Utils Catalog

In the catalog Utils you will find some tools that will ease your everyday use of IronCAD. They work as easy as the tools in the ICMechanical catalog, simply drag and drop the tools into the scene.

Solid-Hollow Toggle

Solid-Hollow

The SolidHole Toggle is an easier way to change if a part or an intellishape should add or remove material. Select the part, or the hole or shape, that you want to switch. Then drop the tool into the scene.

Info

If you drop to tool with the Right Mouse Button, the selected shape will be copied before to be elaborated.

Join IntelliShapes

Join IntelliShapes catalog icon

The Join IntelliShapes is a fast version of the Boolean command that can be found under the Shape menu. Simply select the parts that should be joined into one and then drop the Join Parts tool in the scene.

Info

If you drop to tool with the Right Mouse Button, the selected shape will be copied before to be elaborated.

Split IntelliShapes

Split IntelliShapes catalog icon The Split IntelliShapes makes the reverse action. Select the intellishapes of a part that you want to have as a stand alone part. Then drop the Split Intellishapes tool into the scene.

Info

If you drop to tool with the Right Mouse Button, the selected shape will be copied before to be elaborated.

TriBall on COG

TriBall on COG catalog icon The Triball on COG tool positioning the Triball on the centre of gravity to the part.

Operativity

to add The Triball on COG on single part, drop the tool on the element.
to add The Triball on COG on the assembly, first select the assembly, then drop the tool into the scene.

Sphere on COG

Sphere on COG catalog icon The Sphere on COG create a little sphere part with name CenterOfGravity on the centre of gravity.

Operativity

to add The Sphere on COG on single element, drop the tool on the part (in this case, will be create an Intellishape named CenterOfGravity into the part).
to add The Sphere on COG on the assembly, first select the assembly, then drop the tool into the scene.

Suppress Manager

Suppress Manager catalog icon With to the Suppress Manager it is possible to suppress and unsuppress parts and assemblies in a very fast way.

Operativity

The Suppress Manager has several behaviors that could be used in order to reach the user’s goal. These behaviors are related to the button of the mouse used in the Drag and Drop operation, here is the flow:

Using the left button of the mouse during the drag and drop:
- If user drops the tool on a part
  - SuppressManager will suppress all the other part
- If user drops the tool on the background
  - SuppressManager will restore the previous suppression state
Using the right button of the mouse during the drag and drop:
- If there is an active selection
  - SuppressManager will suppress all the unselected parts
  - else
- SuppressManager will unsuppress al the parts in the scene

Remove AddOn

Remove-AddOn catalog icon It removes the AddOn from any selected element. The AddOn is the intelligence added by ICMechanical to Screws, Steels and all other components included in ICMechanical.

Operativity

to remove the addon from a single element, drop the tool on the part.
to remove the addon of a selection of elements, first select the parts, then drop the tool into the scene.

Tip

Drag the tool while holding down the:
Shift key: removes only Code Generator AddOn.
Alt key: removes (in addition to the AddOn) all part parameters as well.
Drag the tool with the Right Buttom Mouse: removes all AddOn from all parts of the assembly.

Warning

By removing the addon, the ICMechanical parts can no longer be modified with the tool that created them, but only with the standard IronCAD tools, in other word, the component become a simple model.

Export Unfolded Part

Export Unfolded Part catalog icon The Export unfolded part tool is a very convenient command for exporting sheets metal part to dxf or dwg files. It is possible to export a single sheet metal, a selection of sheet metal or all the sheets metal of the scene.

Export Unfolded Part catalog

Operativity

to export a single sheet metal, drop the tool on the sheet to export.
to export a selection of sheets metal, first select the sheets, then drop the tool into the scene.
to export all sheets metal, drop the tool into the scene.

Note

When exporting a selection or all sheets, make sure you have assigned different PartName or PartNumber for each sheet, in case there are multiple sheets with same PartName and PartNumber only the first one will be exported.

After releasing the tool, a dialog box with optins appears, this is divided into three areas:

Export in the Folder: where and how to export the file.

