You can create a user-defined feature from a collection of named 3D elements. User-defined features can consist of any number of 3D elements but all elements must belong to the same part. The 3D elements can be the edges, vertices, or faces of a part.
User-defined features are especially useful when making detailed part modifications. You can define a series of elements in a part as a feature and then apply machining operations to that feature instead of repeatedly selecting the elements before starting each operation. For example, consider a part consisting of multiple faces which requires several milling, boring, and blending operations. By first defining the features you want to modify, you can considerably reduce the total number of steps required to complete the operations.
For information about defining named elements, see
Named elements.
To define a user-defined feature,
1. Click Feature and then, in the User Defined Feature group, click New. The Define Feature dialog box opens.
2. Select the 3D elements you want to group into the user-defined feature using one of the following methods:
◦ Click a face, edge, or vertex.
◦ Use the Select dialog.
◦ Use the Structure Browser.
3. Type a Feat Name.
4. Click to complete the operation.
To rename a user-defined feature,
1. Click Feature and then, in the User Defined Feature group, click More.
2. Click Rename in the Modify section.
3. Select the user-defined feature you want to rename using one of the following methods:
◦ Click an element belonging to the user-defined feature.
◦ Double-click the user-defined feature in the Structure Browser.
4. Type a new name for the user-defined feature in the user input line, enclosed in double quotes. For example, type "feature2".
5. Press ENTER.
To change a user-defined feature,
1. Click Feature and then, in the User Defined Feature group, click Modify.
2. Select the user-defined feature you want to change using one of the following methods:
◦ Click an element belonging to the user-defined feature.
◦ Use the Select dialog to select a list of user-defined features.
◦ Double-click the user-defined feature in the Structure Browser.
3. Use the Select dialog to add or remove elements from the user-defined feature.
4. Click to complete the operation.
To highlight a user-defined feature,
1. Click Feature and then, in the User Defined Feature group, click More.
2. Click Highlight in the Tools section.
3. Select the user-defined feature you want to highlight using one of the following methods:
◦ Click an element belonging to the user-defined feature.
◦ Use the Select dialog to select a list of user-defined features.
◦ Double-click the user-defined feature in the Structure Browser.
4. Click to complete the operation.
To remove a user-defined feature,
1. Click Feature and then, in the User Defined Feature group, click Delete.
2. Select the user-defined feature(s) you want to remove using one of the following methods:
◦ Click a face, edge, or vertex belonging to the user-defined feature.
◦ Use the Select dialog.
◦ Double-click the user-defined feature in the Structure Browser.
New. The Define Feature dialog box opens.
to complete the operation.
Rename in the Modify section.
Modify.
Highlight in the Tools section.
Delete.