.

Midpoint between positions method

When using Midpoint between positions, a constructed point is created at the midpoint of the virtual
line connecting two selected points. This method requires two child features.
In the example below, the constructed point exists at the midpoint of a virtual line between two circle
features.

Note: In order to demonstrate more clearly the construction process used by this method, the
constructed point shown on the model below was manually created using the GibbsCAM Explicit Point
feature within the Geometry Palette.

Once a point has been created at the midpoint of the virtual line, open the Constructed Point dialog
and apply any required X, Y, Z offset values.

Note: When using line features with the Midpoint between positions method, it is possible to select and
use Point 1 (start point), Midpoint, or Point 2 (end point) to create the virtual line. The default option is
midpoint.
If an option other than midpoint is required, select Reference to:Line Midpoint in the Program viewer. A
Reference field appears in the Property viewer. Select this, followed by the ellipsis button that appears
to the right of the field. Double click to select the required alternative point from the drop down list.

Line line intersection method

When using the Line line intersection method, a constructed point is created at the intersecting
position of two lines. This method requires two child line features.

= projected line
(a) Constructed point
generated using two
orthogonal lines

(b) Constructed point

generated using two
non-orthogonal lines

The example above shows two constructed points generated using the intersection of:
(a) Two orthogonal lines
(b) Two non-orthogonal lines
Once a point has been created at the line line intersect position, open the Construct Point dialog and
apply any required X, Y, Z offset values.
Note: In order to demonstrate more clearly the construction process used by this method, the
constructed point shown on the model below was manually created using the GibbsCAM Explicit Point
feature within the Geometry Palette.

Constructed Line
A constructed line can be created from several different features. For example:
Two measured points
Two constructed points
Two measured planes
Two constructed planes
A combination of features such as, measured point and a constructed point
Line between two points method
In this example a constructed line is created from two features; a measured 2D corner and a measured
line.
Having added a constructed line element, the two child statements are dragged onto it and the
constructed line is created.

Note: As in previous examples, the constructed line feature shown below has been created manually
within the software to give a clearer understanding of how this construction method works.

By default the constructed line has been generated using the midpoint of the line child feature. This
can be altered by clicking on the line and ellipsis button, allowing the Point 1 or Point 2 of the line to be
used instead of the midpoint.

Intersection of two planes method

A constructed line can be created from two planes that intersect. In the following example two planes
have been created which are perpendicular to each other. A constructed line element is created and
the two planes are dragged on to it.

This action creates a constructed a line at the position that the two planes intersect. As with
previous examples, the resulting constructed feature has been generated manually to give a clearer
understanding of how this construction method works.

With this method, the constructed line is infinite, having no start or end positions. Whilst no P1 or P2
positions exist, a P3, midpoint position is created which corresponds to the centre of the two planes
projected onto the intersecting line.

A constructed line created using the Intersection of two planes method can be re-configured as a line
between two points: open the constructed line dialog and amend the selection in the construction
method field.

The new constructed line is generated using the centre of the points used to create the two planes and
will have P1, P2 and P3 positions.

Constructed Circle
Generating a constructed circle requires a minimum of three child features.
Any features which provide X, Y, Z position data are valid child features, for example circle centre point,
3D corner, measured or constructed point.
The child features used to create the constructed circle equate to points on the circumference of the
resulting circle.

Unlike constructed point and line features, it is not possible to apply any offsets to constructed circles.
Note: As with previous examples, the constructed circle feature shown above has been created
manually within the software to give a clearer understanding of how this construction method works.

Constructed Plane
Generating a constructed plane requires three child features.
Any features which provide X, Y, Z position data are valid child features, for example circle centre point,
3D corner, measured or constructed point.
Unlike constructed points and lines, it is not possible to apply any offsets to constructed planes.
Note: Some valid combinations of child features will produce a constructed plane that is partially within
the solid model.

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*H-4007-0065-01*
Issued 05.12 Part no. H-4007-0065-01-A