Export Unfolded Part catalog

Drawing Settings: the format you prefer for export, how to construct the filename and if you want to create an ICD drawing in addition to a DXF/DWG file (the template file is in ../ICMechanical/Templates/Drawing/ UnfoldTemplateEmpty.icd).

Export Unfolded Part catalog

Note

We suggest to set the Export BSpline as Arcs, only in the case that it’s required by the CNC system. In all other cases, keeping the Export BSpline as Arcs unchecked will ensure that the geometry will be exported correctly. Please verify the exported file before to deliver it, in the case that you check the Export BSpline as Arcs option.

Drawing Options: how and what to write in the DXF/DWG file (these options are not available if you choose Create ICD env.)

Elaborate Parallel Faces is useful if there are particular processes such as Counterbore Holes, Dimple, Lance, Semi-Pierce Protrusion…

Note

If the element is mirrored, the char M is added to the end of the exported file name. This is done in order to be sure that two parts having the same informations (PartName, PartNumber, Material etc.) but with different mirror state, are both exported to DXF/DWG.

Tip

If you check “Show exported files”, they will be opened in the CAD viewer once the export process is complete.

Tip

You can set the default parameters in the Utils tab of the global settings Configuration; and you can also set the Templates folder in the General tab.

In the ..\Templates\Drawing folder are the files for the settings and templates used by the application:

BendNames.ini
This file contains the variables for the label names for Bend up and down.

BendStyles.ini
This file contains the variables for setting styles for Layers, Colors and Lines.

ExportFaceDimStyle.ini
This file contains some DXF variables that you can set. As example, it’s possible to change the DecimalPlace, the TextHeight, the TextAlignement and other variables related to DXF. This file is used when you export directly the parts to the DXF.

UnfoldDimStyle.ini
This file is similar to the previous and it’s used when you export the parts using an icd file

UnfoldTemplateEmpty.icd
Is the template used to export unfolded parts using the icd file

DXFTemplate.dxf
Is used by the Get Coordinates tool. This is a standard DXF file that can be modified for the customer purposed. We use it when the coordinates get from the model are to be exported in DXF.

Selection to Configuration

Selection to Configuration catalog icon

The tool creates a configuration based on the active selection.

Youtube video - Selection to Configuration

Operativity

Part
- drop the tool on the part, a configuration will be created with the Name of the part.
- select the parts and drop the tool into the scene, a configuration will be created with the Name of the First selected part.
Assembly
- select the assembly and drop the tool into the scene, a configuration will be created with the Name of the assembly.

Tip

If you want to set the Name or Property of the configuration drop the tool with Right Button Mouse. Selection to Configuration

Set Include in BOM Status

Set Include in BOM Status catalog icon

The tool add the elements at the Bill of Material.

Youtube video - Set Include in BOM Status

Operativity

Drop the tool into the scene all elements will be added to the BOM.

Part
- drop the tool on the part you want add to the BOM.
- select the parts you want to include in the BOM and drop the tool into the scene, the selected parts will be added to the BOM.
Assembly
- select the assembly you want to add to the BOM and drop the tool into the scene, the assembly and all sub-assemblies and all contained parts will be added to the BOM.

Tip

This tool has two modes:
- with the left mouse button: adds elements to the BOM.
- with right mouse button: removes elements to the BOM.

Hide Elements

Hide Elements catalog icon

This tool hides the elements into the scene.

Operativity

To Hide :

Part
- drop the tool on the part for hidden it.
- select the parts and drop the tool into the scene for hidden the selection.
Assembly
- select the assembly you want hidden and drop the tool into the scene.

To Show : drop the tool into the scene for show all hidden elements.

Reset Sizebox

Reset Sizebox catalog icon

This tool reset the sizebox of the intellishape if it is wrong.

Reset Sizebox

Operativity

Drop the tool into the scene for reset sizebox for all elements.

Part
- drop the tool on the part you want to reset sizebox.
- select the parts you want to reset sizebox and drop the tool into the scene.
Assembly
- select the assembly you want to reset sizebox and drop the tool into the scene, the assembly and all sub-assemblies and all contained parts will be repair.

Importing Wire from DataFile

Importing Wire from file

This tool imports a set of 3D coordinates from a file and creates a 3D curve.

Importing Wire from file

Youtube video - Importing Wire from DataFile

Operativity

Drop the tool into the scene,
select data files *.txt or *.dat,
the 3D curve is created.

The file format must have one point per line with an X, Y and Z values which must be separated by spaces, lines starting with # are ignored.

# file description
# X  Y  Z
-41  90  -10
-41  170  -10
-20  170  -10
20  112  -10
20  170  -10
...
...

Importing SketchPoints from DataFile

Importing Coordinate from file

This tool imports a set of 2D coordinates from a file and creates a 2D Sketch plane with the points.

Importing Coordinate from file

Youtube video - Importing SketchPoints from DataFile

Operativity

Drop the tool into the scene,
select data files *.txt or *.dat,
the 2D Sketch plane with the points is created.

The file format must have one point per line with an X and Y values which must be separated by spaces, lines starting with # are ignored.

# file description
# X  Y
-50  -50
-50  0
-50  50
0  40
50  50
40  0
50  -50
0  -40
...
...

Decompose Pattern

This tool removes pattern instances and reduces them to linked instances.

Decompose Pattern

Operativity

Select the pattern you want to decompose and drop the tool into the scene.

Decompose Pattern

Warning

Warning: be careful with this tool, cannot be undone.

Disassemble Elements

This tool disassembles all the assemblies in the scene or below the selected one.

Operativity

Drop the tool into the scene for disassemble All Assemblies.
Select the Assembly you want to disassemble and drop the tool into the scene.

Disassemble Elements

You can choose whether to disassemble the top assemblies in the scene as well, in this case delete all the assemblies in the scene, or in subasseblies.

Disassemble Elements

Warning

Warning: be careful with this tool, cannot be undone.

Copy Profile to New Part

This tool creates a new profile by copying it from the selected part.

Copy Profile to New Part

Operativity

Select the Cross-Section of the parts from which you want to copy profile,
drop the tool into the scene.

A new 2D-Profile has ben created.

Create Bend Plane

This tool is to creating radius/curve profiles for tube curves.

Create Bend Plane

Operativity

Select the assembly of tubes you want to create a bend plane,
drop the tool into the scene.

New 2D sketches of the curvature planes, the points with the start and end of the tubes, or the sketch of the center line of the tubes will be created.

Note

if you drop the tool with the Left mouse button, the start and end points of the tubes will be created.
if you drop the tool with the Right mouse button, the center lines of the tubes will be created.

Tip

In addition, if you drop the tool with the Shift key pressed, you can the create of an Excel file containing the coordinates of the points.

Tip

If the pipe is made up of different parts, it is better to create an assembly, otherwise the start and end profiles of each single piece will be created.

Select all Linked Elements

Tool to select all linked elements within the scene.

Select all Linked Elements

Operativity

Part
- drop the tool on the part you want to select all linked.
Assembly
- select the assembly you want to select all linked and drop the tool into the scene.

Analyze Cylindrical Faces

This Tool allows you to return the number of holes grouped by radius.

Analyze Cylindrical Faces

Operativity

Drop the tool on the part you want to analyze.

The window that appears shows the list of cylindrical faces grouped by equal radius (in brackets there is the number of equal elements) , click on the items to highlight the holes.

Import DXF3D Scanned files

This tool import dxf files create from Scanner, also supports 3D files from FlexiJet.

Import DXF3D Scanned files

Operativity

Drop the tool into the scene,
select *.dxf files to import.

Youtube video - Import DXF3D Scanned files

Tip

Dragging with the right button you can choose which elements to import. Import DXF3D Scanned files

Set Status Color

This tool sets the status color on the selected elements.

Set Status Color

Operativity

Select elements,
drop the tool into the scene,
select the status and confirm.

Tip

To manage the elements with Status Color see Status Color Filter.

Set AutoNaming

This tool sets the name (and keeps it linked to the assembly name) for all elements contained in the assembly.

Set AutoNaming

This tool works in two modes:

Only elements that match the name of the Assembly
- it only changes the name part of the child elements that contain the same name as the parent assembly, it leaves the others unchanged.
All children use numbering items
- while, in this case, it will change the name of all the elements by connecting it to that of the parent and completing it with the rules set in the dialog box.

Operativity

Select assembly,
drop the tool into the scene to apply the default preset,
or drop with the right mouse button to open the dialog where you can set the naming rules (which will become the new default),

Set AutoNaming

right-click the assembly and select:

AutoNaming Settings… - to reopen dialog and change the rules,
Update Children Names - to update the names of parts, for example if new parts are added to the assembly,
Remove Auto Rename - to remove the tool from the assembly.

You can also use Remove AutoNaming to remove the tool.

Note

In ProActive Manager, assemblies that have AutoNaming are shown in Bold Blue Font Set AutoNaming

Tip

To set the default rule, you can drag the tool with the right mouse button into the scene, without any active selection, the dialog box will open, set the new rules and confirm.

Remove AutoNaming

This tool remove the Set AutoNaming.

Operativity

Select the assembly,
drop the tool into the scene to remove the AutoNaming tool,
or right-click the assembly and select Remove Auto Rename from the menu,

Set AutoNaming

Tip

To remove the automatic naming tool from many assemblies, first select the assemblies, then drag and drop the tool into the scene.

Detect Holes

This tool detect and creates editable holes from an imported element (BREP).

Operativity

Single element:

drop the tool on an edge, to create the single hole,
drop the tool on the face, to detect and create all the holes on the face,
drop the tool in the scene, select the type of hole, and select edges or faces of the holes you want to create.

Multi element:

First select the part(s) then drop in the scene, to create the holes on the whole part.

Tip

Shortcut:
Drop the tool with the Left mouse button, to create threaded holes.
Drop the tool with the Right mouse button, to create simple holes.

Remove Transparency

This tool remove transparency to parts in the scene.

Operativity

All element:

drop the tool in the scene to remove transparency from all parts.

Selected element:

Select the part(s) or assembly firts,
then drop the tool in the scene to remove transparency.

Tip

If transparency is applied only to some faces of the part, drop the tool while holding down the Right mouse button to remove the transparency of the faces as well. Note that in this case the processing will take longer, since it is necessary to check the every single face of the parts.

Remove Transparency

Statistics

Statistic

This tool reports any problems present in the part.

Statistic

Operativity

All element:

drop the tool in the scene to analyze all parts.

Selected element:

first select the part(s) or assembly,
then drop the tool in the scene to to analyze them.

Statistic

With the icons in the toolbar you can:

export the report to an Excel file
suppress the selected parts
unsupress the selected parts
delete selected parts
change the modeling kernel to fix the problem
hide the unselected parts

Utils Catalog

Subsections of Utils Catalog

Solid-Hollow Toggle

Join IntelliShapes

Split IntelliShapes

TriBall on COG

Operativity

Sphere on COG

Operativity

Suppress Manager

Operativity

Remove AddOn

Operativity

Export Unfolded Part

Operativity

Selection to Configuration

Operativity

Set Include in BOM Status

Operativity

Hide Elements

Operativity

Reset Sizebox

Operativity

Importing Wire from DataFile

Operativity

Importing SketchPoints from DataFile

Operativity

Decompose Pattern

Operativity

Disassemble Elements

Operativity

Copy Profile to New Part

Operativity

Create Bend Plane

Operativity

Select all Linked Elements

Operativity

Analyze Cylindrical Faces

Operativity

Import DXF3D Scanned files

Operativity

Set Status Color

Operativity

Set AutoNaming

Operativity

Menu options

Remove AutoNaming

Operativity

Detect Holes

Operativity

Remove Transparency

Operativity

Statistics

Operativity